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Panic Attacks Forums › General & Support › Does anyone take only an SSRI to help feel calm

02/11/2012 12:55 AM

Does anyone take only an SSRI to help feel calm

TennisP

Posts: 2451
Senior Member

and therefore prevent feeling panic where you've avoided before?

I want something that won't be addictive and that will help me get back to being in different places like stores etc that I haven't been to (due to agoraphobia) I just started leaving without being on medicine but only for car rides. I have a dr. appt coming up to discuss options. I don't like feeling like I have to be at home so much but I need something to help me relax so I can have positive experiences in places where I have avoided due to having a panic attack there before.

I'm tired of feeling hyper vigilant etc. I didn't even stay at my parents' tonight like I was supposed to, I came in set my things down tried to be like normal and felt anxious /tense and just didn't want to stay that way last time I was there was Nov so I decided to leave....Iw as 'supposed" to stay with them overnight and I may go back in a few days but want to see how I feel on my own at my own home.

F- Face
E- Everything
A- And
R- Recover!
Favorite anxiety book: Mindfulness Through Anxiety and others have helped too like success stories. PM if you need more recommendations!

02/11/2012 08:05 AM Top
janicepv Posts: 2570 Senior Member	I take Celexa (SSRI), trazodone (for sleep) and Klonopin (antianxiety whenever I need it). First of all, good baby step getting out for car rides! Any step, even tiny, is a step forward. Im no doc but it sounds like an SSRI certainly might be something to discuss with your doc. Takes a few weeks to take effect but in my case, after that, I found a 'smoothing over' feeling and was suprised to find that former triggers no longer affected me. I could even drive over a bridge without freaking out. Good luck, Tennis. I hope you do get something that helps you progress even more. Previous discussions I participated in: Panic attack? The Demented Survey Pics that make you smile or laugh!

02/12/2012 04:37 PM Top

Plo83

Posts: 1256
Senior Member

Well SSRI's prevent panic attacks. You still get some but you get less of them. They tell you that they are not addictive but the withdrawal is horrible so never quit an SSRI without speaking to a doctor first. You may think this isn't for me after 2-3 months which is fine but quitting cold turkey is a really bad feeling. So they are not technically addictive but you can't stop taking them once you start. You can but you have to lower your dose and quit slowly...

I am not a medical doctor. Anything said on here is my personal opinion. Seeking help from a health professional is always for the best!

** I have a broad knowledge about psychoactive medications and the mind since I have studied psychology/therapy. Any information that I give concerning any medication is to be considered generic since everyone reacts slightly differently to any foreign substance. I do not fully know your health history/case. Any suggestion that I made which peaked your interest MUST be discussed with your doctor. Do NOT change your medication intake based on any information which was not provided by your doctor. All that we can offer on MDJ is suggestions to discuss with your physician.

Previous discussions I participated in:
Panic attack?
Klonopin
Nauseous for a month...

02/12/2012 06:09 PM Top
TennisP Posts: 2451 Senior Member	Yeah I have an appointment to meet with a new psychaitrist next week. I have only tried some medicines in the Fall and they either made me feel groggy or nothing changed....I'd prefer natural approaches but I'm okay with something "safe and not addicting" too...I am doing another major step this week...I'm working on overcoming agoraphobia and I'm on hour 30+ of not being home! F- Face E- Everything A- And R- Recover! Favorite anxiety book: Mindfulness Through Anxiety and others have helped too like success stories. PM if you need more recommendations! Previous discussions I participated in: Bowel issues and anxiety! Panic attack during sex . The Agor Army! Our Daily Victories!

02/12/2012 07:08 PM Top

Plo83

Posts: 1256
Senior Member

Congrats on having left the house for so many hours.

Sadly there isn't much natural stuff that can help. Some foods/vitamins can help lower stress but they are usually not enough for someone with a full blown anxiety disorder. I'm personally on Paxil and it works ok for me. The first month of being on it, you may feel crappy but it goes away.

Previous discussions I participated in:
Panic attack?
Klonopin
Nauseous for a month...

02/12/2012 07:35 PM Top
TennisP Posts: 2451 Senior Member	Thanks! I came here to my parents house yesterday early afternoon and it's Sunday night now...I will be here through the week. I just started leaving for car rides the last 2 weeks otherwise I had been pretty mch "housebound" so I am very proud of myself for being here and I'm without my husband...he is on a business trip far away so I am having to adapt quickly but here I am going outside to the backyard with our dog and being helpful with chores etc to feel helpful! F- Face E- Everything A- And R- Recover! Favorite anxiety book: Mindfulness Through Anxiety and others have helped too like success stories. PM if you need more recommendations! Previous discussions I participated in: Bowel issues and anxiety! Panic attack during sex . The Agor Army! Our Daily Victories!

02/13/2012 05:01 AM Top
janicepv Posts: 2570 Senior Member	Good going, Tennis!! Previous discussions I participated in: Panic attack? The Demented Survey Pics that make you smile or laugh!

02/13/2012 11:54 AM Top
TennisP Posts: 2451 Senior Member	Thanks =) F- Face E- Everything A- And R- Recover! Favorite anxiety book: Mindfulness Through Anxiety and others have helped too like success stories. PM if you need more recommendations! Previous discussions I participated in: Bowel issues and anxiety! Panic attack during sex . The Agor Army! Our Daily Victories!
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