Will taking antidepressant drugs affect learning skills?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 18 years old. Today I finally got the courage to talk to my doctor about the stress obsessive thoughts, and the physical harm it does to me. I got an appointment with a psychologist. She diagnosed me with anxiety, panic disorder, and being severe hyperemotional. The doctor did not want me to go to a psychiatrist because he might give me medication that would be addictive, and affect my learning skills. I have exams very soon, so they try to help me in some other ways, but I tried these before without any good. What should I do? I cannot deal with the obsessive feelings, crying, trembling all the time, digestive problems, and everything that comes with these disorders every day.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your problem. I can imagine how hard it is for you, especially when you have so much to deal with. Although therapy is essential in treating anxiety, medications are a must to control the physical symptoms. You have not mentioned when your exams are, what you can do is mention this to your doctor so they will give you non-sedative medicines. So you will not feel very sleepy, but these medications will definitely help you perform better, and help you to cope up.

About therapy, I would recommend you should continue, and if you do not find the local therapist effective, we can start it online via video consultation. Lastly, please always remember, nothing is more important than your health. Do not ever judge your worth based on your exam scores, you already have so much going on, just do as much you can and do not burnout yourself. On your own, try box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and start maintaining a journal. It will help you out.