re: Middle aged males on antidepressants?

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td01241

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Also curious on your thoughts on Buspirone as I’ve only been on it a few weeks. I like it, I guess I’m more interested on your thoughts being on it long term, say a few years, not rest of life

Been where you’re at, felt the same way you’re feeling. Finally got to the point where it was effecting my life in a significant way. Started taking meds almost four years ago and after a few ups and downs early I’ve felt like my normal self with no issues for the last couple of years. Haven’t had any of the negative side effects you mention. Sometimes i feel like my emotions are a little dulled but nothing anyone would ever notice. You only get to do this life once and if you’re hurting it’s worth a shot. Good luck brother

That's what my mom takes - a little bit of lexapro every day.

Have you tried talking to a therapist and specifically working on the panic issue?

Try reading the book "The Body Keeps the Score" before moving to SSRI's. It explains some of the neuroscience behind trauma. Many times things like anxiety, depression, and chronic anger are actually a response to trauma. Have you tried emdr, CBT, or exposure therapy? I would generally recommend taking a holistic approach before trying medicine. Having said that, it seems as if you have tried to "fix" the issue through exercise, diet, social relationships, and body awareness. In some cases, taking low-dose SSRI for a short period of time can get you over a hump and back on track.

I would say if it’s working then it’s working. The issue with buspirone is that it can take weeks or even over a month to work. Someone with debilitating anxiety is often given Klonopin or something similar and its almost impossible to move someone away from a medication that works immediately for one that doesn’t. Also I don’t often see success with it and SSRIs are better for anxiety imo. Like I said though, if it works for you that’s a great outcome.

If you are fidgety and anxious, I say begin working out. Light weights for the shoulder.i have read over time building up muscle around damaged areas help relieve the pain with out meds. The body is a great healer when you allow it.

This leads to physical fatigue to assist the mental side of your issues causing a more relaxed state of mind. Never hurts to try.

All the best!

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someone has anxiety with depression I often try Mirtazipine first, it’s taken at night and helps with sleep but can cause weight gain.

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Is that Remeron? Not judging and have no negative comments. Just sounds old and remeron is old.

OP I did exactly what this guy said not to do. But got lucky and found a GP with an NP who is kind of cute and probably takes a med herself. She’s done research.

Sounds like you’ve already seen a therapist. That’s great. We are over medicated and under counseled here. Just the way it is. Since you’ve done counseling, see a psychiatrist. They’d be much better at starting you on an SSRI.

I take Zoloft with Klonipin for breakthrough panic. You are trying to still find a reason for your anxiety. It’s anxiety DISORDER. If you had reason to be anxious it would just be stress. If a family member had passed recently depression would just be grief. For whatever reason (maybe the therapist can chime in) your brain releases those chemicals and you get all the same sensations with zero context. You still are looking for context. Sometimes it’s a fruitless search.

Good luck to you. Don’t fear SSRIs but also don’t be afraid to tell the prescriber when one isn’t working. There’s probably 10 or 12 of them now.

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I average 20k steps a day

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wow