College Student with Generalized Anxiety

[Volunteer215]

I have been trolling around these forums for a while but I just joined to ask a few questions.

I am a 20 year old college student and I am going to see a psychologist on Thursday in attempt to get help for my anxiety and mild depression. The stress of school and money has put me at an all time low. My biological mother has severe anxiety and depression so I believe that it is very likely I am starting to develop it.

If the psychologist deems that I do have anxiety and mild depression do you think he will be inclined to prescribe any drugs to me at my younger age or will he be more likely to suggest some form of therapy? And if he does prescribe anything what do you most likely believe it will be? I do not want to abuse the drugs but I do think I would prefer them over some form of therapy.

Thanks

 

[jctoona84]

Probably some standard antidepressants and at most some benzo's but I doubt it. I would try the antidepressant route and counseling if needed, long before I'd invite benzo dependence into my life. Just my opinion.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

If its a "psychologist" you will get nothing, as psychologists can't prescribe medications. If its a psychiatrist you will more than likely be given an antidepressant like Celexa or Paxil. Don't go there expecting to be put on benzodiazepines because chances are you won't, especially if you are going to school.

 

[Volunteer215]

If its a "psychologist" you will get nothing, as psychologists can't prescribe medications. If its a psychiatrist you will more than likely be given an antidepressant like Celexa or Paxil. Don't go there expecting to be put on benzodiazepines because chances are you won't, especially if you are going to school.

He is a psychiatrist but that is a little harder to spell. I read about the Celexa and Paxil will help with all of the symptoms I listed but one of the major reasons I am also going is because my anxiety makes it extremely difficult for me to go to sleep at night and remain asleep. Will Celexa or Paxil help with that?

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

He is a psychiatrist but that is a little harder to spell. I read about the Celexa and Paxil will help with all of the symptoms I listed but one of the major reasons I am also going is because my anxiety makes it extremely difficult for me to go to sleep at night and remain asleep. Will Celexa or Paxil help with that?

I wouldn't imagine so, in fact for some people it could possibly induce insomnia. But then again it may make some people fall asleep during the day. It depends. But if you just tell him that you are having problems trying to get sleep because of your anxiety you should be given a sleep aid like Ambien or Sonata. Those are very commonly prescribed for problems with sleep and its very often prescribed.

 

[Volunteer215]

I wouldn't imagine so, in fact for some people it could possibly induce insomnia. But then again it may make some people fall asleep during the day. It depends. But if you just tell him that you are having problems trying to get sleep because of your anxiety you should be given a sleep aid like Ambien or Sonata. Those are very commonly prescribed for problems with sleep and its very often prescribed.

Thanks for all the help. I joined with the intent to actually message you cause you know your stuff when it comes to this but I didn't know about the restrictions for under 50 posts. Thanks again to you two for the help.

 

[babyyphat]

hey there, i have similiar problems and have been perscribed 10 mg cipralex, and in two weeks upped it to 20 mg. i have been taking it for about 2 and a half months and it found it helped with lowering the general every day anxiety... although i am still depressed. i also am given 20 1 mg lorazepam (per month) for anxiety attacks which usually help when i take 1 or 2. i may also add that i am not in therapy although it has been recommended every time i go to doctor.

 

[Volunteer215]

hey there, i have similiar problems and have been perscribed 10 mg cipralex, and in two weeks upped it to 20 mg. i have been taking it for about 2 and a half months and it found it helped with lowering the general every day anxiety... although i am still depressed. i also am given 20 1 mg lorazepam (per month) for anxiety attacks which usually help when i take 1 or 2. i may also add that i am not in therapy although it has been recommended every time i go to doctor.

After reading around and talking to people it seems I will most likely get a basic antidepressant for a trial run for a month or two and if severe anxiety still occasionally occurs after that I will get a small amount of benzos per month, much like you. What is your thoughts on not doing the therapy?

 

[Whipped Dream]

Therapy CAN work for some people, but not for others. If you struggle with social phobia therapy probably might not be the best option.

Just a word about antidepressants - there's about a thousand kinds of SSRIs out there, and they all do basically the same thing, but can vary widely in terms of side effects. You may have to try a few different SSRIs before finding the right one that will work for you.

 

[jamesmartin]

Depending on your location, u may be able to obtain an indica dominant strain of cannabis .
Very good for anxiety.

 

[Volunteer215]

Therapy CAN work for some people, but not for others. If you struggle with social phobia therapy probably might not be the best option.

Just a word about antidepressants - there's about a thousand kinds of SSRIs out there, and they all do basically the same thing, but can vary widely in terms of side effects. You may have to try a few different SSRIs before finding the right one that will work for you.

That's what I have read and I am not excited about that. I know quite a few of the SSRIs can lead to insomnia problems which is something I already struggle with and am trying to prevent. Social phobia is an issue of mine and is one of the reasons I do not think therapy will help. I also feel like I don't have the time right now. Thanks for the help.

Depending on your location, u may be able to obtain an indica dominant strain of cannabis .
Very good for anxiety.

I live in Tennessee and as far as I know medical marijuana is not legal for any reason

 

[Whipped Dream]

How often does your anxiety occur? Are they acute episodes that occur on a sporadic basis, or is it a chronic, constant anxiety that is always lingering?

If acute episodes, about how often do they occur, and do you know what triggers them?

