Comparing Alprazolam vs Mirtazapine

For Anxiety I have gone on and off Xanax for a few years now and all I can say is that it WORKS! I take 0.5-1 mg as needed. It kicks in pretty quickly and it's the only med I've tried that can stop a severe panic attack in its tracks. It has helped me regain control of my life and think clearly in stressful situations. I don't get drowsy or feel impaired as long as I don't take more than my dose. Works better for me than Ativan and clonazepam. Make sure you properly taper off this med if you take it for more than a few weeks- I tried to stop cold turkey once and it felt awful.

For Anxiety Without this medication I cannot sleep. My life and medical issues are very complex. I take 1 mg. a day. I've tried to titrate down to 0.5 mgs. but each time I find myself grinding my teeth, muscles tense and fixating on a barrage of problems. I have not had any side effects. It's my miracle pill that keeps me focused.

For Depression I have been on Mirtazapine 15mg for about 2 weeks now and I have to admit that I have felt very different in this time. The plus side to this drug is that it really does control your sleep which is great for me. As well as this, during my low points I would be completely put off of food: mirtazapine has increased my appetite massively which is a big bonus as I am dramatically underweight. This drug has made me feel drowsy in the mornings and cloudy thoughts at times but so far it seems to be working. I absolutely would not recommend drinking whilst taking this drug as I had a recent bad experience where I had lost control over my arms legs, vision etc. As far as my work productivity, this drug has been wonders and I am feeling more confident, more relaxed and levelled. I still have low moments but they are more controlled, rather that than uncontrollable depressive states. I would rate it higher but I have to see the full effects of mirtazapine.

For Depression Was put on these 2 x 30 mg Mirtazapine over 10 years ago, for major depression, depression went but Dr's keep prescribing 2 a day, so I asked if I could stop, which was met with "WHY" and recommendations not to reduce any medications!! But after convincing my GP that taking high dose psych drugs didn't make sense to me when the initial complaint/condition had vanished, could she help me reduce and come off totally. To her credit she did a great job, and after 12 months slow reduction I am off, have also stopped 4 x 5mg Valium daily, all with no side effects. The moral to this story is Dr's are the distribution arm of big Pharma, and kept blissfully ignorant to good health care, It's up to "you" to take back responsibility for our own health