Anti-anxiety drugs

[onyxensentium]

I think the most important thing to take from this thread is that certain drugs may help you, a lot, but only for a while.

In short, and I'll save you a lot of time and frustration: No drug will ever cure your social anxiety disorder. You might as well just give up. I know it sounds dismal but hear me out. You have to let go of trying to be "good" socially. You have to let go of the concept that you are somehow broken and thus unable to function like "normal." All of these ideas are egotistical and selfish. Most people have at least SOME degree of social anxiety. So you have a little more than others, what's so wrong with that?

Have you considered that maybe you weren't meant to be super cool celebrity popular? Have you considered that your shyness brings forth other golden opportunities that non-shy people might miss?

The most important thing you can ever do for yourself as you learn and grow is to simply ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE. Even if you want to change something you must first ACCEPT the situation and embrace it. A long time ago, I accepted the fact that I'm somewhat anti-social. I'd rather be at home working on some art or playing guitar than out "socializing." And I'm absolutely fine with it.

The day that I accepted it, it no longer became that important. It didn't need to be FIXED and as a result the social interactions I do have are a lot more comfortable because I have the attitude now of, "Yeah, I'm not as intelligent socially as most people, can you handle that?" I could care less if girls think I'm not cool or popular, I have a beautiful girlfriend who treats me like a god because I act like a god. How? I follow my true path.

I do what I want to do (so long as it is through the eyes of love) and don't give a shit about anything else.

If you live honestly, and reach that point where you just stop caring about being good or bad, it feels so great. You just ARE. Take me or leave me, love me or hate me it doesn't matter. I'm doing my thing and nobody is going to stop me.

This attitude has improved EVERY area of my life, friends, work, art, music.

You have an incredible tool in that head of yours and here you are thinking about yourself and imaginary concepts that, in the end, don't mean a fucking thing. Why not find what you're passionate about and pursue it relentlessly. Fuck fitting in, fuck being cool or being able to make people laugh. All this stuff falls into place naturally when you start to find your true path and follow it.

Not everyone will like you. Not everyone will hate you. Yes people will say bad things about you. Yes people will say good things. THIS you know is true. This is the only objective truth you can actually say. So why even bother worrying about it?

Find what drives you, and be.

 

[swilow]

Wow,

I have to say, i am slightly disheartened by these replies, it sounds like there isnt really anything out there that can help.

With regards to the mdma, i have to say, my anxiety is no worse than before i ever used the stuff, its exactly the same.

I just need something that lets me not be so self-conscious and feel so inhibited all the time, i feel so anxious and nervous around people, i just cant seem to relax.

what are all the herbs that are known to reduce anxiety? i know valerian root is one, what are some others?

Scullcap, passionflower, catnip, withania, lotus spp. are all herbs that can help with anxiety. I would definteloy try them before resorting to hard drugs.

 

[StratMan172]

I'm sure with all the responses everything I'm going to say has been covered but I feel like throwin 2 cents in. There's no doubt in my mind that this anxiety was brought on by your excessive MDMA or ecstasy usage. If you go to a doctor and tell him you've been using MDMA to get you through the day they will NOT prescribe you anything that is going to truly help with your anxiety. I've dealt with anxiety for about 2 years of my life and I'm pretty sure it stems from my past cocaine abuse and my still current but not so serious use of amphetamines (adderall). I was put on benzo's in the early stages of my anxiety and they really are a miracle drug. Since my doctors knew about my past history abuse, when I told them 10 mg of Diazepam wasn't cutting it, they said I was abusing benzo's and the only way I get them now is when I go into the emergency room with a severe panic attak and my Blood pressure at 170/110 and a heart rate of 150 beats per minute. Benzo's will kill your anxiety almost guaranteed unless your one of the few that get opposite reactions from them and get aggressive. Right now they have me on buspirone, I'm supposed to take 6 fucking pills of it a day, it doesn't do shit, and it causes severe nausia even though i built up the dose from a half pill a day to 6 pills a day as prescribed in a month's period.

klowns said that weed is the "GOLD STANDARD" for anxiety. maybe for some people but for me, if I'm in a state of high anxiety, even a hit of weed will send me into a much worse state.

if you get put on benzo's use them responsibly and be greatful because their life savers.

