need help

Heres my problem... i am currently a college student. Every time i leave my dorm i get in several situations that make me nervous or anxious. such as encounters with people im not very framilar with. Even when i walk in the classroom i get very uncomfortable and sit there silently. Other than that i often am anxious about stuff in general and tend to worry(not a strong worry). Doc perscribed .5 activan as needed no refil. should i be talking with him about taking these everyday.. anybody have an opinion?

[suzi-q]

Sounds like you may be suffering with Generalized anxiety disorder.  Go see a psychiatrist and get a diagnosis.  If so, you can work through your situation with therapy or medication.  If you need a medication that needs to be taken every day, then the doctor will prescribe you one.  What you are on now, is just an occasional medication to take under the most severe circumstance.  Find out NOW why you are feeling this way before it can become a true problem.  Best to you!

[LongJohn132]

I have already seen one... he gave me activan to take when needed no perscription 30 pills to last like 3 months. went back the other day he gave me inderal to take under certain public situations.. i took 10mg b4 i gave speech.. didnt help i stil got sweaty and what not.. should i take like 30mg next time? i tell him i get these feelings everyday. when i see soemoen in the hall or in class i get neverous. When im on the spot by a teacher or my parents i blush and just get anxious.  Hes offered something i could take but wouldnt have an affect for several months.. he made it sound like it wasnt that great of medication.. idk

[luvnlife77]

I agree with suzi.  Get help ASAP before the problem gets worse, not to worry you.  Sounds like Social Anxiety Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  Avitan is only a quick fix/band-aide to the issues you are having.  I've been suffering from anxiety/depression for years and never realized it until I had a full-blown panic attack that sent me to the ER.  Hence, that's where my trials and tribulations began.  Hang in there!  Keep positive!  All will be well.  All the best to you!!!

[chcnme]

oops - didn't see your note up here and responded down further.  I now see you are taking Inderal 10 mg  (not the Inderal LA, which is the "long acting" version), and that apparently you're supposed to take it before you speak.  Has the doctor told you that you can take up to 30 mg of Inderal before speaking? If not, DO NOT TAKE that much.  You might pass out when you stand up.  Inderal lowers your blood pressure.  30 mg at one time if you don't have high blood pressure might may you pass out.

On the "Activan", are you talking about Ativan which is also called Lorazapam? (not familiar with Activan.)  If the doc has prescribed Ativan (the .05 mg "as needed  before speaking") you may want to ask the doc if you can up this to 1 mg before you speak.  

30 tabs of .05 mg for 3 months is no reason to worry about any overprescribing.  

You might want to ask the doc if -- instead of Ativan --  Valium might work better for you. Many who don't find relief with Ativan often find Valium a better anti-anxiety.  5 mg or even 2 mg can work better than Ativan.  Still ask about the tolerance issue.

Almost all public speakers gets nervous and flushed before they speak.  Tell yourself it will be over with soon and that you won't have to be doing public speaking forever  (just to get through college).  Some people are just "blushers" all their lives.  It can be embarrassing, but this is something else you will probably get used to as you get older.  Some people get red ears when they get nervous.  It's all "natural"  (can be embarrassing, but it's normal / natural)

Best of luck.  

[longsuffering]

I am new here, I have been suffering from panic attacks and depression for 20 years, I am on Celexa, and buspirone twice a day. Although my depression is for the most part gone, but my anxiety is always just around the corner. I practice avoidance and still I have some very strong anxiety at times. The doctor saids I may have to live with it. I was wondering if XanaX could help. I work in a job that requires alertness all the time. So I know large doses of xanax would be out. I was wondering if the Linden Method will work. I know that this is a illness. Please if anyone knows anything new, please HELP>

[longsuffering]

I am new here, I have been suffering from panic attacks and depression for 20 years, I am on Celexa, and buspirone twice a day. Although my depression is for the most part gone, but my anxiety is always just around the corner. I practice avoidance and still I have some very strong anxiety at times. The doctor saids I may have to live with it. I was wondering if XanaX could help. I work in a job that requires alertness all the time. So I know large doses of xanax would be out. I was wondering if the Linden Method will work. I know that this is a illness. Please if anyone knows anything new, please HELP>

[suzi-q]

I would not increase any meds without a doctor's say so.  I take Paxil and Buspar for my Generalized Anxiety Disorder/Depression.  The paxil helps with the depression and the buspar give added relief to my anxiety.  I do not have social anxiety so i can't tell you exactly what meds are prescribed for you situation.  However, if the anxiety is persistent, ask your doctor about a daily med to help you with every day events.

[suzi-q]

I just ordered the Linden Method.  Haven't received it yet, but I am going to try it out.  I will try anything at this point.  I will post on this site to give my rating!!  give me a few weeks....Thanks!!!

My cousin functions fine on Xanax, while my sister falls right to sleep!  Everyone reacts differently...maybe it is worth a shot.  I am on Paxil and Buspar myself...I also have Klonopin if I get really stressed.  Have you inquired about that possibly????

[LongJohn132]

does your sister take xanax throughout the day or just to sleep at night?

[suzi-q]

My sister is on Paxil and will take a Xanax during a really stressful/anxiety moment.  She won't take it at work because it makes her very sleepy and she will nap if it is in the afternoon.  Sometimes she will take it at night if she has difficulty sleeping.

My cousin (Who is a man over 200 pounds) takes 4 a day as prescribed by his doctor.  My cousin says if it wasn't for the xanax he would kill his ex-wife!!!