this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2023
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My wife was struggling with anxiety attacks from PTSD. She tried a few different CBD blends before settling on a pure CBD isolate with only flavoring added. She would buy it at a pharmacy that made their own specialty medications in-house. She would take it first thing in the morning and if she felt anxiety coming on later in the day. It really helped make her anxiety a little more manageable.
She eventually found a good psychiatrist that prescribed anti anxiety medication, and she hasn't really needed the CDB since. But it was very helpful for the few months that it took to find a psychiatrist and medication that worked for her.
Be careful. I suffer from anxiety too and used CBD for a while. At some point I was prescribed meds after having a few panic attacks due to some life issues. Those meds were benzodiazepines. That shit is amazing in the moment. Might be the most impactful medication I've ever taken. But they are easily the most addictive thing I have ever used (and I was a fairly troubled youth if you know what I mean). Long term they are awful for memory and may increase the odds of dimentia significantly. And withdrawal is some of the most severe of any addictive substance. Talking seizures and possible death from going cold turkey if you've been on for a long time and higherish dosage. Really only alcohol compares as far as withdrawal symptoms. Heroine and cocaine are less severe.
So all I'm saying is that if they are benzos, they are not a good long term solution in spite of the fact that they work very well. All benzos labels say they should only be given for very short term management, but doctor's hand out that shit like candy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is absolutely great for anxiety and requires less or no drugs. Also, there are some other options for long term management that aren't so dangerous. Hopefully it is one of those if she takes it regularly.
Funny you should say that. She was prescribed Xanax in the short term to get her to the point where we could find a long term solution. And much like you described, it was great for the few hours after she took it. But her body craved more after that, and it made it so she couldn't sleep without it. It completely fucked her mood. It was awful and terrifying. She got off of it, but it was a long and painful process. We luckily had an amazing friend who had gone through the same thing come live with us for 2 months to help take care of her. And the doctors were so good about giving her a weaning plan.
She's now on an antidepressant as a long term solution. Idr which type. And she has been off Xanax for 9 months.