OCD Action

aishah
Member

Hi everyone, I am suffering high levels of anxiety at the moment as you know. I am wondering if anyone takes medication for their anxiety and if you could tell me what it is you take and if it is effective. I have an appt with my psychistrist tomorrow and am going to ask him to prescribe something for my anxiety as I can't cope with it at the moment.
Thanks
Bridget

Mon Feb 15 2010 12:13:35 #
swan
Member

I do clonazepan however it is equivalent to diazepam so wouldnt recomend it.
But i do have really high levels of anxiety.

Mon Feb 15 2010 12:51:04 #
Cuthbert ffoliott
Moderator

Hi Bridget -

as Swan noted: benzodiazepines aren't really to be recommended, but with caution I'd say this: if your psychiatrist thinks it's a decent short-term solution, then I'd go along if I were you. It's not advisable to take them on a daily basis for more then 2 to 3 weeks, because they lose their main activity (calming down, fear reduction) for the most part after that; and addiction is just around the corner (i.e. the very thing that you take them for will return in an amplified fashion if you stop taking them).
But if you're advised to take them only in situations of extreme anxiety, and then stop them for a number of days before taking them again, then the above risk is slight.

It's something of a crutch to lean on, not much more. But they can help: some people benefit already by just having them at hand, in case of. Sort of a psychological mechanism.

(PS: I speak from experience. I was heavily addicted to oxazepam for long years.)

Mon Feb 15 2010 13:51:50 #
nettlenoo
Member

i was told my citalopram was an anti d and anti anxiety pills, it has dampened down my anxieties but i still have them some what just not as bad as they were. my panic attacks have pretty much stopped too i dont know much about other meds though sorry but good luck

Mon Feb 15 2010 13:55:02 #
swan
Member

ive been on clonazepan for 3 years despite my gp not being happy aboutit. but my psychiatrist says i should remain on them

Mon Feb 15 2010 14:47:22 #