Lately my SA has been getting worse. Even talking on the phone makes me very uncomfortable.
Has anyone had success treating SA with medications?
Gonna discuss this with my doctor who I see again in May. I’m also actively seeing a therapist.
My general anxiety is helped by l-theanine and hydroxine, each at high doses.
2 Likes
I have atarax (similar drug to vistaril/hydroxyzine) and L-theanine. I take them before bedtime though because they make me very tired.
I’ve tried the atarax during the day and it just makes me sleepy 
1 Like
Yes I treated my SA and succeed, but I didn’t take meds for it. I just changed my mindset and I gradually exposed myself to the people and talked to them. Meds, generally anxiolytics brings problems, they make you addict to them if you take them for too long, so it’s better to find a good balance and not take too long and not too many.
4 Likes
Exposure treatment is one thing my therapist and I have been working on. Things just seem really tough right now though. It’s like I’m on the verge of a severe panic attack.
1 Like
Anti-depressants are an option, and work for many people for anxiety.
L-theanine is a good, inexpensive supplement that increases the GABA in your brain, similar to benzos.
Benzos of course are the “final line” so to speak, when other meds do not work. They work by increasing the GABA in your brain, which calms you and lowers brain stimulation. They have their fair share of risks and must be taken as directed, and never abused.
I take klonopin, a long acting benzo. It is a fairly common and effective benzo for treating social anxiety and/or generalized anxiety which I have in conjunction with schizophrenia. I’m glad I take it, it’s been a life saver in many situations, and although I have the PRN to take more or less, I usually try and take the lowest dose possible, and typically only take more when in intense social situations, weddings, family gatherings etc. My pdoc is very smart and always encouraging, the meds are there if you need them, just be smart about it if you are ever prescribed because you want them to remain effective for as long as possible, and if you take more rather then less they will become less effective in time. But there is a stigma surrounding benzos, that people shouldn’t be afraid of if prescribed and used properly.
1 Like
Maybe gabapentin…
1 Like
Thank you for your insight. My psychiatrist doesn’t prescribe benzos though.
I’ll run this by my doc. Thanks
Benzos are just another tool in a psychiatrists toolbox, if needed. I think that’s a bit short-sighted if they just sign off a whole line of drugs altogether. But, I don’t know your pdoc or your situation so I won’t comment any further on that.
1 Like
I’ll run it by him. Maybe he makes exceptions given someone has a very severe case of anxiety.
1 Like
The route my pdoc went was, try busiprone, a blood-pressure med that will decrease the fight-or-flight spike you get with anxiety. That wasn’t effective enough for me. Then we tried anti-depressants, several, and they weren’t effective for me either. Then we tried a benzo, and it’s been effective.
Never be afraid to talk to your doctor about any medication or exploring your options. You are the one who’s going through this. Make sure you express your levels of anxiety and explain in detail as much as you can. Typically they will pick the appropriate route like mine did.
2 Likes
I defeated my panic disorder from having a horrible single panic attack without treatment…I had to have my mother take me everywhere for a while. and then I started carrying a note when I was going alone to a public place…“I am having a panic attack I have to go.” written in my pocket in case it happened and then I overcame the fear of anxiety all together…I go to family gatherings and the grocery store and doctors all by myself. you can to…anti anxiety meds are worse for you I agree with above poster.
3 Likes
Klonopin, but I’d like to try lyrica if it’s ever approved for gad in the US.
1 Like
Propranolol for public speaking.
1 Like
Vistaril, magnesium taurate, and valerian root.
1 Like