At what point do you consider Xanax?

[Anonymous]

I've never taken anti-anxiety, depression, or other mood altering medication. But with recent life stresses I am starting to wonder - when DO people start to think about Xanax, or Valium, or whatever the current anti-anxiety drug is? I'm feeling about three steps away from nervous breakdown. Incredibly busy job, incredibly busy family with big school transitions and issues, new location, in the middle of moving, in the middle of trying to find a nanny. What is the point at which one calls up the MD and begs for a prescription?

[Anonymous]

When you feel like you have reached the end of your rope and let go is preferable to hanging on.

[Anonymous]

When you're mentally ill and are suffering because of your anxiety/depression/mood disorder. Not because you can't handle the stress of your life.

Talk to a doctor, but unless you suspect that you are actually mentally ill, yoga and a few glasses of wine will probably suffice.

[Anonymous]

Everyone has stress. A pill will not make it go away. Plus that shit will kill you. Have a glass of wine.

[Anonymous]

Only weak people take Xanax or mind-altering drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone has stress. A pill will not make it go away. Plus that shit will kill you. Have a glass of wine.

Wine will kill you too, natch.

[Anonymous]

When you are in a state of perpetual anxiety. When your anxiety moves beyond worrying. When you've taken an anti-depressant for years that's helped alleviate the debilitating, oppressive nervousness so that you can function and even enjoy life, but sometimes a life event or situation arises which makes you feel anxious.

That is when I take a Xanax. As needed, along with my daily SSRI. I take maybe 5 in a year and I don't ever up my dosage.

I'd try other stress-relievers first; exercise, rest, good diet. Had a physical recently? You could have a heart condition, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, any number of issues that can make you feel nervous, jittery, panicky, etc. You could have Generalized Anxiety Disorder...I don't know. consult with a doc first before going straight to a tranquilizer.

[Anonymous]

For all of the wine prescribers: yeah, that's called self medicating. And it's also a big step in the direction of alcoholism when you feel like you NEED that wine to relax.

Yoga, maybe. But suggesting wine as a way to deal with significant stress - maybe not so wise.

[Anonymous]

Only weak people take Xanax or mind-altering drugs.

This is why so many people who need help and don't get it...and then we have incidents of the mentally ill losing it and taking out a theater or restaurant or school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you are in a state of perpetual anxiety. When your anxiety moves beyond worrying. When you've taken an anti-depressant for years that's helped alleviate the debilitating, oppressive nervousness so that you can function and even enjoy life, but sometimes a life event or situation arises which makes you feel anxious.

That is when I take a Xanax. As needed, along with my daily SSRI. I take maybe 5 in a year and I don't ever up my dosage.

I'd try other stress-relievers first; exercise, rest, good diet. Had a physical recently? You could have a heart condition, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, any number of issues that can make you feel nervous, jittery, panicky, etc. You could have Generalized Anxiety Disorder...I don't know. consult with a doc first before going straight to a tranquilizer.

This is helpful. But I think what I'm trying to figure out is whether I've crossed from worry to anxiety, and whether it is preventing me from enjoying life. I'm not sure I can tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Only weak people take Xanax or mind-altering drugs.

This is why so many people who need help and don't get it...and then we have incidents of the mentally ill losing it and taking out a theater or restaurant or school.

Or why so many "strong" people are closet drunks. Socially acceptable mood altering drug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only weak people take Xanax or mind-altering drugs.

Don't listen to Tom Cruise.

I started taking Xanax when I couldn't control the mood swings, anxiety, and rage the first day of my period. I don't use them more than just once or twice a month.

[Anonymous]

This is helpful. But I think what I'm trying to figure out is whether I've crossed from worry to anxiety, and whether it is preventing me from enjoying life. I'm not sure I can tell.

OP please contact your doctor. There is no need to suffer and no shame in seeking help.

[Anonymous]

PP @ 22:32 here.

Some thoughts to consider:

-are you waking up in the middle of the night, often from an nightmare?

- do you have a difficult time falling asleep because your mind is racing?

- is it hard to concentrate (read/comprehend long test, for example?)

- are you having panic attacks?

- have your eating habits changed? Loss of appetite? Increased appetite?

- are you easily distracted? How are your moods? Do you feel on edge/impatient/grumpy/angry often?

- are you fearful of "normal" things that have not caused you stress and anxiety previously?

- do you have a drink (or more) to calm down/settle your nerves?

- do you feel out of control? Is being in control very important to you?

These are all things I wish a doctor or any medical professional would have thought to ask me when I went in for check-ups or the few times I went to the doctor because I was ill.

I wanted and needed help, but really felt embarrassed that I was considered crazy and mentally ill (see above posts - quite a stigma there). Instead, I got congrats on losing so much weight after having a baby, pats on the back, dismissive attitudes and asked if I spent all day sleeping/lack of energy.

Ask for help. Go to your regular doc and lay out all of your symptoms. Go from there.

[Anonymous]

I've had a friend who had a crushing amount of stressors all at once and it really worked wonders. But you have to watch out for withdrawal symptoms. She said she had like a boomerang of anxiety when her prescription ran out. Luckily the external stressors had resolved by then.

No need to listen to the naysayers. Under a good doctors care, for an acute period, it can help better than all the yoga, beer, and cigarettes.