During a recent visit to my family physician, where I was helping fill out some disability paperwork, my doctor mentioned that maybe since I haven't made any progress being treated as having generalized anxiety and panic disorder over the past 15 years that maybe they had missed something. She then proceeded to tell me she has been thinking I might have some kind of autism.

We didn't go into it much. I left shortly after she brought it up. I don't like long visits.

I have looked up symptoms and I seem to have some of the them. A lot of people have these symptoms too though. I think they are just a little different.

I do have difficulty in social situations. I am naive, so I have been told. I tend to take things more literally than others. Interacting with people is very tiring for me. I like people it's just hard to read them. I don't like being in close proximity to other people. It feels uncomfortable.

I am not so good with eye contact. Especially with strangers.

I cannot tolerate loud high pitched tones like smoke alarms or metal scraping against metal. It is really unsettling for me.

I have trouble with controlling depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Emotions are overwhelming.

I feel I have the ability to empathize with others pretty well. I am also no "Rain Man" that is for sure. I can't even memorize the multiplication table. I understand the concept just can't memorize it (I have no problems doing mathematical equations with a calculator). So I don't have superior intelligence by any means.

I never thought of all of this as a disorder besides anxiety and depression.

Medication and psychotherapy have been no panacea for me.

I would really like to improve the anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I feel like I'm running out of options. I don't want to be a burden on my friends, family and society anymore.

I don't want to just go to another doctor to look for yet another label telling me I am defective, unless it points me in the direction of treatment that could really help make the days easier to cope with. Maybe be more at ease with everything.

Could it help at all to be tested for Autism or Asperger's Syndrome?

If I do have this what good would a diagnosis do? I have read that this is better treated at a young age. I may be too old.

I would like to be in control of my emotions and be able to go to school or hold down a job some day.

What could be the harm of being tested? You say you don't want another label. Is that the right attitude? What if you are just searching for who you really are. Are you defective or are you unique-ly you?

Autism and Asperger's are usually first diagnosed in childhood but i don't know that it matters when treatment begins, many people are misdiagnosed before finding their true and correct diagnosis, and optimal treatment may vary.

In fact there are more government benefits for the Autistic (education and employment for one) and many different national support groups, perhaps someday you could become a leader in the field and even do research (not related to math since you're no Rainman. lol) since you are so gifted in articulation and written communication.

Get tested. You can get a 4 year college degree while you're thinking about it all these things.

Aislan, below is a site that is filled with hope and knowledge about Autism and Aspergers

I've got severe depression and generalized anxiety/panic disorder.

I have tried CBT, ACT, and DBT vigorously…each for about a year. No help.

I've been to meditation, yoga, and T'ai Chi classes and still practice them daily. No help.

I've tried Paxil, Lexapro, Zoloft, Luvox, Prozac, Buspar, Cymbalta, Seroquel, and Risperdal supervised by doctors at various doses and with different combinations. Only some help from the Zoloft and Prozac.

It's been four years.
What can I do next?

Have you asked about ECT? Know that it can help people like you when other treatments haven't helped. Could also ask about trying some of the older type anti-depressants like dothiepin if the SSRI's are not working for you. Good luck

