Paxil questions | ADHD Information

I went to my psychiatrist on Monday and he diagnosed me with social anxiety disorder and depression. He prescribed Paxil to treat the depression and anxiety. I'm supposed to start off with 5 mg at night before bedtime. That doesn't make much sense to me. If it's supposed to help me be happier and more relaxed wouldn't it be more beneficial to take it during the day? Do most people take it at night or in the morning? Can someone help me?

I blame my mother. If she had taken me to a psychologist for ADHD treatment when I was younger instead of calling me lazy and stupid all those years I probably would never have developed depression and anxiety in the first place. Now I have THREE disorders instead of just one. Thaaaaaaaaaaaaanks MOM! Thanks a f**king lot.K7Kate is right.  It will take a few weeks to build up in your system, though you may experience some relief before that.  Sometimes doctors will say to take it at night because Paxil can make you a little sleepy, especially at higher doses (5mg is relatively low).  When I took it, I usually did so in the morning, because even though it made me drowsy sometimes, I always felt that when I took it at night it slightly affected the quality of my sleep.  Mostly, though, I couldn't tell much difference from taking it at night or in the morning.  And I too found it very good for generalized anxiety.      I have been on Paxil for about 10 years for my generalized anxiety disorder that I was diagnosed with.  Paxil works wonders for anxiety.  I take mine in the morning. I have tried taking it at night but forget to, so went back to taking it in the morning.  Paxil is a drug that takes time to build up in your system and then once you get to your therapeutic dose, your daily dose maintains the drug in your system so it doesn't matter what time of day you're taking it.  When you're at the dose you're going to be at, it's going to be in your system 24/7, doing its thing.  Does that make sense?

You've got these conditions, there's no use in blaming anyone. Just be glad you know what it is and find peace in the fact that there are treatments out there to help you.  Pointing blame won't benefit anyone.

Good luck!