I can see why stopping medication would be important to you. I do have to warn you though that on ceasing medication for anxiety statistically there is relapse rate of 30-50%. Be prepared with the program and this support group and if you do notice a return of anxiety symptoms then don't take it as a failure - take it as a bump in the road. Also, please be aware that coming of medication should be done under the supervision of a doctor and usually takes about 12-18 months.
Let us know what you decide to do and keep us updated.
Way to go on setting a mini-goal for yourself! Medication can sometimes mask a lot of the anxiety and panic symptoms that you need to experience in order to truly heal. Good luck!
I was very happy with the program when I became to the part 6. when it says "A second problem is that subtle avoidance strategies often make it hard for you to take credit for your efforts." I felt understood.
One of my safe object is medication for sos and daily medication. The CBT program is working very well for me and I´m surprised with the results. But from time to time I ask, and if I wasn´t taking medication, were this working too. I can´t give 100% credits for my hard work while I´m on medication, because there is always the doubt, should I give credits to myself or also to medication?
One of my goals is to leave medication, I´m taking a low quantity: 25 mg Anafranil, 10 mg Inderal and 0.5 Rivotril each day.
But when I don´t take Rivotril, I have very difficults on sleeping, it seams that my body is physically dependente of it, and I don´t like it. It seams that I have to find strategies to sleep well without it, this will be my first mini-goal.
I have to tell you that while I was writing this post, this mini-goal appear on my head, so writing this post as already helped me too :)
