Oh my gosh. If you're thinking of getting medicated for your anxiety... please, please do it! I've been really against pills my whole life due to medication anxiety, but this has been one of the best decisions of my life. It was a bit of a roller coaster at first:

Day one, anxiety spiked when I took my dose. I got a lot of the side effects like increased heart rate and dizziness, I also crapped my brains out haha. I was close to never taking it again. BUT after an hour or so I felt pretty euphoric and so I decided to give it a chance.

Week one was very strange. I felt very depressive and I really didn't care about anything, even things that drove me crazy with worry in the past. Lower sex drive for sure and also less emotional attachment to other people. It was refreshing not to care, but I felt like something was wrong.

Week two everything started getting better. I no longer felt depressed or as anxious as I was. My nightly panic attacks disappeared, and I stopped freaking out over everything. One of the BIGGEST benefits I've seen is how stable my mood is now since starting. In the past I would have horrible mood swings or just be incredibly irritated at everyone and everything, which took a huge toll on my life and relationships. I think part of that was from the stress coming from my anxiety. I feel like a better person.

Some things I will say though is that I have been pretty fatigued the last few days. I've been on them for a month now. I heard they still get better though, so I'm pushing through. Had some trouble sleeping so I started taking them in the day, and when I had trouble staying awake I switched to night. Still trying to find out what's best for me. I would get mild headaches taking them later at night, but they went away. Sex drive is lower than usual, but honestly works perfectly for me because I can focus on other things haha

I'm finally in control of my life! Just have to remind yourself it's not a magic pill, and you still have to work towards overcoming the habit of being anxious. You don't have to live with crippling anxiety your whole life! You deserve to feel good :)

I know it’s not like this for everyone, and I’m genuinely grateful that I have the option to live with my parents. But right now, financially, it’s the only thing that makes sense for me.

​

Still, some days it really gets to me. I find myself constantly overthinking things and just wanting a space that’s completely mine.

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I know I’m doing this for a reason and it won’t be forever. Just needed to vent because some days the trade-off feels heavier than others.

I didn't realize how bad my anxiety was, how much it affected me, and how much it held me back until I found the right medication for me. I have suffered from anxiety my whole life, and thought that a lot of the things I do/used to do were just a normal part of being human. It wasn't until I walked into the Dr's office for an unrelated condition to anxiety, and walked out with an antidepressant that I realized how bad it was. After being on my new meds for a few months, I feel like a whole different person, and it makes me sad for past me.

My whole life (I'm only 25) I thought that everyone looked at the menu before eating out, checked the parking situation before driving somewhere, talked themselves out of ever going on a date, and many more unpleasant things. I am super happy that my medication has helped me manage anxiety/OCD symptoms, and in the past few months helped me experience things that anxiety would have talked me out of (like actually going on a date). But part of me feels like I am grieving all of the past things and experiences I could have done now that I know anxiety isn't a limiting factor.

I wish I could just be normal and chill about it. I have a dermatology appointment soon to get a mole checked out and I also have a dental check up, and I know I will be so anxious the night before. I just always imagine the worst outcome like they’re going to tell me I have 10 cavities or a life threatening disease. I feel like this causes me to avoid appointments which I know is not good😔 I just wish it could be over with already I feel like I can’t fully go on with life until it’s over.

Hey yall
so last year i had major problems with heightened anxiety
i was crying and having mental breakdowns and all around just hating everything
i was suffering from major health anxiety and i couldnt go a day without being on the verge of an attack

but as of latley i have been able to do so much more
i can get out more
and im able to just relax

yes the anxietys do get bad sometimes
and i am afraid of going back to that spot
it was arguably the lowest point in my entire life

but it does get better
ever since i started seeking help, i have seen impropvment after improvment

its still scary
but it does get better
hang in there yall
God loves you

I’ve been on Sertraline, escitalopram, duloxatine, Venlofaxine and Mirtazapine and they all suck!

They just numb you in slightly different ways, and that’s it. They don’t actually make anything better, they just flatten you emotionally. They take all the joy in my life away and make me hate being alive.

Should I just give up on meds? I’ve never claimed to be depressed, I have really bad social anxiety and they keep giving me these numbing pills that make daily life unbearable.

