[ChrisV]

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When I grew up, I never had any sorts of problems with anxiety/depression/etc. Over the past couple of years, though, my life has really taken a 180 degree turn.

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Back in Year 10 (translation: i was 14, I think) I spent a term or two with what I now recognise as anxiety. Back then I just knew I felt horrible.

Then it disappeared for a while and returned with a vengeance subsequent to my use of ecstasy. I spent a fair while being prone to panic attacks, and every time I had one I would also have generalised anxiety which would hang around for a week. It wasn't much fun, but I definitely didn't want to go on meds and the problem tapered off of its own accord. I don't get anxiety attacks anymore, but I am more prone to stress and overstimulation than before I started taking ecstasy. Whether the ecstasy directly altered my brain, or whether it's secondary, caused by having panic attacks and anxiety, I don't know.

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The anxiety medicine (of which has really been a great help. I have fingernails now!) is completely new to me.

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Haha. I bite my nails, a lot. I have always been a bit of a tense, nervous person.

I don't need an SSRI, but even if my anxiety returned, my feeling is that an SSRI would not help me. My problems are always 100% with anxiety, I am never depressed. My experiences with taking the serotonin precursor 5-HTP lead me to think that increasing serotonin levels in my brain make me more anxious, not less. Also, it messes with me sexually.

btw, if anyone out there is looking for a little help with anxiety, I recommend taking large daily supplements of vitamin C, 1 gram or more. I know I sound like Tom Cruise, peddling vitamins to solve psychological problems, but my ex girlfriend and I have both had good results with it.