Are antidepressants really the answer?

angiepangie · Newbie User Joined: Oct 04, 2005 Posts: 17

I used my own brainpower for 5 years.No councelling or meds until recently i started a new job and panic was terrible to the point i ran off.So i figured i will try meds..citalopram.. been on it for 2 days and feelin very sick so far.Anyone know if there ok?

Chilaxin17 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 08, 2005 Posts: 15

I don't think that medication is the answer. Like someone above me said they do not solve anything but simply cover up.

All they do for you is make you not worry about your problems (reduces your general anxiety and depression) but if you have SA it really doesn't help.

At least not from my experiences and from many others that I have read. I am taking Paxil CR 37.5 mg. It makes me much less stressed and wanting to do things but when I go out and do them I have the same problems with SA. I don't think it's improved my SA at all to be honest.

I'm probably just going to stop taking them soon, but I don't know what else to do. I am currently a college student and I am barely able to make it to class every WITH the medication. I can only imagine how I will be without them, but I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing that I'm not relying on something such as this, especially when they do not present a real solution Very Happy

Tom_Measor · Newbie User Joined: Oct 26, 2005 Posts: 6

Antidepressants just treat the symptoms, not the cause. You have to try and resolve what ever problems you have while on them, as they are not meant to be a permanent cure. BTW, they can take up to six month to get the full benifit from them, so don't expect to feel better after just a couple of weeks.

Boundless · Expert User Joined: Aug 20, 2005 Posts: 615 Location: UK

I have agoraphobia bot SA - and right now i need something to help me as im really really down,and have been coming on 4 weeks(much worse than usual) its really messing me up havent seen my support worker since i felt like this.

Lemon · Newbie User Joined: Nov 20, 2005 Posts: 2

Medication can be a tremendous help to deal with the symptoms but also to put you in a more positive-relaxed frame of mind to be able to work-face your issues better.
IN my case, if I wasn't taking medication I wouldn't dare to do some things that I actually do to solve the problem.

Also, every medication works different for every person...so you have to find the right medication and the right dose

paladin · Newbie User Joined: Sep 06, 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Spain

Antidepressants usually are good for depression, about all modern ones, like Prozac and Panxil. I am taking one for some years and is very good for depression and also obsesive thinkings, but not for SA.

Lightcloud · Newbie User Joined: Nov 11, 2005 Posts: 20

I've been taking Paxil for a little over 3 months and I already feel such a difference with my SA. I can go to the mall and other public places now without even thinking about people "watching me". I can talk with more ease when I'm speaking to people in authority, and I'm more talkative and upbeat than I was before. My negative thinking has definitely improved too, and I feel like I have more confidence.

Of course, I know antidepressants aren't a cureall, but Paxil has definitely helped me. My SA isn't completely cured whatsoever, but I do see a significant improvement in my day to day life. I'm still overly anxious around certain people or groups of people, but that can't be cured overnight anyways.

If you haven't tried an antidepressant, I'd say give it a try. Paxil's side effects (the only ones I've had are drowsiness and unable to ejaculate at times) seem trivial compared to the results I've received.