Don't worry about addiction.Less than 2% of the whole drug taking public ever have any problems.And as long as your meds help you use them.If you think you don't need them any longer see your doctor about the best way to stop.Usually with a gradual reduction.
Don't even consider stopping immediately as then you will be feeling sick as well as anxious
Thank you for all your information it is very helpfull. The beta blocker is just for anxiety and i do have CBT privately every week for the past 7 weeks but unfortunatly i feel we are going round in circles. First he starts to say it could be marrital problems seeing that my wife is foreign, then it is work related, then it is my childhood etc,etc. But i know that this is the only way to really cure the problem therefore i will continue until i see results. It would be really nice to get my confidence back and to wake up and not feel butterflies in my stomache and think " oh no not again".
Good luck to you all and thanks again.
the beta blocker can make you tired you could ask the doctor to lower the dose, do you take it for a heart condition or just anxiety. I did take the beta blocker for a while for hyperthyroid and it made me very tired and out of it and the doctor lowered the dose and I felt better. I would suggest you call the doctor, these medication can lower your blood pressure and that could be causing your symptoms
Do not worry about being put on the meds. I agree with Jennifer in that they only provide temoporary fix for an undelying problem. I was EXTREMELY worried 3 years ago when I had my first panic attack and was put on Zoloft and Klonopin. I had heard all of these horror stories about how bad medications were. I am back on Zoloft and Ativan now again within the past couple of weeks due to a return of my anxiety after almost 3 years of not worrying about it.
Think about it this way; use it as tool to help you get better. While I am back on meds, I am also seeking professional counseling on a weekly basis. Some say you need to see a psychiatrist, psycologist, or even a licensed professional counselor. I have seen all three before and it is just a matter of who is a best fit with your needs. The meds will not cure you, but they will help you as you go through your process of understanding what is going on. Do you take a tylonol for a headache, or advil for pain? In a way, it is the same thing. When you come off of the meds, you will work with your doctor to slowly work yourself off of them. Hang in there and Jennifer is right, this is a great forum to discuss many issues!
Circuit,, dont beat yourself up over taking the meds, but DO see the advice of a therapist or counciler who can help you deal with the underlying issues that cause you to feel so uncomfortable in your own skin. The pills/drugs are there to HELP you deal with the feelings when they get overwhelming and theres nothing wrong with that at all. But the pills will not make you feel better in the long run, they just cover up the underlying issues.
*Bows with respect and apprication*
ps, please consider joining this board,, we here heal ourselves by helping others find healing..... its a long road but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.