Without The Safety Net
About two years before I joined this site, I was diagnosed with panic disorder, later changed to Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and then changed back to panic disorder.
After being on ativan, rivotril, zoloft, paxil, effexor, and there's more in the history of my life; two week trials of things here and there, I am now on nothing.
For the first time in over seven years, I was able to finally see a psychiatrist (I've seen many a physician and psychologist) only for him to say that I'll never make progress on my medication, and so called 'coping mechanisms' provided by psychologists are only there to really serve the same purpose as pills: to distract me from the symptoms while never really facing the anxiety head on.
I know those who have become nearly agoraphobic through untreated anxiety or panic disorder. However, under the guidance of a psychiatrist I would consider myself in treatment.
Coming Down
I've done it before. There were times when I couldn't afford the $96 it costs for a month's worth of Effexor XR, so there are times I just didn't take anything. But there is a problem; the horrible withdrawal. I feel nautious, shitty, sleepy, and like the whole world's out to get me. And the worst part is it's a viscious cycle, driven by my friends and family who know what's up, but are just waiting for me to snap. It's infuriating when someone accuses you of being angry because you're going through withdrawal, even if that IS the case, and even if you are legitamately angry, or they're being legitimately odd - you're the one going through withdrawal so you're the one with the problem.
Fuck.
I was told I could take prozac to help come down off of this, but really, more pills?
The drugs don't work, they just make you worse...
About two years before I joined this site, I was diagnosed with panic disorder, later changed to Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and then changed back to panic disorder.
After being on ativan, rivotril, zoloft, paxil, effexor, and there's more in the history of my life; two week trials of things here and there, I am now on nothing.
For the first time in over seven years, I was able to finally see a psychiatrist (I've seen many a physician and psychologist) only for him to say that I'll never make progress on my medication, and so called 'coping mechanisms' provided by psychologists are only there to really serve the same purpose as pills: to distract me from the symptoms while never really facing the anxiety head on.
I know those who have become nearly agoraphobic through untreated anxiety or panic disorder. However, under the guidance of a psychiatrist I would consider myself in treatment.
Coming Down
I've done it before. There were times when I couldn't afford the $96 it costs for a month's worth of Effexor XR, so there are times I just didn't take anything. But there is a problem; the horrible withdrawal. I feel nautious, shitty, sleepy, and like the whole world's out to get me. And the worst part is it's a viscious cycle, driven by my friends and family who know what's up, but are just waiting for me to snap. It's infuriating when someone accuses you of being angry because you're going through withdrawal, even if that IS the case, and even if you are legitamately angry, or they're being legitimately odd - you're the one going through withdrawal so you're the one with the problem.
Fuck.
I was told I could take prozac to help come down off of this, but really, more pills?
The drugs don't work, they just make you worse...