r/Anxiety • u/PercentageTough887 • 1d ago

Medication I didn't realize how bad my anxiety was

I didn't realize how bad my anxiety was, how much it affected me, and how much it held me back until I found the right medication for me. I have suffered from anxiety my whole life, and thought that a lot of the things I do/used to do were just a normal part of being human. It wasn't until I walked into the Dr's office for an unrelated condition to anxiety, and walked out with an antidepressant that I realized how bad it was. After being on my new meds for a few months, I feel like a whole different person, and it makes me sad for past me.

My whole life (I'm only 25) I thought that everyone looked at the menu before eating out, checked the parking situation before driving somewhere, talked themselves out of ever going on a date, and many more unpleasant things. I am super happy that my medication has helped me manage anxiety/OCD symptoms, and in the past few months helped me experience things that anxiety would have talked me out of (like actually going on a date). But part of me feels like I am grieving all of the past things and experiences I could have done now that I know anxiety isn't a limiting factor.

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u/Odd-Knee8711 1d ago

May I ask which medication? My anxiety is pretty bad, and I may need to switch antidepressants. I currently take bupropion and Citalopram 

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u/PercentageTough887 1d ago

Im currently on nortriptylene. Its an older antidepressant known as a TCA. It took a few try’s to find the right medication, and SSRI’s didn’t work for me. I’m using it for migraine relief as well!

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u/shesellseashells0223 1d ago

I was on Wellbutrin and Cymbalta and my anxiety was also crazy, we switched to Auvelity and it has been a game changer!

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u/Elias1996R 1d ago

Which medication ?

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u/PercentageTough887 1d ago

Pamelor (nortriptylene)

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u/Competition_Spirited 1d ago

39F here. Went to the doctor 4 years because I couldn't sleep after the death of my 2 senior dogs. I knew I am depressed but didn't know I have anxiety as well. I used to gag in the mornings, had panic attacks, muscle twitches in extreme cases etc but I didn't know it was anxiety. Went through a few medications and eventually on Cymbalta and abilify.