How medication can help anxiety

rob, 6 months

you absolute monkey promoting seroxat. anxiety doesnt require medication no matter how bad it gets and believe me ive had it bad.

Emma, about 1 year

Reading through some of these comments made me realise how many people have their lives almost ruined by anxiety/depression and the medication they take. I suffer badly with anxiety and became very ill with it. I am recovering *although not 100% yet* by a change in diet, which is an anti anxiety diet, and a mixture of anti anxiety natural supplements and vitamins and it has really massively helped me. However I realise there is a place for prescribed medication too at times.I think that no one shld ever come off medication without being properly supervised by a gp. It is very dangerous to come off medication without weaning off it gradually. What suits one person with medication may not suit another as with any medicines. I know of several people who take Seroxat and have done for years without any real problems. I asked my brother if he had any and he said he only suffered with brain zaps when not taking Seroxat properly - missing a dose over a few days. He has been on them for 10 years. He said he will continue to take them and never come off them as they have changed his life for the better. I took Seroxat for a while and found it made me very sleepy, but isnt that true of a lot of anti anxiety and anti depressant medicines. These medications can often be of great help and life savers for many people. It isnt all gloom and doom. I know I shld have took medication but was scared of reading of the side effects and looking back I shld have took it cos I went thro hell. Ok I am recovering now naturally but at that time when anxiety was at its severest no amount of herbal supplements were ever going to help. I could have prevented what I went thro. My gp said like with all medications, it is just a matter of trial and error sometimes to find out what suits the individual. A lot of people dont give their medication time to work - on average 6 weeks - and they often dont take it properly. I know people have suffered greatly and do suffer because of their time spent on medication, and that must be awful. Personally if I were suffering that much I wld go onto another anti anxiety or anti depressant and wld accept that I need to take a tablet or tablets a day just like sufferers of other illnesses do. There is such a stigma in this country regarding mental health and I know this is why I never wanted to admit in the beginning to having severe anxiety, cos I didnt want to be classed as mentally unwell. Nowadays I am open about it and accept it and let the fear go that I had about it, self educated myself about it, and improved my diet and lifestyle, went for CBT, and since I started doing that I seem to be improving. I hope everyones anxiety improves for them. Their is light at the end of the tunnel. I went to hell and never thought I would leave but just a few months on and I am getting back to how I used to be, so never give up on hope.

trace, about 1 year

HI, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD RECENTLY BY A CONSULTANT THAT I HAVE FIBROMYALIA, THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO BECOME HAVE THE PERSON I WAS. THIS COMPLIANT HAS CAUSED MY DEPRESSION WHICH IT DOES,ITS JUST ONE OF MANY. I WAS GIVEN FLUXOTINE, I WAS TAKING THEM FOR WEEKS THEN I SUDDENLY STARTED TO FEEL THAT I WANTED TO END IT ALL.ONEDAY THINGS GOT SO BAD,I FELT SO FED UP WITH THE CONSTANT PAIN I WAS IN IT WOULD BE BETTER NOT TO BE HERE. THE THOUGHTS I HAD GOT WORSE AND WORSE,UNTIL ONEDAY I TOOK LOTS OF MY MEDICATION, THE TRAMADOLS ,FLUXOTINE AND LYRIC PREBABLIN, MADE ME COLLASPE AND HAVE A SEIZURE, I ACTUALLY STOPPED BREATHING.I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO LOW IN MY LIFE. WHEN THE HOSPITAL REALIZED THAT I HAD TAKEN TOO MANY TABLETS THEY JUST SENT ME HOME.NOT A SINGLE TALK, I NEEDE TO TALK TO SOMEONE. MY SISTER VISITED ME AND WAS REALLY TAKEN BACK THAT NOBODY HAD COME TO SEE ME TO ASK WHY I HAD TRIED TO TAKE MYLIFE,THE DAY OR TWO LATER SHE TOOK ME TO MY GP. THE GP CHANGED MY FLUXOTINE TO CITALOPRAM THESE HAVE JUST STARTED TO WORK I HAVEN'T HAD ANY BAD THOUGHTS TO HARM MYSELF. I HAVE RECENTLY APPLIED FOR DLA,BUT TOLD I HADN;T BE ABLE TO GET IT,THIS HASN'T HELPED MY DEPRESSION .WHAT DO I DO. I THINK PEOPLE JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH PAIN I AM IN.

