What to do when therapy and meds do nothing for severe anxiety?
By Diana
@dya80dya (33812)
April 15, 2018 6:34pm CST
I have severe anxiety. I barely eat. I had done therapy and I tried a lot of meds. I am so disappointed because nothing works. I can"t do anything without anxiety. I can't even read a book. Are there any hopes for somebody like me? I tried many therapists and a lot of meds. I can't go out alone. Have you experienced something similar? A therapist laughed when I told him the symptoms. He said the symptoms aren't real. But for me they are very real. They don't understand.
4 people like this
8 responses
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
16 Apr 18
People will always think that it is that easy when in actuality it is not simply because they didnt experience it. When I experience anxiety, I dont do anything at all because it seems to be burden to me and my body is wandering off somewhere. I overthink about things and I get restless. My husband would really go to great lengths just to make me go out and spend time outside with him and friends.
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (33812)
•
16 Apr 18
@mlgen1037 Depressed and very anxious. Thanks for asking.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
16 Apr 18
@dya80dya I agree, Dya. It is. But how are you feeling right now?
@NJChicaa (116193)
• United States
15 Apr 18
Are you seeing a psychiatrist or just a regular doctor? It wasn’t until I saw a psychiatrist who was an expert on anxiety, panic, and depression medicines that these things were finally brought under control. That doctor saved my life.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
16 Apr 18
I did go through something very similar a few years ago. It came upon me so fast and unexpectedly. Normally, if I had a panic attack I would breathe deeply and slowly and the anxiety would subside, but this time it didn't. I was afraid to go for a walk, I couldn't take the bus anywhere, I couldn't visit with friends without feeling this severe anxiety. I lived that way for two weeks before going to the doctor. He put me on meds and told me that I wouldn't notice any improvement for about a month. It takes that long for the medication to have any affect. So I had to live that way for another month before the medication started to work properly. Now I am very much back to normal but still on the meds. 
1 person likes this
@MainerMikeBrown (1373)
• Bridgton, Maine
15 Apr 18
Dya80, have you tried meditating and breathing exercises?
1 person likes this
@MainerMikeBrown (1373)
• Bridgton, Maine
15 Apr 18
Dya, I worked with a therapist back in the day who didn't understand either, as I used to have bad anxieties myself years ago.
However, I've found that many therapists do understand.
@MainerMikeBrown (1373)
• Bridgton, Maine
16 Apr 18
@dya80dya No, I don't have bad anxieties anymore. Right now my anxieties are right where they should be, I think.
