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Going to the doctor for anxiety

B

Beat Narrative

Bluelighter
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
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306
Location
Melbourne
I have an appointment with my doctor on Thursday for anxiety issues, it is getting to the point where i am virtually unable to function on a daily basis due to this inexplicable anxiety i am suffering, it has been getting worse over the last 6 months or so

Now i know there are obviously under lying issues that need to be addressed, i am open to councelling etc but at the moment i need to be able to function on a normal level, work, relationship etc are at jeopardy I and can't just take time off life to resolve these issues

The way i see it i need to adress the physical problems of the anxiety immediatly and the mental issues will obvioulsy take longer to address

What options do i have to ask from my doctor other than some sort of benzo that will give me a physical relief from this anxiety whilst i take the time to address the deeper issues?
 
Psychiatrists and counselors are your best bet. I've been to walk in clinics to see doctors, and it seems like they just want to hurry up and get you out of there, regardless of what your condition is. Psychiatrists and counselors are there to examine you and carefully watch how your personality changes over a period of time. If your medications aren't working, they will change it accordingly to how you and how the doctor feels about your progress. Its a long term commitment and relationship. Definitely worth it. Basically, just be honest with them, explain to them how you feel and how you want to feel, and they will do whatever they feel is best, based upon their work experience or education. This is what they are for. Good luck.
 
I would agree with what was mentioned above...if you can see a psychiatrist and a counselor that would allow you to approach the issue from both sides. I'm sure some regular doctors have experience with mental health issues but a lot of them do not have as much knowledge as a psychiatrist would. I'd be somewhat cautious with either one to be honest, but psychiatrist do specialize in these things.

They will probably suggest benzos or an anti-depressant. I've also used Inderal which is supposed to help minimize the physical effects of anxiety by blocking adrenaline (I think), although it did not do very much for me since it does not really slow down thought processes. I found benzos to be helpful when kept at a low dosage and taking days off here and there.

I always say this but meditation is also very helpful and help decrease anxiety at any time that you decide to practice it.

Good luck :)
 
Along with medication....I have found that some will have you try the "mind over matter" techniques such as...(mentioned above) meditation, breathing exercises. These physical stress reducers are a very good tool to use since they do not impair your thought, or your natural emotions. Benzos can sometimes leave you feeling blah. I have found that (also mentioned) being as honest as possible will yield the best results with the psychiatrist, or counselor. Also, finding someone that you feel comfortable with is always the better opption. Might take visiting a few doctors, or counselors before find the one that best suits you.

In my dealings with anxiety and stress management...finding one who will tell you the straight truth without the sugar coating is much easier to trust. Again, that is only through my experience.

Best of luck to you!
 
Have you considered asking your dr about possibly doing some CBT? I think it is the treatment of choice where I live right now and apprently pretty effective.

With regards to the physical effects, as Legerity mentioned your dr may prescribe you some beta blockers to stop some of the physical effects but of course you may be stuck with the mental effects. However they are pretty useful for taking the edge off panic attacks :).
 
Thanks everyone for your replies, i am going to my GP as a starting point and then see if i need a psychiatrist, i work in a govt job and they provide funding for councelling so i am going to see a councellor on Friday.

I am just going to be as honest as possible.

I have made a huge realisation that certain things in my past may be effecting my present, i have always avoided these issues as i did not want to develop a victims mentality. I am not adopting that mentality now but realising that i need to get to the core of a few things and weed out some issues

My abiity to get over my past has been masked with drug use and avoidance and now it's caught up with me. On paper my life is on track, good relationship job etc but the way i feel makes me think that if it wasn't for my partner and Father i would probably give up as my anxiety is so over whelming

I am sorry if none of this makes any sense, i am nervous about seeing my doctor and confronting these issues, i feel like shit, wine helps but drinking alcohol for the wrong reasons is dangerous habit foming behaviour for me (alcoholic parents , blah blah), vicous cycle etc

If there was one thing i am greatful for on the internet it is this place, i might only be new on here but the fact i can be honest in anonimity is a cathartic experience, thankyou all for taking the time to reply, i greatly appreciate it
 
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That's great man...face the past and it will no longer have power over you. I'm in the process of that too and it's an ongoing thing but after a while there's nowhere to turn but inward. All the best :)
 
Legerity said:
That's great man...face the past and it will no longer have power over you. I'm in the process of that too and it's an ongoing thing but after a while there's nowhere to turn but inward. All the best :)
Click to expand...

