medication for anxiety?

From people with AS I tend to hear of more positive results for beta-blockers than SSRI's.

I still have yet to hear from anyone who has tried Wellbutrin:

community.autism.org.uk/.../wellbutrin-bupropion-aspergers

Here's my experience:

I'm 44, never discussed anything with a doctor but always struggled with social stuff and when i hear people describing their aspy/autistic experiences it sounds like how i see things. Dont think i have too much to complain about, but I finally got fed up with the anxiety of other people's company and got some 40mg Propranolol from the GP and they are a wonder drug for me. Suddenly, stuff that never worked does work. 

:D

...its a pity they are addictive...I suppose that being that good they would have to be :-)

No, none at (for me), other than the fact it's addictive. Hence why you can't get it as a repeat perscription. Top stuff in my opinion.

I can't swallow meds, but the emergency GP said I could "eat" them and they were really small. I was only on a 2mg dose and it was great, it sorted my back/neck out, I stopped teethgrinding and my mind calmed down. I was spitting a lot less venom while on these.

After reading your post I looked up Diazepam, I hadn't known previously that it is Valium. Were thare any downsides Goatworshiper?

Diazepam is fantastic. I took some for a muscle spasm and it completely chilled me out completely. I didnt realise I had anxiety until I took it. People told me I behave anxiously, but I didn't get it. Once they ran out, I realised how much stuff races around my head at a rapid pace 

...its good to have some sort of timescale.....

I hope to not need them one day. In the past I have always come off them because I hate the way they make me feel hollow. Rather than help my symptoms, they just seem to aggravate them. The doctor said at an absolute minimum six months, but we'll see. I'm waiting on an appointment for counselling.

Hi Raven, I would probably draw the same conclusion and would be very wary of setraline. Do you hope one day to be 'med-free'? I do, but unless I can really change my life and environment I feel stuck with them.

Hi Jon

I don't know if they are the sole cause. I know before I started taking setraline I could go months without having one. I think 4 in the space of only a few weeks is strange and wouldn't be suprised. They had a really bad effect, and at times made me feel suicidal even though I have alot of stuff in my life that is good, anxiety or no. Just need to get the anxiety under control. New meds seem to be ok, but they are making me quite tired.

The Imp of the Perverse writes...

Having had a few months on Sertraline I think I can understand the increase in meltdowns. Though people react to anti-depressants in highly individual ways, I found that Sertaline made my moodswings worse at first and if I found something funny I didn't recognise the laugh coming out of my mouth. Having persisted with it I now get some days when I do somehow feel hopeful, which is a major breakthrough for me because I was feeling increasingly desperate.

I do agree with Hohner about the long-term effect of these meds. When I read about people being on them for over 5 years I do wonder about doctors preferring sedation over a person solving their problems rationally.

Whenever I hear the word 'meltdown' I think of Chernobl or a volcano exploding!

susie163 said:

Personally I think that autism is simply a difference, not an illness or even a condition and therefore cannot be or needs to be "treated". It drives me crazy and I drive myself(and everyone else!) crazy trying to accept who and what i am - if only there was a pill for acceptance because it is everything.  xxx

...agreed :-) ....with a pill for understanding too :-)

Sorry I'm butting in but...

I spent 25 ish years on and off a huge list of medications - none helped in anyway, all caused problems. One exception is diazepam - i have been prescribed a small amount for "meltdown emergencies" and just knowing it's there is enough for me - it's like a safety net. And when I do take it it works, if only to give me a bit of breathing space. As for the rest - anti-psychotics send me unconcious (and psychotic) anti depressants send me suicidal (and aggressive - not me, or nice) I would not take seroxat ever again even if paid to. I've recently gone "cold turkey" on all of my meds and am looking forward to getting to know myself again cos I did not like the person I was when on them. Personally I think that autism is simply a difference, not an illness or even a condition and therefore cannot be or needs to be "treated". It drives me crazy and I drive myself(and everyone else!) crazy trying to accept who and what i am - if only there was a pill for acceptance because it is everything.  xxx

Hi Raven, do you attribute the meltdowns solely to the setraline? How are the beta blockers working? Whats the anti-depressent you are on now?

Four meltdowns since I started taking setraline... Now on beta blockers and a light anti depressant... Has this happened to anyone else?

Raven,  I personally do not think you should be on any neurochemical tablets, I have never heard anyone who says,, yes, the tablets have made me 100% better or cured me. These pills are just poison smarties for the population. Just a view of concern. Trust your doctor, you will be fine

Disclaimer to NAS: these views are just an opinion and express no liability or intent to harm, without prejudice

Raven,, on this drug, for 2 years(pre-diagnose),, no use. Also america autism research shows it is no good for Autism, so this can only mean three things,, 1.) it is a test drug, to show if it does not work for Autism, so it is used to test for Autism 2.) the nice practice is mainstream use this drug regardless, like paracetamol for headache, but citropram is for anxiety 3.) your doctor is not treating you correctly for Autism, biochemical drugs are not the first line in Autism, it is a development disorder, the mind is wired that way, all these drugs will do is sedate you, making your more introverted.

Link on Citalopram, makes you more autistic ? It is a sick world we live in,, money for the drug industry and Autism industrial sector.

http://www.med.unc.edu/www/newsarchive/2009/june/study-autism-drug-citalopram-is-ineffective-causes-significant-side-effects

MOD Disclaimer: this views are just my own, I mean no harm to others nor the NAS brandline.

Before my diagnosis I was given citropalm (correct spelling?) for anxiety and depression several times but didn't feel like it really helped. After I was diagnosed last year, I went through a rough patch and am now on setraline. After it settled, it seems to be helping. My doctor says I will probably be on it for about six months to a year but I'm worried about it going on any longer. Currently we are trying to figure out what other treatments/coping strategies would be useful but it's early days.

ie the impact levels on society are too high, then the real hidden solutions are unwrapped by the academic industrial government into society..

COME ON GET REAL ! Smoking is good for you ~ 1960's. I read a report about global warming fears in the 1800's, people need to die in mass, it is called an animal cull and restocking breeding genetics,  IT IS THAT simple. Autism was probably developed by Science as an eugenic experiment.

For example in 1900's, most of the middle classes were brought up on Bromine, it was used as a wonder drug to make a child quieter and better behaved, don't kid yourself that this substance did not get put in the mainstream water or given to the new obeying army ranks..., come on,, it is about control of the animal human race.. THE HUMAN FARM.

If you think for a moment, those "entities" in charge of enslaving the human animal race are not in control of all this ***, wars, disease, famine and life style, THINK AGAIN !