Do anxiety meds actually help?

Posted by Affectionate-Till462@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 15 comments

So I'm halfway through talking therapies and although so far I'm attempting to manage the irritating thoughts by delaying them it's a chore in itself everyday! Separately I've just been prescribed sertraline 50 and 100 which I haven't started, do they actually stop unwanted thoughts or just make you numb to them? Speaking of would you say they dilute your personality so your sense of humour and feeling joy is gone too? I've heard they make you lose weight which doesn't sound ideal as I like to bulk at the gym.. Is the part about insomnia and migraine true aswell? Just seems like a lot of cons over pros I don't know😭

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15 Comments

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omgbaobunstho@reddit

Sertraline is super helpful for me, it kind of gives me a pause to process emotion rather than an immediate reaction, let's me manage overwhelm and rage more easily.

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DameKumquat@reddit

Sertraline has varied side effects (most people only get a couple) which mostly disappear over a couple weeks. Generally they take the edge off anxiety etc so your sparkling personality can come out. Well worth a try.

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Hockey_Captain@reddit

My daughter now swears by it, she says before sertraline she felt like she was in a huge noisy traffic jam and now she said things are so much quieter in her head

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PlasteeqDNA@reddit

They make you numb like a robot.

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dinkidoo7693@reddit

Sertraline made me feel like i was in a bubble, my anxiety wasn’t as bad so that part was fine, it also made me feel nauseous and I struggled to eat so i lost a bit of weight but it was in an unhealthy way so I had to stop taking it.

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-Eat_The_Rich-@reddit

Depends on the meds. Lexapro works it has side effects more so for men. Cannabis is great for anxiety but expensive

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Sensitive-Call-1002@reddit

Ive been on 200mg of Setraline for over 10 years. My personality is certainly not diluted but I would say it levels out my emotions somewhat. Its not a cure but it can and does help balance me from spiralling and having a crisis. I can feel happy, excited and fun to be around. Dark thoughts do occasionally creep in but due to childhood trauma (sexually abused most my childhood by my grandfather) and then postnatal depression as an adult - I expect to always have dark thoughts creep in, suicidal ideation and general low mood, anxiety etc. However, Sertraline has balance those thoughts out most of the time. Compared to before I started them I would have a crisis once per month (where I completely lose the plot and cannot cope and want to die), now it is say once per year. I never lost weight on them (unfortunately!) and have no side effects bar a dry mouth sometimes. I would say it also might reduce your sexual performance/ libido but I cannot comment on that as I've not had sex/ been in a relationship for 10 years (it is something I have heard from others that I have taken it however). The only caution I would give is if you do not take them as prescribed you can have horrible side effects (electric zap feelings to brain, suicidal thoughts etc) - I've had this only when I have run out or forget to take my medicine and it is not nice! If you wish to no longer take them I would speak with your GP who would advise to slowly reduce your prescription. Ive been on 50, 100 and 150 mg but 200 mg past few years which seems to suit me and Im happy to be on it. I was on a few other medications before but they didnt settle well with (stomach issues, nausea etc). I would start off at 50mg and see how you feel with the 'side effects' and increase to 100mg if all goes well. You will need to wait like 6 weeks to feel any of the benefits however (as with any of this sort of medication). Good luck and all the best!

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Lumpy-Spot@reddit

Do you like MDMA? the prescription I was on had very similar effects but with a lot more nausea - I didn't like the spirit of it and personally wouldn't recommend them unless you really need them

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Valuable-Wallaby-167@reddit

They can do all of the above. I've had them work so I just feel a bit more levelled out so I can then start to deal with my shit but without making me feel any less me. I've also had them make me feel like a zombie. They can definitely help but it can take a while to find the right drug and the right dose, so I wouldn't give up if the first one doesn't help. Be prepared that they are unpleasant to come on and off so you're likely to feel worse before you get better.

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Loud-Olive-8110@reddit

I've often wondered this. I have terrible anxiety but I've tried anti-depressants and I didn't get on with them at all, so it makes me nervous to try anti-anxiety meds. I could use the weight loss help too to be honest 😅 I'll be following the post!

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Twolef@reddit

In the short term, yes. Locating the source of anxiety and dealing with it is the only long-term solution though and that’s sometimes easier said than done.

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sailboat_magoo@reddit

Life changing.

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Icy-Tear4613@reddit

Helped a lot for me. Removed a lot of social anxiety, but certainly not my personality. Not suffered any sleep issues, upset stomach for a few days but nothing beyond that. Sounds like you are over thinking it.

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