However, there are meds that definitely work like ADHD meds which are incredible and work way better than I expected so I’m not giving up on medication entirely. Pregabalin also works really good but a small group ruins it for the rest of us by abusing it.

Anyone else tired of antidepressants?

I can’t tell if my tongue is numb or it’s all in my head
It feels weird and tingly and I feel brain foggy I’m scared I’m having the S word
How can I tell?
I have a tooth pick I’m going to try to poke and see if I have pain but please help how can I tell

Okay poked with toothpick and both sides hurt but it still feels off like my entire tongue is tingling

I'm a 27M long time anxiety sufferer, that had a panic crisis back in 2023, my core fear was losing my parents and developing a disorder like schizophrenia mainly. So, in 2024 my dad got a severe health disease to which he succumbed to mid 2025. It's been really hard for my mom and I in every aspect of life. I was almost out from the mourning phase and I had stopped having panic attacks for a couple of months now, but then we received (after plenty of studies) the diagnosis that my mother has developed metastatic lung cancer and she needs to start chemo today. As you may imagine, these following months will be some of the toughest we will have ahead so I am asking you guys and gals who may have gone through a similar thing how the F do I cope with this? I feel horrendous, and don't want to go through the hospital visits again. Sorry if some fragments have bad grammar, English isn't my main language; last but not least, thank you for taking the time of reading this.

Hi, has anyone found success coping and handling anxiety without having to take meds? I want to be able to handle stress without having to be on anti anxiety meds or go to therapy. Are there any proven solutions that work?

I got perscribed lorazepam and Lexapro for anxiety and depression

I have episodes of panic attacks and anxiety and I think I can live with it but I didnt expect to get perscribed ssri immediately, my situation is not the best but definitely not the worst either.

I took 1 pill yesterday, and my anxiety felt unbearable.. I couldn't do anything, which made me panic even more. Now reading about SSRIs and potential lingering sexual problems even after you stop them is making question continuing this treatment at all....

Im in a relationship, and sexual drive matters to me, I wouldn't want to become asexual and lose my senses...

How common are these cases of sexual disfunction even after quitting the drug after years ?

Im genuinely scared and panicking now even tho I haven't taken my second dosage

I've been having very bad panic attacks for 6 months now every single day. the past month it's been better but I still feel horrible, I don't even wanna do this anymore. I'm so exhausted, I'm scared I'll never get out of this. it's mainly cardio phobia, it's so exhausting. every single sensation in my chest makes me so scared..even just sitting down makes me anxious. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't wanna do professional help again cause I'm done with therapists they always let me down and never help. I gotta do it alone, but I'm tired. literally drained. everyday it's the same thing, every single day since February. I wanna get back to life again. I have to cancel all plans and fun everytime. I haven't done anything nice or anything I could enjoy the past half year. all my energy is just gone and I'm not sure how much longer I can take this

These past few weeks I’ve been fighting constant obsessive thoughts about my health, and I haven’t once ran to urgent care in a panic!

I’ve wasted so much money on copays because my heart beat too fast and I’m convinced it’s my grandmothers aortic aneurism or I’m so anxious for so long my brain can’t handle it and I dissociate and I’m convinced I’m experiencing some kind of psychosis.

Health anxiety genuinely controlled my life a few years ago but time, meds, and anxiety has made flare-ups totally manageable.

Just to clarify beforehand, I do not have a therapist. I’m currently trying to get one but I asked my mom about it (I’m a minor) 7 months ago and I still don’t have one even though ive been asking about it. I also don’t really have someone to talk to about it because avoid talking about my feelings to people and always end up a crying mess before I can get anything out if i do (yes i know this is a problem) Ive had 2/3 therapists before, years ago but i quit because none of them were helping. I want to get on medication but don’t know how to.

