[AliceKate]

I have recently recieved a diagnosis of panic disorder and my Psychologist want me to see a psychiatrist. I must say, and I have told him, that I am very sceptical about psychopharmaca. I was wondering if you guys have any experience and would care to share it?

[Yaowen]

I suffer panic disorder too. I was greatly helped by medication and could not be happy or function without it. But I can only speak for myself. There are variations in how people respond to medications so I never try to give advice. I hope you find what helps you best!

[AliceKate]

Thanks Yaowen I'll check it out for sure. T was very insistant.

[Mountaindewed]

I have a valium addiction. At least I think so but it hasnt affected my quality of life or anything. I also dont ever run out of them early so it hasn't ever been a problem that needs intervention. So until I'm forced off it I plan on staying on it because it really does help with my anxiety.

[AliceKate]

Is it not a problem for the physical health in the long run?

[ThunderGoddess]

I don't take medication. I have been on Seroquel before which I thought was somewhat helpful but the side effects were too much I needed 12+ hours of sleep just to function and when I took them I could barely walk so it made me very uncomfortable to be in that state. Sometimes I want to take meds again because life feels easier on them although I don't feel they are healthy for prolonged use so most of the time I think what's the point if it won't cure me and I don't want to be on them forever. My symptoms are mood swings, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, social isolation.

[Mountaindewed]

Originally Posted by AliceKate

Is it not a problem for the physical health in the long run?

The only physical side effects I've noticed from my valium is an overall decrease in appetite and weight loss. Since my mind is sending me mixed signals and is saying it wants the valium when I actually legit need to eat something. But that can happen with any drug your addicted to.

[AliceKate]

I'm sorry your addicted to it, Mountaindewed. Do you ever consider stopping to take it?
Getting addicted is part of my worries. I am prone to developing addictions, I think.

Originally Posted by ThunderGoddess

I don't take medication. I have been on Seroquel before which I thought was somewhat helpful but the side effects were too much I needed 12+ hours of sleep just to function and when I took them I could barely walk so it made me very uncomfortable to be in that state. Sometimes I want to take meds again because life feels easier on them although I don't feel they are healthy for prolonged use so most of the time I think what's the point if it won't cure me and I don't want to be on them forever. My symptoms are mood swings, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, social isolation.

Those sound like ugly side-effects. Is what they say, right? "Medication have effects, psychopharmaca have side-effects". I guess I might be pretty biased. And I agree with all you said, why take them, when they harm you but don't fix the underlying issue?

T says that the might help in cooperation with psychotherapy. Apparently, it's standard proceedure to treat a secondary issue with drugs, while treating a primary issue with therapy. That argument does kind of make sense to me, because if my primary issue goes away, perhaps my anxiety will drop at the same time. But then my primary issue isn't exactly going away in a week or a year or such.

[Mountaindewed]

I am very worried if I stop it I will have to go to IP rehab. Right now its not causing an issue and no one on my support team seems too concerned. So I think I'm ok for right now.

But yeah I wish back in 2018 I would have just said no to the xanax my doctor put me on which started all this. I had been on Ativan for many years before without any problem.

[AliceKate]

That's exactly my point. I am so sorry you are dealing with this, I understand that giving it up would be difficult.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by AliceKate

Is it not a problem for the physical health in the long run?

I’m not saying people should never take benzodiazepines because they are life savers for some but long term studies have linked memory issues and long term benzo use.

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[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by ThunderGoddess

I don't take medication. I have been on Seroquel before which I thought was somewhat helpful but the side effects were too much I needed 12+ hours of sleep just to function and when I took them I could barely walk so it made me very uncomfortable to be in that state. Sometimes I want to take meds again because life feels easier on them although I don't feel they are healthy for prolonged use so most of the time I think what's the point if it won't cure me and I don't want to be on them forever. My symptoms are mood swings, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, social isolation.

Can you share what types of meds are not healthy for long term use in your opinion?

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[AliceKate]

Yes, anything that makes you addicted or is just a medication ment to calm you alltogether (not focussed on anxiety).

On my list of No's, I have
-Benzodiazepines
-NCLEX
-Barbiturates
-Valarian
-Muscel Relexants
-Valium
-Hydroxyine
-Propanol

On my list of maybes I have
-SSRIS
-SNRIS
-Buspirone
-Gabapentin
-Escitalopram.

Mind you, I'm not depressed, just anxious.