Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Zachary Stewart2 said:I've been taking three pills—Prosper, Citram, and Xanax—for over five months now. I can't say for sure, but I think the emotional numbness started creeping in after about two months... basically just as most of the initial side effects were finally dying down.

That is simply the effect of the medication! Isn't it true that the more pills you take, the more likely you are to feel that way? It isn't an absolute rule, of course, but in most cases, it certainly is.

Chloe Hughes6 said:That is simply the effect of the medication! Isn't it true that the more pills you take, the more likely you are to feel that way? It isn't an absolute rule, of course, but in most cases, it certainly is.

That doesn't necessarily have to be true. For me, things actually seem to be getting better on my medication. I definitely feel sharper and more positive. And I've tried just about everything out there.

Zachary Stewart2 said:I've been taking three pills—Prosper, Citram, and Xanax—for over five months now. I can't say for sure, but I think the emotional numbness started creeping in after about two months... basically just as most of the initial side effects were finally dying down.

Xanax definitely numbs you—honestly, all benzos tend to dull your actual emotions.

fadedbear92 said:Xanax definitely numbs you—honestly, all benzos tend to dull your actual emotions.

Yes, they absolutely dull the senses, which is why people turn to them when the anxiety hits hard.
In my view, someone who doesn't rely on pills might just reach for a shot of bourbon when things get heavy, and that provides a similar kind of numbness.
Antidepressants don't typically cause that specific type of emotional flattening, at least not initially, unless they have sedative properties. It takes some time to distinguish whether the fog you're feeling is a symptom of the illness itself or a side effect of the medication. However, psychiatrists are well aware of this distinction, and the real solution lies in psychotherapy—provided one has the means to pursue it.

I remember sitting in the clinic once, practically begging for a lobotomy or even electroconvulsive therapy😁, but the doctor just laughed it off, telling me she would treat me with standard therapy because there is no "easy way out"🙂

FedEx

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I don't feel like the Xanax really kicked in that hard 🤷

Brandon Lopez6 said:I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I don't feel like the Xanax really kicked in that hard 🤷

Same here. For me, it just felt like a mild buzz 😍

brighthawk0 said:That doesn't necessarily have to be true. For me, things actually seem to be getting better on my medication. I definitely feel sharper and more positive. And I've tried just about everything out there.

Based on how you phrased your comment, it didn't come across that way! I actually stated that it doesn't necessarily have to be that way—which is exactly what you were saying when you mentioned it isn't always the case.

Chloe Hughes6 said:Based on how you phrased your comment, it didn't come across that way! I actually stated that it doesn't necessarily have to be that way—which is exactly what you were saying when you mentioned it isn't always the case.

But you did write, "It's not always like that,but most of the time it is," when referring to emotional numbness.
Total nonsense. I guess maybe you just haven't had much luck with meds, or perhaps you're on doses that are a bit too heavy, but I don't think medication inherently has to turn someone into a zombie. My god, there are dozens of different types of antidepressants and antipsychotics out there... you can always try something else. I'm far from perfect myself, but at least I'm not obsessively spiraling like I used to, and I'm definitely not emotionally numb. I wish I were sometimes, honestly. 🙂
And yet, I still have the drive to paint my nails, cook dinner, and vacuum the apartment. I suppose that's a damn significant shift.

brighthawk0 said:Same here. For me, it just felt like a mild buzz 😍

I don't know, doesn't feel that way to me... it just straight up kills the anxiety

restlesstrucker15 said:Yes, they absolutely dull the senses, which is why people turn to them when the anxiety hits hard.
In my view, someone who doesn't rely on pills might just reach for a shot of bourbon when things get heavy, and that provides a similar kind of numbness.
Antidepressants don't typically cause that specific type of emotional flattening, at least not initially, unless they have sedative properties. It takes some time to distinguish whether the fog you're feeling is a symptom of the illness itself or a side effect of the medication. However, psychiatrists are well aware of this distinction, and the real solution lies in psychotherapy—provided one has the means to pursue it.

I remember sitting in the clinic once, practically begging for a lobotomy or even electroconvulsive therapy😁, but the doctor just laughed it off, telling me she would treat me with standard therapy because there is no "easy way out"🙂

FedEx

🙂

No—absolutely not—it all comes down to the relentless grind of self-improvement.
btw, hit the gym for some PT yesterday

Hi everyone. I'm hoping I can ask a question here—I wasn't quite sure which thread to use since there are so many similar topics—but if anyone is willing to share their thoughts, 🙂
my brother is currently being treated with atypical antipsychotics. We don't know his exact diagnosis because the doctors haven't shared any specifics with us yet, but he’s been on this medication regimen for about a month now.
My main concern is whether this combination—62.5 mg of Clozaril, 3 mg of Risperdal, 750 mg of Efexor, and 2 mg of Ativan—is excessively heavy. He's sleeping through the entire night and most of the day as well. During his last check-up, the doctor actually increased his Clozaril dose to that amount because my brother complained he wasn't getting enough sleep. In reality, he was just having trouble waking up when we tried to get him ready for the appointment. The actual consultation lasted maybe two minutes.
Thanks.

