Is there anyone who experiences Anxiety but chose not to go on meds?

jewwell · 01-02-2005, 04:19 PM

Just wanted to know, I read that there are some people who do experience anxiety attacks but chose not to do the medications, and are doing well by relaxation techniques and retraining their thinking. Is this the case for any of you? And if so, what do you find that helps? I also heard exercise is a great anxiety/stress buster too.

Please respond.

Jewwell

Miss-Meme · 01-02-2005, 04:46 PM

I have anxiety problems and I took meds for a short time, and hated them. I will never take them again.

I went to a counselor for a while and she helped me learn to retrain my thinking. She taught me when every I had an anxiety problem to write down why it was happening and what I was thinking and stuff. Basically it helped me think of how still it was and that I was going to get though it.

I still have anxiety here or there but I can think myself though it.

I also found that it go less and less after I lost weight and started walking/running more. Also the sunlight helps me alot. Winter sucks so much for sunlight.

Good luck!

lala73 · 01-02-2005, 05:33 PM

I have tried both ways...I went to a pyschcologist for meditation techniques and ways to cope. Honestly, I tried, but I did not see an improvement. I do not take anything everyday, I just keep ativan (like Xanax and Valium) on hand for major attacks. I find this works best for me. Just take it when you really need it. I may use it 1-2 a month...Just my thoughts

konzter · 01-02-2005, 05:50 PM

I have had anxiety attacks since I was 10. I originally went to counceling and learned out to control it but they came back after my father died. I now take Zoloft as needed but I don't take but maybe 1 every 2 weeks or so. If it is just a minor attack I can talk myself out of it.

shades of grey · 01-02-2005, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by konzter
I have had anxiety attacks since I was 10. I originally went to counceling and learned out to control it but they came back after my father died. I now take Zoloft as needed but I don't take but maybe 1 every 2 weeks or so. If it is just a minor attack I can talk myself out of it.

but zoloft isn't an "as needed" drug. it takes about 6 weeks to have maximal effect and you need to take it consistently to have results from it.

Miss-Meme · 01-02-2005, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by me2
but zoloft isn't an "as needed" drug. it takes about 6 weeks to have maximal effect and you need to take it consistently to have results from it.

Thats what I was thinking.

Maybe by taking the zoloft, you 'think' that it has helped you? So it does...mind over matter.

Miss-Meme · 01-03-2005, 08:31 PM

I also wanted to add that I take B complex to help.

patu · 01-05-2005, 06:54 AM

I didnt take meds because when the attacks got bad, I was activly TTC and I didnt want to harm my baby. I learned relaxation techniques from my joga-instructor and they help to get waya from anxiety. But they do not stop me getting them. Now they are getting very bad, and I am seriusly thinking about taking the meds.

desperate23 · 01-11-2005, 07:56 AM

well, i have taken medication in the past but i wanted to go on when i first started met, my gyno said wait to see if the met helps first. Ive been on met for about 3 months now and it seems to be helping. When i think about my anxiety i just push the thought away so maybe i can controll it better, but i do know that it is sometimes impossible to control at times.
Tammy

PhoenixRaven · 01-13-2005, 03:23 PM

I used to get really bad anxiety attacks when I first moved to a new town at 17 all by myself. They were always bad, because I am such a shy person.

I never took anything for them and I always made sure I had someone around me at the time just incase I may have fainted or what not.

It's not as bad anymore and I will occasionally have anxiety when I am about to go in for something major or go somewhere where I know no one.

What ever you decide to choose, I hope that it works for you.

Good Luck!

~Corrie~