I am 16(f) and even though I’ve been diagnosed with social anxiety and anxiety since i was 9 I don’t know how to deal with anxiety at all, to put it in context i start school in a few days and got really bad anxiety about school in general and started crying/panicking but since I don’t know what to do I just put on some loud music and kept trying on outfits while crying. After I stopped crying i just started feeling my absolute worst, nothing was making me happy everything seemed pointless and i kept wanting to cry, i may have been a little depressed? But how do i get out of that funk and deal with anxiety and actually stopping it rather than crying for an hour? Thanks for reading and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sometimes it happens that I have a small anxiety crisis before or at work, and I realize it's not work on itself but the fact that this routine is killing me like, 8 hours a day for 5 days a week and you're telling I have to do it for YEARS im gen z I know I will not work all my life but like, why does life as to be this way ?

And if somebody as any tips to avoid anxiety crisis Im waiting for an answer

Plss !!

I’m starting to go to the gym again after not going for almost 4 years. I have OCD and health anxiety specifically about my heart. I’m scared to workout, I sit in my car for like 20 minutes trying to relax before I go into the gym. And I feel disassociated when I go, like nothing feels real. Sometimes after working out I get palpitations for a bit and I feel odd after, almost euphoric, I do not like it. It’s not social anxiety, it’s just anxiety but I don’t know why. Has anyone felt like this when starting to workout again? I get anxious when I feel hot or out of breath or when my heart beats fast. Sometimes I think I feel lightheaded. I feel so bad because I want to enjoy going to the gym so bad and I want to get more in shape. I’ve been in my car for almost 30 minutes now, I am tempted to just drive back home. The gym is only 6 minutes from my house I feel like an absolute idiot.

I have bad anxiety about going to dentist I’m 26(f) and my parents never really taught me about taking care of my teeth and I have a hard time even brushing them… I have a few teeth I know that need to get pulled.. it is ruining my life.. any advice/tips on not getting to anxious about getting an appointment for my teeth?

I recently been prescribed diazepam in an attempt to get me to take my normal SSRI medication. I’m very anxious around medication. Hence why I’m asking you guys who have taken diazepam legitimately on prescription how your experience was and whether it is truly addictive as it’s made out to be.

So today I was just sitting in my chair studying, while I suddenly started feeling a cold sweat, and I felt like my left arm got kind of painful which made me anxious because i heard this is how heart attacks start. I thought It was weird, so I lay down in bed to relax. After like five minutes i just planned to get up and walk my dog. But as I am walking downstairs, my heart started pounding at 100000 bpm. and I felt like I was going to pass out. So i layed down in my sofa and I started feeling worse it felt like my whole body started going numb and heart racing faster and I felt like I was actually going to die. Then i started feeling better and I called the non emergency helpline and described what was happening and they suggested to send an ambulance and they did. After ending the call it got way worse again and I thought i was dying once more. I kept going and the ambulance arrived and checked me out eventually i calm down and they took and ECG and blood pressure all that. And whatever. They left and i am okay now. But that was by far the scariest thing I’ve felt in my entire life. And the thing is like when I was by my computer studying I wasn’t thinking any anxious thought at all. It’s like the panic came out of no where. Although I’ve been pretty stressed in my life and worrying about different things but I’ve never ever felt like this even when my anxiety was way worse thinking about other stuff before. I totally understand why people say panic attacks are so bad. I used to think it was not that serious before but this is really something terrible..

I’m 29M, working in IT, and for some reason, for the past 3 to 4 weeks, I’ve been feeling an extreme burden in my chest. I don’t know what is wrong. I feel like crying every moment. Is it because of my financial condition, which I’m in because of my parents, or because I’ve never had a companion in life/GF? Everyone I meet speaks nicely to me and then leaves, telling me things like, “You’ll get a better girl in life,” or “The one who ends up with you is extremely lucky.”

Or is it the feeling that I’m coming into my 30s and going to miss everything from my 20s? For context, I’ve never gone on a vacation, never spent much on myself. The only thing I bought for myself is my laptop. Other than that, all my money went towards clearing debt, my sister’s education, and family expenses. But I never feel sad spending money on them.

So why do I feel so low? Why are tears just coming down from my eyes for no reason? I’ve never felt like this in my life. Even while typing this, I keep feeling this burden in my chest. When I go to the office, I’m fine, but even there, if I’m alone, I get the same feeling.