I would recommend you stay away from stimulants because excessive use of MDMA, especially daily use, will have some pretty negative long term effects. Good Luck.

 

[orml]

Kava Kava root powder works miracles, and I've had some SERIOUS anxiety issues and shit gets better and better man, don't be down on yourself just keep looking up and you'll be fine in no time.

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

I've taken Kava, Valerian, and St. John's wort and they didn't do anything for me.

Kava just made my tongue numb. St. John's wort just made me really angry/agitated all the time. Valerian root didn't help me with night anxiety/insomnia at all.

Pot and alcohol worked for me for anxiety but if you use those you will use them as a crutch.

Also it sounds corny but Chamomile tea and Rooibos AKA red tea also can work to calm people down.

Meditation/cardio exercise worked really well for me as did just like purposely putting myself into situations that gave me anxiety and being forced to deal with it.

Low doses of SSRIs/SSNRIs have also worked wonders for myself and my friends who get anxiety/social anxiety as well as therapy but YMMV.

 

[Nitrous is Nice]

I have to give a thumbs up to Rooibus, as well.

Pretty good tasting tea that's got a nice sedating feel to it.

Not really strong, but it feels very natural.

Oh, I totally forgot about Lavender as well. It's nothing too special on its own, but it mixes well with most of the other relaxing herbs and generally makes the drinks taste slightly better.

Like I said before, I like combining a lot of these herbs into one strong tea. They seem to really synergize well with each other.

Just an example of one brew:

Rooibus, Valerian, Catnip, Skullcap, Chamomile, Lavender

^ That shit will knock me the fuck out. No need to even through kava into the mix.

Besides, kava works best when its kneeded for 10+ minutes in any temperature (other than HOT) water. I would just pour boiling water over the above concoction (all in one teaball) and let it steep for 15 minutes or so. It never seemed too appealing to me to kneed some kava root in a tea that's already near boiling temperature.

 

[Scorched Soul]

I think the most important thing to take from this thread is that certain drugs may help you, a lot, but only for a while.

In short, and I'll save you a lot of time and frustration: No drug will ever cure your social anxiety disorder. You might as well just give up. I know it sounds dismal but hear me out. You have to let go of trying to be "good" socially. You have to let go of the concept that you are somehow broken and thus unable to function like "normal." All of these ideas are egotistical and selfish. Most people have at least SOME degree of social anxiety. So you have a little more than others, what's so wrong with that?

Have you considered that maybe you weren't meant to be super cool celebrity popular? Have you considered that your shyness brings forth other golden opportunities that non-shy people might miss?

The most important thing you can ever do for yourself as you learn and grow is to simply ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE. Even if you want to change something you must first ACCEPT the situation and embrace it. A long time ago, I accepted the fact that I'm somewhat anti-social. I'd rather be at home working on some art or playing guitar than out "socializing." And I'm absolutely fine with it.

The day that I accepted it, it no longer became that important. It didn't need to be FIXED and as a result the social interactions I do have are a lot more comfortable because I have the attitude now of, "Yeah, I'm not as intelligent socially as most people, can you handle that?" I could care less if girls think I'm not cool or popular, I have a beautiful girlfriend who treats me like a god because I act like a god. How? I follow my true path.

I do what I want to do (so long as it is through the eyes of love) and don't give a shit about anything else.

If you live honestly, and reach that point where you just stop caring about being good or bad, it feels so great. You just ARE. Take me or leave me, love me or hate me it doesn't matter. I'm doing my thing and nobody is going to stop me.

This attitude has improved EVERY area of my life, friends, work, art, music.

You have an incredible tool in that head of yours and here you are thinking about yourself and imaginary concepts that, in the end, don't mean a fucking thing. Why not find what you're passionate about and pursue it relentlessly. Fuck fitting in, fuck being cool or being able to make people laugh. All this stuff falls into place naturally when you start to find your true path and follow it.

Not everyone will like you. Not everyone will hate you. Yes people will say bad things about you. Yes people will say good things. THIS you know is true. This is the only objective truth you can actually say. So why even bother worrying about it?

Find what drives you, and be.

Dude, I agree exactly with everything you said. But my problem is, I CAN'T do that. Lemme try and explain....