Jo, about 1 year

Prozac/Fluoxetine worked for me!! I have suffered with anxiety/panic attacks on and off for many years. Most of the time it is just an irritation which hasn't majorly affected my life, although occasionally it gets so bad I become agoraphobic and severely depressed. Last time I suffered with it severely I was prescribed fluoxetine (aka prozac). For the first week on the drug I sank into a deep decline of anx and depression (this may have happened anyway) but gradually it lifted and within a month I was almost my normal self. Once I was completely better (about 6 mths later), my doc recommended I reduce the dosage gradually and I came off the drug with no probs at all. 2 yrs later I am having another serious bout of panic/depression/agoraphobia so I asked for the fluoxetine again, 2 weeks later I am happy to say I am feeling a lot brighter, able to go out a bit. I am in no way completely better yet but hopefully things will continue to improve like they did last time. I never expect to be completely free of anxiety/panic attacks, they are part of who I am and most of the time I can deal with them. It was the depression and agoraphobia that I couldn't handle - that is not the person I am and I feel the medication helped me with this. As everyone's physiolgical makeup is different, not all SSRI's suit everyone and you do have to give it a chance to kick in (a month or so) to find out if it is the drug for you. I have a written a blog diary showing my progress on fluoxetine/prozac,feel free to visit - http://www.quirkymind.blogspot.com/

buxy, about 1 year

Prior to being prescribed seroxat back in 1998 my only syptom was nausea which my doctor diagonsed as anxiety, at the time i was badly anemic and had severe gyne issues. My time on seroxat made me emotionless, there were no highs but no lows to my life, i had rapid weight gain, i lost interest in my family, friends, social life, looking back i had no interest in anything i was an emotional zombie. Fast forward to 6 years of seroxat use and 9 months tapering off it and being completely drug free fopr almost 4 years and my symptoms now are endless compared to the anemia and nausea, i now suffer ; anxiety, panic attacks, lethargy, gastric problems, disorientation, depersonalsation, derealisation, headaches, vision problems, like the brain and eyes are out of co ordination, dizziness, akathesia, paresthesia, apathy, monophobia, nervous system sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, neuralgia, irrational thoughts, mood swings and many more i could list. So my point would have to be, i would take back the nausea and anemia to this any day, and as all these symptoms started on stopping seroxat there is no doubt in my mind that seroxat caused this, and i consider myself to be suffering severe protracted withdrawal from a drug that has recieved so much bad publicity from thousands of people, we can`t all be wrong can we?

severelt damaged, about 1 year

I can`t believe that a Doctor is publicly advertising such Drugs as Seroxat, i had never had anxiety or panic attacks in my life until my Gp gave me an anti phsycotic drug for" nausea". I had gyne problems that warrented a hysterectomy i was badly anemic and my Doctor gave me Phsycotropic drugs??.I reacted badly to this drug in way of severe agitated state ( akathesia ), which my Doctor diagnosed as an " anxious state " and was given seroxat and left on it for 6 years !!!!!!. I tried to stop the drug in 2002 and became suicidal, my body was jerking, my skin was on fire, i was violently sick, had horrendous migrains and felt like i had totally lost my sanity.Seroxat was reinstated and i recovered from the cold turkey withdrawal. 2004 i was directed by my Doctor to wean off it tapering every other day for 9 months, since stopping i have suffered horrendous protracted withdrawal, i have lost my job, income, home and dignity during this hell of a time. Come on ITV have you not seen the panorama programmes showing seroxat to cause suicidal tendancies?, have you not heard that there are thousands of victims suing the makers for loss of family and the severe withdrawal effects?. Sorry i think this is an outrage, so many people have died and suffering hellish withdrawals from these drugs and you want to promote it?

