--- In [email protected], "shempmcgurk" <shempmcg...@...> wrote: > > So, as I told you folks a few months ago I am going through a crisis in my > life in which I am experiencing a lot of depression and anxiety, the likes of > which I've never experienced in my life (at least, since I started TM at age > 18...I'm 54 now). > > Here's the advice I seek: three months ago when this crisis started, my GP > prescribed me 0.5mg of Xanax. I have never taken such a drug before in my > life and, up to now, have been afraid to. But this nervousness that I feel > everyday, I'm fed up with. So I am seriously considering taking it. I > filled the prescription today and the bottle is sitting on my kitchen counter. > > what do you think: should I take it? > > Pro's and con's, please. I'm desperate! > > As this is my 49th post of the week and I won't be able to respond, I will > nevertheless read all of your advice on this. > Xanax is very effective for short term treatment of anxiety. If you are concerned about the addictive potential, you might ask your doctor about BuSpar which is also an antianxiety agent but is not related to the benzodiazepines (like Xanax), barbiturates, or other sedating anxiolytic drugs.
If you have issues that are more long term you might look into the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which are very effective for anxiety and depression. There are side effects (everyone hears about the potential for sexual side effects) and you have to wean yourself off of them carefully. Paroxetine (Paxil) is one example. These take a few weeks to build up in your system to work.