I know what I like and what I don't. I know how I want to act, and react to people and situations. I have a personality and I think I am actually quite a loud, outgoing person deep down.

But whenever I'm around people, depending on the person and the situation, I get this kind of self-conscious feeling. It's strength ranges from lowlying, almost subconsious, to all out almost terrifying self-conscious paranoia.

This anxiety basically kills my personality, it almost stops my normal thought process in its tracks. I am sure it a long time conditioned response. When I have been on mdma, I have managed to do a lot of stuff. I have managed to make some really good friends, with some seriously cool people, I have managed to get a pretty good job in the city etc.

However, these moments have always been assisted with some kind of drug use, and have been rare.

Today, I havent seen most of my friends for over a year, because without my drugs, I feel unbelievably insecure around them. I;m actually scared to talk to them, because I feel this anxiety which kills my personality, and when this happens with my friends, it alienates them, because they dont know about my problem. I feel really insecure around them, because of my low confidence in social situations, and its amplified with them, because they are actually really cool, popular people (i kind of lucked by living with them, so we became good friends over time, altho there were still many awkward moments.)

At work, I'm treading a line, because I feel so self-conscious, and i really struggle in group situations, i really clam up. This is gonna be an issue, because of the nature of my work. It's made worse because I'm surrounded by really confident intelligent people, which just amplifies my insecurity and feelings of self-consciousness.


BUT, I know that if i can prevent these feeling of anxiety taking hold, then I can operate normally. I just need somehting to stop this anxiety taking hold. I dont know if this makes sense to anyone, but I really feel like my trueself is smothered by this social fear response.

I'm hoping Kava, tryptophan etc, will weaken this anxiety, and just give me a chance to operate free of this fear, for more than a few hours at a time.

The thing with mdma, it was so short lived, that i couldnt build any lasting bridges, or make an long lasting changes to my life or to my thought process.

I'm hoping to find somehting, that while not perhaps as strong as mdma, somthing longer lasting, so that I can approach my life in a more positive way for a prolonged period of time.

Did any of that make sense to anyone???

 

[Scorched Soul]

re:

Question about benzos:

I have heard some people say they are the worst thing you can do, some others say its the best...

What's the deal?

I kind of get the impression that they are amazing at first, but then can actually makes things worse if you begin to rely on them - is this accurate?

Does it actually change the way your brain works, so that you actually need the benzos to be normal? Or is that they make you feel so good when on them, but the effect is only there while on them, and so you whenever you stop using, you normally go back to your old self?

Is it not possible to use them, so that you can make positive changes in your life ie. build/rebuild relationships, practice social skills etc, so that you improve your ability to act without them?


I have also heard that there can be effects on your cognitive abilities, specifically memory.Are there any benzos which do not harm memory? Can nootropics help?

While on benzos, are other emotions dulled? Does motivation, happiness, interest etc die down?

Sorry for the long list of questions, im just typing as the thoughts come into my head, feel free to answer any or all of them!

Thanks again to all for your replies, you've all been extremely generous with your time, and I appreciate everyone who has contributed.

 

[mcwally]

yeh I hear you loud and clear dude, what onyxensentium wrote was sound advice and a good read but as you say there can be factors that are stopping you function and develop as you should be and that is when they may need to be managed instead of just accepted

firstly I think you have the right attitude to get over the probs, Im in a similar boat and am not as focussed and probably have less self control atm .
But in terms of benzos Im not experienced with them so best for others to chime in but I do see them to have a genuine role in managing anxiety, with a disclaimer I guess to not become addicted to em.

My view is that there are behavioural and chemical sides to the issue and if one of them is heading in the right direction they can help the other side follow. So if benzos can help getting the behavioural side some momentum in the right direction like you are saying, and then benzos are slowly withdrawn, I dont see why the gains couldn't be long lasting. Just depends on managing them smartly and willfully I guess Im saying

 

[Scorched Soul]

I just found some diazepam in my cupboard (prescribed to my mum a while back for back pain). It is in 2mg pills.

I wanna take some, in order to see what effect it has. Is it something u need to take over time for it to build up? If i took 2mg, would effects would i feel? I am about 85kg and 22. Whats a normal good effective first dose?

I was planning on taking it before work, so I could see how it changes how i feel when around people. What do u guys think?

