Doctor straight away started with medicine. Is this correct?

Answer1 - I have ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorder. I take NO medications since diagnosis, have managed with help from a psychologist. In the last year, a new therapist prescribed me Alpha Stim, which I ended up buying, for anxiety, but also works for insomnia and depression.

Answer2 - When I was diagnosed in college for ADHD by a psychiatrist, I was given Ritalin. This is standard practice if there are not other solutions you are trying. The idea is to try different medications until something works consistently.

Why do I not take medications? My psychologist helped me understand the root cause of my anxiety, or thinking of the future. My mom also has anxiety and depression. Knowing my triggers helped me self-manage until I could not longer manage, chose an alt path. I hate medications in general, I believe in fighting to overcome, vs easy way out. Its take 35 yrs of fighting. You have to choose your path.

I couldn’t agree more with what you said, it would be amazing if we could all do what you have accomplished. So much depends on the nature of your situation, how deep rooted your problems are, most therapists are quick to prescribe medications to calm you down so that they can start helping you to deal with them, the meds are sometimes a shortcut to get to what is needed. Of course there are therapists that don’t use medications but it takes much longer and it can also be more stressful for you to go through, every situation is unique and there’s no one size fits all when it comes to the complexities of the mind.

@neurobuyologist The majority of psychiatrists in the U.S. do not provide psychotherapy. Whether or not they listen at length to a patient likely has to do with the individual psychiatrist and the amount of time available for the appointment. Additionally, psychiatrists are medical doctors. They are licensed to prescribe medication and much if not all of their practice is dedicated to discerning which medication will be most helpful to the patient.

If you would like mental health expertise in anxiety and overthinking then a mental health professional such as a psychologist would be most helpful. Are you seeing a mental health professional/therapist?

It is your choice whether or not you want to try medication. Some medications can be helpful in treating anxiety to help people feel better during the day and sleep better at night. Basically, to function better in their daily lives.

As @malebreastcancer47 wrote "You have to choose your path". I think that's good advice. What do you think?

@naturegirl5 @frouke

Many of us, including me, put full faith in our doctors to tell us what we want to hear. When we find a doctor that tells us what we need to hear, if there’s an emotional reaction, you’re going seek a 2nd opinion. I have very good doctors now that I can trust. I push back, question their motives. Even at Mayo.

My first psychologist started treating me at age 18-40. He also has a PhD from Northwestern Unv. With his help and without med for ADHD, I graduated from Northwestern Unv.

I come from a family that does not believe in meds or therapy, keep it to yourself and it will go away. Watching my dad fight due to physical handicap and never using a wheel chair, I am doing what my dad taught me.

Its a personal choice to fight or let someone tell you what you want to hear. Mayo Forum is excellent. Meds are addictive, its never a temp solution.

@malebreastcancer47 Thank you for sharing your journey.

I'd like to share that some medications prescribed for anxiety have the potential for addiction. These include the benzodiazepines (such as Valium or Xanax). Medications such as the SSRIs and SNRIs are not addictive. There is confusion among many people about what is meant by addiction.

While the medications for anxiety and depression that include the SSRIs and SNRIs and others (Zoloft, Prozac, Cymbalta, Effexor are examples) can result in physical symptoms when people discontinue them this does not mean the medications are addictive. The physical symptoms when discontinuing are unpleasant and sometimes affect a person's functioning which is why it is recommended that one work with their doctor on tapering off these medications.

I worked for almost two decades in a rehab facility with people with addictions to drugs and alcohol. This is how Mayo Clinic describes drug addiction (and this equally applies to alcoholism):

-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112

I hope this helps. Whether or not @neurobuyologist chooses to take prescribed medication for anxiety is a decision that they make with their prescribing provider.

I went on Peroxitine for about one month at a low dose of 2.5 mg., they were discontinued due to profound side effects. It was my desire to try these drugs again instead of relying on benzodiazepines but they always seem to make me sick, unfortunately I was taken off them by the doctor too fast and I went into serotonin withdrawal syndrome which lasted for four months. I will never take these drugs again because they always fail me and I end up suffering more than the ailment I had before I started on them. I’m sorry that they just don’t agree with me and I know that I am not alone in this situation, I envy those who get good results from antidepressants but for people like me we have to take whatever medication helps us otherwise our lives would be intolerable. I have read articles about research with other chemicals to help people with depression and anxiety who find today’s medications impossible to take, this news sounds very promising.

Last September, my doctor in Arizona prescribed lorazepam as I was dealing with insomnia anxiety. He told me not to read about it just trust him. It worked well enough, but I started needing more and then I took Benadryl, both on his recommendation. Just moved to California. My new doctor concurred with my desire to taper off the lorazepam. And prescribed Lexapro for anxiety; after taking one tablet I had such side effects that I chose not to take it and discussed it with my doctor. We agreed on tapering off the lorazepam and revisiting the idea of other meds later. But I really don’t think I have GAD which is the main reason Lexapro would be prescribed. Never needed it before in my life, just worked through things with walks and meditation and support from family and friends, and I will keep doing that. I’m feeling much better with less lorazepam and I’ve changed my attitude about sleep, which helps.

I don't like taking medication either but taking Seroquel along with Wellbutrin allowed me to have a successful career in IT management. I was able to have friendships and to enjoy my husband and family. Sometimes, it can help you thrive...

@feygirrl, You’re very fortunate that you get positive results from your medication and it affords you a productive life.

If you want to discuss your problems and work through issues, you need to see a psychologist. Psychiatrists will listen to a brief summary of why you are there, but their basic function is medical treatment. If you don't want to start meds yet, go to a psychologist and see if they can help you work through your problems. If you decide you need medication, go to your psychiatrist for that.