"i have taken paxil on and off my entire adult life. i have always stuck to a low dose at 10mg  a day. i do not have depression, i am just a very sensitive especially in times of high stress, and panic attacks start to take over my life. i had to put my degree on hold, i missed out on vacations with my family, and my professional life suffered as well. paxil calms my nerves. it keeps me in check so i don&#039;t freak out in times of stress. the side effects do exist, but keeping a low dose helps. my libido is affected a bit, i do get dizzy from time to time, and i also have dry mouth. at 10mg a day, once i feel like i am in control again (usually 8 months to a year of being on the medicine) i can stop without any of the bad withdrawals."