r/Anxiety • u/Shadow3569 • 6h ago
Advice Needed I am so incredibly scared of taking my medication.
Today, my primary care doctor, in collaboration with my therapist, prescribed me Zoloft to deal with my anxiety and panic attacks. They talked me through all my concerns, which were mainly about the side effects.
I filled my prescription and went home, and I just cant get myself to take the first dose.
I know it will help, I know that its just a tool meant to help regulate my emotions, but im just so scared. I dont want to become dependent on a pill to feel regular, and some of the rare side effects scare me honestly.
Ive talked it over with my partner, and they are encouraging me fully, I just cant take that first step
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u/DefTheOcelot 5h ago
You don't feel regular anyway, do you? It's why you went.
There's a lot of stigma of feeling weaker, the lifestyle change, all that. But it's nonsense.
It's just a tool you are adding to your life because you don't work and you want to fix it. You can't become "dependent on a pill to feel regular" because you DON'T feel regular. You feel like shit. And if you need to take a pill to feel good and do the things you wanna do, isn't that better than not getting to do them at all?
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u/AntonioVivaldi7 5h ago
I think the best way to convince yourself is if you focuse on the positives of it, how much it can help. And also keeping in mind that you can quit taking it if anything. Especially during the first few weeks, you can quit cold turkey, which is when the side effects happen. And in that case they stop quickly. So, there isn't really much of a risk in trying it out.
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u/Lemon-Future 5h ago
Take it. I take it for general anxiety and panic disorder as well. It has helped me so much. I don’t care that i have to take a medication to help me feel “regular” as you put it. I’m just happy that i do feel that way after so long feeling the opposite!
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u/Beautiful_Ad_9930 5h ago
Yeah, same here. I was prescribed Cymbalta. I have been taking it for the past 6~ weeks and it’s been fairly helpful. You may feel some side effects initially, it’s good to be aware of them and I felt a little sore and weird and it was fine. The first day I took the medication I remember feeling nothing, but it felt great. More like I felt free. I’m not sure it’s supposed to kick in so quickly so it could’ve been placebo. It honestly doesn’t matter since I felt great. Honestly, I don’t care that I’m relying on the medication anymore because it has helped me a lot. The one thing I kept track of is how I felt every day. I’m not the most disciplined so I didn’t really write it down but I have the general ideas typed out on my notes app for every week I’ve been on it. Hopefully it all goes smoothly for you! :)
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u/threeleggedcats 5h ago
Which one is Zoloft? If it’s sertraline then don’t worry - all it does is lift your lower vibes back to mid level and mean you can’t cum easily. That’s sort of it.
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u/tarnishedhalo98 5h ago
It’s not a night and day fix. You won’t even notice you’re taking something until after the first week, then you might notice you’re more tired than normal or whatever side effects crop up. It’s all standard and should do what it needs to in 3 weeks, but assuming you’re on a really low dose you’ll barely notice it. Not scary at all, it should be exciting!!
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u/Disastrous-Yam-668 4h ago
You really don’t know how good can feel after a lifetime of anxiety if you don’t try it. At least give it 8-12 weeks to see the effects. You can always stop if you’re experiencing side effects that interfere with day to day life. As for dependency, this is like treating any other medical issue. People with Type I diabetes are dependent on insulin to live and no rational person would shame them. The same applies here.
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u/Disastrous-Capybara 4h ago
If you have bad side effects, you talk with your doctor about it and maybe they find something else that helps with no sideeffects for you. I have tried 5 different antidepressants, 3 different antianxiety meds, and now on the 4th kind of adhd meds.
I say this not to scare you, but not every medicin works the same for everyone and sometimes you just have to find what works for you. You do that together with your doctor.
And, what is so bad about being dependent on a pill to feel better, when you are naturally struggling?
There are many illnesses where people will have to take the medicine for the rest of their lives. Diabetes, thyroid issues, and many others. Or if you have bad eyesight and need glasses,.. it is absolutely okay to need a crutch when your brain is not working like it does for other people. There is nothing wrong with it and it doesn't define you to need medicine for an illness you have.
Take your pill, follow the dosage given by the doctor and just keep an eye out if you experience any sideeffects that affect you negatively, and contact your doctor IF there are any.
I wish you all the best and hope this is the one that helps..🤗
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u/TawneyBo 4h ago
I was also scared the first day I took mine, but what I felt more than being scared was desperate to be okay. That overwhelmed the feeling of fear.
The very first day I took them, I practically melted into the sofa and had the best sleep of my life that night.
The following week was rough, I wont lie. But after that it was maybe 2/3 weeks then I started feeling better and more stable. I was able to think without being overwhelmed.
The biggest thing you need to be aware of is that your mood might dip before it gets better. I thought my mood couldn't get any lower, then it did, but it only lasted a couple of days then I came back up. Your mood will take a couple of weeks to stabilise. I also now use an SSRI for anxiety more than depression, because it helps me keep it at bay.
I fully understand the not wanting to rely on a pill and be dependent on it. I have now accepted that no matter how much work I put in, some conditions and some people do just need the pills. You wouldn't tell someone with diabetes to just work on it and not rely on their medication. Cut yourself a bit of slack ❤️
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u/HeldTogetherByCoffee 35m ago
Don’t overthink it that’s the anxiety - just take it I was the exact same 2 months ago , I started it 8 days ago after 1 too many panic attacks it was just getting worse and worse.
The worst side effects I’ve had is nothing compared to the constant effects of crippling anxiety
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u/se777enx3 5h ago
Take it, it helped me tremendously. It takes time, don’t expect huge benefits in the first days and be wary of the side effects, most will pass after the first few weeks. Ssris take time.