Need feedback guys...

[ImMACnificent]

So, I am going to my first doctor's appointment on Friday for anxiety. I have suffered from it for a long time, my mom has pretty bad anxiety, and I have just tried to cope with it for years. It has definitely gotten worse since I have gotten out of college and began working a full-time 'adult' job.

Yesterday I had one of those "hopeless" days where everything went wrong and my anxiety really kicked in. I felt like I had a mild panic attack in my car, could not stop crying and just felt like the world was tumbling down and nothing was going to stop it. I hate that feeling SO much but when you have anxiety, it is difficult to just pop out of that mindset.

My insurance sucks, I have a super high deductible, so I have to pay out of pocket. I'd rather see a psychiatrist, but I figured that would be a lot more expensive than just a family doctor, so I just decided to go see a regular physician. Plus, I am not looking for any tranquilizers or sedatives, the last thing I want is Xanax, Klonopin or anything of that sort. I have heard Paxil, Welbutrin and a couple of other medications (NOT sedatives) are effective.

I am just so ready for something to help me. I know medication is not going to cure my anxiety, but I truly feel that I have tried to deal with it without any medication for so long and I just feel like it's time.

I had to miss work today because of getting no sleep yesterday and just having a horrible HORRIBLE day. I cried about 70% of the day yesterday from frustration. I just...can't do this anymore.

Does anyone else have anxiety that affects your daily life or even those around you? Do you take any medication? What are your thoughts on doctors, psychiatrists, etc.

Thanks guys...

 

[M.A.C. head.]

*hugs*

You NEED to see a psychiatrist. Do not fret about the money, it comes and goes, and it's SUPPOSED to be spent. If you don't have your health, you have nothing.

Medication will help, but it won't the the resolution.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Thanks, sweetie.

My problem is, I work in a mental health office, actually and we have a psychiatrist and I just feel like it's all about quantity. They see people for like 5 minutes and bill them for 15-30. Plus I don't want someone to try to push like 3-4 different medications on me.

I guess I am just bias because I know how our doctor runs in our place, not that she is a bad doctor, it's just.... I feel like people pay all this money and all they are getting is a bunch of meds pushed their way in a matter of 5 minutes.

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Totally. I'm going to private message you in just a minute.

 

[MissResha]

my ex suffers from this REALLY badly. like, it damn near ruined his life. He thought it was depression, he thought it was a lot of things. but when he finally found out what it was, with my help, he took his ass to a therapist and i cannot begin to tell you how much she has helped him. his issues broke us up but we're still very good friends and keep in touch a lot, so i can tell you first hand, he's done a complete 360 just about. he's able to handle his problems a lot better, and he sees his therapist like once or twice a week. i think once, definitely. but just talking to someone can help you a ton. if no therapist is able to help you help yourself, then i'd consider medication. always try to do the therapy thing first. they can teach you how to cope with anxiety, and again, if the advice doesnt work then i'd take other routes.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Resha, you are totally right.

I am a counselor myself and feel that it is very important to talk about things. I guess I just feel like as long as I have tried to cope, it just has not helped much. It definitely has some, I mean I use my 'coping skills', but I am sure I could do a little more.

I just see how much my mom's medication has helped her. It is scary because hers is pretty bad and I slowly see myself following in her footsteps.

That is really cool to hear that your ex sought help and it really worked for him. I am talking to my boss now about her making a recommendation for a counselor. She totally opened up and told me she had gone to counseling before too (she has some major control issues). So she is going to give me some names of people she thinks could help.

But I feel at this point medication would really help, too. Even if it's just an anti-depressant. I'm not a doctor, but I know how I feel and I just hate feeling helpless anymore.

Thanks for responding, girly. (loved your mascara tutorial with lash blast vs. stiletto ;P)

 

[MissResha]

no problem doll, i just think anyone, no matter what the problem always try talking it out first. i should note he's been going to therapy consistently for about 8 months now. it took some time, but im glad she was able to give him some pointers to get his life back together.


oh, and he smokes weed LMAO. like he has a prescription for it and everything. so thats his "medication".


lucky bastard.