Bill, about 1 year

Anxiety can turn your life upside down very quickly. It is amazing how many millions of people suffer from this debilitating condition. It is truly a global problem today affecting all walks of life. Anxiety does not discriminate. While pharmaceuticals such as antidepressants offer relief they can often become addictive, cause horrible side effects, or even exacerbate the problem . Luckliy there are very good natural anxiety remedies available now such as Panicyl - http://www.panicyl.com A good natural treatment combined with cognitive techniques have proven to be the most effective and safe method of anxiety treatment.

BOB FIDDAMAN, about 1 year

Rob wrote: "The facts are though that these drugs are available from your GP for these conditions. chris steele is only telling the facts. they do actually help thousands of people and all talbets have side effects even the most common like aspirin." Dear Rob, Seroxat side-effects are far more widespread than Doctors know. They have been told by the manufacture's (GSK) reps that these drugs are not addictive (it took me 18 months to taper down from 40mg per week to 22mg per week) I am one of thousands who have had trouble tapering from this drug. Dr Steele fails to mention that Seroxat can cause suicidal ideation in patients of ALL ages. I've sent the moderators of this website the Glenmullen report that proves this. For a drug to make one suicidal is far worse than the side-effects of 'aspirin' Rob also wrote... "these drugs have different doses depending on what you take them for and the dose for anxiety is the lowest dose recommended. its awful that people get hooked on them but it shuold be a joint responsibility between patient and doctor to not let it hapen." Firstly, these drugs should not be prescribed for anxiety. They are as effective as a placebo for treating mild to moderate depression. Once again, Dr Steele fails to mention this. As far as being a 'joint responsibility between patient and doctor to not let it happen [Addiction] - How do you propose a person taking an addictive drug does not get addicted to it? Seriously Rob, you really ought to do your homework on this. Fid Author of Seroxat Sufferers http://fiddaman.blogspot.com

Squirrel, about 1 year

I started with Panic attacks in certain places was given Seroxat and was on it for 8 years I was stopped cold turkey too! I have suffered from withdrawl problems for 3 year.I am in a much worse situation than I was before wish I had never taken it.

rob, about 1 year

The facts are though that these drugs are available from your GP for these conditions. chris steele is only telling the facts. they do actually help thousands of people and all talbets have side effects even the most common like aspirin. these drugs have different doses depending on what you take them for and the dose for anxiety is the lowest dose recommended. its awful that people get hooked on them but it shuold be a joint responsibility between patient and doctor to not let it hapen.

ex-Seroxat Addict, about 1 year

I cannot believe someone would promote SSRI drugs like Seroxat in such an misinformed and ignorant way. These drugs are highly addictive, highly dangerous and over prescribed. Seroxat in particular is one of the worst drugs of the SSRI class in regards to withdrawal, side effects and dependence. I myself was unlucky enough to have been prescribed this poison, It made me very ill , I became addicted to it and in the end it made me suicidal. The disturbing dangers of Seroxat have been well documented in the mainstream media, there were four BBC Panorama documentaries about the drug and every day more and more negative information comes out about it, I think it is highly irresponsible to promote these drugs in such as way as is in this article. Seroxat has damaged hundreds of thousands of people. I am absolutely appalled at the advice of this "doctor". Stay away from SSRI anti-depressant/anxiety drugs. They will destroy your life, therapy is much safer and more effective. Why not promote that instead?

