New to forum, Hello!

[spidersghost]

Hi. I've suffered from anxiety disorder and depersonalization since I was about 14.

I'm now 25. It "peaked" at about age 19 and became pretty much unbearable and I've lived mostly reclusive since. I was put on Paxil for about 2 years and while it helped some with depression, it didn't help a lot with my anxiety. I was also in therapy.

I lost my insurance at 22 when I couldn't make myself go to school and therefore couldn't afford the medications so I've been untreated for about three years.

It recently got so bad that I had to go to the doctor for help regardless of the insurance and was put on the sliding scale.

I was put on Effexor and Atarax (per needed). I'm also somewhat phobic and anxious about taking medicine (you know how it is, you desperately do not want your life to feel any more surreal) so I haven't began it yet though I've only had it for about two days.

Over the past few years, I've lived in two apartments and moved back in with parents each time after a string of anxiety outbreaks and been to three different colleges. I've had numerous jobs, including those with great 401K and health benefits but I've quit them because of the anxiety.
I've been to two different therapists but I couldn't really get into it.
Most wanted to talk about things that I truly felt were beside the point and didn't really sway when I said No (They saw it as "Denial" or whatever).

The anxiety is getting so bad though lately that I don't have much hope for a bright future. I can't even go to simple places like movie theaters or restaurants anymore. I'm still young but I feel like I've had bad year after year for about six.

It's pretty much dominating my life.

I've joined for support mostly and I'm hoping I don't find as much negativity as I have on other boards concerning things like medicine (since I am phobic about it anyway.) I really want this Effexor and Atarax to work...

;)

[jitters]

Welcome, Effexor is an SNRI a type of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor these can have a lot of success at treating Anxiety and Depression, they do take some time to start working though so dont an expect instant cure. They take about 6-8 weeks to start working properly, However they are relatively safe and have quite a good track record.

Atarax is Hydroxyzine a sedating antihistamine used in the treatment of anxiety I dont have any personal experiance with it but perhaps somone else on the board may have. If you do use it let me know how it goes.

Medicine can be very effective as a tool to calm your anxiety enough for you to focus on the cause and take therapy without the anxiety clouding your judgement quite so much. The negativity you will have picked up on comes from the fact many Anxiety sufferers have a fear of medication and the fact that medication alone is not the whole answer.

I know how you feel about it dominating your life I am 26, if I wern't married I too would be living with my perants. My wife works and I look after my 2 year old son at home. 2 years ago before his birth I was a successful manager now we struggle along on minimum wage. I hope you find support here, I have found it very usful to be able to vent to people who understand how it feels.

If you have any questions just ask.

Duncan