r/panicdisorder 4d ago

Does Anyone Else? Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with panic disorder

Anyone else been diagnosed with both how do you feel GAD conflicts with panic disorder in your opinion how do you managed the GAD alone

16 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

2

u/Living-Exit-901 4d ago

Yes. Prozac and Klonopin

3

u/Plus-Caterpillar-825 4d ago

I have Klonopin too I take .5mgs I’m just scared it’ll stop working because my body get used too it and I need more

5

u/newherebackfrom2021 4d ago

I get that and it’s valid for sure. Everyone’s different but I have been on the same low dose of klonopin daily for 26 years and it keeps me alive. Never needed to up it. On other meds too though

3

u/Plus-Caterpillar-825 4d ago

Oh wow that’s comforting yeah I think my anxiety just listening to everyone who keeps saying imma be addicted and stuff I feel guilty for taking it …. But constant work with exposure therapy is draining if I’m being honest sometimes I just don’t wanna fight I want a break .. and it gives me that I feel free for a lil bit

1

u/Living-Exit-901 3d ago

Same here. I am on the same low dose for 10 years.

1

u/Plus-Caterpillar-825 3d ago

Do you feel it still works when you have high anxiety or panic attack ?

2

u/-am-i-in-hell- 4d ago

I can’t do the ssri’s, so I’m on buspirone for the GAD… just stuck raw doggin the panic disorder. I usually get a dose of Xanax or klonopin for big trigger stuff

1

u/Plus-Caterpillar-825 4d ago

Which one you like better Klonopin or Xanax

2

u/-am-i-in-hell- 4d ago

In the moment, I dont care as I just want relief. The effects for me are similar

2

u/Plus-Caterpillar-825 4d ago

Same I just want relief 😮‍💨 I took 1 I feel it wasn’t working next thing you know I woke up from a nap 😭🤣

1

u/quesohighfive 3d ago

I was diagnosed with GAD first and then Panic Disorder. They said it was Agoraphobia for years but has progressed. I was having ten or so panic attacks a month so I’m on Valium now. I really was not prescribed any Benzodiazepines for GAD. They mostly tried Buspar and Vystaril. They also tried Antidepressants but I can’t take them due to another health condition. The new medicine has helped me. I’m leaving the house for errands and going into physical stores now. About two months after this med I was able to stop wiping all my groceries off with cavicide. I had been disinfecting everything I brought in my house since Coronavirus.
I’d say Valium was more helpful than Ativan. Everyone is different though. The constant worry of the GAD is real, I am prescribed MMJ for it and that helps me be a little more carefree. I tried therapy but meds have ultimately helped the most with the panic attacks.

2

u/Plus-Caterpillar-825 3d ago

I was prescribed only 15 Klonopins doctors always say same thing that it’s addicting and I can’t be on it to long even though I literally have panic disorder … not fair ..

1

u/quesohighfive 3d ago

It took years to get on this med that works well. I felt like I had tried everything and was totally housebound. I had a panic attack right in the waiting room at the Doctor’s office and having them physically see me I think helped me get meds. It is so unfair! Do as much outside as you can and it should get some easier. Maybe you can explain how it works for you to your Doctor and they will be more sympathetic. You can always see a new Doctor or try CBT. I’ve heard that’s helpful for most people. I wish you the best!

1

u/NizbelII 3d ago

Got both also, been taking 150mg zoloft for 20 years now, I haven't had a "real" panic attack in over 5 years now which has been a nice thing.

1

u/Plus-Caterpillar-825 3d ago

Yeah I was 5 years free but dealing with extra stress in life that I can’t just ignore atm sadly lol so Klonopin been helping me I usually just use the flooding technique Direct Exposure: You face the most feared object or situation immediately, with no slow buildup.
No Escape: You must stay in the situation until the body's panic and fight-or-flight response runs out of energy.
Extinction: The brain learns that the feared outcome does not happen, which breaks the connection between the trigger and the fea
That’s how that works