BOB FIDDAMAN, about 1 year

Seroxat should not be touted by a doctor who appears on national TV. Does he realise the difficulty people are having tapering off this drug? Scandalous Bob Fiddaman Author of Seroxat Sufferers Blog http://fiddaman.blogspot.com

Jenny, about 1 year

Prescription Drug Addiction My name is Jennifer Robinson I am 57 years. I was prescribed Benzodiazepines in 1971 because I was stressed out with my first teaching job after leaving college. I was prescribed them for 31 years and was totally addicted I could go nowhere without them. I never felt physically or mentally well but stupidly never put it down to the drugs. I became extremely agoraphobic and was not able to go far on my own and became totally dependant on people to go anywhere. I could make it to work and worked until 10 years ago when I could no longer cope, by this time I was on antidepressants and under a psychiatrist for depression and acute anxiety. I started to drink in the evenings about this time. I know now I was topping up my benzo consumption (alcohol and benzos use the same receptors.) In 2001 I acknowledged I had a serious drink problem and in 2001 I went for a voluntary detoxification to try and stop my consumption of a bottle of wine a night. How I wished I had stopped on my own! I admitted myself to hospital which proved to be a life changing experience that I don't want anyone else to suffer. I was forcibly made to take a massive dosage of diazepam 80mg I was told this would stop withdrawal symptoms of alcohol I discovered later that sort of dose is only required by extremely heavy drinkers who drink most of the day . This dosage threw me into severe withdrawals of benzos called tolerance. I continued to take the benzos but they ceased having any effect at all. The night of the heavy dosage of diazepam in Aug 2001 changed my life. I became suicidal, was unable to communicate or care for myself on any level. I was unable to leave the house and plotted to take my life as it didn't seem like a life. No one for months knew what was wrong with me not even the psychiatrists who tried and succeeded to ply me with more drugs I became more and more ill It was my GP that finally diagnosed me as having tolerance withdrawal from diazepam; she drew out a tapering plan to last over a year. I continued to feel very ill and in Feb 2002 I could take no more physical and mental pain and took what I thought was a lethal overdose of beta blockers and antidepressants Five days latter I woke in intensive care to my living hell of suicidal thoughts . Guess I was kept alive for a reason. It is only in the last year I have become able to function I can now do voluntary work, stay on my own I couldn't for years (its called monophobia a documented withdrawal symptom .I can now comprehend things communicate with others I can read bits from newspapers but I am unable to read books still or enjoy watching television .I can enjoy eating food again and not experience it tasting of oil and metal( a common withdrawal symptom) I am having some relief from muscle spasms in my scalp and throat and started to sleep more than a couple of hours a night . I can now drive my car again but am unable to travel very far. I have been off benzos 5 years and still struggling I am not an isolated case I could not drink if I wanted to. I feel so strongly about these drugs I now campaign against them and am hoping the Welsh Assembly will take a lead from you and start some sort of inquiry. I even managed to get our Welsh TV station to do an investigation I attach this for your perusal http://www.bcnc.org.uk/video/jennifer-robinson.html I have also set up a petition please view it http://www.gopetition.com/signatures.php?petid=12522 It is estimated that there are at least 200 people in ever GP surgery addicted to these drugs, please help do something We are told that doctors have stopped prescribing these drugs so widely but its just not true. I work in a psychiatrist hospital and I would estimate that every patient is on them and I f they are not when they come in, they very shortly are prescribed them and left on them I am not in the position to define the problem or advise how to tackle it.

trish, about 1 year

I suffer from panic attacks, anxiety and depression since having a hyesterectomy 3 years ago, (im 54 ) iv alway,s been an anxious person but just got on with things, however now i cant work, i either cant go out or dont want to be at home alone, other times i just shut myself away and dont want to see or talk to anyone. im on hrt but still get bad headaches or migrain every 2 weeks which i think is causing a lot of my depression, i cant make plans because i never know how im going to feel, i also feel im losing out on my grandchildren as im sceared of having a panic attact while im alone alone with them. I take 1mg of lorazepam a day but i dont think it helps much as iv been on it for 20 years . iv been offered prozac by my gp but i dont want to start on it as i dont want tobecome addicted to another antidepressant Thank god for my wonderfull husband and kid's.

