forced t-break, going back on lexapro

[Philosopher4420]

this is a serious question, and i'd really appreciate any help you guys can offer to me.
i'm taking a t-break for quite a while. it is forced, yes, but it's something that i've been meaning to do for a while anyway.

i've been letting smoking get in the way of my life (mildly). i find that sometimes i'm smoking it to run away from my problems, and that doesn't sit right with me. i just think that i need to lay off it for a little bit.

so, as opposed to smoking weed every day, i thought that maybe an anti depressent would suit the job right. i went to a phyciatrist and talked to her, and she prescribed me lexapro (for anxiety, not depression).

what do you think friends? would taking lexapro help me if i really do have anxiety problems? this is a long term comitment kinda thing, so i just want some input before i do anything.

[JesusGreen]

As someone that knows multiple people that have taken, and still do take anti-depressants I can honestly say please do not even consider it. My mother has been taking anti-anxiety medicine for around 18 or 19 years now, and it has made her aggressive, it has also worsened her depression, and she cannot stop taking it without severe withdrawal symptoms, which she does not want to risk - so she has essentially now succumbed to prescription drugs for life.

By means of science and science alone, Cannabis is a much better, and FAR FAR safer anti-depressant than anything you will ever be described, and while I too try not to smoke to alleviate feeling down, it is definitely far better for you than anti-anxiety drugs. Either smoke or deal with it yourself, do not take anti-anxiety meds. I told my mother about this topic (without mentioning Cannabis) and she said "Tell him to please, please, avoid taking them at all cost, they will mess up your life", and it's true.

At the end of the day Cannabis is not physically or psychologically damaging, but anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicine are often both. Why would you give up on a highly beneficial harmless medicine and take an addictive dangerous one instead? That to me sounds like running away from problems.

[themeltdown]

I don't know man, those antidepressants actually TRY to alter your brain. Like TPAM said, his/her mother can't even stop taking it now because it has actually changed the way her brain naturally functions. I have anxiety too but I'd rather just deal with it myself then take some shady Rx drug, because the drugs can't control anxiety for me.

[Philosopher4420]

i hate the pharmaceutical industry. that's all i have to say.

[themeltdown]

Then don't patronize the phamaceutical industry

[JesusGreen]

Originally Posted by Philosopher4420

i hate the pharmaceutical industry. that's all i have to say.

Yeah, I don't blame you, there's good reason to. I think the best way to look at anti-anxiety medicine is that it's like taking more of a drug to avoid a come-down - sure it might work for a while but when it catches up to you, it's 10x worse, and the long term negative effects greatly outweigh any positives.

Cannabis can treat anxiety, and your best bet is to find a nice strong Indica, then smoke in the evenings after a lot of preparation. Make sure you have a nice film to watch, some nice laid back music, and then when you feel a bit tired, head to bed. It should improve your overall mood, allow more restful sleep and generally improve your life, and in my opinion it's the best way to use Cannabis as a medicine, because it helps us wind down after a long day.

Last year prior to trying Cannabis I went through on and off depression, I chose to avoid treatment and it seemed to get worse. I was on the edge of giving in and getting anti-depressants but I'm glad I didn't. After I began smoking daily earlier this year I've noticed that even the absolute worst feelings can be cured by a small 0.2 bowl and a good night's rest. It really does help, and it's the reason that I'm introducing my mother to Cannabis next year. (I'm waiting until she's sold the house and has retired so it'll be more comfortable for her)

Anyway best wishes and if you need any advice in particular about Cannabis or various other anxiety treatments out there feel free to ask, and drop me a PM if I don't respond.

As far as the T-break goes your best bet is just to take your mind off things during the T-break. Play video games, spend time with friends, get laid, whatever it takes so long as you don't start drinking or start on anti-depressants/opiates/stimulants.

[Philosopher4420]

Originally Posted by JesusGreen

Yeah, I don't blame you, there's good reason to. I think the best way to look at anti-anxiety medicine is that it's like taking more of a drug to avoid a come-down - sure it might work for a while but when it catches up to you, it's 10x worse, and the long term negative effects greatly outweigh any positives.

Cannabis can treat anxiety, and your best bet is to find a nice strong Indica, then smoke in the evenings after a lot of preparation. Make sure you have a nice film to watch, some nice laid back music, and then when you feel a bit tired, head to bed. It should improve your overall mood, allow more restful sleep and generally improve your life, and in my opinion it's the best way to use Cannabis as a medicine, because it helps us wind down after a long day.

Last year prior to trying Cannabis I went through on and off depression, I chose to avoid treatment and it seemed to get worse. I was on the edge of giving in and getting anti-depressants but I'm glad I didn't. After I began smoking daily earlier this year I've noticed that even the absolute worst feelings can be cured by a small 0.2 bowl and a good night's rest. It really does help, and it's the reason that I'm introducing my mother to Cannabis next year. (I'm waiting until she's sold the house and has retired so it'll be more comfortable for her)

Anyway best wishes and if you need any advice in particular about Cannabis or various other anxiety treatments out there feel free to ask, and drop me a PM if I don't respond.

As far as the T-break goes your best bet is just to take your mind off things during the T-break. Play video games, spend time with friends, get laid, whatever it takes so long as you don't start drinking or start on anti-depressants/opiates/stimulants.

this was my fallback plan. fuck.

[JesusGreen]

While opiates would work it's not worth the addiction, since while suffering from depression and anxiety you'd have a much harder time trying to combat it. Stimulants on the other hand offer temporary relief but then compound the problem later on like anti-anxiety meds, making them an even worse solution.

If you're unable to use the herb then I'd stay away from any and all drugs for now, just concentrate on trying to make something good of your life. When you can use Cannabis again you should use it as a tool to help you out of depression rather than a solution.