Medication
Hi all,
So I haven't been coping with my anxiety too well lately and my psychologist has been talking with me about the possibility about trialling some medication to help me manage this. I'm a little bit nervous about it as it's something that I haven't ever really wanted to do, but at the moment it's looking like it's a step that I'm going to have to take. I don't want specific information about the different types of medications or side effects (I know this is against guidelines), I just want to hear from other people who have faced the decision to go on medication and were not 100% sure about it like me... What helped you to make the decision and feel less nervous about it?
Comments
Hey @delicatedreamer
i have been on meds for three years and just last month started weaning off them. It was only a very mild dose of SSRI but still!!
The time i was put on them it turned my life around i was walking around and not taking anything in!
So i understand your reservation BUT to me... they were and have been something that i have valued and found VERY useful
It was hard for me to digest the idea of meds as well. I started on an SSRI in Jan. These didn't work for me (can be funny with those with bipolar), so then I went onto anti-psychotics and as a result I have progressed and improved dramatically.
It was somewhat difficult to digest when my psych first mentioned it to me. As we had talked about meds in the past when I would visit GPs (not my regular) who would tell me that if I went on meds my like would be 'normal' again. My psych told me at the time that she didn't think I needed meds. I agreed with her. However a year later she changed her tune and brought it up with me in session, saying she wanted me to see a psychiatrist and thinks that I would really benefit from the extra support of medication. It was somewhat surprising for me at first, but I reached a point where I said, 'I can't do this anymore and keep going the way I am.'
I have been sleeping a full night for almost the whole year. Prior to that I was going days with only an hours sleep. If anything it has enabled me to get into a regular, normal routine and as a result this has improved my overall and general wellbeing.
It is ultimately your choice and your decision with how you want to proceed. But really, there's no harm in trialling how you go and remembering it can take a while for it to start actually working. Good luck!
Hey @DedicatedDreamer
It's great that you're being so pro-active about possibly starting meds. Hearing how people came to their decision is a great place to start.
In regards to side effects, do you find it helpful to talk to your prescribing doctor about what you might experience?
It's a good idea to keep that type of conversation contained to people you trust as it can be overwhelming to hear about that type of stuff.
Best of luck and let us know how you go.
Thanks for the replies and support guys, I really appreciate it 🙂
@redhead Thanks for sharing your experience. That is definitely one of the things I'm afraid of, that I will have to try lots of different meds until I find one that is effective, so thank you for the encouragement.
@Sophie-RO Thank you - I'm trying to! 🙂
@NigioC I definitely think it would be helpful to talk my GP about side effects. I worry a lot about my health and health/anxiety symptoms (which is the main reason that I am looking at going on medication, to help manage this) so having a good understanding of the medication (e.g. how long it takes to start working) and potential side effects might help me to feel less nervous about taking it.
Yeah I'm definitely not planning on broadcasting it... I know from experience that it can be difficult to hear about that stuff (I have had heard about it from others and found it a bit overwhelming). Working out who I can trust (and how much to say) is hard though.
just a quick note that taking any medication isnt a permanent thing. Know that you are in control and can decide for yourself whether you want to be on it or not.
But do remember if you do go on it, you need to taper the dose down gradually if you are going off it, which is only a few days anyway.
Take care.
Thank you @standinside that is a very important point to remember. At the moment the plan is to trial it for a year and then taper it off after that, so it won't be forever. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it.
If you do decide to get meds don't be discouraged if the first one doesn't work, it can take time to find the right one and the right dosage.
What helped me accept meds was knowing I needed a little extra help to get better.
Thinking of you DD! Sounds like you are approaching this with your eyes and ears open, good for you & all the best.