 

[silentscience]

some people might not consider this the best advice, so take it with a grain of salt, but for me taking ketamine for a while actually somehow actually removed my anxiety for a while. it took away the physical sensations I was having like worrying about heart problems. However, if used in excess ketamine can cause extreme panic attacks! it's wierd, but just an experience that I had that I thought I'd share. it seems like k can shut down panic receptors or something like that.

 

[mcwally]

beta blockers can help minimise physical signs of anxiety also keep in mind if that is at all an issue

 

[Nitrous is Nice]

I just found some diazepam in my cupboard (prescribed to my mum a while back for back pain). It is in 2mg pills.

I wanna take some, in order to see what effect it has. Is it something u need to take over time for it to build up? If i took 2mg, would effects would i feel? I am about 85kg and 22. Whats a normal good effective first dose?

I was planning on taking it before work, so I could see how it changes how i feel when around people. What do u guys think?

That's a really low dosage for diazepam.

How long until you have to work?

I would take 3 2mg pills now (they'll still be in effect whenever you work, diazepam last forever).

See how you feel after an hour.

If you still feel anxiety, take a little bit more. But don't go overboard. You'll know when you've taken enough to achieve the effects you're looking for.

 

[Scorched Soul]

I start work in about 12 hours. (Im in Europe, so its evening now).

So, you reckon 6mg, first thing on waking up? Empty stomach? How long does it take for it to kick in?

Is it safe to take with any or all of the following? (if not, i wont take them)

Branched Chain Amino Acids

Fat burners
(A7-E™ Super-Thermogenic Gel™ XXX500 [lauroyl macrogol-32 glycerides, p-methylcarbonylethylphenol, 3,17-dihydroxy-delta-5-etiocholane-7-one diethylcarbonate, Carbolin™ 19 (forskolin 1,9-carbonate), piperine, yohimbine HCl], caffeine)

Modofinil


I guess I can go without the above if I'm experimenting with the diazepam.

 

[Nitrous is Nice]

That fat burner is likely the cause of some of your anxiety.

Yeah, first thing on waking up. Empty stomach: yes. Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes or so to kick in.

I'd skip the fat burner but still take your modofinil.

If, in an hour after taking the first 6mg, you're still feeling anxious, take maybe 4mg more.

 

[Scorched Soul]

Actually, the fat burner makes me kind of euphoric, not anxious at all.

Slight feelings of euphoria are a known effect of the fat burner I take. Its a very reputable brand, and is supposed to be unlike many other fat burners, which I would have to say I agree with, based on my limited exprerience.

It DOES make me kind of jittery, but normally the very slight moodlift counteracts any potential for it to take a more negative anxious route. Nevertheless, I will not take it tomorrow, just so I can make sure to better assess the effect of the diazepam.


How long will it last, assuming I take 6mg? I'll take 6mg, and take 4mg with me to work. I'll report back tomorrow evening.

One question - I may have basketball practice tomorrow, is very intense cardio activity ok?


btw - just wanted to say thanks again to everyone, even tho I am still in the same position I was yesterday, I just feel a little better knowing that there are things out there that could potentially help me. I guess I'm just feeling ever so slightly more optimistic than normal - let's hope I'm right to be!

 

[Nitrous is Nice]

Actually, the fat burner makes me kind of euphoric, not anxious at all.

Slight feelings of euphoria are a known effect of the fat burner I take. Its a very reputable brand, and is supposed to be unlike many other fat burners, which I would have to say I agree with, based on my limited exprerience.

It DOES make me kind of jittery, but normally the very slight moodlift counteracts any potential for it to take a more negative anxious route. Nevertheless, I will not take it tomorrow, just so I can make sure to better assess the effect of the diazepam.


How long will it last, assuming I take 6mg? I'll take 6mg, and take 4mg with me to work. I'll report back tomorrow evening.

One question - I may have basketball practice tomorrow, is very intense cardio activity ok?


btw - just wanted to say thanks again to everyone, even tho I am still in the same position I was yesterday, I just feel a little better knowing that there are things out there that could potentially help me. I guess I'm just feeling ever so slightly more optimistic than normal - let's I'm right to be!

Ah, well then you could probably take your fatburner as you normally do. If it normally makes you slightly euphoric, the valium combined with it should make you feel really good.

Basketball practice should be fine.

