A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I am 31 and I just finished working at a salon while training. I'm still attending college in January to finish a few things so not fully qualified just yet. But I have terrible anxiety. All throughout my job I've had moments where I didn't think I'd get through the day and I'd be so glad when the shift was over and I could go home and stop pretending to be ok. After I qualify I will need to get a job in a new salon and the idea of doing a trial day, having interviews and getting to know new people is daunting. When I get anxious my brain gets foggy and I can't think straight - it's like a jolt and I feel my vision go weird and my hands start to shake and I feel hot. I went to counselling and completed it and everything was seemingly ok near the beginning of my training when therapy ended. But it's getting me down. The drs just want to out me on medication but I don't like it, it makes me feel worse. I feel like my whole life has been affected. When I'm out with people and we're getting food at a restaurant sometimes my hands shake so much I can't pick up my cutlery because it's so visible and I can't even get the glass to my lips to have a drink.i feel like everything is a chore when I'm around people. I'm a good hairdresser. But I feel passionless about everything because of my anxiety. Over the years it comes and goes but it's been really consistent the last three years. Not sure what to do. I can't give up now but the thought of everything scares me. I started using drink sometimes before work to dull my feelings. Not much just a beer to settle my nerves. I know thats no good. Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (20 December 2019): I think it's ok that you don't want to use medication. Medication doesn't get to the root of your problem. But if you're not going to take it then you need to get more counselling. And certainly drinking a beer before work is MUCH more harmful than taking medication. I'm not sure why you'd think that is better?
A
female
reader, Andie's Thoughts  +, writes (20 December 2019):
 OP, please stop drinking. It gives short relief, but long-term problems.
Meds don’t always work on their own; they often need cognitive behavioural therapy (teaches coping mechanisms) in addition to the meds.
Also, if you come off of your meds without your doctor’s supervision, you will not get better.
Long-term illnesses need long-term management and it can take time to find the right combinations.
Sometimes we take meds, then feel better (or worse), so stop taking them too soon. You must be patient. If they’re not working, you go back to your doctor to find something else. Self-medicating with drugs or alcohol will increase your problems, not improve them.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (20 December 2019): OP, stop the alcohol use prior to working hours! Self medicating is unhealthy and dangerous! You will end up losing you clients and being fired and black listed! Let me ask you, would you trust a drinking hairdresser putting perm solution on your head or dying your hair? Indeed Not! Some meds are not mental health drugs yet used for anxiety. Propranolol is a genric blood pressure med used in lower doses to relieve anxiety. You feel yourself get warm because your anxiety is elevating your blood pressure. Another helpful therapy is called biofeedback therapy where you are trained to read your bodys unfavorable reactions to situations and take mental steps to overcome and conquer the unfavorable body responses! This is literally mind over matter! Also there a certain motor nerve drugs that help to stop tremors in patients. These are valuable in patients who have developed a drug tremor, or who may have parkinsonism or ALS! OP, there is a workable treatment for you! Ask your therapist about my suggestions. Xx
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (20 December 2019): ALCOHOL AND USE OF ILLICIT STREET-DRUGS IS A NO-GO!
I cannot put into words how wrong it is to substitute the use of alcohol; while forgoing your medication prescribed by your trained and licensed mental-health professional! Everyone can smell it on you! Like you party every night!
Self-medicating ALWAYS leads to alcoholism, or drug addiction. ALWAYS!!! IT'S DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH! Adding to your problems!
It's pretty evident that you don't take your meds and do as your therapist advises you to do! That is why you are having such difficulty. Being stubborn and uncooperative with the person licensed and trained to help you places everything in your own hands. Obviously, you're making all the wrong decisions and suffering for it.
I do suggest that you should be taking your medication as prescribed; or discuss new drug-therapies and adjustments to the potency of your prescriptions. Explain to your doctor that you still want to be functional enough to perform your daily tasks; but you just need to get a grip on your panicking and nervousness. They don't have to hit you like a rhino tranquilizer!
You may have to start on stronger doses; if you've been off them awhile, and the doctor has to restart the drug-therapy treatment from the beginning. Drugs may be changed; and additional prescriptions may be added, or subtracted, according to your progress and response to treatment.
Here's the deal. Many people take their meds for a few days or weeks; and either feel weird, or see no change. They decide not take it, or take it in sporadic doses. The drug is rendered ineffective; because their body never adjusts to it. As soon as they feel better, some just stop. You don't stop until the doctor tells you to stop!
You're making bad-decisions, and therefore you're not healthy. I speculate you're not a cooperative patient. They are usually the patients in therapy for years, and don't get any better. They also self-medicate!
Maybe it's time for a new doctor, and an update in your treatment-program. Provided you follow doctor's orders!
Unless you're planning to be self-employed; drinking before work will get you fired! You will have very unhappy clients smelling alcohol on your breath, and doing shoddy work. Your mental-health will get even worse; because you prefer self-treatment over a doctor!
Setup an appointment immediately!
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (20 December 2019):
 Go for smaller places first, maybe even check out a place (visit there) before you write an application.
PRACTICE interviews with a friend.
Do you know what the root of you anxiety is? Did you discuss and work on that? If not, Maybe even talk to a new counselor who can HELP you to find tools YOU can use (and not have to use meds).
There is no quick fix here. Med CAN be an option, perhaps the ones they prescribed didn't work well for you, so maybe try another type/brand. (not that I am advocating meds, but there are many people who benefit from them).
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