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Medication for health anxiety

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Posted 9/29/2017 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,
So I've been dealing with anxiety for quite a few years on my own and have avoided treatment. I have pretty bad health anxiety and I notice that I get easily stressed about things that may not stress the average person but they do a number on me... this usually causes me to get physical anxiety symptoms which trigger me to think in dying all the time for one reason or another. I logically can tell myself it's just anxiety but it doesn't help.

Anyways, my question is.. what medication do you think would be best suited if I finally decided to go that route? I have an appt with my gp soon and am planning to discuss this. Has anyone had success with ssri's for this type of anxiety?

I work in a high stress job (that I absolutely love) but sometimes it really takes a toll on me because I can't seem to handle getting stressed.

Any info would help.. nervous about medication but I think it's time to try and find a solution.

Thanks
Posted 9/30/2017 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ram,

I am sorry to hear of your anxiety and symptom challenges

Researching your options before your appointments is wise! There are different meds appropriate for differing situations and needs.

The most common daily A/D's are SSRI/SNRI's. This is an Rx that helps to reduce anxiety overall in general.

Another option that can be especially helpful with the physical symptoms like heart rate/palpitations is a Beta Blocker.

An anti anxiety such as a benzodiazepine or an off label antihistamine is good for isolated attacks/periods of acute anxiety.

So check out your options and talk to your doctor about your most appropriate choice for your individual needs.

Be sure to also keep up with your therapy and/or self help skills for the best well rounded program.

And keep posting with us for support!

S.C
Posted 10/2/2017 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ram,

Hopefully you have read the answers given above. The person writing really seems to know her stuff.

Just wanted to let you know someone else (me) has read your post and can relate. I have health anxiety at times and generalized anxiety a lot of the time. I have meds that help me with that. I hope you are able to find a med that works for you.

You are actively engaged in trying to find a solution, which is great! You are taking care of yourself.

Best of luck,
Posted 10/3/2017 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I've always had a bit of health anxiety but even more so general OCD tendencies (checking crap, making sure stuff in my home is all "lined up", etc).

I found that Lexapro has been helpful with ruminating thoughts of all types, whether health or general OCD.

That's just my experience and of course you want to talk to your doc, but SSRIs like Lexapro might be what you need to calm your health anxiety (or at least take things down a few notches).
Posted 10/6/2017 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
I also deal with bad health anxiety and I find that medications help me not have panic attacks about my health (I get something in my head then I have full fledged panic, like right now I'm panicking about having a brain aneurysm) with my medicine (lexapro) I stopped having panic attacks about it but the occasional thought still came into my mind, I would think " what if I have a brain tumor" but then the thought goes away fairly quickly, definitely quicker than it would if I wasn't on medication
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