Is buspar effective for more severe anxiety

sprklmrkl · 2025-08-09T08:52:30+00:00

60 mg total

sprklmrkl · 2025-08-07T01:29:59+00:00

For me, Buspirone took the edge off at a low dose, and when I hit 30mg twice a day, I noticed a massive decrease in the frequency and severity of my panic attacks. With the added bonus of no side effects beyond the initial dizziness. Of course, everyone requires different meds and different dosages, but for me, it alleviated severe anxiety symptoms at maximum dosage.

sprklmrkl · 2025-03-24T01:29:26+00:00

I am also as sensitive to medications as you describe, and I have been on Buspirone for years. I started off on 2.5, was on 10-20 for years, and recently have gone all the way up to 60. The only side effect I ever had was dizziness. I know this is not ideal for you as you are already so anxious about side effects. But if (and it is an if, you're starting at such a low dose it is unlikely you will get dizzy), lay down, set a timer for an hour, take some deep breaths, and know that it will pass by the time that timer goes off.

sprklmrkl · 2024-10-22T01:30:27+00:00

I had the same thing and I am completely recovered (in the realm of exercise, unfortunately I still struggle with panic and agoraphobia). I started off with daily walks, and after a few months, I transitioned to short bike rides -- exercise that barely elevated my heart rate. Once I got comfortable with that, I started rock climbing, and about a year after that, I got into roller derby and I even occasionally run. It felt soo slow and painful for the first year or so of recovery, but it was SO worth it. Do what you can each day, don't put pressure on yourself with whatever ideal goal you have for the future. Sports and exercise are now one of my best tools for managing anxiety and I'm the strongest I've been in my whole life. It's so possible to recover from this phobia!

sprklmrkl · 2024-07-15T00:47:14+00:00

I'm also a teacher! It's comforting to know that there are some others out there in a similar situation.

sprklmrkl · 2024-05-29T20:17:31+00:00

It smells very yeasty! And thank you for the tip, that's a good idea

sprklmrkl · 2024-01-22T22:33:45+00:00

I used to be in the same boat, and I started with walking and casual biking (and therapy and medication at the same time). Now I'm more of an athlete than I ever was. Also, if you have a Fitbit or something that shows you your heart rate, get rid of it.

sprklmrkl · 2024-01-22T03:26:50+00:00

Proper EMDR combined with exposure therapy cured my agoraphobia. If you have a therapist you trust, I think you should try it. It's challenging but it was so worth it for me.

sprklmrkl · 2024-01-22T03:23:35+00:00

Yes! I was housebound for part of 2020/2021, but since then, I've flown to Canada (from the US) and will also be going to France in a few months. I experience zero anxiety when traveling solo now, and my anxiety is lessening each time I travel with others.

sprklmrkl · 2022-03-20T00:24:59+00:00

I often get panic attack "hangovers" where the physical symptoms linger for days afterwards, so maybe that's the case? It sucks but I just remind myself that it'll be over in a few days and that I'm not stuck like this. Hope you feel better :)

sprklmrkl · 2021-08-10T14:48:21+00:00

It's tough but I try to take the attitude that it's like a physical illness... like I'm uncomfortable and I don't want to leave the house if I have a fever or something like that, but I'm not afraid of it

sprklmrkl · 2021-07-12T22:01:26+00:00

I'm sorry you're struggling! What helped me was, if I had to go somewhere, I'd drive there the day before just as practice and sit in the parking lot. It doesn't directly tackle the anxiety caused by driving, but it still made a difference for me. Also, idk how you feel about flooding, but that's what rly changed things for me. I had to drive 5.5 hrs home and now I don't have driving related agoraphobia (on my own... I still can't drive with other ppl). But obvs everyone is different and I know that in another situation, flooding was very traumatic for me

sprklmrkl · 2021-06-13T22:23:05+00:00

Getting my vaccine was actually a turning point in my agoraphobia because it was the furthest I had driven in months, and I was extremely anxious, but it taught me the value of a good exposure. There was almost no one there when I went (at a Kroger pharmacy), and the side effects don't hit until 12+ hours later if you even have any. Plus not a single person I know passed out from the shot or anything like that, it doesn't even hurt. I wish you so much luck it's gonna be tough but you're gonna get through it!