Ada Bargh, about 1 year

I have suffered with anxiety, Agoraphobia, monophobia, for over 40 years. Panic attacks, and now have deep depression with it, tears are shed every day, and I feel that life has passed me by, having to live with this scary problem. Always been a anxious child, but at 19 yrs old the panics started,,just after I was married. I had my son at 21yrs old, and it helped me having to look after him, but had my parentsfor help. In the 1960s I was given Valium, not knowing they were addictive, just repeat prescription, now I am hooked on it. After my parents died, I wasput on anti-,meds, several types, but then was put on SEROXAT for 3 years, and then taken off them cold turkey, which left me in a drastic state, never left the bedroom, for weeks, A new doctor put me on CIPRALEX, but it has never helped the depression, now they want to up them, but I take 15mgs, and have not rally benefitted from them, tried all types of meds, but am still the same. Not a life just an existance. My son lost out, as I could not take him out and about like other mothers. The doctor wants to up the CIPRALEX to 20mgs, but after 4 years on them, I do not see the sense in going through the side effects again, Doctors do not want to know in my surgery.

Ada Bargh, about 1 year

I have suffered with anxiety, Agoraphobia, monophobia, for over 40 years. Panic attacks, and now have deep depression with it, tears are shed every day, and I feel that life has passed me by, having to live with this scary problem. Always been a anxious child, but at 19 yrs old the panics started,,just after I was married. I had my son at 21yrs old, and it helped me having to look after him, but had my parentsfor help. In the 1960s I was given Valium, not knowing they were addictive, just repeat prescription, now I am hooked on it. After my parents died, I wasput on anti-,meds, several types, but then was put on SEROXAT for 3 years, and then taken off them cold turkey, which left me in a drastic state, never left the bedroom, for weeks, A new doctor put me on CIPRALEX, but it has never helped the depression, now they want to up them, but I take 15mgs, and have not rally benefitted from them, tried all types of meds, but am still the same. Not a life just an existance. My son lost out, as I could not take him out and about like other mothers. The doctor wants to up the CIPRALEX to 20mgs, but after 4 years on them, I do not see the sense in going through the side effects again, Doctors do not want to know in my surgery.

Mrs. W. Scott, about 1 year

Hallo! I feel so dreadfully sorry for the writer of this panic attacks and anxiety disorder as I also suffer from this and believe me, it is absolutely horrendous. I have tried CBT for the last year or thereabouts and the attacks are certainly not as bad as they were when I started back at the beginning of it all, but I don't think it has been as successful as I was promised by the Specialist - Charles Linden and Specialist helpers. it cost over £100, but I would have paid more if it would work!! I was promised it would, but it really hasn't. The Specialist team are wonderful and answer my E-Mails with understanding, skill and patience, when I have been at my lowest. I am on numerous drugs (as I also have an irregular heart beat!) I was given 40 mgm of Citalopram - a kind of Prosac-type pill and lately Valium 2 mgm but my Doctor doesn't want me to have too many of those as they are addictive - so I spread them out and not even take them at all if I can do without. This horrrendous disorder has ruined my life and we even had to cancel a holiday in January 2006. My husband has been absolutely wonderful throughout and I know I couldn't possibly have coped without him. Fancy you being left on Chlordazepoxide for 3 years!!! it is only supposed to be used short term isn't it? I think it is a sort of Diazepam which I've said I can take but only if I really can't stand the attacks, but thank God, they are not as bad as that now, so I suppose I have to be grateful; I use the Diazepam only as a life-saver which is quite comforting ito have in the back ground! Can you tell me what your "avoidance techniques" are? Praps they would help me! Will look forward to hearing from you! Kind regards Mrs. Winifred Scott

AC, about 1 year

i had severe panic attacks which were extremely debilitating - i couldn't shop, drive on a motorway, go to pubs/clubs restaurants - i felt like it was a cross between agarophobia and claustrophobia - i hate crowded, hot places but i also hate being in enclosed spaces with no escape. i tried CBT which didn't help then my doctor prescribed me chlordiazepoxide and left me on them for 3 years! i had to wean myself off them, which i did over a period of 2 months. I still suffer with acute anxiety and panic attacks but don't take medication for it now - i just use avoidance techniques which is not ideal, but i don't have any other options.