I am very curious as to why when I research Suboxone and Klonopin together why people say it will kill you to take them together. I take 2mg Suboxone 2x daily and 1mg Klonopin 4x daily. Sometimes I take Lunesta if I need it for sleep. My doctor is a very well qualified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist. I am in Recovery and have 109 days in the program(AA, NA, CA). I went through treatment for my addiction and psych issues. I obviously have Opiate addiction issues hints the Suboxone and as for the Klonopin I have Agoraphobia (not a terribly case) Basically runs with most who have Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. So back to my question and maybe someone will a good background to answer this. My doctor still does consults and lectures at the treatment facility I went to in Atlanta Georgia (Ridgeview Institute) not to mention a very pricey facility to go to and I am very blessed to of had the opportunity. So how come I keep seeing other Questions, Forums, and Blogs stating how dangerous and deadly Suboxone and Klonopin are together? Don't you think my doctor with his 30+ years knowledge and experience in this field would know what is best? Also is anyone else on this Combination (suboxone and klonopin)??? I have many friends in recovery who take suboxone and benzodiazepines. Oh by the way for those who do not know by Recovery I mean abstinent to all Drugs and Alcohol for recreational use. Hope I can get some feedback and God Bless!
So far the Answers I'm getting are I think are people misunderstanding what I'm asking. Why do people say it is unsafe to take them together? My doctor is highly qualified and nationally known. I do not think he would put me on these medications if he thought it wasn't safe for me. I'm really just looking for feedback or people who are on the same type of medications. I take my medication as prescribed. I live a sober/clean life and am actively involved in recovery and am a very grateful Recovering Addict/Alcoholic. I also live at a 3/4 Residence so I don't get to hold onto my medication ( at least the whole month) because I am in early recovery.) I chose to enter this residence which is basically for those who do not know a sober network of people living in a regular apartment complex but only we know who is in recovery and who isn't. There are other residents because this is your average apartment complex but they do not know. "Amenity"
I would also like to add that from my experience and you can look it up online, Klonopin is the safest and best drug for treating Panic Disorder especially with one who has an addictive history. Suboxone is used for opiate dependency. Look it up on google before you answer if you do not know what it is please…

Bro, look into Wild Kratom! Also look into Salvia. Wild Kratom supresses withdrawals and Salvia is an altogether anti-addictant, blocks the receptors which crave the drugs. Both work miraculously!

Ok so I took this quiz on Psychology today can do you need to see a therapist and here are the exact results:

Although your scores were generally quite good, you scored well outside the normal range in at least one category. This suggests that you should probably consult with a mental health professional for further testing or treatment. There is most certainly a professional out there who can help improve the symptoms you are experiencing.

The following are the areas of concern detected by the screening:

Your symptoms point to Major Depressive Disorder.
You have suffered from at least one panic attack.
Your responses strongly indicate that you suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
The test also detected symptoms of one or more disorders that did not meet all the criteria, but that may still merit treatment.

The following are the areas of concern detected by the screening:

You have experienced some symptoms of a brief psychotic episode, but not enough to qualify as a full-blown episode.
You have experienced symptoms of a manic episode.
Although you meet the criteria for the frequency of symptoms, your symptoms do not appear to be severe enough to meet the criteria for Bipolar disorder.
You meet the criteria for the frequency of symptoms of Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder, but your symptoms do not appear to be severe enough to meet the criteria.
You experience some symptoms of Simple Phobia.
You experience some symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Love your alls answers, haha England Auden:D Thanks.

What quiz is this?

Thanks for stopping by,
this could be kinda long but it's important and I put detail into it..

Just incase you don't already know?:

EFFEXOR XR is a prescription antidepressant and is indicated for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

CLONAZEPAM/KLONOPIN is a prescription used for :
Controlling certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy and for the treatment of panic disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the activity of a naturally occurring chemical in the brain.

(I'm a {}male
{}20 years old)

- Diagnosis:
{}Panic Disorder
{}Clinical Depression
{}Social Anxiety

- Medicines I've tried
{}Lexapro
{}Celexa
{}Paxil
{}Abilify
{}Buspar
{}Ativan
(And of coarse {}Effexor XR Clonazepam (Klonopin)

- Went to Doctor, then community mental health clinic,
now I'm at a much better place then the mental health clinic
Seeing a psychologist and waiting to see the psychiatrist

Until I can see the psychiatrist at the new place I'm going
I went to a different doctor (who accepts Medicaid)
and explained this all to him

- I was on effexor xr 75 mg for about a year+
(which my doc told me is an ineffective dose,
the therapeutic dosage for Effexor XR is at least 150-300)

-And also on Klonopin (Clonazepam) .5 mg 2x daily

- I was on both (Klonopin& effexor xr) for about a year up until December of 2008
-I no longer had insurance and decided to try going without any medicine for awhile, and there wasn't a way to "taper off" without insurance, so i stopped both cold turkey
(please no comments on how that's not good.. i know)
However I made it through getting off of these medications and it wasn't as bad as everyone said.

