I'm not a newbie to anxiety or treatment. Had anxiety 34 years and in last 12 years been through at least 12 meds and 4 doctors. All just come up with whatever they are pushing that month. None yet besides my family doctor of 12 years has really thought about what would be the best for me. That is really the problem I don't see anything out there that people say is really working long term without bad side effects. SSRI'S are terrible going on and off. Thought about off label stull like Dilantian, Lyrica, Neuroton.....but can't find much on that either. Just like a few ideas to try because that is usally what my doctor says..."what do you think would work."

Hello Again

I am in no position to tell you what to ''try'', I have dealt/cope with aniety for the better part of my adult life...I guess I'm a old soul when it comes to anxiety, and further more I am not a Doctor but I can tell you that my quality of life is a good one...I achieve this trough therapy and pharmacotherapy it was a long haul. As you know there is no magic pill that will make everything fine and dandy, to me medication is only a tool but much more needs to be done in my oppinion.

To put it simply I got out of the ring and stop fighting it, did some life changes and I can say that I wouldnt trade my worst day now for my best back then...but thats me.

They are many lessons that I have made mine in order to be where I am now.

BTW in no way I wanted to offend you in my reply...if I did please accept my appologies, this site is a great one hope to see you around

Suffolk/for/suffering folks

I'd like to know how you got to this "place." I've tried Therapy with a few diffrent people and none of them could really find the sourace of my anxiety. It started at 17, that was 34 years ago. My bother started at 16, he is now 45 and has it. Both of us had "normal" or better childhood. Both of us are worriers and have constant low level anxiety and periods of panic attacks under stress. What are some things that worked for you. What meds seemed to help you?

I'll try to explain

When I first started my recovery I tought that the answers where supose to be giving to me, I was working with a therapist and a multidisciplinal team in a private clinic I was there for 6 months and had a follow up afterwards, I found out that no Doctor/psychologist/therapist had MY answers they where merely companions giving me some insight and advice along the way. So you can imagine they was a lot of soul searching on my part.

Then came a point of detachment some of us feel the need to keep consulting and thats fine but the way I saw it recovery meant to regain my life, to tell you the truth it was the best investment I ever did (going in for intensive therapy).

Today I see my anxiety as a integral part of my person and I have accepted it but the admission of it took time its a process and it is different for everybody.

I understand your Doctor when he says (what do you think would be best for you) in my oppinion hes trying to bring you to realize that only you have your answers, and in my oppinion its quite true in no uncertain way.

As I said before it was a long process for me (I might be slow ) as far as the medication goes I wont go there I am not a Doctor so I encourage you to keep working with yours.

Heres a tip if you are totally honnnest with yourself and willing to put in the efforts that one needs you will be half way there.

I truly wish you the best

Fair Winds and Rolling Waters

Suffolk

Thank you for your time. I know from talking to lots of people their is no perfect answer. Nobody has done more "soul" searching then I have for 34 years. I'm a christain and that fullfills everything I need spiritually and that it one problem I had with therapy, they were always pushing some "new age" imagery or meditation which I needed either because my prayer life is what I use for that. The meds I personally think most do more harm then good. To get rid of one symtom anxiety you have to get 3-4 side effects from meds. To me that is not much of a trade. I think I'll just play it safe and either God will heal me or I'll live my life with anxiety. His way has no side effects but only benefits. That is how I've made it this far.