Paroxetine for Social Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2016

Paroxetine "I have suffered from all kinds of anxieties, like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, obsessive thoughts, and social anxiety. There are times when you have NO social anxiety, for instance, in my case, even after stopping 25 mg CR version Paxil, there had been no fear of social confrontation, just shyness or maybe low self-esteem or introversion. But when SA attacks again, it's a very gradual process. Even if you notice a slight sign of SA coming back, you try to disprove your own opinion by thinking, ''Now I have learned, this feeling is just stupid, doesn't make sense, and I am definitely not gonna develop a full-fledged SA.'' But when SA comes back, you have no idea but to start taking Paxil again."

• no ...
• December 8, 2024

Paroxetine "Definitely, this drug works magic provided you want to change yourself. With this drug, everything is possible. My brain chemistry was completely supported by this drug, and I was taken out of depression, fear, and social anxiety. I stayed on it for only two months. Another extra help this drug has given me is that I tried so hard to quit nicotine addiction but couldn't quit for three over the month. But after fifteen days of using the drug, I said goodbye to the old habit of nicotine. Today, it has been five months since I quit nicotine. This medicine will work for you if you hope for better. The third work, which was very surprising, was that the doctor said to take 25 mg, but by mistake, 12.5 mg was given, which was very amazing."

• bc1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2023

"42-year-old male with SAD, started with 20 mg for 4 weeks with no improvement. Doctor advised me to up the dose to 30 mg, and after waiting 2 weeks, I started getting muscle twitching, jelly legs where my legs were shaking, intense shaking of the body, and excessive worrying. I was told to up the dose to 60 mg (40 mg morning and 20 mg evening), but symptoms got worse, and I can no longer go out in public without feeling all of these symptoms' intensity. So now I am decreasing by 20 mg each week or 2, now taking only 20 mg and no reprieve. Seeing my doctor tomorrow to stop taking this tablet."

• J-G...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2017

Paroxetine "Paxil definitely works for social anxiety. However, the side effects just became intolerable over time. What are those side effects? Well, for one, you will be tired all the time. Secondly, I found it really hard to focus, and I would forget things that just happened. Thirdly, and most disturbingly, I became a zombie who didn't care about anything and couldn't empathize with people! I couldn't feel any emotions; I couldn't cry. Not only that, but it was also hard to experience positive emotions/pleasure. This phenomenon is called 'emotional bluntness.' I didn't notice that I was experiencing this emotional numbness (and most others don't notice too) until people around me started pointing it out. That's just my experience."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2008

"It's completely allowed me to be myself around people and even post things like this on the internet. I started at 10 mg and was able to call people I knew and walk from my car to places without overwhelming stress. I still felt a little bit of anxiety, but now at 20 mg, my life is a world apart from where I used to be. When I began using paroxetine, I did have the nausea and increased sweating, which wasn't very pleasant, but believe me, it gets better and is worth it."

• Kas...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2018

Paroxetine "I am 29 years old. I am taking Paxil CR. For the six years before taking Paxil, I tried citalopram and escitalopram, but they didn’t work for me. So then my doctor advised me to start on Paxil CR. It changed my life. My depression and anxiety are gone after one week, and I have become a new person. But I have a bit of a problem whenever I have something stressful, like an exam, interviews, or any other related situation. Then I become so pressurized and stressed, but this is the only problem now, and all my other anxiety problems are eliminated now."

• Kay...
• November 17, 2011

Paroxetine "Helps me with being able to go out without thinking everyone is looking or talking about me, more confident and less hot flushes and palpitations, however, all I do is sleep. I'm going to bed about 8 at night and waking up at half 7, almost falling asleep during work. Great for people who can't sleep well, but for me, I don't want to spend the rest of my life in bed! Also, I would advise not to drink alcohol with this, seriously, blackouts no matter how much you drink. You don't realize till the next morning that you can't remember a thing, which is a horrible experience. Going to try to come off this gradually."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2014

Paroxetine "To the person who recommended NeoCitran, do not take NeoCitran if you're taking Paxil or any other SSRI, unless the form of NeoCitran doesn't contain dextromethorphan. These two medicines have a major interaction that could cause serotonin syndrome, which is relevant to my review of Paxil. My experience with Paxil so far hasn't been the best. Side effects have been pretty bad, and as I also have ADHD, taking both Paxil and Vyvanse has led to some serotonin syndrome-like symptoms. I got mild serotonin syndrome a few days after I started taking Paxil because I had been taking both Paxil and Vyvanse in the morning. I find that if I take Paxil at least 12 hours after Vyvanse, the side effects are minimal and I haven't had any further problems."

