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Depression and Anxiety at an older age
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: May 26 11:44am | Replies (625)Comment receiving replies
I am an older lady of 73 and have been tapering off diazepam for several months which I was prescribed 10 months ago at 4 mgs. for severe anxiety. I am now down to 2.3mgs of diazepam and it my anxiety is 10 times worse, plus severe agoraphobia, no appetite weight loss and depression. I think I need an antidepressant to finish my taper and to treat the anxiety condition which has gone untreated up to now. I seen you had success with citalopram as I did a few years ago but am worried to take it because of the start up. However I would like to know if it worth tolerating to get my life back as I have none at all now and am so low at this point living in fear all the time. I also want desperately to get rid of the diazepam, which I am tapering at a very slow rate, but cannot progress without something to help with the crippling anxiety. Can you help me?
Replies to "I am an older lady of 73 and have been tapering off diazepam for several months..."
@chichuck- Good morning. I'm so sorry that you have agoraphobia. For people who do not understand what this is: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/agoraphobia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355987
I have had periods of this and it can be completely debilitating. It has to be challenging to have agoraphobia. Would you be willing to discuss what started this for you? What symptoms do you experience that have you afraid? What do you do about them?
I'd like to invite @bvgrammy @sore_debbie64 @cdcc @csimpson55 @hopeful123 @lorraine59 @lizaa @jeanmnyc @mamacita @tennessegirl @faraway53 to contribute to this conversation. They are int he Agoraphobia discussion group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/agoraphobia-1/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header.
What have you done so far to try and gain control or lessen your anxieties?
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@chinchuck
Good afternoon,
You mention ”Living in fear all the time,” may I ask why that is? What are you afraid of? Are there actual things to be frightened of or are those fears something made up in your imagination and illusions in the mind which are irrational. These types of fears are the type you have complete control of.
Have you seen a psychiatrist or psychologist to help you through these issues? The person who can help you most is yourself, it won't be fast or easy but with the guidance of the professionals I’m sure you can accomplish whatever you choose to.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Jake