Do you rely on your anxiety medication too much?
Do you feel you can’t function with out them?
You must make sure that you remind yourself that you are not the only one going through this process. There are many people that are currently feeling like they are too dependent on the anti-anxiety medication that they have been taking and simply want to be off of it. While it might seem like you are on a ride you cannot get off of, there are options to help yourself stop.
If you are thinking or would like to learn how you can possibly live a life without anxiety medication then this article is for you. It will outline some practical steps you can do with the assistance of your doctor to break free from anxiety medication.
The whole idea behind using this anti-anxiety medication is to help ease some of your stress and worries so that you can live a normal life. However, it has become much more common for people to just take their daily pills whenever they are feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. This of course does not offer the right tools that you might need to see what your problems are and how to fix them without the use of these pills.
If you’re reading this article, you may be looking into the permanency of your medication, which is a good sign. Questions may start to surface: can I handle life after meds? What will I do if you feel an anxiety attack coming on? Will I have withdrawal symptoms? Will I sleep as well? What if I revert back to my old state or possibly feel even worse than before?
First of all, there is life after meds! Sometimes a richer, fuller life than you thought possible, aided by the groundwork you created when learning to manage your anxiety.
And fortunately, there are some very smart, logical steps to wean you off your anti-anxiety medication in a healthy and sane manner:
1. You Must Create an Effective Plan with your Practioner
There are steps involved when you discontinue taking anti-anxiety medication. A “cold turkey” approach could seriously compromise your physical and mental well-being. It is strongly not advised!
Tapering off medication is dose dependent and each one has specific guidelines to follow, some of which require up to six months to phase out. Consult with your doctor and strategize.
It’s also helpful to know that a professional is aiding in this process and you’re not going it alone. Remember, your physician is a resource – use him or her for that purpose.
2. Anti-Anxiety Tactics – How are they helping you?
How well have you developed alternate anti-anxiety techniques? Techniques such as therapy, meditation, creative expression, exercise and diet need to be explored and maximized before you decide to discontinue your anti-anxiety medication. It’s imperative to have a practice in place to fall back on during “trigger” times, whether it’s deep breathing, prayer, herbal supplements or vigorous exercise.
They were right when they said that practice makes perfect. If you are truly dedicated and motivated to overcome the desire and need for your anti-anxiety medication, you must practice your methods each and every day. This is not only going to allow you to get the help and focus that you need, but you will also be able to fine tune your new set of skills and have a lot more fun in the long run. Create a schedule that works and from there you should not have too much trouble.
One of the best programs to look into these days is the Panic Away Program. This is a ways to help you acknowledge when a panic attack is coming and how you can actually get the right amount of power or control over the situation. As a whole, this program is going to have two different steps that will need to be followed for the very best results. Let go of those attacks and try not to let them control you so much. If you do that, you are going to feel a lot more power than you used to. You will be able to stop the attacks, rather than turning to your pills for the immediate feel good effect. If you are looking to get more information on the program that I have created as well my success story, you can easily come see it at:
http://www.endanxietyforever.com/panic-away-program.html
3. Know and Love Yourself to Get Ahead
After you have weighed out all of your options and talked with your practitioner about stopping your meds, you can finally begin and overcome.
You must be prepared to encounter different feelings throughout this entire process. Accepting yourself for who you are as a person is going to help you jump to success. If at all you feel uncomfortable try to remind yourself that this feeling is not going to last forever and before you know it, your brain will start to catch onto that reasoning as well and begin to calm down.
Even when you need to fall back on a pill or two due to a hard day or a sudden attack, you will still get ahead. This is a process that people need to be patient with and realize that you are not perfect. Stay strong and get the relief that you need and continue to push forward.
The regular practitioner that you see for help is always going to be there when you need them. Start turning to them when you have questions or you are having an attack or feelings that you simply cannot control. They are going to be a very large support system that will help you to succeed. Your friends and family members should also know about your choice to stop the medication and should be there to help you if need be.
Discontinuing anti-anxiety medication can seem like a daunting process. In the same breath, if you’ve practiced alternate skills to manage your anxiety, you may feel a genuine sense of relief in knowing that you’ve accomplished your goals and can now manage your anxiety without the aid of medication. Many people report feeling fully themselves again and surprised at how far they’ve come.