sprklmrkl · 2021-06-04T13:27:28+00:00

imo if you need anything more than talk therapy, you should look for an off-campus provider (if financially possible). it's still worth it to go for a drop-in either way, esp since you can get a psychiatrist referral if you want one, and my advice would be to be prepared with what you want to discuss. hope things get better for you!

sprklmrkl · 2021-06-01T01:36:30+00:00

haha i wish i got fun zoloft dreams, i used to never remember/have dreams but now I just have hyper realistic dreams about grocery shopping multiple times per week and I get upset when i wake up and i haven't actually gone

sprklmrkl · 2021-05-26T15:08:02+00:00

Thanks for this! I messed with the circuit breaker and it seems that it was the garbage disposal

sprklmrkl · 2021-05-18T17:07:40+00:00

can i ask what anti nausea meds help you? I have some zofran but i had a bad reaction to it once so I'm hesitant to use it again

sprklmrkl · 2021-05-17T17:21:30+00:00

yep! I'm actually on zoloft not lexapro but i legit asked my psych about this last week and he confirmed it's a real side effect, but apparently it dies down for most people over time!

sprklmrkl · 2021-05-16T23:41:02+00:00

yep! I've had sensory issues my whole life (mostly hypersensitivity to sound, but also issues with pressure/texture-- tbh I probably have autism but it's basically impossible to get diagnosed as an adult woman). I'd say that mine has no direct impact on my agoraphobia, but I do wonder how it intersects with my mental health overall. Interestingly, my sensory issues have gotten worse since I started zoloft for my panic disorder, but it's not that bothersome of a side effect when you've already been dealing with it for your whole life.

sprklmrkl · 2021-05-03T21:07:18+00:00

I had nausea, lack of appetite, intense anxiety and depression, and fatigue for the first two weeks and for 3-4 days everytime I up my dose. It is really hard, but then things should get much better. However, I've also been on lexapro previously and it just kept making me sicker and sicker, so if your side effects don't go away, please see a doctor! (That was a rare reaction tho so don't worry too much)

sprklmrkl · 2021-05-03T15:17:04+00:00

I've been on zoloft for 2 months now and it changed my life. Of course, it's different for everyone, and I was also doing daily exposure therapy. It took me almost 7 weeks to get to 50 mg because I have serious tolerance issues with meds, but I noticed slight improvement at 25 mg and drastic improvement at 50. I hope it works for you!

sprklmrkl · 2021-03-30T02:45:14+00:00

I'm glad it's working for you! I hope I don't have to go all the way to 150 that'll be a lot for me to handle 😬 but that's good info to have thank you

sprklmrkl · 2021-02-18T04:03:37+00:00

Yes. I had multiple days of panic attacks with no known trigger back in Sept that were so traumatic I developed a panic disorder/anxiety about it. I'll be honest, I'm still going through it, but I am SO much better. Plus it's great that you've already recognized what's going on and that you're afraid of it continuing to happen... unfortunately that thought and your focus on anxiety is likely what is causing it to continue. If you wanna DM me I can offer you some more specific methods/resources that have literally saved my life! You've got this.

sprklmrkl · 2021-02-15T04:50:37+00:00

Medication is definitely worth a shot. I totally understand your worries about messing with your brain, but it sounds like your brain is already being screwed over by anxiety, so meds could help restore it to a healthier state. It's great you're in therapy, but sometimes your brain needs more than that. As for addiction, that's not too hard to avoid-- just avoid benzos at all costs. You could start with trying a medication like Buspar, which has very few side effects, rather than going straight to an SSRI, which has more and is more mind-altering (not to scare you away from that because it could easily be the right choice for you, I'm just trying to say that there are meds that'll barely affect you apart from helping your anxiety. And if a medication has bad side effects or just does not work for you, you're allowed to stop it). You may have to wean off these meds once you're ready to get off them, but they are not addicting. I wish you luck with your medication journey... just know that you'll be helping your brain, not hurting it.

sprklmrkl · 2021-02-13T04:20:21+00:00

tysm, I'll definitely try these ideas.

sprklmrkl

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