Anxiety

[Dr. Jones]

For my anxiety I take 100 mg of Sertraline(Zoloft) daily, and .5 mg Alprazolam(Xanax) PRN(as needed) up to three times daily. My psychiatrist has offered to up the dose of Sertraline, but I don't like the idea of being on medication in the first place so I try to keep it as low as possible. I've had pretty good luck with this level, so I've decided to stick here.

I exhibit 5 of the 6 major types of anxiety disorders. You can find these here:

https://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm


During the good times, when things are going appropriately, I go a few weeks at a time without the Xanax. During the bad times, I've taken 3 a day for up to 4 days in a row. Previous to medical treatments, at times I'd be so afraid of social events I'd only leave home to go to the gas station or grocery store. Yes, that includes a stint from 05-07 where at times I couldn't bring myself to go in to work. I generally don't go out in a public to functions that would subject me to a crowd. The concept of "a person is smart but people are dumb" is instilled in my brain to the furthest extent, and it's my most common stressor.

Since starting this regiment It's gotten easier to be "normal", and I can now oft enjoy functions I'm in a large group of people. Like the zoo, aviary, aquarium, movies, and even the mall(non-holiday season only). I'm still working up to going to a Jazz game in person.. but it may take a while.

Thanks, Roach.

I don't think she's ever been on Zoloft. Xanax for years.. also some Prozac.
I know I'll be sorry for bringing this up but it IS part of the equation... she ADAMANTLY will NOT take anything that weight-gain is a side-effect. Shallow? Maybe.. but she has lived her life with no career, stay at home mom.. and her "thing" / escape has been working out, staying in super shape.. and she's not willing to trade those circumstances yet... no matter what everyone else thinks. So there's also that.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Damn bro
Rough stuff..... I never really think about this kinda stuff (and my wife even takes some anti anxiety meds, but only a little and doesn't have it too bad)

Marijuana helps my wife with her issues.
I don't know if you have tried that (and for some people it makes them paranoid, so it might make it worse) but maybe it would help

The MJ helps my wife totally and immediately... but only for a couple hours.

 

[Deleted member 848]

Reading discussions like these is always so eye-opening for me. I feel like the biggest problem in contemporary medicine, is our inability to ail those dealing with 'mental-strife' (I don't enjoy labelling them as diseases per-se, because of the practice of disease-labelling being determined by pharmaceutical companies who construct the mental illnesses for financial profit).

Instead of ranting, I just want to extend my well-wishes to any of you that are dealing with anxiety, and I pray that better treatments are developed to treat what can be a debilitating condition for some.

 

[♪alt13]

Crossword puzzles.

I know it sounds weird to suggest something like this but I have honestly found that it helps me. I can't tell you why but it does. I've known a few people that have claimed that pot was the only thing that helped them. Pot always made me feel nervous, though.

 

[Harambe]

Thanks, Roach.

I don't think she's ever been on Zoloft. Xanax for years.. also some Prozac.
I know I'll be sorry for bringing this up but it IS part of the equation... she ADAMANTLY will NOT take anything that weight-gain is a side-effect. Shallow? Maybe.. but she has lived her life with no career, stay at home mom.. and her "thing" / escape has been working out, staying in super shape.. and she's not willing to trade those circumstances yet... no matter what everyone else thinks. So there's also that.

Weight gain is a likely side effects of SSRI's. And at first, I did gain a few more pounds than I wanted to. But honestly, I feel like in the long run it was a contributing factor to the most successful weight loss period in my life. I lost 40 pounds form last December to July of this year.

Why? My goal was to be normal. I knew all along that normal people don't eat comfort foods all the time. I also knew that normal people would make an effort to go to the gym or exercise once in a while. Once I started to feel like a normal person, and finding enjoyment instead of anxiety in everyday life it was just easier to start making normal people decisions.

It sounds like your wife would react differently though, since she's already working out regularly and I assume eating healthily. Have her note that Prozac, something you've said she's used in the past, is in the same med family (SSRI) as zoloft, which means it would have a very similar effect. Also that the weight gain average is only around 10 pounds or so.

