Can I medicate my way through this?

[Anonymous]

Long story short, the next year is going to be a tough one, largely due to a work situation. I’m typically not someone who struggles with anxiety but I definitely am right now and have been for months (pit in my stomach, feeling overwhelmed nearly constantly, etc). Is there some magic pill I can take to get through this period? How would I get such a thing prescribed?

A few more details: I’ve already committed to prioritizing exercise. I don’t have much time or interest in therapy. The stress derives from a work situation that I’ve committed to taking on (trying to save a faltering company) compounded by a really busy home life with teen kids and elderly parents. The next 12 months should be the worst of it. I just need to figure out a way to make it through without the chronic stress torpedoing me, gaining 20 pounds from stress eating, and/or becoming a functional alcoholic - and a way that keeps me sharp and on my game. And yes, I realize this is not a healthy way to live life and the longer term plan is to either fix the situation or bail.

[Anonymous]

I’d see a psychiatrist and consider therapy and a very low dose SSRI if they determine it could be helpful for you. And meditation, though I know it can be hard to keep to it.

[Anonymous]

Work out before work every day.

[Anonymous]

Also, my experience with medication is that sometimes it dulls you to the point of not caring enough. You need a bit of anxiety to motivate and drive you.

[Anonymous]

Agree with SSRI recommendation. Do not accept a benzo prescription- especially in your situation which is a set up to become dependent on something as addicting as benzos (high stress and anxiety for a year). I second the suggestion to use meditation. Try it. Subscribe to 10 percent happier, a phone app, and do one of their 10 minute meditations. Although I greatly prefer Joseph Goldstein’s series on this same app, called something like Basics, and then Basics 2. It’s cheap and easy to cancel if you choose to, but it’s incredibly soothing for me, a distractible and undisciplined person who was highly skeptical. It also really improves my focus. And like I said, the series on the app by people like Sharon Salzburg (Loving kindness meditation) and Joseph Goldstein are even better. Over and over again. But easier to get your feet wet with their daily 10 minute meditation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with SSRI recommendation. Do not accept a benzo prescription- especially in your situation which is a set up to become dependent on something as addicting as benzos (high stress and anxiety for a year). I second the suggestion to use meditation. Try it. Subscribe to 10 percent happier, a phone app, and do one of their 10 minute meditations. Although I greatly prefer Joseph Goldstein’s series on this same app, called something like Basics, and then Basics 2. It’s cheap and easy to cancel if you choose to, but it’s incredibly soothing for me, a distractible and undisciplined person who was highly skeptical. It also really improves my focus. And like I said, the series on the app by people like Sharon Salzburg (Loving kindness meditation) and Joseph Goldstein are even better. Over and over again. But easier to get your feet wet with their daily 10 minute meditation.

I really like 10 Precent Happier, too. I like it much better than the Calm app; the calm app weirdly increased my anger!

[Anonymous]

I would try low dose of Zoloft for several months. That’s what I did during periods of intense work stress.

[Anonymous]

Zoloft was awful for me and coming off it was hell. I have a low dose benzo and I am very careful how/when I take it because I know there are pitfalls. But honestly it works really well for me. I wish there were no downsides to benzos.

[Anonymous]

This has happened to my DH. He went on a lose dose mood stabilizer during a particularly difficult time at work. Short term and it did wonders. Talk to your GP.

[Anonymous]

Pay someone to clean your house and help with logistics (school pickup and activities, etc)