Help with Chosing Anxiety Meds

[j17c27]

I have been on Lexapro for 6 months now and it hasn't done anything positive to me, so I'm going to be switching. I suffer from very severe Anxiety and Depression, but I only just turned 17.  I don't want to be addicted to pills, I just want to make this nightmare of anxiety and depression issues go away.  DOes anyone know of any medications that arent really scary and addictive? I'm still young and I refuse to be addicted to pills all my life.

[jul04]

Sorry you are going through such a hard time right now.  Have you been to see your dr for bloodwork and a physical lately?  I am only asking because you said your mother noticed anxious behavior in you since you were 2.  I was wondering if you had been check for Lyme's disease?  I know that Lyme's can cause anxiety symptoms. I am not saying that is what you have but I think it is worth looking into.  My cousin has it and for years he had problems with anxiety before he found a dr that knew how to treat it.  Other levels being off can also cause anxiety issues.

There is nothing wrong with being on medication if that is what you need to help you feel better and to get your life back.  I would try and stick with the therapy for awhile because with a new med you might see a difference.  You might need to see a different therapist if the one you are currently seeng isn't helping.

Make sure you are eating right, taking vitamins (just make sure they are ok to take with your meds...they should be) and getting enough exercise and sleep.  Try keeping a journal that might help you, it works for me.

I really hope you feel better soon...

[mammo]

If therapy isn't helping, then you may need to accept that you need the medication to control your symptoms. You have a choice, take medication and live a happy and fulfilling life, or continue to be miserable.  It's not the worst thing in the world, and if it improves your quality of life, why not?  We all wish we didn't need medication, but often it is our only choice.  Hopefully, they will keep advancing in this field and come up with better medications, until then we make the best of what we have.  You need to do what is going to get you back on track now, and not worry so much about the future and being on medication, otherwise you will worry your life away.

[j17c27]

thanks for the suggestions
I am currently seeing a therapist, which does not seem to help.  My anxiety and depression really has no root, thats what makes it so difficult to control becuase i dont know where its coming from in the first place. I was born with it, ive had it ever since i can remember and my mom has recognized it since i was only 2. i feel soo helpless.

[mammo]

Have you been in therapy?  Often we don't know what is causing us to be anxious or depressed, and with therapy you can discover what this is.  You can then deal with it and move on. If therapy is unsuccessful, then you may need medication.  You have to realize that this is like any other illness that may require medication to control the symptoms.  None of us want to take medication, but often it is our only choice.  But I think since you are so young, therapy would be best for you, and can never hurt.  Depression and/or anxiety usually has a root cause, normally something traumatic that happened in our past which we have forgotten.  It comes back in the form of anxiety and/or depression.  So, if you haven't tried therapy, please do, it can be very beneficial.
Take care.