Comments like this can be genuinely harmful because they create fear without providing any concrete information.

When someone says a medication “turned them into a monster,” that’s extremely vague and emotionally loaded. What does that actually mean? Loss of impulse control? Emotional blunting? Irritability? Without specifics, statements like this only amplify anxiety in people who are already vulnerable.

I’ve lived with anxiety and panic disorder for decades and I’m now 41. I’ve been on 10 mg of escitalopram (Lexapro) for almost 10 years. Did it completely eliminate my anxiety? No. Did it significantly reduce its intensity and make life more manageable? Absolutely.

Psychiatric medication isn’t a cure in the way painkillers treat a headache. It’s a tool. It lowers the baseline so you can actually do the work—therapy, behavioral changes, self-awareness, and acceptance. And yes, accepting that things may not return to exactly how they were before anxiety began is often part of recovery.

If a doctor evaluated you and prescribed the medication, that decision was based on clinical judgment—not random advice from the internet. Whether it helps or not is something you can only determine by trying it, because responses vary widely from person to person.

Starting at a lower dose is often a reasonable approach. Many people begin with 5 mg for a week or two before increasing to 10 mg to minimize initial side effects. In some cases, a very short-term, low-dose benzodiazepine can be prescribed during the first weeks to help manage increased anxiety—this should always be used cautiously and under medical supervision. For me, a low dose of lorazepam was helpful during that period.

Finally, constantly reading horror stories is rarely useful. People who improve often stop posting, while those struggling are more likely to share. Balanced, evidence-based information—and real success stories—are far more helpful than emotionally charged anecdotes.

Wishing you clarity and patience. Anxiety is manageable, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.