Most of you might be thinking, how can this guy have so many problems? It's the truth, hence my username..

I'm going to see a therapist on Friday for my major depression. It's either teenage hormones, life problems or sevear clinical depression. My mom also wants me to get myself checked for OCD because she's tired of how strange i've been acting in relation to those symptoms.

I have anxiety and people always laugh at me when I speak (while reading something etc..) as if I'm about to die. Ive had at least 10 panic attacks in my life but I don't tell anyone and no one asks me questions during that time so I'm very lucky on that. One day someone will know and find out.. The only time someone found out was when I was reading in class and I couldn't talk any longer. My teacher pointed it out and gave me a lecture on how "it's ok no one is judging you etc.." I know that.. I try to tough these situations out every time by saying "it's just in my head etc". I would get mad at myself but it just doesn't work. At that time, my teacher told me to stand outside to get a break and I could bearly walk, I was hyperventilating. I was floating above my body etc (you know the symptoms..)

My dad has anxiety as well and he always gets a bad review when giving presentations. This really does affect my ability to learn (along with everything else that I'm trying to deal with).

I was just wondering, if I get prescribed an anti depressant (which I probably will), will it help?? Do I have to ask for something like xanax? Im sure It would be too strong and I would look drunk. I only get anxiety in situations where normal people wouldn't. I had sevear anxiety during my driving test yesterday. I couldn't tell my driving instructor because then she would get anxiety and stop the course. I just told her that I was nervous and she said that it was ok but I felt like I wasn't even driving. It's dangerous to have this while going 120km/h on the highway. Obviously when I get my lisence I won't be violently shacking etc like what happened today while doing a presentation. People can SEE. Thank god I only wrote half a page..

What about something weaker like Valium, etc.. I googled it.

This is a Canadian doctor I'm talking about though. He may just think that the antidepressant is enough. Hopefully it will because no one would want to pay so much because I have "teenage problems" NO ONE ELSE DOES! It's just something about these Canadians that make them so skeptical. (such as wanting to give them to my friends or taking a whole bunch or getting addicted because I'm a "no good teenager..") I mean, hopefully he will realize how mature I am. Most people do. I would never even think of telling anyone about It let alone giving anyone (my stash of drugs because I'm a complete looser now). You know what I mean..

My dad is also very depressed and anxious after my mom left him. He gained so much weight and is trying to lose it but I think that he can't because he might be too depressed. He also went to costa rica or some place and did cocaine. Maybe if I get help and things work out then I could also give him some advice on this.

Also, because I'm suicidal (just a little right now), he might not give me anything in fear of od? I want to tell this person everything but maybe I shouldn't? If you put it this way, an antidepressant would save me from being so depressed as well.. I hate Canadian ways.. They're so judgmental. Everyone just has to be normal.. I just want to be happy and less nervous to get my life straightened out but I really don't see that happening because of this.. I've already screwed up so much already. It's the reason that I've started to research all of this stuff..

My ten year old sister had a hard time telling my mom that she was nervous in school (even though she's very outgoing). She might have to do the same thing when the symptoms get sevear at my age. For me, just being nervous even started at 13 so she has started at a younger age.

IT'S GENETIC!

My older brother has no problems but he has a very different personality..

[monarch_butterfly]

Many people are given an anti depressent. Zoloft for example is good for anxiety and depression combos
But they also might give you a PRN script for something like klonopin or xanax. (Did i spelll that right?) Anyway i doubt they would start yoou on lithium because it needs blood tests because it can mess with liver enzymes. So they'll probably try something else first. Btw i am not a doctor. Just a perpetual patient!

[monarch_butterfly]

And yes anxiety is often genetic. My mom has it. I have it and so does my sister. But mine is more severe then theirs. Oh well. More therapy for me. Good luck tommorow and write a list of what you want to say.. that will cut down on anxiety there.

[JadeAmethyst]

I was prescribed Celexa an antidepressant taken at night before bed.
I also take Xanax (very small dosage) as needed (PRN). This combination of meds works well for me. It has been very helpful.

Good luck to you, it was pretty scary for me until I got help from my doctor. I know my family is much happier too.

An hour and hour an hour x.x

[Pikku Myy]

Yes... sweetie... but it took a while to REALLY work.

I do, Zoloft and Buspar.

Yes, I do realize that buspar is an anti-anxiety.

[belledisastre]

During my very first psychiatric evaluation, I was diagnosed with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and OCD. I was prescribed Lexapro to help treat all 3 of those. My anxiety got a tiny bit better, but not enough to notice a substantial difference, but apparently Lexapro works great for some people's anxiety but just not so much for me. Lexapro is mainly an antidepressant; it didn't work at all for me, and neither did any of my other antidepressant meds, but that was because I actually had Bipolar II Disorder so I was basically being treated for something other than what I really had. Once I got on mood stabilizers, I've been a million times better. I'm not on any anxiety medications, I guess because it took me 3 medications just to stabilize my Bipolar Disorder and they didn't want to mess with that.
Some antidepressants also work well for anxiety. It depends on the medication. Definitely talk with whoever is prescribing your medication, they need to know about your anxiety issues. They seem to really be consuming your life.
It may take your medication from 1-2 months to fully kick in, so don't lose hope fast. Listen to your doctor's advice. And if your first medication turns out not to work for you, don't lose hope then either, there are thousands of medications in the world and you're bound to find a med that works for you eventually. I started to feel really hopeless when all the meds I'd tried failed to work, but now I found my "miracle drug" and I'm a million times better. Don't lose hope, you can do this. It's also great that you're seeing a therapist, therapy is often very good for anxiety/depression as well.
I wish you the absolute best of luck!

[shortandcute]

I think it depends. I have anxiety and depression, and I take two anti-depressants. I take prozac in the morning, and at night I take trazadone so I can sleep (my anxiety was causing insomnia).

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by monarch_butterfly

And yes anxiety is often genetic. My mom has it. I have it and so does my sister. But mine is more severe then theirs. Oh well. More therapy for me. Good luck tommorow and write a list of what you want to say.. that will cut down on anxiety there.

My youngest daughter (17) got my anxiety. My son, 25, inherited my depression.