Buspar is making me anxious.

Hey all. So I just started taking Buspar for my anxiety and I have actually been feeling more on edge and irritable. I'm snapping at the slightest thing and I feel jittery and annoyed at everything. It's like a switch went off. I was feeling anxious before but it's making my anxiety even worse and it's making me irritable. My moods are changing. I'm either crying or snapping at everyone and everything, and my tolerance for things has gone down. Things that I can usually sort of deal with are suddenly things that I can't deal with. I know my job is a constant source of stress and anxiety and I am also going through other things, like trying to get gender affirmation surgery and finding a new job, and those things have made my anxiety skyrocket (which is why my psychiatrist recommended Buspar in the first place). I'm not at a good point in my life. However, I didn't think mood swings would be a side effect. I did my research but I didn't see that, and my doctor did not tell me about this (but he did tell me about other side effects). Has anyone ever felt this way when they just started taking Buspar? I've only been taking it for a little over a week so I'm hoping that this is a side effect that will wear off in time.

Thank you.

The only thing I felt was head swimming when I took a big dose. Nervousness is a listed side effect though. not the best when you are taking it for anxiety.

I don't like Buspar too much either. I tried it and felt like I was spaced out. Either it worked and I just wasn't used to that or it worked a little too well....Either way I didn't like that feeling so I stopped taking it. Sorry you aren't doing too well on it. I would recommend talking with the doctor again and maybe try somwthing else. Best of luck and feel better soon.

I'm definitely going to tell my doctor about it because I want to give it time, as it's only been about 3 weeks but I have a feeling it won't work and I hate this whole trial and error process with medication. =/

Exactly. I was a little surprised when my anxiety started getting worse because I constantly feel like I'm on edge, I'm jittery, I can't calm down. It's not good. =/

Hey @starryprince
I also take buspar and have for a few years. I started out on 15mg once a day with the goal of taking it twice a day. When my doctor increased it it caused all sorts of issues. Physical agitation, panic, anxiety and tears. She told me to immediately go back to 15mg once a day and Ive been good ever since. Whats your dose?

Quote:

Originally Posted by starryprince Hey all. So I just started taking Buspar for my anxiety and I have actually been feeling more on edge and irritable. I'm snapping at the slightest thing and I feel jittery and annoyed at everything. It's like a switch went off. I was feeling anxious before but it's making my anxiety even worse and it's making me irritable. My moods are changing. I'm either crying or snapping at everyone and everything, and my tolerance for things has gone down. Things that I can usually sort of deal with are suddenly things that I can't deal with. I know my job is a constant source of stress and anxiety and I am also going through other things, like trying to get gender affirmation surgery and finding a new job, and those things have made my anxiety skyrocket (which is why my psychiatrist recommended Buspar in the first place). I'm not at a good point in my life. However, I didn't think mood swings would be a side effect. I did my research but I didn't see that, and my doctor did not tell me about this (but he did tell me about other side effects). Has anyone ever felt this way when they just started taking Buspar? I've only been taking it for a little over a week so I'm hoping that this is a side effect that will wear off in time. Thank you.

I had the same thing with buspar, caused agitation and increased my anxiety. I refuse to take something that makes me worse.