As far as :420: is concerned, I'm not all that big into it. I can't smoke it(lungs, although seemingly huge, are very sensitive), but I have made brownies. And that does work, but again only for a few hours. If weed works for others, it might be as simple as getting the pill form of it, and taking it like you would an anti-depressant:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol

 

[One Brow]

I'm interested in this topic if it takes on any serious discussion. My wife deals with tons of anxiety issues but docs haven't seemed to have quite nailed a good med combo. Shes taken xanax for years and that helps... but not quite doing the trick.

She lives in constant fear of one of us dying, "today something is wrong I can feel it." Worry and hand-wringing... she's otherwise the most extroverted, fun, and easy to talk to gal you'll meet.. but unfortunately has a real anxiety problem that steals much from her.

My wife's been on Paxil for years. I don't think there is any cure, but it definitely takes the edge off.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Reading discussions like these is always so eye-opening for me. I feel like the biggest problem in contemporary medicine, is our inability to ail those dealing with 'mental-strife' (I don't enjoy labelling them as diseases per-se, because of the practice of disease-labelling being determined by pharmaceutical companies who construct the mental illnesses for financial profit).

Instead of ranting, I just want to extend my well-wishes to any of you that are dealing with anxiety, and I pray that better treatments are developed to treat what can be a debilitating condition for some.

This is a good post. These ailments have been around since the beginning of time, I suspect, yet they are getting new labels every year by drug companies pedaling the newest cure for a "new" diagnosis.

I believe this is a physical ailment as an important distinction from a mental one. Meaning, too many simply don't understand that chemical imbalances are very real and that is, in fact, a physical issue that causes outward, seemingly mental, repercussions. I believe finding a very good and caring doctor versed in this field and willing to take the time and make the cure a sincere pursuit to a determined positive end.

 

[Deleted member 848]

I'm interested in this topic if it takes on any serious discussion. My wife deals with tons of anxiety issues but docs haven't seemed to have quite nailed a good med combo. Shes taken xanax for years and that helps... but not quite doing the trick.

She lives in constant fear of one of us dying, "today something is wrong I can feel it." Worry and hand-wringing... she's otherwise the most extroverted, fun, and easy to talk to gal you'll meet.. but unfortunately has a real anxiety problem that steals much from her.

Just a guess: do you think her anxiety would improve if she wasn't a stay-at-home mom for the rest of her life?


My mother was a stay-at-home mom for.... 19 years I think. She has now worked as a teachers-assistant in both the local Catholic and Public school districts for a couple years now. A few years ago, she was starting to develop early signs of depression (which was definitely a conglomeration of many factors), and she realized that she really wanted to get a job. I cannot tell you how much of a positive impact her job has had on her life. She still works way too hard, and will always be the glue that holds our family together-- but her job gives her life another layer of complexity, and it really seems to have helped her.

From what I can tell, your wife definitely has some nice escapes, whether it is her fitness-regimen, or her pursuit to piety-- but who knows? Maybe being outside of the home more could really pay dividends. Of course, this is hard to do with 6 kids at home, but at the end of the day the health of your wife should always be a top priority.


Lastly, I always find that a good, balanced diet-- and a good, balanced daily lifestyle can help with so many illnesses. Other than that, all I can say is that I wish you and your family the best of luck.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Crossword puzzles.

I know it sounds weird to suggest something like this but I have honestly found that it helps me. I can't tell you why but it does. I've known a few people that have claimed that pot was the only thing that helped them. Pot always made me feel nervous, though.

Funny because crossword puzzles calm me down and weed makes me dumb to anxious.. but those both have the EXACT opposite effect on my wife.

 

[One Brow]

Having a job can help with the feeling of control. In many ways, at least for my wife, the anxiety from a worry of not having control. So, her job does offer both a way to gain some financial control as well as an outlet for her need to perfect.

 

[Dr. Jones]

My wife's been on Paxil for years. I don't think there is any cure, but it definitely takes the edge off.

thanks OB.. I'll ask if she's tried it. (and I do think there's a cure... involving the right meds that is)

 

[Deleted member 848]

Having a job can help with the feeling of control. In many ways, at least for my wife, the anxiety from a worry of not having control. So, her job does offer both a way to gain some financial control as well as an outlet for her need to perfect.

I agree.