My story, i need help!

I have REALLY bad anxiety.. Panic attacks! Yuck, it *****! Im on Zoloft, been on it for a month, cant really say if its working or not.. maybe im expecting to get better too soon... I been a total hypocondriac as well, and im a male that is scared of women! I know! You all think im some kind of whack job or something... Has anyone else here felt like this? I dunno what it is about me being a hypocondriac.. I been std tested, had a physical, all is fine..But i keep feeling like I have a serious illness, even my friend is med school tells me to stop surfing the net and looken up illnessess, which is making me this way! I just feel bad for ferusterating the hell out of my Dr for having so many concerns about my health when he assurs me im fine.   I feel fine too.. Anyway, the point is, im losing faith in Zoloft, and not sure if anti-depressants work... What about other class drugs like Xanax or Valuime? Are they effective? Basically i also want to take something that'll make me super tired and i can go to sleep, yes zoloft makes me droswey, but i still have trouble sleeping.. Whats worked with you? Sorry for the long story!!

[mjbrown]

I can definitely relate to what you're going through. I get very hypochondriacal when I'm in panic mode. I can't tell you all of the illnesses I was convinced I had over the years (never really had any of them). Looking up diseases is the worst thing you can do... but I am still guilty of this (even after doing a study in grad school on "Cyberchondria"). Nobody is really sure what hypochondriasis exactly is. Some experts consider it an anxiety disorder. Others consider it a form of obsessive compulsive disorder. From my own experience, I seem to become hypochondriatic when I have generalized anxiety. In other words, I think hypochondria is a way for me to focus all my anxiety on something tangible.. something "real" that can be wrong with me. Therapy has helped me deal with the real causes of my anxiety (stuff stemming from childhood), and the hypochondria has gone way down. One month on Zoloft is not enough time to determine whether it will work for you. You typically need to give antidepressants 4-6 weeks to notice an improvement, and up to 3 months to see the full effects. Your dr. can prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to help take the edge off until the Zoloft really kicks in. Benzodiazapines (like xanax and valium) are fast-acting and very effective. However, they are generally only prescribed for short-term use because of the potential for dependence and tolerance. You should definitely talk to your doctor about these. But it is important not to rely on medications alone. They are basically just a band-aid. Therapy is where you will start to work on getting to the root of the anxiety. In the meantime... stop googling medical symptoms / disease.. and I'll try to do the same :-)

Best of luck..

[Hensley258]

Zoloft can help a little with anxiety if the anxiety is a manifestation of depression.
Zoloft (sertraline) takes aboy 4 to 6 weeks to work and most people find an effective dosage between 100 to 150Mgs a day. Some at 200Mgs a day.

Is your fear of women due to a fear of catching an STD? Or is it simply because you are shy around women?

As far as the anxiety and your difficulty sleeping..... Well yes there are drugs that do a much better job than Zoloft. Problem is that they are in the Benzodiazaphine class. Drugs such as Xanax, Valum, and Klonopin. Here's the problem with drugs such as Xanax. Sure they work great to vaporize anxiety and induce sleep, but they have risks.

Sure they will absolutly ease your anxiety (for a short time) but then they wear off in 12 hours and you need more. Then a couple months later you need more, and more, and more. You get the picture? Next thing you know, your taking 3Mgs a day of xanax and your hooked.

I am addicted to Xanax because my symptoms are much like yours. It is no picnic. If I do not take at least 3Mgs a day then I go into what can only be described as a complete state of anxiety induced Psychosis. The withdrawl (withdrawal) from Benzos is worse than the depths of hell.

So in short, make your choice wisely. Benzos are a two faced drug. They are both the best and worst of all Psychotropic medications.

[detpiston7788]

I am scared of women because i am shy...A good looking female intimitates me.. Makes me feel self-conciounse.... Anyway, the dosage of zoloft im on is 50 mg's.. What if my Dr uped it to 100mgs?  Effective? Or would there be a chance it would mess up my mind? Last night sucked, i had trouble sleeping cause i was feeling really anxious.. What meds are good to making me fall asleep?  And alot of times, i mostly get attacks is when im driving.. has anyone else here had that? Why is the car thing so common?

[peggy64]

has your dr checked to see if you are bi polar? that can affect your sleep.