Thinking about getting off Paxil

[[PR...]]

I have a serious social phobia/anxiety issue that was causing me to isolate myself and be sad because I never did anything and I was lonely and depressed. And thats the reason all this started. I just feel like its not natural to just manage a phobia or anxiety problem with something like Paxil. I want off but im not sure its a good idea only being just over 3 weeks clean from Benzos. Im noticing my anxiety with social situations even though im on Paxil so my shrink wants to double my prescription but I need to deal with my problems naturally I feel, or I will never be better. Though while I was on Ativan and the paxil (dont know which it was that was really doing the trick) I did talk to a lot of people and I now have a social life with lots of friends but like I said I can feel myself going back to my old ways of isolation. I want to be able to wake up and feel normal again; I haven't felt "normal" since I started SSRIs. What are your guys thoughts? I want to be genuinly happy. Thanks guys

[[Da...]]

I believe getting off benzos is hard enough without stopping other things in the process. But you have to decide, if you believe paxil is making you worse and is not relieving your anxiety then stop it. Do it gradually and it should be OK.

[[PR...]]

I want to say it is relieving my anxiety because back when I started it I thought it worked great, so I dont know if that was the Ativan I was always on or if it was the Paxil. On the other hand the Paxil could have been helping and this rebound anxiety is killing me. I still feel like I cant go anywhere outside without an Ativan. I think going to somewhere like out with friends to get food or something as little as that and instantly my mind goes "thats going to be awful and Im going to make a fool of myself, its fine I can just take Ativan ill just go high and it will be fine." But I have no Ativan so thats no longer an option so I just dont go. Any suggestions on that situation?

[[Da...]]

Since you are only a month or so into this you are still in acute. For most people it starts to get better after 30 days, I quit CT after taking Xanax for 15 years so for me it lasted more like 60 days. During that time I truly believed I was going to die and actually wished I would. So right now you are at the hardest phase right now. Unfortunately you have to be patient. You should start to see some improvement soon but for me it has been a long road. I am at 13 months now I am still suffering a lot of anxiety and cognitive issues but not anxiety like back then. Since I could never go through this again I have known I cannot start taking it again, I don't want to do more damage.

 

The thing is man you have to take things day by day and minute by minute. I don't think what you feel is abnormal for someone who cold turkeys. My psychiatrist (who is an addiction specialist) had me do some exposure therapy so that may start with walking to the street and back and then build up from there. You are going to see some improvement sometime soon, just hang in there. I know how hard it is trust me it is very painful especially during acute.

[[Ch...]]

Hi, PRabbit..Davis1 gave you excellent advice...I, too, had social anxiety that seemed to be helped by Benzos and SSRIs...even the Paxil I took for a long time...

Interestingly enough I have read that Social Anxiety is one of the easiest to overcome...what?  Yup!!!  And my psych led me through the process which is actually on line in many places...understanding that the intense physical reaction is FEAR based instead of reality based was key....I have to tell you, many times I risked my whole military career by smoking pot in the parking lot before every military social function, just to cope for a few hours!!!  Then later embraced SSRIs and Benzos for floating me through...until they started CAUSING the same problems and upped the ante to Agoraphobia!!!  I am 7 months Benzo free and with positive rehearsal and going to events prepared with a list of topics from the news I no longer dread and fear social interactions.

Also, I recently read an article that talked about "when did shyness become a Psychiatric illness"  very good...and in many cases it is because of Big Pharma being able to sell more drugs and make more money!!....well, not my money any more, thank GOD!!!

Good luck, and do what Davis1 said and taper off Paxil oh so very slowly....LATER!!!!

[[...]]

I have a serious social phobia/anxiety issue that was causing me to isolate myself and be sad because I never did anything and I was lonely and depressed. And thats the reason all this started. I just feel like its not natural to just manage a phobia or anxiety problem with something like Paxil. I want off but im not sure its a good idea only being just over 3 weeks clean from Benzos. Im noticing my anxiety with social situations even though im on Paxil so my shrink wants to double my prescription but I need to deal with my problems naturally I feel, or I will never be better. Though while I was on Ativan and the paxil (dont know which it was that was really doing the trick) I did talk to a lot of people and I now have a social life with lots of friends but like I said I can feel myself going back to my old ways of isolation. I want to be able to wake up and feel normal again; I haven't felt "normal" since I started SSRIs. What are your guys thoughts? I want to be genuinly happy. Thanks guys

 

I also have severe social anxiety. I suggest you get a book by Claire Weekes, it's called "Peace From Nervous Suffering " and another one called "Simple,Effective Treatment Of Agoraphobia ". I believe it will help you. I've read many reviews and all are positive. People have said it changed their lives and they didn't need medication anymore; and it kept them from having to start meds.  We are being bluffed by a physical feeling . Anxiety is very tricky. I wish I was given this book years ago. I wouldn't be sick now probably.