Anxiety medication?

Find a psychiatrist. Your family doctor may mean well, but may not have much expertise.

 

If your GP has any sense at all, he/she will refer you to someone who knows what they're doing. Unfortunately, a lot of GPs think anyone with a prescription pad is qualified to diagnose and treat anything, and that's just not true. That's why there are specialists.

Again, I'm not against anxiety/depression medication, as a general rule; it just isn't for me.

I would caution anyone to not rely on meds alone. The best treatments for anxiety and depression usually include meds and lifestyle changes.

 

I agree that psychiatrists are more likely to understand the variety of medications available. However, if you have a long-term relationship with your general practitioner, s/he may be more attuned to changes in you than a psychiatrist you just met.

Have the two MDs work in conjunction with each other, as well as your therapist.

 

Your original post could have been written by me 6-8 years ago. Anxiety that led to mood swings, to the point where it was like I was in a fog and virtually inapproachable by even my loved ones.

Mentioned it to my GP, who happened to be the type of quack who would throw pills at any problem. Put me on Wellbutrin, then Clonazepam, then Xanax. It smoothed me out very well, to the point where I felt like a zombie on most days. And I couldn't really function without being doped up.

Thank God my wife and kids didn't give up on me. Finally during spring break a couple years ago, I took the week off, put away every pill I had and spent a full week enjoying time off with my wife and kids. It took me a few days to start feeling like I was coming out of it, but within a month, I started feeling like my old self again.

I still carry some Clonazepam around with me, and there are times I pop one when needed. It's maybe once every 2 weeks, but it helps just knowing they are there if I need them.

I'm not fully in the "no drugs" or "all drugs" camp, but just know if you do medicate to address this problem, it may take a long time to get the correct drug and dosage, etc.

Good luck.