Deezy, I agree with others that an SSRI antidepressant med, such as Lexapro or Celexa (there are other options), is very effective for anxiety, without addiction worries.

I started taking anxiety meds two years ago maybe three. Then my new primary doctor refused to prescribe them. They really helped me sleep and feel somewhat better the next day. Now being off of them I see how they helped and the drawbacks too. I have them back now but have only taken them twice since last month. I think I’ll just keep them for really bad days/nights instead of every day. The stress, mental and physical effects of lupus are enough to make anyone anxious.

If you're dealing with lupus you DO have every right to do what you need to do! During the pandemic I was given Xanax to help with occasional panic attacks. However, Xanax and other benzodiazepines are habit forming, so he switched me over to gabapentin which I have really had good success with (I think it probably varies from person to person though). In my mental health practice, I'm seeing psychiatrists also prescribe beta blockers for anxiety. They help with limiting how much adrenaline the body releases into the blood stream. They used to be only used for performance anxiety but their use for general anxiety is more and more popular. Some antidepressants like Lexapro not only help with depression but also anxiety, so that's also an option.

Yes I am. I am on Escitalopram or Lexapro. I am on a beta blocker to for my heart. This autoimmune isn't fun. I am in remission of one since 2006 and lupus no cure. Pray for a cure.

Yes, I take Cymbalta. Lupus is a lot to deal with. After my diagnosis and going from taking no meds to being prescribed 24 different meds and suddenly having a multitude of appointments and "ologists" I was very overwhelmed. Lupus is not just physical it is a mental and emotional disease too.