The anti-anxiety effects should last at least a full 24 hours.

You're welcome. Hope everything works out for the best for you.

 

[burn out]

I think the most important thing to take from this thread is that certain drugs may help you, a lot, but only for a while.

In short, and I'll save you a lot of time and frustration: No drug will ever cure your social anxiety disorder. You might as well just give up. I know it sounds dismal but hear me out. You have to let go of trying to be "good" socially. You have to let go of the concept that you are somehow broken and thus unable to function like "normal." All of these ideas are egotistical and selfish. Most people have at least SOME degree of social anxiety. So you have a little more than others, what's so wrong with that?

Have you considered that maybe you weren't meant to be super cool celebrity popular? Have you considered that your shyness brings forth other golden opportunities that non-shy people might miss?

The most important thing you can ever do for yourself as you learn and grow is to simply ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE. Even if you want to change something you must first ACCEPT the situation and embrace it. A long time ago, I accepted the fact that I'm somewhat anti-social. I'd rather be at home working on some art or playing guitar than out "socializing." And I'm absolutely fine with it.

The day that I accepted it, it no longer became that important. It didn't need to be FIXED and as a result the social interactions I do have are a lot more comfortable because I have the attitude now of, "Yeah, I'm not as intelligent socially as most people, can you handle that?" I could care less if girls think I'm not cool or popular, I have a beautiful girlfriend who treats me like a god because I act like a god. How? I follow my true path.

that's easy for you to say, you have a beautiful girlfriend. i said fuck it to being some super social celebrity or being cool or even being normal a long time ago. i accepted the fact that i wasn't good socially along time ago. yet i never found a girlfriend. if i had a girlfriend and a couple of good friends, (or even just a girlfriend, if she was the right girl) i honestly wouldn't care what the rest of the world thought. but i am not content with being alone 100% of the time. i need some kind of social interaction another problem is i'm running into problems now because my anxiety is interfering with my occupational functioning. the way you advance in the work world is through networking and making contacts and being liked. the ability to skillfully interact with other people is so important, it's usually written right on the job description of every single job. if you lack this ability, your ability to earn a living is severely handicapped.

I do what I want to do (so long as it is through the eyes of love) and don't give a shit about anything else.

If you live honestly, and reach that point where you just stop caring about being good or bad, it feels so great. You just ARE. Take me or leave me, love me or hate me it doesn't matter. I'm doing my thing and nobody is going to stop me.

This attitude has improved EVERY area of my life, friends, work, art, music.

You have an incredible tool in that head of yours and here you are thinking about yourself and imaginary concepts that, in the end, don't mean a fucking thing. Why not find what you're passionate about and pursue it relentlessly. Fuck fitting in, fuck being cool or being able to make people laugh. All this stuff falls into place naturally when you start to find your true path and follow it.

Not everyone will like you. Not everyone will hate you. Yes people will say bad things about you. Yes people will say good things. THIS you know is true. This is the only objective truth you can actually say. So why even bother worrying about it?

Find what drives you, and be.

once again, this sounds like something that's easy to say for someone who has something they are passionate about.

 

[Scorched Soul]

re:

another problem is i'm running into problems now because my anxiety is interfering with my occupational functioning. the way you advance in the work world is through networking and making contacts and being liked. the ability to skillfully interact with other people is so important, it's usually written right on the job description of every single job. if you lack this ability, your ability to earn a living is severely handicapped. QUOTE]

Yes.

That is exactly what I'm talking about. In the company I work for, this skill is THE most important atribute you can have. It is essential. I don't have it. It hasn't held me back yet, due to my junior position, but I am just now getting to point where I need to start dealing with people, professionals, in meetings, netwworking, working with colleagues etc.

I haven't yet been held back, but I have let sooooo many opportunities go by, due to my lack of ability to function in a social setting.

 

[mcwally]

give the valium a shot dude no harm in trying it, just suss out how sedating it makes you, can make some people sleepy

I would say that a doctor would prescribe an ssri anti-depressant for you before recommending a benzo, perhaps particularly based on the fact that you may have interferred with seretonin with past mdma use, and that that makes you one who has had substance abuse potential in the past

not necessarily saying that is the deal but how I would imagine a doc would go about it and say, helpful or unhelpful it might be