Hi,new here

[simona.b]

Hi there, I'm a 24 year old las from australia, was on paxil for the last eight years( tapered for years so did'nt have much withdrawal symptoms, but I'm struggling with the anxiety issues that I had before going of them..I was really certain that getting off the paxil, was the right thing,(thanks to this site, thanks guys), but I'm now taking small doses of xanax(about 4 2.5 mg's a day)but I know(they helped in the beginning) the're just masking the symptom's of anxiety. Trouble is I have a very unsupportive family, (unfortunately I had to move back home after I got evicted for crazy drunk behaviour when on paxil, suprise, suprise) , and I'm in desperate need to move out for the sake of my mental health. So I want to get off the valium and take my anxiety on, step by step,because deep down I believe I can get through this, but my family won't except me li ving here(my mum told me I was a burden on her ). So I feel like I have no choice but to take the valium even though I know it's not helping.Please help.

[simona.b]

Um, I just wanted to add, should I just say to hell with you to my family, grit my teeth,throw the valium down my throat, get a job( luckily there's plenty of job's here, which I can then attain permenent accommodation) move out and then take my time getting better,or do you think this is unrealistic. I'm just trying to save myself from my families put down's..any advice would be so helpful ,thanks

[texgirl]

Do I read right that you're taking 2.5 mg of Xanax 4 times a day? 10 mg of Xanax a day? Or are you taking Valium? Your posts say both things.

10 mg of Valium isn't huge, but 10 mg of Xanax is whopping.

[simona.b]

Oh yes ,I'm taking 10mg of valium a day,(I thought that xanax was the american term for valium in australia), I just thought am I going crazy to feel that the valium is just "masking" the symptoms of anxiety like the paxil, maybe I should cut down, or is this a dangerous thing to do..I feel like I've wasted so much time taking paxil and not dealing with the real issues of anxiety,depression, etcor am I just being impatient..I feel lost.

[Scott]

1mg of xanax = 20mg of valium so you're really not taking a whole lot.. but that's what it does, masks the anxiety. Only you know if you're ready to go drug free. If it's really bad you might want to wait until you've been off paxil longer.

[simona.b]

Thanks for the advice guys, oh and by the way thanks for your site scott, I've learned one thing inlife for sure, to always trust your instincts, and when I found this site, I realised my instints were right about paxil. I think I will trust my instincts regarding the valium aswell!cheers.

[Songbird]

Well done for successfully tapering off the paxil! I think you'll now need to taper off the valium. And then start investigating some alternative therapies for dealing with your anxiety problems.

There is an interesting book called 'Healing Without Freud or Prozac' by David Servan-Schreiber that describes a number of non-drug techniques for treating depression and anxiety, for example, EMDR therapy, which is supposed to be effective for anxiety and PTSD.

I also recommend the book 'Breathe to Succeed' by Tania Clifton-Smith, as breathing techniques can also be very helpful for anxiety.

There are also other books and techniques that could be useful for you to look into. I think you're on the right track. It is a shame your family are so unsupportive, but you will get lots of support here, I hope that helps.