help me

[snuggleface]

Hello everyone
i take lexapro and zannax but i still feel like i am losing it. i am under a complete amount of stress from gradutae school and working. i see doctor to give me meds, but thats it. the lexapro helped at firts, but not anymore. now i feel so much anxiety. i think that i am the stupidest person in the room even though i am in one of the top ma programs in the country. i am constantly concened and worried what my boss, colleagues, and friends think of me. even though i know its not true, i feel like everyone hates me and i will never be god enough for the world. i am terrified of failing at life and i cant stop thinking about it. i have increased smoking of cigarettes from about 5 a day to about a half a pack, and i drink almost every night to ease my anxiety which only ads to it bc now i think i have a drinking problem. SOMEONE HELP ME please!

[snuggleface]

Thanks everyone. i have never used a blog thing like this...i thought it was kind of weird, but it helps just to get it out. i try to keeo myself so together for everyone, i dont want to tell anyone bc they think i have it together! i am not married, no children, just a cat. i know i should be going to therapy, it just is time and i have been putting it off. when the health center opens after spring break, i will for sure go. i know i am not the only one who feels like this, and it really helps to hear from other people. id like to know if there are any things you all do on a daily basis that helps to keep you sane. i am not religious, but i pray to god or whoever is outhere and that is the only thing that calms me down sometimes is just to try and accept that where i am is where i am suppossed to be!!  

[Psyc786]

I am sorry to hear about what you are going through. i wanted to share something exciting with you.  A person being treated with medications alone for anxiety/depression has a 58% of getting better. a person getting therapy alone has a 50% of getting better. But a person getting BOTH has a 85% of getting better!

i encourage you to seek counseling or therapy and ask for someone qualified to administer CBT or congnitive behavioral therapy as it is faster-acting, more interactive, more powerful and YOU WILL SEE CHANGES in your mood and outlook on life.

with regards to medications, you may need to increase the dose of lexapro, change the medication altogether or add an adjuntive medication to it. but only your doctor can determine the appropriate course of action for you. looking into a longer acting benzo such as Klonopin instead of xanax which wares off too quickly.

also, keep in mind that Alcohol is scientifically a Depressant molecule and you just dont' need that right now in your life.  plus the nicotine in cigerettes can interfere with some medications.  

God Bless,
Psyc786

[FitOverForty]

I'm sorry to hear that another person is feeling the pressures of this insane world.  Warm hug to you.  I'm not a doctor but certainly had my share of experience with Lexapro which sent me to the ER with an anxiety attack.  Basically, it's an antidepressant (UPPER) to bring you up which razzles your NERVES MORE.  The Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication which decreases the razzling of your nerves hence a sedative.  It sounds like you need to ONLY be on a sedative to relax your mind if Lexapro has been tried for a couple weeks and it's making you more anxious.  I ONLY needed Lexapro 1 1/2 days and that was enough to send me to ER.  My doctor was totally wrong and finally prescribed me Ativan as an "on needed basis" prescription.  

I would say, go get counseling, talk to your doctors about the timeframe this medication has been in your system and the results and see if they will discontinue/change meds on you.

Hope this advice helps and all the best to you!

[tara79]

am here to talk anytime you want.

[tara79]

hi there...firstly i'd also say,  it isnot enough to just be on meds, please see a therapist to work on your thought process. trust me, i felt the exact same way...i was under severe anxiety, then when i went to do my masters in design the course made things worse for me and only further distorted my perception abt life....i felt people hated me, thought i was stupid, a failure ....i was in counselling for a year and lexapro...the meds lifted me a bit, but the thougtts were still there. then i went to see a therapist, in cognitive behavioural therapy which REALLY helped me. i thin it helped me much more than the meds...the lexapro just lifts your mood, but you should go see a therapist who can hlep you re think your thought process. also there is a great book by david burns, calle dthe feeling good handbook. i suggest you try and get a hand of it. please also take care of your smoking and alcohol...iots not going to help you in any way mate...it's going to make things worse. i know that doesnt help at this time, but mate think about it.... i'll only say you can definetly get thru this. i have, and then from there its a continuous process of working on your thoughts....but you can definetly do it and get out of this feeling you have right now. i did and i know you can as well! am happy to talk to you anytime. keep me informed. take care.

[cj29]

While you are doing the right thing by talking with your doctor about the Lexapro, you it is not advisable to drink while you are on it.  In my opinion, the drinking may ease your pain temporarily, but remember, alchohol is a depressant and in the long run will not do you much good.

As JS said, talking it through with a professional or using a counseling service will help you deal with anxiety and depression.  There is no 'magic pill' to get rid of it.  I am on Zoloft, but I use it as a tool while I am going through counseling to learn about this cycle of thinking.  Also, keep using this forum, there are so many people that have been where you are and can really relate to your problems.  Keep us posted!

[JSGeare]

You say you are seeing a doctor for meds -but no counseling support or therapy? Look into counseling to help. Where are you enrolled for your MA? I'm sure they must have a student counseling service. Where do you work? Some large companies have their own health services clinics for employees. What kind of work do you do? Is there any reason to think your boss doesn't like your work?

Talk to us a little more about what is going on in your life (married? children?) and maybe we can be more helpful - I'm certainly willing to give it a try.

I look forward to hearing more from you.