 

[ImMACnificent]

WHAAAAAAAAAAT?

He gets a prescription for pot?!?!

Wowwwwwww, I don't agree with that. But, to each their own. Hah

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissResha no problem doll, i just think anyone, no matter what the problem always try talking it out first. i should note he's been going to therapy consistently for about 8 months now. it took some time, but im glad she was able to give him some pointers to get his life back together. oh, and he smokes weed LMAO. like he has a prescription for it and everything. so thats his "medication". lucky bastard.

That shit works LOL

 

[ImMACnificent]

I have so many clients that use marijuana as their medication and it really makes their anxiety worse. Because when they can't get it, they are freaking out and anxiety is a mild 'withdrawal' symptom of marijuana.

 

[leenybeeny]

Does your work have an employee assitance program? I would definitely check into it. For me, meds work. Talking didn't.. in fact, I found it made it worse. But every person is different. I tried psychologists first, and now I have a wonderful psychiatrist who yes, I only see for 15 minutes, but in that short time, it is amazing how much he helps me put things into persepective. *hugs*

 

[MissResha]

yea it definitely affects everyone differently, it calms him down and helps him eat lol. he's one of those once a day eaters, which doesnt help his overall health, so he gets the munchies with the weed. i cant believe how easy it was for him to get the prescription to be honest with you...i was like "thats all you had to do??"

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImMACnificent I have so many clients that use marijuana as their medication and it really makes their anxiety worse. Because when they can't get it, they are freaking out and anxiety is a mild 'withdrawal' symptom of marijuana.

I can see that happening. But as far as symptoms of their original source of anxiety, it helps. But the withdrawal happens with ANY form of med when the individual is addicted to it. So I wouldn't narrow it down to a marijuana issue.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.A.C. head. I can see that happening. But as far as symptoms of their original source of anxiety, it helps. But the withdrawal happens with ANY form of med when the individual is addicted to it. So I wouldn't narrow it down to a marijuana issue.

Well of course Im partial because I work in substance abuse. Hah.
I feel that marijuana is not comparable to something like an anti-depressant.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissResha yea it definitely affects everyone differently, it calms him down and helps him eat lol. he's one of those once a day eaters, which doesnt help his overall health, so he gets the munchies with the weed. i cant believe how easy it was for him to get the prescription to be honest with you...i was like "thats all you had to do??"

What state does he live in?!

 

[MissResha]

he lives in Los Angeles, and the last time i was out there, about 2 years ago...he showed me his papers and took me to his "weed store". i was like "omg you guys have stores to BUY weed??"

WTF. i could NOT believe it.

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImMACnificent Well of course Im partial because I work in substance abuse. Hah. I feel that marijuana is not comparable to something like an anti-depressant.

Have you ever smoked marijuana?

 

[M.A.C. head.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissResha he lives in Los Angeles, and the last time i was out there, about 2 years ago...he showed me his papers and took me to his "weed store". i was like "omg you guys have stores to BUY weed??" WTF. i could NOT believe it.

This is why people ask me why I moved away from Cali LOL

Yeah it's different out there.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.A.C. head. Have you ever smoked marijuana?

Yes and I really didn't like it.


I know that other people DO like it.

Bottom line is, it's illegal, therefore I don't smoke it.

If I wanna 'relax' I do other things.

I think if I get on a medication it will NOT make me feel anything like how pot makes me feel.

 

[ImMACnificent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leenybeeny Does your work have an employee assitance program? I would definitely check into it. For me, meds work. Talking didn't.. in fact, I found it made it worse. But every person is different. I tried psychologists first, and now I have a wonderful psychiatrist who yes, I only see for 15 minutes, but in that short time, it is amazing how much he helps me put things into persepective. *hugs*

I've heard of the employee assistance program, but not sure what it does?!

That is awesome that you found a good psychiatrist. That makes me wanna keep searching