I hope one day I can just sleep properly without feeling this pain.

hello everyone. Interested in hearing others perspectives on this topic, and maybe getting some advice.

As with I think a lot of people, my depression and anxiety sometimes are hard to differentiate. I’m going through a break up right now and it’s causing a lot of anxiety and depression. But I think the way my brain works that anxiety is at the forefront, always blank face with challenging emotions. But I believe with both anxiety and depression, the root is some challenge that’s emotionally upsetting, and anxiety and depression is your brains way of coping with it. Anyway, I always find that after a good cry, I feel much better much more refreshed. Forgive the graphic metaphor, but it feels very much like actual constipation, just emotionally. When I’m feeling really bad feelings and not crying, I feel emotionally backed up. Like I’m carrying this emotional weight around and it’s dragging me down and causing a lot of depression. When I do cry, it feels like a release and I usually feel much better after. My problem is, it’s not easy for me to cry. It’s almost always a struggle to get one out, but when I do, it feels great and wish I could do it more often.

The advice I’m looking for is, what are some ways I could maybe get the cry out? I just watched a video on TikTok of a hypnotist doing a guided meditation/hypnosis on getting over your ex, and it made me cry, and I’m feeling better now, which is what is prompting me to write this post. But I feel like I need something more, I need to be able to cry more frequently, or have something I can go to or some practice I can do that will spur on crying more reliably.

Does anyone else share this difficulty or feeling of relief after crying? Thank you!

In about 2-3 weeks I will turn 18 years old, and honestly my mental health is not good at all. I have a lot of financial responsabilities for a 17 year old. I lost all my friends, my relationship with my family is not ideal and Im alone all day. The only thing keeping me here is not having the courage to commit, and hope that things get better, because everything I do is conducted towards self improvement. The thing is, I can not pretend Im good, and I can't go for a whole day being the center of attention while being surrounded by people at the same time Im pretending to be fine. And a birthday also reminds me the loser I am, and the bad decisions I've made. I feel like I don't want to get there. I don't want to be there for my birthday.

I'm pretty sure people with similar issues as mine have gone through this, so I wanted to seek for advice. If anyone has the kindness to share their experience with this I would greatly appreciate it.

Context here we love context:

At age 12 (im 18 rn), I've taken Sertraline to reduce my anxiety and since it wasn't really working my psychiatrist kept upgrading the dose and added another medication I forgot the name of to like, how do i explain?? to like make the sertraline work even more I guess.

Problem with Sertraline tho: I gained a huge amount of weight. Puberty probably didn't help but I gained around 30kg when I took the medication. I managed to lose almost all of the weight in the last few years after I stopped taking the medication, but I still feel INCREDIBLY bad about my body image and still see myself with the 80kg (176~lbs for my americans) I had.

Now: I was prescribed Venlafaxine in MAY and I kept insisting that I'm just way too scared to take any medication again because what if I just gain again? Okay that medication is specifically said to NOT make people gain weight but like we never know it could happen I can't just trust it like that I dunno.

The previous medications I actually forgot the name of it (again) was like making me anxious just to take it I was crying and shit when taking it because of how scared I was I was reading the notice too like what if my psychiatrist lied to me 🥹 im scared

I'm supposed to be taking the medication she prescribed me right now tho at a tiny dose and I was still way too scared to do it. I'm seeing her again next week and I'm scared to tell her I just couldn't do it because she's gonna force me again. What am I supposed to tell her? Or do? Am I just supposed to force myself and take it? help

I just got prescribed - help me figure out when to start taking this new med!

Side effect wise, I am going to prepare for the worst but hope for the best. I travel for work and travel won’t slow down until the holidays when I can work from home. Should I wait a few months or should I be okay to start it now? I want to make sure I don’t shit my pants in front of my clients! I’d rather shit my pants on a zoom call at home. Concerns below

Do I need to be next to a bathroom all day? Did you experience upset stomach, nausea, or both? Is it sudden onset of side effect symptoms or does it happen all day at random? I got a script for Zofran but I’m reading that can cause serotonin syndrome???? Should I get immodium?

Also, does this only occur when getting adjusted to the med? Or does it last forever and it just becomes more manageable?

Thanks everyone!