I started anxiety medication as a I was going through a divorce. Years later, I decided to stop because I figured I was at a calm spot in life. While I was at a good spot in life, turns out I also was still a person that has anxiety. I immediately went back on and have no plans of ever stopping. Luckily, I have never viewed it as something I am dependent on, but just a relief to have it as an option and that it has worked well for me. I am glad medication is helping lift the anxiety fog from you too
I remember the anxiety I had in grade school. I had stomach aches and insomnia but back in the 1970s I was just labeled as "too sensitive". No one talked about helping me through it because that was not a thing back then. So glad you found help Isabel!
I related to every word of this. Being anxious as a child (I’m in my late 60s) and there was NO thought of therapy or help. I was also called a worry wart. I was made to feel awful about my bouts of anxiety, crying jags, and depression. I was terribly shy and preferred the company of animals to humans. I still suffer, but Lexapro has helped me tremendously, as has therapy. Thank you for your words.
I had panic attacks in high school that would make me pass out. I tried medication my freshman year of college too-when my anxiety and depression were at their worst. But had a similar experience with a psychiatrist that was just going through the motions. I was given Zoloft and felt like I had fallen into an even deeper pit of despair. I got so scared of where my mind was going that I never took the meds again. Years later, I had a doctor that actually listened and gave me a very different prescription. It was such a wild, out of body experience to feel stress like a “normal person” once I was on the right meds.
As another person with anxiety/panic disorder that also goes STRAIGHT to my stomach/GI system, I so appreciate this post! It is hard when, while a lot of people struggle with anxiety, I've met only very few (if any at all) who struggle with such intense, debilitating symptoms like I have since my early childhood years, and I've had deep, dark periods throughout my life of feeling like I'm unfixable (& essentially unlovable because I am unfixable). Medications have been my only relief. Thank you for sharing and making me feel less alone!
Thank you for your honesty here, Isabel! I’ve always been a huge advocate for mental health and medication but always pause when it comes to myself. “Do I really need it?” “Will it change me?” Those questions keep me on the sidelines but your journey highlights the positives!
Thank you for writing this. I had a very similar experience with being an anxious kid and missing school because of tummy aches (aka anxiety). I ended up getting on Celexa when I was 14 or so. I’ve had periods where I’ve gone off, but have been on it pretty regularly ever since. It makes such a difference! I’m still anxious and have panic attacks, but nowhere near the way I did when I was younger. 💕
Your experience mirrors mine, but I waited over 50 years to finally seek medication. I definitely feel just like I always did minus the anxiety and the what if scenarios going round and round my head. So glad you sought help relatively early. Taking Lexapro has truly changed my day-to-day life.
So happy you were able to get relief. Anxiety is incredibly debilitating. I have it and medication has truly been a life saver. So appreciate your willingness to share this. I know you have helped many people today.
I do wish that anxiety in children was more known. Looking back on my personal life, I was anxious when I was in the 3rd grade but no one realized it. I had constant stomach aches but that's how my anxiety is for me. And what made it worse was that my 3rd grade teacher was causing me to be anxious and because I wasn't eating, she made me eat lunch with her everyday. So now I'm having to sit with my anxiety literally every day. And then I wondered why even as an adult I hate lunch time.
Theres DTC brands that operate entirely online now btw.
Hims & Hers connect you to a psychiatrist online & they can assess & provide you a prescription in 1 meeting. The medication is directly shipped to you after that.
I started anxiety medication as a I was going through a divorce. Years later, I decided to stop because I figured I was at a calm spot in life. While I was at a good spot in life, turns out I also was still a person that has anxiety. I immediately went back on and have no plans of ever stopping. Luckily, I have never viewed it as something I am dependent on, but just a relief to have it as an option and that it has worked well for me. I am glad medication is helping lift the anxiety fog from you too
I think reframing “dependence” to “relief” is soooo amazing
Absolutely! Think of it as better living through chemistry. 💙
I remember the anxiety I had in grade school. I had stomach aches and insomnia but back in the 1970s I was just labeled as "too sensitive". No one talked about helping me through it because that was not a thing back then. So glad you found help Isabel!
