Do medications really work?

[r9c]

Hi,i am just wondering,i do know that medications do sometimes work for some sufferes,but from so many point of views,the medical doctors that i have visited so far,they refused to prescribe xanax,benzo and other anti anxiety medications,because they believed medications do nothing on anxiety,they told me that anxiety should not be label as an DISORDER because its not an illness,thats they recommended CBT to overcame Panic disorder etc.
Wat meds do is coverup the symptoms of anxiety and trick us that we are getting better,i am a bit confused though,
i know some people in the forums are against my doctors view,but i have to agreed to a point that meds dont really work that well for panic attacks,because the underlying problem root of anxiety is still there,its just my point of view anyway

[r9c]

yeah,thats wat most of my docs said too,because u ended up with another issued to be tackled,withdrawing of drugs,even once u felt better.And meds on anxiety shouldnt be actually taken for years,its usually given a temporary relief so one can start attend CBT session etc..tackling the root of anxiety.

[dory13]

Benzodiazipines are difficult to withdraw from. I did not know this until after I had been on klonopin for a few years and had to quit taking it. Even though I "tapered off" I still had a really hard time, the anxiety was worse than ever. I was very debilitating. I am back on klonopin again but I think it is helping me function while I get to the root of the problems.
It's the same thing with antidepressants, or any psychiatric med. There are withdrawal effects. For a lot of people that is.
I wish that I would have been offered CBT instead of drugs 20 years ago when I first sought help. I think I would have benefited from it, and not be addicted to psych meds which do change a person (not always for the better) "cover up symptoms" at least in my case. Then they "stop working" and have to switch to something else.
If you do get a perscription for anti-anxiety meds, my suggestion is, if you ever want or need to quit taking them, taper them off _very_ very_ slowly.

[Celistine]

I am concerned about your doctor, who seems to be rewriting the book.  Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder etc. are *real* DSMIV diagnosis.  Do you not meet the critera perhaps?   For those who have these struggles, medications don't cover up symptoms.  Medications help aleviate symptoms. Personal choice also enters in as well.  To try a med or try to work with it through therapy.  Many of us do both.

I've been on my meds for around 12 or 13 years.  I personally don't feel tricked by taking them.  I actually fought taking anything for several years before I was just so darn miserable anything sounded better than living like I was.  So *for me* (I never want to speak for others or generalize) the medication literally gave me my life back.  

[LionHeart1]

I mean spare tire as the little small temporary tire lol. So benzos should only be used temporary not permanent.

[r9c]

yeah agreed with that,wat do u mean Benzos are like a spare tire for the vehicle?
it only works permantely?

[LionHeart1]

You mention benzos here. Benzos are like a spare tire for your vehicle. Serious anxiety sufferers often benefit from antidepressants. For some CBT is enough but for some no because anxiety has a 1000 faces. I personally needed medications. It all depends how severe your illness is.