- Since going off of these medications my panic/anxiety & depression has peaked
- So like I said I went to a doctor until i can see the psychiatrist

-He suggested I try going back on effexor only at a therapeutic dose

Below is the treatment plan for now read and discuss after:

Effexor XR 37.5 mg
(they want to ease you up so they give you 30 pills at 37.5 mg each and say:
take 1 for 5 days
(37.5 mg/day)
take 2 for 5 days
(75 mg/day)
then take 3 for 5 days
(112.5 mg/ day)
Then I can get a script filled for 150 mg Effexor XR
The 150 mg should start to help the panic, social anxiety, gad, & my depression

In combination with the Effexor XR; I will start back on *Clonazepam* 1 mg 2 times per day
*(PS: I know clonazepam is a controversial drug and may
have withdrawl effects but for the benefits of functioning
way outweigh the risks. So no comments on that please)*

The 1 mg Clonazepam twice a day should help control my anxiety and panic

In addition to those medications I'm already seeing a psychologist,
I believe talk-therapy alone isn't the cure but I'm hoping medicine and
the talk therapy will be beneficial together.

In your answers you can leave advice comments etc,
just no lectures or anything like that thanks.
Also If you do take these medications (esp. together)
leave you experience/progress

Any advice on what time you take
Effexor XR (currently taking it in the morning)
Clonazepam/Klonopin (currently taking not specific times, but twice a day)

answers(/anything you have to add) I receive is appreciated

wow, i'm speechless ……… go and get yourself fully assessed by a naturopath or other wholistic healer ……. get them to do testing for food allergies/intolerances and chemical sensitivities …….what you ingest and absorb through your skin and breath can have a vast impact on the way you think, the way you feel and your overall health and vitality ……. seriously, you can live a pain free drug free life if only you know precisely what chemicals and foods are upsetting your system …. it could be something as simple as lactose intolerance or an intolerance to processed sugar or wheat …… disorders from which people suffer due to intolerances to food or chemicals in their diets can cover almost the whole spectrum of physical and mental illnesses ….. an extraordinary concept but mind blowingly true……. do yourself a favor and go and get allergy tested.

in the meantime, try to eat as much whole fresh foods that you prepare yourself that includes a wide range of leafy and green vegies, some low sugar fresh fruits like watermelon, cantalope, pears and strawberries, some lean meats and fishes, brown rice, organic nuts and seeds like almonds, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds and lots of fresh filtered water ………. ditch the sodas, pop and soft drinks, consumption of foods containing processed sugar and junky and take away highly processed foods …… ** and that includes alcohol** ……. not immediately of course or the detox would be too nasty …… slowly …… and feed your body from God's table and wean yourself off the highly processed, packagedsludge that has little to no nutritional value anyway.

i was diagnosed with "Bipolar/Schizophrenia" 7 years ago and was pumped to the eyeballs with a selection of very heavy antipsychotis and large amounts of Effexor daily (600mg) ……. by taking all their nasty meds i ended up an insomniac, with achy bones, nasty sweating, headaches and migraines, terrible mood swings, permanent constipation, constant sweating ……… until i got reassessed by a naturopath and was diagnosed coeliac, lactose intolerant, intolerant to soy and processed sugar and a plethora of other preservatives and other nasty chemicals they use to preserve our foods……… it wasn't a mental illness at all with me …. it was all food and chemical intolerances … i detoxed off the meds and cleaned up my diet and finally got me the bounce and vitality back that i'm entitled to ……. that we're all entitled to.

EDIT:

sorry, i should clarify that i'm speechless at the fact that physicians are so ready to simply continue to prescribe such meds on a never ending basis when they clearly aren't resolving the problem …… perhaps your health issues need to be resolved from the source mate, not bandaided with toxicmeds.

peace baby
♥

I have generalized anxiety disorder. I'm on Zoloft and Buspar, but I don't feel like they're helping that much…Are medications supposed to completely cure my anxiety? What is the best treatment for anxiety? Is cognitive behavioral therapy better than medication? Is medication ever absolutely necessary?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a good choice. If you take the medication as well, you will have two tools working for you. I hope you will learn techniques that will help you lower your anxiety. Best Wishes.