for those who take medication for anxiety

Would you suggest taking a medication to control the symptoms? I already take a lot of other medications for my more rare type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. Including but not limited to very strong pain killers. I am wary of adding another medication to the list but since the arthritis has turned my life upside down I don't feel like i can cope anymore. I am normally very active. I have two toddlers. I can no longer work. And I was always very clean, organized, and on top of everything. Which I am no longer capable of doing, and that causes me mass anxiety. Help!!!

[cj29]

Medication is definitely a big decision to make in my opinion.  Some people prefer to use it, while others do not.  Some support it, while others do not.  I have found it useful in my therapy, but I believe counseling is the best thing anyone can do when dealing with anxiety.  I do find certain meds useful as a tool to help along the way, but confronting it through talk therapy will give you the knowledge to beat it.

With your arthritis are there other pain management techniques your doctor can teach you?  

[M4Y0U]

Physical activity, healthy diet is another important key to your anti-anxiety keychain.

If you want food suggestion that are proven to be efficient for anxiety and/or information about the benefits of physical activity in details just ask me.

People tend to neglect physical activity and healthy diet since talking meds is a lot easier and requires the only motivation to pay and go to the pharmacy. But our body was designed to move (here again you can ask me what are the benefits of physical activity from a scientific point of view and about the 8 hormones and the benefits while doin physical activity) and eat what the biosphere have offered to us and used to make us. Our body is made from the 22 minerals you can find on earth. Think about the calcium in your bones and the iron in you blood. We just can't neglect physical activity and daily healthy diet.

Healthy mind-body is almost impossible without applying those 2 crucial things into your life.

Please consider that i'm not a doctor and you should take to your doctor to see what kind of physical activity you could engage due to your ankylosing spondylitis.

[nursegirl6572]

Wow, you certainly do have a lot on your plate!  The disease which you suffer with can be so debilitating, and being that you've watch yourself decline so much, both physically (as in ambulation, mobility, etc) as well as functionally and emotionally must take such a toll on you.

First of all, unlike someone with an anixety disorder, yours is "reactive", or "situational" if you will, meaning as a direct correlation to your physical condition.  Someone with an anxiety disorder often has chronic anxiety (example, panic disorder, social anxiety) in the absence of an identifiable trigger/reason.

Of course the symptoms and suffering that anxiety brings along is still the same, but I think there are a few approaches that you may benefit from that wouldn't be applicable to the person with an anxiety disorder without a primary "cause".  Therapy is a biggie that I think you would truly benefit from.  You could probably stand to do quite a bit of "venting" to help with any anger or resentment you have over your condition (which goes with the territory, obviously).  

Some other methods, for instance, diet and exercise that may benefit a lot of people really doesn't apply as much in your situation, sinply b/c of your limitations.  I think increasing your social type outings, family outings, etc may be more appropriate as sort of an alteernative to that, as you would still have benefits, yet you wouldn't feel as though you are so "limited", or even isolated at times.

The most important thing that I think you could truly benefit from is a support group where you can meet up with others suffering from this condition...sharing stories, helpful tips, and simple serving as a support system to each other.  I don't know how many resources are out there, but with a lil internet searching, I'm sure you could find out.  Heck, in this day and age, there are so many "online" support groups that are just as helpful sometimes as the in-person variety!  Something to think about and look into.

Finally, to address your specific question...I personally have had GREAT success with meds (in addition to therapy)...and think it honestly would be worth trying for you.  I think the combination of depression and anxiety would be very well treated with a medication for you....to at least help ease some of the symptoms while you perhaps try some of the other treatment modalities.

Give your doc a shout and discuss thing with him/her.  I honestly think it would be worth trying.  If you decide to try a med..let us know and we can talk about it with you.  Let us know how you're doing...you have those little ones at home that love you for who you are no matter HOW you are...remember that.  So, don't feel guilty if you feel you aren't able to do as much as you once were...or that others do.  You have an uphill battle with a lot of things in every day life...there is no sense in adding to your emotional burden by feeling badly...especially when your children's love is unconditional.  You are giving your HEART to your family....which is all that is required.  However, in the long run...you may end up feeling a whole lot better if you try some of these treaments.

Best of luck.