 

[Volunteer215]

How often does your anxiety occur? Are they acute episodes that occur on a sporadic basis, or is it a chronic, constant anxiety that is always lingering?

If acute episodes, about how often do they occur, and do you know what triggers them?

I have both. I am always anxious for no real reason and that is what makes it difficult to sleep. However, about once a month when I get stressed with school and money I have an acute anxiety attack. It's not always just one certain thing that triggers the attack.

 

[Whipped Dream]

SSRIs would probably do you well for the chronic anxiety, and a benzo for the more severe acute episodes.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

You may be able to get some Ambien for the insomnia problems and an SNRI/SSRI for the anxiety.

While chances are very slim to none you will get a benzodiazepine, some doctors will prescribe one with the antidepressant to take for a month while waiting for the effects of the AD to kick in. This has happened to people I know.

 

[LoPing]

I have been trolling around these forums for a while but I just joined to ask a few questions.

I am a 20 year old college student and I am going to see a psychologist on Thursday in attempt to get help for my anxiety and mild depression. The stress of school and money has put me at an all time low. My biological mother has severe anxiety and depression so I believe that it is very likely I am starting to develop it.

If the psychologist deems that I do have anxiety and mild depression do you think he will be inclined to prescribe any drugs to me at my younger age or will he be more likely to suggest some form of therapy? And if he does prescribe anything what do you most likely believe it will be? I do not want to abuse the drugs but I do think I would prefer them over some form of therapy.

Thanks

I had what you're speaking of.. Best thing to do is to get plenty of exercise. Go to the gym, pull out at least 40mins of cardio, perhaps some weight training, take a class, do spin.. something like that.. After a few weeks you'll begin to feel better about yourself, your life. Your mind and body will cope with stress easier, and you'll sleep better. You'll even have better and increased levels of concentration in class. It probably won't do anything to help you pay your bills but you'll at least have the energy, and confidence to deal with it in a more effecitve way. On the flip side you could sit around listening to all these idiots tell you what sort of drugs you can take that will make you feel better. You'll inevitably end up getting addicted to one thing or another. You'll then end up looking for other remedies once your "Prescribed" drug no longer gives you the desired results. As a result you'll end up buying drugs off street pharmacists thus spending more of the aforementioned money you DON'T have thus further adding to the core problem... Anxiety, Depression.. So instead of looking for a magic remedy or pill that will help to calm you down, help you sleep, and cure all your problems try looking at what YOU can do to help yourself. There I also saved you a shit ton of money on your psychologist or psychiatrist visit too.

 

[Whipped Dream]

I had what you're speaking of.. Best thing to do is to get plenty of exercise. Go to the gym, pull out at least 40mins of cardio, perhaps some weight training, take a class, do spin.. something like that.. After a few weeks you'll begin to feel better about yourself, your life. Your mind and body will cope with stress easier, and you'll sleep better. You'll even have better and increased levels of concentration in class. It probably won't do anything to help you pay your bills but you'll at least have the energy, and confidence to deal with it in a more effecitve way. On the flip side you could sit around listening to all these idiots tell you what sort of drugs you can take that will make you feel better. You'll inevitably end up getting addicted to one thing or another. You'll then end up looking for other remedies once your "Prescribed" drug no longer gives you the desired results. As a result you'll end up buying drugs off street pharmacists thus spending more of the aforementioned money you DON'T have thus further adding to the core problem... Anxiety, Depression.. So instead of looking for a magic remedy or pill that will help to calm you down, help you sleep, and cure all your problems try looking at what YOU can do to help yourself. There I also saved you a shit ton of money on your psychologist or psychiatrist visit too.

<sigh>If only we all had enough time in our lives to go jogging or spinning for 45 mins every day. Gym memberships aren't exactly cheap either speaking of saving money...


Drugs have their place and work well when used in moderation.

There I just saved you 45 minutes of sweating your ass off every day and having your joints go out on you at the age of 50.

 

[LoPing]

<sigh>If only we all had enough time in our lives to go jogging or spinning for 45 mins every day. Gym memberships aren't exactly cheap either speaking of saving money...


Drugs have their place and work well when used in moderation.

There I just saved you 45 minutes of sweating your ass off every day and having your joints go out on you at the age of 50.

Gym memberships are cheaper than detox and rehab... lol at "joints going out at the age of 50". People who exercise regularly help to protect their joints, tendons, cartilage, etc in older age.. If someone has 40 mins to start a forum about what drugs will help them to sleep, and avoid anxiety I think someone has 40 mins to get a lil work out in. Doesn't even have to be at a gym.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

Exercising? Isn't that the thing where you have to get up and do stuff? Not my sort of thing to tell you the truth.

 

[Whipped Dream]

Gym memberships are cheaper than detox and rehab... lol at "joints going out at the age of 50". People who exercise regularly help to protect their joints, tendons, cartilage, etc in older age.. If someone has 40 mins to start a forum about what drugs will help them to sleep, and avoid anxiety I think someone has 40 mins to get a lil work out in. Doesn't even have to be at a gym.

Tell that to my boss....he's 52 and has been exercising RELIGIOUSLY all of his life. He does it to treat anxiety and depression. Just last week his Doc told him that he needs total knee replacements, and to stop jogging altogether because his knees are thrashed.


He's on Xanax now...

I'm not making any of this up - 100% truth. Exercise is great but it also has it's downfalls.