Starting medication tomorrow for GAD - Petrified

[Poppy1]

Hi guys

I have been suffering from anxiety/panic attacks for far to long now (15+ years) now and recently has gotten worse to the point i can barely function. My gp has prescribed medication and am so scared to start this medication as i am really scared of side effects and whether my anxiety will be worse. But i need to start as it is out of control at the moment and completely consuming me.

Anyone had medication for severe anxiety and what was your experience like.

thanks heaps!

[white knight]

Hi poppy, welcome

You should read the vommunity rules before posting. Its easy to mention things like brand names and break those rules.

of course your GP is the one to prescribe and adjust dosage. I can trell you however that your anxiety about such meds is unfounded and likely a product of your general anxiety.

I take AD's. They are but one tool in my arsenal to battle against depression and anxiety, and I've learned I need them lifelong.

Google

Topic: how I eliminated anxiety- beyondblue

Tony WK

[MarkJT]

Poppy, when i first started on meds it was quite anxiety evoking and I didn't latch onto the first ones i tried but the second batch was great. I am still on them and pretty much will be for life.

It is completely natural to feel anxious about it but it is okay. Your self care is going to be really important over the next few weeks until they settle in. Make sure that you are eating well, exercising and being kind to yourself.

Check in here, lean on us and we will help support you through the process.

Mark.

[Farells_Beach]

Hi Poppy, I have severe anxiety - GAD, panic disorder, PTSD and depression.

I was extremely anxious about starting medications, and if any change is made to medications I freak out. But on every occasion I've ended up taking them as prescribed in desperation, expecting my life to end with or without them anyway.

I made sure I didn't read anything about possible side affects, and everything about how they could help me. Then I shut my eyes, took a tentative step into the unknown and took them - I took a step over the niggling thoughts that the tablets would make me worse and side affects kill me.

So far, fingers crossed, the medications prescribed have helped me on every occasion. I think it's a blessing to have found a GP and psychiatrist who are able to get the balance right - and monitor me closely to tweak things if needed.

I'm glad I began medication, and if I need to take it forever it's OK.

I hope you also find that medication eases things for you and that this has helped - imagine others like me are holding your hand as you step out...

[geoff]

hi Poppy, it can be frightening when your doctor has prescribed medication, because if you're like most of us we google it to find out more about what could be any side-effects, however the drug company has to mention everything that may happen, they do this for legal reasons, because if they didn't and someone developed a particular side-effect that hasn't been mentioned then there would be a possible court case.
You may not have any trouble but sometimes the side-effects may happen but subside away when your body adjusts to this new medication and remember there are so many different types of medication, as long as you find one that helps you.
I was actually pleased when my doctor suggested I start taking medication because I was rock bottom, there was nowhere else to go except for up. Geoff.