You’re not too sensitive 🥹❤️❤️
I related to every word of this. Being anxious as a child (I’m in my late 60s) and there was NO thought of therapy or help. I was also called a worry wart. I was made to feel awful about my bouts of anxiety, crying jags, and depression. I was terribly shy and preferred the company of animals to humans. I still suffer, but Lexapro has helped me tremendously, as has therapy. Thank you for your words.
Yes!! It just wasn’t discussed. I don’t regret not being medicated as a child but I do think therapy would have helped
Thanks so much for sharing your story.
I had panic attacks in high school that would make me pass out. I tried medication my freshman year of college too-when my anxiety and depression were at their worst. But had a similar experience with a psychiatrist that was just going through the motions. I was given Zoloft and felt like I had fallen into an even deeper pit of despair. I got so scared of where my mind was going that I never took the meds again. Years later, I had a doctor that actually listened and gave me a very different prescription. It was such a wild, out of body experience to feel stress like a “normal person” once I was on the right meds.
I’ve heard so many similar stories to this. It’s so important to find the RIGHT med because the wrong one can be terrible
Thanks for sharing… and that little Isabel pic! Fuggetaboutit! 😍
With Ruby! 🥹❤️
As another person with anxiety/panic disorder that also goes STRAIGHT to my stomach/GI system, I so appreciate this post! It is hard when, while a lot of people struggle with anxiety, I've met only very few (if any at all) who struggle with such intense, debilitating symptoms like I have since my early childhood years, and I've had deep, dark periods throughout my life of feeling like I'm unfixable (& essentially unlovable because I am unfixable). Medications have been my only relief. Thank you for sharing and making me feel less alone!
Having such physical anxiety is truly debilitating, I’m so glad you’ve found some relief!
Yes, I relate so very much. Very similar experiences.
Thank you for sharing this, I have been wondering whether to do this myself and this gave me a lot of clarity
I would say it’s definitely worth a shot ❤️
Thank you for your honesty here, Isabel! I’ve always been a huge advocate for mental health and medication but always pause when it comes to myself. “Do I really need it?” “Will it change me?” Those questions keep me on the sidelines but your journey highlights the positives!
I had the SAME fears!
Thank you for writing this. I had a very similar experience with being an anxious kid and missing school because of tummy aches (aka anxiety). I ended up getting on Celexa when I was 14 or so. I’ve had periods where I’ve gone off, but have been on it pretty regularly ever since. It makes such a difference! I’m still anxious and have panic attacks, but nowhere near the way I did when I was younger. 💕
Those anxious stomach aches are the WORST!
Thank you for sharing this. ❤️ So happy you found something that has helped. And you have a wonderful support system too 😊
I’m very lucky ❤️
Your experience mirrors mine, but I waited over 50 years to finally seek medication. I definitely feel just like I always did minus the anxiety and the what if scenarios going round and round my head. So glad you sought help relatively early. Taking Lexapro has truly changed my day-to-day life.
The what if scenario are terrible 😣
So happy you were able to get relief. Anxiety is incredibly debilitating. I have it and medication has truly been a life saver. So appreciate your willingness to share this. I know you have helped many people today.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I do wish that anxiety in children was more known. Looking back on my personal life, I was anxious when I was in the 3rd grade but no one realized it. I had constant stomach aches but that's how my anxiety is for me. And what made it worse was that my 3rd grade teacher was causing me to be anxious and because I wasn't eating, she made me eat lunch with her everyday. So now I'm having to sit with my anxiety literally every day. And then I wondered why even as an adult I hate lunch time.
Ugh that sounds awful 😢
I’m so glad you decided to seek help, and I’m even more glad the whole process of getting the medication was hassle free for you!
Same!! I was shocked tbh
Theres DTC brands that operate entirely online now btw.
Hims & Hers connect you to a psychiatrist online & they can assess & provide you a prescription in 1 meeting. The medication is directly shipped to you after that.
Anxiety medication was such a big help to me too!
I’m so glad ☺️
Hmm maybe I should try meditation. Thank you for writing ❤️ I would love for my anxiety to calm down.
It’s been truly amazing!