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Suffering From Anxiety. I Have Quitted Smoking And Alcohol. What Should I Do To Feel Good?
Question: I have really bad anxiety an some time I will be felling ok but other times just sitting around my heart will beat so hard you can SEE it beat, even on my rist pulse . Only thing that seems to help all of it is xanacs an they say that's addicting but I've had 30 pills last me over a year an time an time again the dr makes it difficult to even get a refill after that long. I just want to know what's wrong with me an that's all I know that works. My dr accuses alcohol smoking for my anxiety so I quit both cold Turky for over a year now an still feel like shit. What's next if I like pickls is that why it happens . I'm still young health,, so they say, I'm 6ft 180 and good shape but this stops me from lots of things , well makes it really difficult any way, to even work,,I'm NOT suicidal or depressed but some time I feel like I'm gonna die... I just want help, I've been dealing with this for over 10 years now,, I'm tiered. I would really like to hear something different that oh don't do that or that's why,, why can one little pill make it easer to maintain,, an I've tryed anti depressant like lexapro an one other can't member but they gave me all Side affects an still nothin sooooo. Can you help,, thank you
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Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
I understand that you are going through a difficult time dealing with your anxiety all these years. You have also mentioned that you do not suffer from depressive symptoms and you have quit smoking and alcohol recently (which is really appreciable)
From your history and description of your symptoms, you seem to be suffering from an Anxiety disorder, probably with panic attacks.
While slight amounts of anxiety is common in everyone, if it becomes excessive or starts causing day-to-day difficulty or socio-occupational dysfunction to the person, then we term it as an anxiety 'disorder'.
Anxiety disorders have been found to have a biological basis where there are erratic or unbalanced levels of neuro-chemicals in the brain. Also, a person's psychological make-up, ability to handle external stress, past or childhood experiences and situational / environmental factors also have a role in the causation of anxiety disorders.
So, treatment for anxiety problems should take all these factors into consideration and a person with an anxiety problem first needs a detailed assessment to figure out what are the possible factors contributing to or precipitating his anxiety.
You have mentioned that you find significant benefits with Xanax, but as you have mentioned, the problem is the habituation or addiction potential. You aslo seem to have tried certain anti-depressant medication, but report side effects with them. Now, it is not uncommon to have a transient increase in anxiety or some side effects in the initial phase of anti-depressant therapy. These effects should subside gradually in the next 2 to 3 weeks as the medicine takes its full therapeutic effect. There are also other effective anti-anxiety medication like Buspirone, which can provide good symptomatic relief, without the addiction potential. There are also certain effective psychological therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) which can help you deal with your anxiety and give you long-lasting results. Also, Relaxation therapies like XXXXXXX breathing technique, progressive muscle relaxation technique, applied relaxation, music therapy, yoga, etc. have all been found to be beneficial in reducing anxiety symptoms.
I would suggest that you consult a psychiatrist for a detailed evaluation and for a discussion about the various options for treatment. I'm sure that with appropriate treatment, you will definitely be able to your overcome your anxiety problem.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
I understand that you are going through a difficult time dealing with your anxiety all these years. You have also mentioned that you do not suffer from depressive symptoms and you have quit smoking and alcohol recently (which is really appreciable)
From your history and description of your symptoms, you seem to be suffering from an Anxiety disorder, probably with panic attacks.
While slight amounts of anxiety is common in everyone, if it becomes excessive or starts causing day-to-day difficulty or socio-occupational dysfunction to the person, then we term it as an anxiety 'disorder'.
Anxiety disorders have been found to have a biological basis where there are erratic or unbalanced levels of neuro-chemicals in the brain. Also, a person's psychological make-up, ability to handle external stress, past or childhood experiences and situational / environmental factors also have a role in the causation of anxiety disorders.
So, treatment for anxiety problems should take all these factors into consideration and a person with an anxiety problem first needs a detailed assessment to figure out what are the possible factors contributing to or precipitating his anxiety.
You have mentioned that you find significant benefits with Xanax, but as you have mentioned, the problem is the habituation or addiction potential. You aslo seem to have tried certain anti-depressant medication, but report side effects with them. Now, it is not uncommon to have a transient increase in anxiety or some side effects in the initial phase of anti-depressant therapy. These effects should subside gradually in the next 2 to 3 weeks as the medicine takes its full therapeutic effect. There are also other effective anti-anxiety medication like Buspirone, which can provide good symptomatic relief, without the addiction potential. There are also certain effective psychological therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) which can help you deal with your anxiety and give you long-lasting results. Also, Relaxation therapies like XXXXXXX breathing technique, progressive muscle relaxation technique, applied relaxation, music therapy, yoga, etc. have all been found to be beneficial in reducing anxiety symptoms.
I would suggest that you consult a psychiatrist for a detailed evaluation and for a discussion about the various options for treatment. I'm sure that with appropriate treatment, you will definitely be able to your overcome your anxiety problem.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doc for your reply, but the anti depresents I did give a good chance at them both, busperine was one i gave a try along with lexapro an gave them both over six months but then I still had my anxiety AN the side effects, so gave up on that theory an if you have to take a pill once or twice a day would that be an addiction ?? Xanax like I said I only took when really needed 30 pills last me over a year an the past four years have been Farley easy, but know I'm back to going to the Dr an explaining all over just for a refill an feeling like a crack head because I need something that works but supposotly addictive, I've been taking them for years ( only when needed ) not every day like you would with depressant.? I don't do pills, not my thing, not even aspirin , I have friends that are addicted to vicks an perk sets an I don't get it, cause they had an accident the DR gives it to them but there fine, they even tell me that an it frustrates me cause I have a REAL issue , Anyway, I know it is something subcontiouse an little clausturfobic, and deffinutly being overwhelmed with work an such, but camping or feeling trapped or stuck like traffic, even eating out its weird, but I have tryed the breathing an such it does help, but it last sometimes from when I wake allll day unless I do something and I can't just go veg on home owners couch for ten twenty minutes they would think I was hung over, an speaking to wich I know alcohol is a cure AND a cause I can't live that life,, I tryed, not good , working out helps but I don't always have time or energy, so anyway I can keep goin but I just wish someone new more than I do about it,, anyway thank you and if you can recommend a DR in Colorado that would be good to,,
Hello again and thanks for writing in.
I understand that it must be quite frustrating to keep struggling with a genuine difficulty and seek help for it, but not find a proper solution. It's true that GPs are generally very hesitant in prescribing benzos fearing to their addictive potential. If SSRI anti-depressants or Buspirone have not worked for you, there may be still other options with medication such as flupentixol or a different class of anti-depressants like Melitracin, for example. Moreover CBT and other psychological techniques are also equally effective options. So, please do be persistent in your efforts and I'm sure you'll be soon be able to see a difference.
Unfortunately, since I'm not based in your country, I would not be in a position to recommend a doctor in Colorado.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
I understand that it must be quite frustrating to keep struggling with a genuine difficulty and seek help for it, but not find a proper solution. It's true that GPs are generally very hesitant in prescribing benzos fearing to their addictive potential. If SSRI anti-depressants or Buspirone have not worked for you, there may be still other options with medication such as flupentixol or a different class of anti-depressants like Melitracin, for example. Moreover CBT and other psychological techniques are also equally effective options. So, please do be persistent in your efforts and I'm sure you'll be soon be able to see a difference.
Unfortunately, since I'm not based in your country, I would not be in a position to recommend a doctor in Colorado.
Wish you all the best.
- Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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