Hi everyone, I'm new to posting on here although I've been reading the forums for a few weeks and I've found it really reassuring to read about other people experiences and to find a supportive environment where we can discuss our illness openly.
I am a 30 year old female and I have suffered anxiety for about 7 years, without any professional help. It hadn't been too bad over the last few years, apart from the occassional blip. However the last few months have been really rough. I finally told a GP on Friday as I'd started to get depressed because of the anxiety symptoms. She suggested a course of anti-depressents, but I was reluctant to go on them as it would be at least 6 months and I already have to take meds for asthma and IBS.
She prescribed me a low dose of diazepam (2mg), on the understanding that I would only take them when the anxiety gets very severe (havn't had any yet) and has also referred me to a counsellor at the surgery. She has also asked me to think about what I want to do (ie see a psychiatrist or go on the meds). I feel already a huge weight has been lifted by telling the GP and although I'm not desperate to take the diazepam, I feel reassured that it is there if things get too bad.
I would appreciate any advice anyone could offer about the diazepam as I've never taken anything like that before and I'm worried how I might react to it. I look forward to chatting to others about anxiety disorder and hopefully also helping others.