Understanding When Anxiety Medication Makes Sense
Takeaway: If anxiety keeps running your life no matter how hard you're trying to fix it, it might be time to stop white-knuckling it and start getting real support. Medication isn’t giving up, it’s getting unstuck.
If you’ve done everything you’re “supposed” to like therapy, journaling, exercise, sleep, breathwork and you still feel like anxiety has a grip on you, I want you to hear this: You’re worn out from carrying something too heavy for too long. And at some point, it’s okay to stop pushing through and start looking for real relief.
In my work as a therapist, I’ve seen this moment over and over. Someone walks in feeling defeated, confused, even ashamed. They’ve put in the work. They’ve shown up. But they’re still stuck. That’s when we need to consider that therapy alone might not be enough and that anxiety medication could be the next right step.
What Anxiety Looks Like When It’s More Than Just “Stress”
Anxiety becomes a disorder when it interferes with your life. That means trouble sleeping, snapping at people you care about, avoiding things you used to enjoy, or constantly feeling wired and tense even when there’s no clear reason.
Dr. Mona Amini, a board-certified psychiatrist I recently interviewed on my podcast, put it perfectly: anxiety disorders are defined by impairment. Not just having anxious thoughts but those thoughts getting in the way of how you function day to day.
This could be Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic attacks or a mix of them. Either way, if your symptoms aren’t easing up despite your best efforts, it’s time to consider what else might help.
Medication Isn’t a Shortcut. It’s a Stabilizer.
This is where a lot of people freeze up. They hear “medication” and immediately think worst-case scenario: dependency, side effects, losing their personality. But let me be clear, that’s not how this works when it’s done right.
SSRIs and SNRIs (like Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac) don’t change who you are. They help turn down the volume so your mind can breathe. These medications take time, usually a few weeks to show real change and they’re not forever unless you decide that’s what you need long term.
We also talked about other options like propranolol, which is especially helpful when anxiety shows up in your body, fast heart rate, shaky hands, tense muscles. It’s not a daily commitment. It’s a tool. And when used the right way, it can make a huge difference.
Yes, It’s Still You
One of the biggest myths I hear, especially from parents or partners is, “Will this change who they are?”
No. If anything, the goal is to help you feel more like yourself again. If the medication isn’t doing that, we adjust it. That’s the benefit of working closely with a psychiatrist who actually listens.
There’s also a lot of fear around things like weight gain or loss of libido. These side effects are real for some, but they’re manageable and often temporary. And if they’re not? There are ways to switch or supplement that don’t throw off your progress.
Getting Unstuck
I’ve sat with clients who couldn’t even attempt exposure therapy because their anxiety was too high. Their bodies were in a constant state of panic. We had to bring the baseline down before we could do any real therapeutic work. That’s where medication made all the difference, not as a forever solution, but as a bridge to help them move forward.
Still Unsure? Start With Real Information, Not Fear
The choice to start medication is deeply personal, and it should never be made out of fear or shame. But it also shouldn’t be delayed because of stigma, bad advice, or myths passed around on social media.
If you’re in this place, feeling overwhelmed, unsure, but ready to feel better, I want you to listen to this conversation.
You Do Get to Choose What’s Next
Medication isn’t the whole answer. But for many people, it’s what finally helps them make everything else work. Therapy starts to click. Sleep comes back. Daily life doesn’t feel like a fight.
And that’s the goal, not perfection, not numbing, just getting your life back.
Let’s stop making people feel ashamed for needing more help. Let’s start talking honestly about what healing really looks like.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Justine Carino
Justine is a licensed mental health counselor with a private practice in White Plains, NY. She helps teenagers, young adults and families struggling with anxiety, depression, family conflict and relationship issues. Justine is also the host of the podcast Thoughts From the Couch.
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