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2011

Paroxetine "I have been on Paxil for 10 years now. I maxed out on the dosage at 60 mg/day. It served me well and improved my anxiety symptoms. Having gotten married 2 months ago and anticipating getting pregnant, I began to wean myself off. I went from 60 mg/day to 40, then to 20, then 10, and now 5 mg/day. Each time I started to feel better and adjusted to the lower dose, I lowered it again. The withdrawals have been awful. I have been so sick for the last several weeks. Nauseous, dizzy, insomnia, 'zaps', no appetite, no energy. Now at 5 mg/day, I feel better. The withdrawals are now quite tolerable. My next step is 2.5 mg/day, then done."

• Mic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2019

"I'm fairly sure this drug has changed my life. I could barely speak in front of people at times, if not all the time, and yet that fact made me really sad. Classic example of anxiety equals major depression in my personal experience. I've been treated with roughly six separate medications from various classes, with minimal benefits. Then, Doc throws this at me and bingo, brain chem magic. It just works for me, it almost feels like a veil lifted and life starts again. I don't know, I'm only 23."

• Jub...
• March 4, 2017

Paroxetine "Was on Paxil for 4 years because I could never handle the withdrawal symptoms. I had severe aches and electric shocks along with all flu symptoms. I finally slowly tapered off over 3 months with the liquid Paxil. I have been off of it now for at least 10 years. I have tried at least 100 different supplements and anti-anxiety treatments. I have tried them all, believe me. It is hell on earth when you can't provide for your family. I even spent $4,000 having all my mercury fillings removed. I had genetic testing of SNP polymorphisms that revealed MTHFR and MAO mutations. I found a genetic reason for my anxiety. In short, I can't make neurotransmitters, and when I do, I can't break them down, so they build up, causing social anxiety."

• Usn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2015

"My anxiety has been with me since I was 11. I ended up dropping out of both high school and university because I couldn't go to my classes. I used to dread any and all excursions out of the house, no matter how small. I would feel horribly anxious if anything outside of my normal routine came up (doctor's appointments, people coming over, etc.). Forget working. I felt so hopeless and didn't want to take prescription medication, but I'm so glad I did. I've been on paroxetine for 4 months, and I feel like a different person. I don't drive myself nuts with worry. I started on 10mg and went up to 20mg a month ago. Side effects I've experienced are both drowsiness during the day and insomnia at night. It's worth it. I'm even looking for jobs now!"

• Dai...
• July 22, 2021

Paroxetine "This drug changed my life in a positive way. I was put on (10 mg) for depression and social anxiety disorder. The only side effects were drowsiness, and it was a bit rough in the beginning as described (restlessness, loss of appetite symptoms got worse before they got better, brain fog, etc.). But it was worth it. I can finally live my life. My brain fog diminished by tenfold, and I was able to talk to people; I was surviving in situations that would make me have a nervous breakdown only months prior. My depression lessened, and I felt happier again; I feel like I'm allowed to live again. I was scared to take this after reading all the negative experiences, but I've had not one regret after going on Paxil. I finally feel positive for the future. Paxil is different for everyone, and you need to see which medication works for you. It may be either a great or a terrible fit; you'll never know until you try it."

• Dre...
• August 14, 2016

Paroxetine "I have started taking Paxil CR 12.5 mg six months ago, for my stuttering and fear of talking. In the beginning, I felt slightly down and kind of panicky, but after one week, those bad feelings went away completely. It has helped me a lot. I can say that my stuttering has improved. I am 80% fluent most of the time, and even if I stutter, I don't care that much anymore. I also feel closer to people and more confident in general. I feel happier also and lost 4 kg due to the appetite loss and feeling full earlier. Sex drive has decreased a bit, but it does not interfere in my relationship. Some days I get bursts of anger over small things. It has also cured my insomnia. Sometimes I feel dizzy, but it is not bad and goes away fast."

• Mic...
• February 13, 2018

"It started working immediately. I wish I would have discovered this medication years ago! I have been suffering from social anxiety, and it would have saved me so much grief in so many situations, one is-dropping out of my doctoral program and other programs and unnecessary conflicts I have had with people. I have now been happy, friendly, and outgoing with people. I have not been like this in 2 decades. It has saved my social life! Now, I know how it feels to be relaxed, confident, and in control of my emotions at all times. More so, to enjoy life and have conversations with strangers (something I dreaded before). As a highly skeptical individual who has always minimized or discarded medical intervention, I suggest to all prospective users out there to try it!! I tried Citalopram, but this one is the best for me. I am no longer tired of embarrassing myself in public when speaking to people."

• Lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2015

"My experience has been a positive one, the start-up of this drug was a little difficult to get through, but after about 8 weeks, wow. I noticed that certain scenarios that would cause obsessive thoughts and anxiety were not happening as frequently, and if they did, I let them go easily. I began little by little to be brave again, and it feels great. I am very sleepy, but once I get started, it's fine, and I have increased sweating, which is a pain, but a lot better than how I was before I started."

• Enc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2020

"I have GAD, hair pulling, social anxiety, agoraphobia, panic, depression. I am on week 2 of Paxil 10 mg, and I’m sensitive to meds big time. It’s hard adjusting with the side effects, but they will subside hopefully. Not much effect on depression as of yet, but anxiety is better and no hair pulling. Doc is happy about the progress and says I should give it 4 more weeks to see if it really is for me, then we will go up in dose. As for me, the benefits I see outweigh the negatives big time. Still feeling the head change and medicated as my brain rewires, but it’s helping so much the more it does."

• No...
• April 11, 2010

"I started using paroxetine 12.5 CR generic (Pexep 12.5 CR) - it was to treat my mild depression, mostly caused by moderate GAD (general anxiety disorder) and moderately severe social phobia. The first 2 days were mild headaches (not bad enough to get an aspirin), also felt noticeably more tired than usual. On the 3rd day, I felt great. Not like an 'on' switch from the day before, but I did feel noticeably more comfortable around people and just felt better. Did not have any problems with libido or weight gain."

• Gea...
• January 3, 2020

Paroxetine "Recently, Paxil has two side effects that I can't stand: nightmares and erectile dysfunction. Two things that a 40-year-old male doesn't need in life. I tried the newer AD, but they cause nightmares and panic attacks."

• DDa...
• August 8, 2019

Paroxetine "My review is kind of short and sweet. I've been on Paxil for about 10 years. No sex drive at all, still anxiety, but a few weeks ago I had forgotten to take it for about 4 days, cried uncontrollably until I realized. Is this drug just suppressing my feelings deep down? Maybe that's why I still have extreme anxiety? Just a thought."

• Ser...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

Paroxetine "I'm one month now on Paxil, prescribed by my psychiatrist, as I almost always had social anxiety and phobia. I feel more anxious on it, but when I stop taking it, I feel good, but maybe is that because of medication, idk. I just hope that this one will work. I will give it a chance, and I tried Zoloft, which made me just tired."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2019

"I took this medicine for more than a year and a half so far. I had horrible stuttering and social phobia. But after one month of taking Paxil, I changed completely. I am 80% more fluent in my speech, so much more confident and social, positive and wanting to have fun all the time, and energized. However, the past few months, side effects became really annoying. My body feels so weak, like someone who has a fever nonstop. I sweat all night and use the washroom more often. My vision is worse, and I get so confused and can’t focus, especially since I work as a waitress. It affected my work life, my hands shake all the time, and I can’t last for long shifts. I’m tapering it off now, going through withdrawal symptoms and feeling like a wild animal sometimes from anger. Hope I can stop taking it safely eventually without getting back to stuttering, even though I’m stuttering so much now since I reduced the dose."

• Ret...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2020

"I have been taking this medication, paroxetine, for a while. I had to say this medication worked best for social anxiety for me. I got the confidence to express myself. I could maintain my social connections. But it was not doing good for my depression. For that reason, I may switch to any other medication."

• Taw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 17, 2016

Paroxetine "About 33 years ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety/depression. Was put on Paxil, and it was brought to my attention that they actually made me worse... more agitated. As I read these posts, I wonder, 'sure wish it worked for me, like that!!' Need less to say, all these years later, my anxiety is through the roof... HATE groups or crowds of people... I pretty much either go to work or stay in the house on days off. Makes me nervous to be around people I don't know. Call me crazy, it's like a phobia, and I think it's their stupidity! I'm not perfect by ANY means... but my word, people these days!"

• JC6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2020

Paroxetine "My life is a little bit more complicated than just anxiety and depression. Paxil is good for depression and anxiety - I suppose, but it doesn't work by itself for me. Twenty years ago, my psychiatrist prescribed Paxil, but I continued to have intense anxiety in social situations as well as paranoia - no hallucinations; just delusional thinking, which I THOUGHT was part of panic disorder. I'm trying Paxil again, but starting at a lower dose due to ED. Currently, I take Lamictal, Klonopin, Paxil, Wellbutrin XL, and Trazodone for sleep. Remember, if you don't get your anxiety under control, it will lead to social anxiety, then agoraphobia, and finally psychosis. Don't play around."