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Minnie asked in HealthMental Health · 1 decade ago

I have horrible anxiety, but doctors want give me antidepressants.?

I'm going to try to be throughly detailed & I will post this on a medical form too. I just want as much as advice that I can get.

I have really bad anxiety, or I believe iI think it's anxiety. I get so nervous that I forget to breath. Out of the blue I'll feel like time is moving really slow and I'm moving really fast (even though I know I'm moving at normal rate, but it feels like that). I always see what it looks like rain drops out of my peripheral. The back of my teeth ache for me clinching my jaw. My heart beats uncontrollably. I have the worst time trying to get to sleep. Sometimes when I talk to someone who is just a couple feet away I feel like they are a mile away and it's echoing & I have been having a horrible headache lately (but I'm pretty sure that's just my sinus').

I work out everyday, I eat healthy, I don't drink, smoke cigarettes or do drugs, when my anxiety gets really bad I do the brown paper bag breathing trick. It's affecting my life, I have to do all of my college classes online, it's hard for me to have a job or anything that involves being around new people & I don't want to live like that. I have been to multiple doctors about it and they just ask if I'm pregnant or on drugs, which I tell them no to both. So they prescribe me antidepressants and I tried them for however long the prescription is for, they make me feel so numb and well... depressed. I'm not depressed. I just can't do anything that involves interacting with people. I try pushing through it, by forcing myself to go out and being around people, the whole entire time I feel like I'm having a heart attack and that I'm going to faint.

Excuse my grammar & run on sentences (was trying to kinda-sorta list my symptoms), but I'm looking for medical advice from hopefully pro...er.. semi-professionals people who have experience in this field, cause every "professional" doctor I turn to isn't working out. Obviously.

Update:

*the brown paper bag-breathing trick doesn't work.

Update 2:

*also, been having anxiety/panic attacks for 15 years now (I am only 23). It's just getting worse and worse now.

5 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Speaking as a doctor and psychotherapist, you need to consult those who specialize in treating anxiety and panic attacks, specifically a therapist (for therapy) and a psychiatrist (for meds). Do not consult a primary care doctor. Have you seen a therapist to help you deal with managing your symptoms and to examine the root of your anxiety?

    Also, most antidepressants are also used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes a bit of trial and error is involved in finding the right one for each individual because meds affect everyone differently.

    See this guide that will answer your questions about antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds:

    http://www.add-treatment.com/antidepressants.html

    Good luck!

  • 1 decade ago

    It really sounds like you are just very stressed and have high anxiety.Most of it sounds like it is stemming from you being uncomfortable around people.Just being in college is stressful enough and can cause anxiety..I'm definitely not a doctor or anything but maybe you should slowly try to interact with people at a comfortable level for you and increase your interactions a little at a time and this might just help your anxiety..I do not know if you like tea but try some hot Chamomile before you go to sleep and this might help you relax enough..Not sleeping can increase you anxiety and stress too..

  • 1 decade ago

    I have tried antidepressants myself aswell and I personally don't like them! They should be prescribing you anxiety medication. My doctor prescribed me Xanax. I take them when my anxierty is too much.

    Source(s): has anxiety.
  • 1 decade ago

    Most drugs have what they call "off-label" affects. You are being prescribed anti-depressants, because they have been known to reduce anxiety. Most of these drugs can take up to 6 weeks for you to start to notice a difference. I would recommend at least giving them another shot. :)

    Source(s): Registered Nurse
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  • 1 decade ago

    most antidepressants are used for anxiety and most are not used "off label" benzos are not given unless u usually have panic attacks and they are very addictive

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