Lexapro and Anxiety: Combating Anxiety-Related Stress

Does Lexapro Really Work?

Two years ago, I suffered from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I wasn’t freaking out in front of mirrors or anything like that, but it was a slow build up of events that, as a stereotypical American male, I tried to compartmentalize until all the compartments opened up like a million Pandora’s boxes. I just got into a high-stress military job that offered me more time at home with my family, but it involved lots of multitasking and by-the-minute scheduling that left you virtually brain-dead by 5pm. On top of that, several members of my family were all getting sick for various reasons and at various times. It seemed like when one got better, another suffered something else. 

Eventually I quit eating regularly. I stopped taking breaks when I needed to. I brought more work home with me and tried to do it in between tragic phone calls. Soon enough, I started taking big, deep breaths while people spoke to me because my chest was tightening. One new coworker thought I was panting and getting upset and she stayed away from me for two days! I started every morning on the toilet for 3 weeks straight. By the time I reached the pinnacle of anxiety, I had poor job performance, trouble breathing, trouble sleeping, and I lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks and not in the good way. 

I sought counseling. My counselor recommended that I take some anti-anxiety pills to help me. The first time she said this, I told her I wanted no such mood fixers and band aids. Three weeks later, I had no choice because although I felt mentally I would work things out; physically things were not going well. I took her advice and my doctor prescribed Lexapro.