Thanks heaps! The best wishes of a stranger are some what reassuring

I have always thought i was a humble person but have now discovered i have been to proud to actually confront certain issues as i thought i was able to have perfect control over my emotions, i now realise drug abuse is not controlling, is covering and its had it's repercussions in a profound way

either that or i am just being a whingy little bitch!

cheers for your well wishes!
 
Legerity said:
face the past and it will no longer have power over you.
Click to expand...
yes

-----
OP:::
i have been diagnosed PTSD, for me other than benzo&gabapentin cocktails, 5htp and ssri's like citalopram help (obviously not taken together).However, what helps equally is reminding myself to be 100% aware of being alive in this moment by pushing myself to the absolute maximum my body can take with exercise - sprinting, dancing, swimming, whatever - and regularly. I have had my fair share of cbt and rewiring my panic and rage responses thru facing the inner labyrinths and walls I have built up out of the instinct of self-preservation, and it has definitely helped.

wish you the best, ae. :)
 
Exercise does provide one with a sense of security and power after working out. It boosts your mental power as well as your physical power.

Reading is great. Reading is calming and a form of meditation in a way, for me at least. I like to indulge myself into news, current events, books that have to do with self motivation, facts that I did not know... whatever interests me.
 
Well i went to the Dr, he seemd pretty thorough, i was so nervous when i went in that i was not totally honnest and did not tell him about recraetional opiate use (poppy seed tea) that i partake in for fear of being labeled a druggy looking for benzos

He prescribed me some Cymbalta and Serapax, i am hesitant about the Cymbalta, anyone have any experience with it?

I know this seems idiotic of me but would a drug like Cymblata have adverse reactions with any recreational drug use (serotonin syndrome for example)

I know i should have asked my Doctor this, i will ask him when i seem him next week and get more courage, if anyone has any experience with Cymbalta i would be eager to know your thoughts on it

I am also going onto a public benefit mental health plan, subsidised psychologist, proud of myself for getting thsi far but angry at myself for not asking enough questions when i was there, oh well there is always next time
 
Serotonin syndrome wouldn't be a risk if you are just using opiates recreationally, except tramadol. Some drugs however would be dangerous to combine with the Cymbalta. I think Cymbalta would be good for anxiety in certain cases, and with any co-morbid depression that might exsist. There might be an increase in anxiety as you start the Cymbalta, but it shouldn't be that bad, and the good effects will predominate. Serapax is a benzo, so it will relax you, which will be especially good as you start the Cymbalta. This combo seems okay to me, it should help some.
 
" I know this seems idiotic of me but would a drug like Cymblata have adverse reactions with any recreational drug use (serotonin syndrome for example) "

this is the opposite of idiocy -
just say know- and all.
 
I am getting anxious about taking the Cymbalta, rather ironic being anxious about taking anti anxiety medication

I might try and go one week of healthy living, no drugs, drink and some excercise, see if my mental state improves, if not then i am going to try the Cymbalta

It's weird , i am denial at this point and it feels like i should be able to fix thngs on my own terms without more drugs, although not recreational, getting into my system

Sorry for thinking out loud, but it helps
 
^yes, this is why these drugs and their actual dangers are kept.
;-)
also, you are an individual, becuase of this it may not do a thing..!

it does help, to think out loud - makes ones thoughts a bit more tangible...
 
oxazepam is one of the better benzos you could get scripted for day-to-day anxiety, since it's comparatively very mild and less habit forming (imo) than most but still does its job
 
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