Shouldn't be drug or medication be a last resort to anxiety problem?

[yabi]

It's my first time to join a forum, hope my question makes sense.

[JaneB]

I agree with forwells. I was on Prozac for a while but for me it kind of made me avoid working through my stuff. It did take the edge off, but I felt like a total robot. I'm trying to make a lot of positive life changes now and I'm realizing that sometimes the most important thing is really WANTING to get the control.

But it really depends, some people need SSRIs or Benzos to break the cycle if they have really serious symptoms. Talk to a few councilors but in the end, go with your gut.

[overunder]

Yeah, for me it was Yoga, eating right and taking a combination of herbal supplements that got me back in control. I haven't tried any benzos or SSRIs mostly because I am really cautious about drugs. I did a lot of experimenting in college and have tried to do whatever I can to stay off of drugs. So yeah, I think drugs should be a last resort.

[Robbed]

Given all the pitfalls of medication, such as a relatively high potential for side effects, spotty effectiveness, dependency (even with so-called 'non habit forming' SSRI/SNRI antidepressants), the tendency to 'poop out' over time, unknown safety when taken long-term, and the tendency to ignore the actual causes of anxiety when on medication, I think they should DEFINITELY be comsidered a last resort. Unfortunately, the health care system has completely bought into the whole monoamine deficiency theory of depression and anxiety, and looks at antidepressants as insulin for diabetics rather than the painkillers that they really are (and not very good painkillers at that). So most doctors look at medication as not only a first line treatment, but nothing short of compulsory.