Which anti-anxiety drugs have the fewest side effects?
ByI am a teacher and often dread going to work and interacting with co-workers or students. I suck it up and go everyday and try to put on a happy face, but it’s really hard. I’ve always been afraid that anti-anxiety drugs will make me oversleep or cloud my thinking, so I’ve never talked to my doctor about taking anything. This year, though, I feel like I might not be able to do this job anymore without some kind of medication. Any thoughts? I really do appreciate your help on this one.
I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I’ve been taking that for over two years, and it’s working very well for me.
The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can’t tell I’m taking any medication at all.
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4 Comments
September 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
from my experience it is different for everyone but one thing i would strongly suggest is that you take a very very low dose to start out with and see how it works, if it leaves you feeling hyper or weird, get off of it and try another…I had tried three before I went to sertonline, half a pill a day is all it takes for me to have a very normal happy life, without it, I am crying, weepy and sad….
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September 27th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I’ve been taking that for over two years, and it’s working very well for me.
The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can’t tell I’m taking any medication at all.
References :
September 27th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
It depends on what kind of anti-anxiety medications you take and how they interact with your biochemistry.
Antidepressants have been known to treat anxiety, but they take awhile to take effect, and depending on your body they are hit or miss. Sometimes they work, sometimes they do. They probably have the fewest side effects.
Benzodiazepines are probably the most effective at treating anxiety, however they have more side effects (eg Sleepiness), and cannot be taken everyday because tolerance and dependence develop from extended daily use.
I suggest talking about it with your doctor, you might try one or the other or both. Personally I’ll take a benzo during a particularly stressful day, such as a day I have to give a presentation, or before an interview for a new job.
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September 27th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Xanax at the lowest possible dose to start with. That is the medication I take for anxiety. The only problem is that it was made for use for about 3 weeks. I have been on this medication for the past 25 years. So much for 3 weeks. I truly believe I would have had a nervous breakdown if I had not started this medication though. It just depends if you are willing to take a medication for as long as needed. I got tired of having to go to the hospital and that’s what they always gave me.
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Personal experiences.