Major panic/anxiety and agoraphobia

[Dogmom2011]

Hi all. Very first post here. I am just reaching out for advice as I have been having major anxiety as of lately, and long term on and off for about 8 years. I have taken clonazepam as well as several medications for depression which I was told would help my anxiety long term. The doctor I have been seeing for a couple of years has prescribed me Lexapro (the only antidepressant I have found that I can tolerate the side effects) as well as clonazepam, but in November gave me a very small prescription and told me that it would be the last one.
I have also done SO MUCH talk therapy. I am trying to get my anxiety and especially agoraphobia under control! I am breaking I feel like because there are more days I feel bad then ok. My doctor seems to be very against therapy with clonazepam. One other doc (neurologist) prescribed me this way back 8 years ago when my symptoms started.
I feel like this is all over the place, so I apologize. But I guess what I am asking for advice on is how do I find a doctor that may be more understanding of my condition and likely to prescribe something for as needed breakthrough anxiety?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Sideways]

Quick first question - do you have ptsd as well?

In terms of the comment about treating depression will help your anxiety: depression and anxiety are like best friends. When a person suffers from either one of those chronically, it’s very likely that symptoms from the other will start to appear and make everything far more difficult. So it’s not necessarily bad advice.

What are your priorities for treatment at the moment? What would you like to get under control first? That will probably help you decide what direction to go in therapy.

 

[Dogmom2011]

I do also have PTSD.
I understand that depression and anxiety go hand in hand, and agree that there was no bad advice given there, which is why I am taking the antidepressant prescribed- Lexapro.
I feel like I need to get my anxiety at a more tolerable level before I can do anything else at this point. That is my priority. I do exercise and have several other tools to help lower my anxiety but many times I can't even make it to the gym bc my anxiety is so high. Maybe I'm just not strong enough, I don't know. But I know that I need help.

Thank you for your response.

 

[mamachick]

Im sorry to hear what you are experiencing but know it well. I am on celexa which is almost the same. This keeps depression just at bay. It has not eliminated it for me. It does help I think. I take a small xanax for sleep and that manages it most of the time. This is when all things are calm. A couple weeks ago my 12 yr old dog died, a few days later my husband yelled at me for some stuff and was unreasonable. The anxiety has hit the roof since. On top of this, I suffer chronic pain from my neck which I probably need surgery for. I don't really have any answers and I do use tools such as distractions and breathing exercises. I hope you find something that works for you.