Fear of Medications

I just posted another topic, hope it's okay to double dip.

I went through hell about 3-4 years back as a teen. My doctor started me on Lexapro when I was 13/14, so i went through puberty on SSRIs, and I had a Rx for Xanax from age 15-age 20. Needless to say, I inadvertently developed a dependency, and my life was hell coming off medication.

I've gone 3-4 years without medication and have done pretty well with therapy. I'm struggling now though, with anxiety coming back and rearing its frustrating ugly head. I'm in school, and it very much feels like something circumstantial.

I'm terrified of going back on medication. I remember going on Seroquel and getting sent to the ER because of an adverse reaction- I remember coming off of a Benzo and starting to convulse in my bed, all my limbs were twitching and my mother, a doctor, stayed with me the whole night. As you can probably guess, I have some trust issues with prescriptions and medications.

I'm also nervous about having allergic reactions to new prescriptions. I found I was allergic to Risperidone, and again, another trip to the ER- trouble breathing. So whenever I get a new medication- or even if I want to take something OTC like Mucinex, I pause and have a mini panic attack, terrified I may have to make another trip to the ER.

The funny thing is, I don't necessarily consider my fears illogical or irrational. There's reason to them, but I also realize that there's a point where you can go overboard and worry TOO much. And that's where I am.

I'm thinking about biofeedback therapy? I'm trying to consider medications that are maybe... short-term, I know some folks do SSRIs short-term, but I'm nervous.

I have a supportive family and supportive therapist, but I want to reach out to folks who have actually BEEN through this or can relate, so here I am. Thank you!

Biofeedback is a very nice tool. It's not easy to find someplace that offers it, though.

For non-medication approaches, please consider:

1.) Meditation practice, preferably with a group and an experienced teacher.

2.) Yoga practice, in a group with an experienced teacher.

3.) Heavy-duty exercise program -- minimum 1 hour per day -- running, swimming, weight-lifting, dancing, aerobics, hiking, whatever pleases you.

4.) Talking to a nutritionist about foods that help/hurt.

5.) Hypnotherapy.

Sending good thoughts your way!

Hi

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear you have had a return of your anxiety.

Unfortunately medications come with side effects so you have to way up the positives v negatives and decide if you want to continue taking it Medications will only help ease your symptoms they are not a cure all so I feel recovery is best reached by doing talking therapy.

Hibee