When I read your post, I could really relate to everything you said. I get dizzy a lot, too. I find it one of the hardest, most frightening symptoms to deal with. I also am afraid of antidepressants (any meds, really), but do take a small dose of xanax everyday...it does help. I not only suffer panic disorder, but am severely agoraphobic and now have depression. Unlike you, I don't live alone, but still find myself isolating and laying in bed either playing on the computer or watching tv after work and on the weekends. It's made me feel like I'm not a part of my own family. The kids go to my husband for everything. It's just so hard because I am afraid that I will be dizzy or not feel well if I get up. I suppose I feel safe in bed...but I hate being there! I tried Lexapro for 4 days. Unfortunately, for me, I had too many side effects to stay on it. But, my niece is now taking it and doing well. All of our bodies are different, so what doesn't work for one, may work for another. I know it's frightening, but at least try it. If you have bad side effects, you can always stop. For 2 days now, I have taken a very small dose of Zoloft. Like your doc told you, you can cut the pills in half or even quarters until you are comfortable. That is what I am doing with the Zoloft (and did with the Lexapro) and I am praying that this one will work. I should know if I have any bad side effects within a few more days or so. I think our panics make us afraid of medicine (or ultra sensitive to it). It took me years just to be able to take Tylenol comfortably. And, honestly, having my hubby here doesn't help when I panic after "popping" a pill. I just freak out in front of him for about an hour or so and he probably thinks I'm completely insane! It's a battle and we can't give up. I know exactly how you feel everyday...I feel the same way. Please...try the medicine. I'll let you know how I do on the Zoloft in a few weeks and please let me know how you do. GOOD LUCK :)

Hi Miss, Years back I started on a SSRI, I too had more agitation and first day a panic attack, dreaded the thought of going thru this, but I had found a specialist I trusted. You mentioned this with your doctor of 14 yrs, you trust him. My side effects went away as my body adjusted, he said if you trust me, you will get better, the side effects will subside. And they did. So do put some faith in someone that you do trust. It worked for me, and I know it can for you. I think your source of having more dizziness at home, is this is where you are most frightened since having them at this particular place more often, so the sense of dread coming back home and already thinking Im going to be dizzy, I just know it, and maybe pass out, creates the symptoms again. Your more distracted at work, and can think it away easier, but if you lie down, just waiting for the what ifs, your negative thoughts creep in. You need to find a diversion at home. Something that takes complete concentration, cause even watching TV will make your mind wander off to those thoughts again. To start you off slowly, prop up some pillows in your bed and sit in a comfortable upright position, this way, your reassured "if" you think you "might" pass out, your not going to hit the floor or anything. Then pick up needlepoint, word games, take a note pad, and start writing on every movie Tom Hanks played in, etc. Something to distract you. Wishing you the best! Trish

Sorry.. haven't posted in a while.. I have had GAD and panic attacks for 10-11 years(I'm 30) Recently it has flared up after a 5-6 year period of being completely fine. I've been seeing a Cognative Behavioral Therapist and a Psycotherapist once a week, for three months. I pay out of my pocket and it is VERY expensive. I'm not taking an anti-depressant, although I have tried several, I can't make it through the "starter effects" I get severe and frequent panic attacks on them (even with an added benzo).So I stop the med before I can see if there is any benefit for me. I have been taking Xanax or Ativan (not together) for years as needed for anxiety. They have helped in times of "trouble". I am living alone and "functioning". It is very hard for me to be alone through this, I have no friends that know about my "condition", just my Dad(he's sick of hearing about it) and my therapists (they get paid to). My big scary thing is dizziness, I have it all the time even when lying down, (no doctor knows what it is) some days I'll come home from work and just lay in bed and watch tv, cause I'm SO scared I'll pass out if I stand up, but howcome I can work all day? I get dizzy spells at work and I just try to ignore them, they usually go away. Not at home! When it gets bad I just crawl in bed, take a Xanax and hope I don't die :( (I know I won't, but sometimes I feel like I will) I work as a hair dresser, I love my job, but it is SO hard to get through the day sometimes. The anxiety just wears me out. Then I have to come home to an empty apt and be alone with my anxiety and irrational "what if" thinking.. I use to see a psychiatrist, but I feel like I'm not strong enough alone to handle any meds. I'm terrified of them and the side-effects. I recently saw my family doctor, who I've been going to for 14 years, he knows of my "situation" and he told me to PLEASE take Lexapro.. He knows how bad I am hurting trying to stay afloat from this anxiety. He said if you have to, start at 2.5mg for a couple days then 5mg for a couple of weeks and then 10mg. He knows how scared I am, I trust him more than any other doctor though. I just don't think I can take the med alone, with other anti-depressants I had such HORRIBLE panic attacks, what if that happens again? I don't want to go thro