James Gray33 said:Hi everyone. I'm hoping I can ask a question here—I wasn't quite sure which thread to use since there are so many similar topics—but if anyone is willing to share their thoughts, 🙂
my brother is currently being treated with atypical antipsychotics. We don't know his exact diagnosis because the doctors haven't shared any specifics with us yet, but he’s been on this medication regimen for about a month now.
My main concern is whether this combination—62.5 mg of Clozaril, 3 mg of Risperdal, 750 mg of Efexor, and 2 mg of Ativan—is excessively heavy. He's sleeping through the entire night and most of the day as well. During his last check-up, the doctor actually increased his Clozaril dose to that amount because my brother complained he wasn't getting enough sleep. In reality, he was just having trouble waking up when we tried to get him ready for the appointment. The actual consultation lasted maybe two minutes.
Thanks.

Is he dealing with psychosis?

If that's the case, then yeah, almost any treatment plan is going to feel incredibly heavy at the start. Once your brother starts getting more active and finding things to do—and I don't mean he needs a full-time job right away, just some kind of engagement—that's when the doctor will likely start tapering him down.

Honestly, I’m in the dark about what he’s actually suffering from. The doctors aren't giving us any real answers. We go in for checkups every ten days, but they only last a few minutes, and nobody even bothers to ask how his behavior or mood has been lately.
He struggled with alcohol and marijuana in the past. When he was using those substances, he was aggressive. Later, he just shut everyone out and dealt with insomnia. To me, it looked like classic depression, but things hit a breaking point when he intentionally injured himself just to get money out of his family.
I'm asking because the doctor claims he's only on a small dose, but it doesn't look that way to me. He's constantly lethargic and completely lacks any drive.

James Gray33 said:Honestly, I’m in the dark about what he’s actually suffering from. The doctors aren't giving us any real answers. We go in for checkups every ten days, but they only last a few minutes, and nobody even bothers to ask how his behavior or mood has been lately.
He struggled with alcohol and marijuana in the past. When he was using those substances, he was aggressive. Later, he just shut everyone out and dealt with insomnia. To me, it looked like classic depression, but things hit a breaking point when he intentionally injured himself just to get money out of his family.
I'm asking because the doctor claims he's only on a small dose, but it doesn't look that way to me. He's constantly lethargic and completely lacks any drive.

Honestly, that sounds a lot like bipolar disorder to me.
And look, you have to realize it isn't easy for doctors to nail down a diagnosis right off the bat. It's pretty standard practice here in the States to label everything as an acute psychotic disorder first, and then if you end up back in the psych ward again, they'll pivot to whatever diagnosis actually fits the reality of the situation.

But at the end of the day, the specific label doesn't matter nearly as much as the goal: getting your brother to slowly work his way back to being a functioning member of society—you know, socializing, holding down a job, finding a girlfriend, all that stuff. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. It took me about six months of grinding just to feel like myself again, but statistically speaking, there's a 66% chance he's going to pull through and get back on track.

David Vaughn75, thanks for the input.
Is this easier to manage than something like schizophrenia? I’ve been reading up on it quite a bit, and it doesn't seem like schizo—or at least, he isn't showing those specific symptoms. He doesn't mumble, he doesn't seem paranoid (in fact, he’s almost too carefree; he never even locks the door), and there are no hallucinations. He actually seems tuned in to his surroundings. Before he started therapy, he was constantly worried about his grandmother and making sure she was okay while she was sick. His routine mostly involved heading out to pick up marijuana or staying cooped up in his room on his laptop. Honestly, I think his biggest issue is a total lack of respect for authority and tension with his parents. One psychiatrist mentioned it might just be an adolescent crisis since he’s only 19. He did seek help on his own once, but he gave up pretty quickly.
I realize diagnosing him is difficult, but we were hoping for better guidance on how to handle him. We need a serious conversation because his thought patterns are concerning. Our main fear is that he'll turn to alcohol or weed.

James Gray33 said:David Vaughn75, thanks for the input.
Is this easier to manage than something like schizophrenia? I’ve been reading up on it quite a bit, and it doesn't seem like schizo—or at least, he isn't showing those specific symptoms. He doesn't mumble, he doesn't seem paranoid (in fact, he’s almost too carefree; he never even locks the door), and there are no hallucinations. He actually seems tuned in to his surroundings. Before he started therapy, he was constantly worried about his grandmother and making sure she was okay while she was sick. His routine mostly involved heading out to pick up marijuana or staying cooped up in his room on his laptop. Honestly, I think his biggest issue is a total lack of respect for authority and tension with his parents. One psychiatrist mentioned it might just be an adolescent crisis since he’s only 19. He did seek help on his own once, but he gave up pretty quickly.
I realize diagnosing him is difficult, but we were hoping for better guidance on how to handle him. We need a serious conversation because his thought patterns are concerning. Our main fear is that he'll turn to alcohol or weed.

