For me, it has to be a matter of perspective.  Which I often forget.  I want a pill that will help anxiety.  I had to beg my pdoc to prescribe one (I've tried Xanax and Klonopin).  It helped immediately.  But after 6 months, I began to feel guilty that I needed it and I easily weaned myself off with no side effects.  Which was exactly what my pdoc wanted me to do.  He wanted me to take it in a moment of need, but not when I could get by without it.  I guess that's reasonable.  So, he stopped prescribing it

Problem was, the sources of anxiety were still there.  The pill made me feel better, yes.  ("Better living through chemistry.")  But I should have been dealing with the underlying causes of anxiety rather than just medicating them.  Now, I'm buzzing with anxiety all the time -- seems there's never a day without it anymore -- and it's like my pdoc is saying, "Oh no you don't.  I'm not going to get into this again because you've already conquered it.  No way will I prescribe a pill again because you've proven you don't need it."  Totally untrue.  If he would just think back, he prescribed Klonopin "as needed."  And I took it "as needed."  I didn't become a junkie.  It helped tremendously.

Fortunately, I have two whole months of the previous prescription left because I ordered the refills each of the 6 months, whether I need them or not.  Stockpiling, I guess they would label it.  And my pdoc has now grudgingly agreed to supply more when I run out of these.

I don't want to have a need for the pills.  But I do have a legitimate need for them.  And isn't that what they are for?  I haven't abused the privilege of having them on hand.  Ideally, I would also be attending therapy to get a real handle on things.  But (lol) if I started back to therapy I would REALLY need anti-anxiety pills!

Btw, like you MM, I tried yoga, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, exercise, herbal teas, melatonin, whatever.  They probably helped in some ways, but they still didn't tone down the anxiety enough where I could function during the day.

I need the medication, but I also need to remember to cut myself a break.  After all, I don't hesitate to take pain medication when arthritis strikes.  I don't hesitate to take anesthesia when I'm going to have traumatic surgery.  And needless to say, I take 3 antidepressants and 1 antipsychotic a day and would hate to know I had to do without them for more than a day or two.

Merely Me, Health Guide

2/ 1/12 8:36pm

I hear you Donna.

 

Your comment makes me want to write a second post about the stigma of taking anti-anxiety meds.  It is more there than for anti-depressants in my opinion.  Not everyone is going to get addicted to anti-anxiety meds.  Some people need these medications for a reason...they suffer from debilitating anxiety.  Sometimes it is not situational...but more biological.  I think this is a concept that mystifies some people.  We are biological beings.  We can't just will away anxiety or recite positive incantations to make it disappear. 

 

I hope things improve for you.  I know you are going through a rough time.

 

On the depression site I have answered your questions the best way I knew how.  When you have the chance come on by.

 

Have a good evening.

 

MM

 

 

 

 

I have no problem with trying out different medications to see if they help.  Anti-anxiety medications (specifically Xanax and Klonipin and their generics) have been more effective with fewer side effects that many other types of medications I've tried.  Xanax was the first anti-anxiety medication I was prescribed for anxiety (GAD, but I also have probably undiagnosed Social Phobia; have been shy all my life).  It helped me in so many situations, including when my daughters pressured me to take them to visit my parents, when I did not want to be around them at all. I've never had an addiction problem with Xanax or Klonipin or any other prescribed medication.

I think there is a genetic factor to anxiety as there is to many other emotional disorders.  My maternal grandmother, my mother, and at least one of her two sisters all had or have anxiety.  I'm sure that environment can and does often add to the problem.

I am thankful that there are medications to treat anxiety.  The only one I tried that had bad effects was Buspar.  I came close to "climbing the walls" while taking it and stopped it after I realized what it was doing to me.

Thanks for another good post, MM!

patsy

Merely Me, Health Guide

2/ 1/12 8:46pm

Wow...what happened with the Buspar? 

 

Yeah you really never know how you may react to any of the meds until...you try them. 

 

As Donna was talking about...I do think there are assumptions made about anti-anxiety meds which are just not true for all people.  I believe that some people will abuse any type of medication but there are so many people who use their meds responsibly and as prescribed.  The folks who are taking these drugs without the prescription and taking them with all sorts of other drugs (some illegal) sure...there may be addiction there.  I think anti-anxiety meds get a bad rap for this reason. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always enjoy our conversations.