Look, bipolar disorder is no joke—it’s a heavy hitter—but honestly, it’s all relative. It’s one of those things where every single case is its own unique beast; some people have a relatively smooth ride while others are constantly hitting rock bottom. I deal with schizophrenia myself, and man, people always tell me I look totally "normal"—like, they’d never guess there’s anything going on behind the scenes. But here's the reality check: you absolutely have to stick to the meds, and stay far, far away from weed. Seriously. And if his doctor is being vague? Don't be shy—corner him in the hallway at the clinic if you have to just to get some straight answers. By the way, which hospital was your brother at? If he was at one of the major psychiatric centers in a big city like Chicago or Boston, they usually have these massive setups with tons of different programs and group therapy sessions designed to really walk patients through the whole mess of what they're dealing with.

James Gray33 said:Hi everyone. I'm hoping I can ask a question here—I wasn't quite sure which thread to use since there are so many similar topics—but if anyone is willing to share their thoughts, 🙂
my brother is currently being treated with atypical antipsychotics. We don't know his exact diagnosis because the doctors haven't shared any specifics with us yet, but he’s been on this medication regimen for about a month now.
My main concern is whether this combination—62.5 mg of Clozaril, 3 mg of Risperdal, 750 mg of Efexor, and 2 mg of Ativan—is excessively heavy. He's sleeping through the entire night and most of the day as well. During his last check-up, the doctor actually increased his Clozaril dose to that amount because my brother complained he wasn't getting enough sleep. In reality, he was just having trouble waking up when we tried to get him ready for the appointment. The actual consultation lasted maybe two minutes.
Thanks.

So, let me see if I understand correctly: you don't have a diagnosis, and the medical consultation lasts a mere two minutes? Doesn't that speak volumes all on its own? Though, I suppose one isn't supposed to say that here. Seroquel is a medication that should be approached with extreme caution, especially at dosages that seem more suited for a rhinoceros! Furthermore, 3 mg of Risperdal is quite significant when combined with the other medications mentioned. These fall into the category of drugs that can cause dependency. You really ought to find a new physician immediately! Why not ask that doctor if they would prescribe such a "small dose" to a member of their own family? If the healthcare system were functioning properly, that doctor would be facing a disciplinary hearing before the state medical board.

Chloe Hughes6 said:So, let me see if I understand correctly: you don't have a diagnosis, and the medical consultation lasts a mere two minutes? Doesn't that speak volumes all on its own? Though, I suppose one isn't supposed to say that here. Seroquel is a medication that should be approached with extreme caution, especially at dosages that seem more suited for a rhinoceros! Furthermore, 3 mg of Risperdal is quite significant when combined with the other medications mentioned. These fall into the category of drugs that can cause dependency. You really ought to find a new physician immediately! Why not ask that doctor if they would prescribe such a "small dose" to a member of their own family? If the healthcare system were functioning properly, that doctor would be facing a disciplinary hearing before the state medical board.

Well, if 62mg is enough to take down a rhino, what am I supposed to do with the 300mg I’m taking every single day? 🙄 It’s true that I spend most of my time sleeping and don't feel quite as drowsy as I used to, but then again, my situation is a bit more complicated than what was mentioned above.
I mean, I'm dealing with schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder on top of everything else...

Eric Mitchell55 said:Well, if 62mg is enough to take down a rhino, what am I supposed to do with the 300mg I’m taking every single day? 🙄 It’s true that I spend most of my time sleeping and don't feel quite as drowsy as I used to, but then again, my situation is a bit more complicated than what was mentioned above.
I mean, I'm dealing with schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder on top of everything else...

I honestly have no idea how to address your daily 300mg regimen. You aren't even the individual being discussed here! Furthermore, I cannot speak to specific dosages or the medications patients take while they act as a defensive shield for Big Pharma. That is where the real issue lies. Those superficial two-minute check-ups have become all too common lately. The real problem is simply sedating someone with medication just to ensure they stay quiet.

Chloe Hughes6 said:So, let me see if I understand correctly: you don't have a diagnosis, and the medical consultation lasts a mere two minutes? Doesn't that speak volumes all on its own? Though, I suppose one isn't supposed to say that here. Seroquel is a medication that should be approached with extreme caution, especially at dosages that seem more suited for a rhinoceros! Furthermore, 3 mg of Risperdal is quite significant when combined with the other medications mentioned. These fall into the category of drugs that can cause dependency. You really ought to find a new physician immediately! Why not ask that doctor if they would prescribe such a "small dose" to a member of their own family? If the healthcare system were functioning properly, that doctor would be facing a disciplinary hearing before the state medical board.

It’s Risperdal, an antipsychotic—not Misar. Or maybe they're the same thing? Honestly, I was just hoping for a recommendation for psychotherapy. I wonder if hypnosis with a psychologist might help, or anything else, really. I just need to take some kind of action. Even a tiny bit of progress would be a win.