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Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 26, 2013

Anyone here actually taking both Wellbutrin and Zoloft? I feel like I saw someone mention this specific combo somewhere else, but honestly, I don't have the energy to go back and dig through every single thread to find it... so please, just let me know if you're on it.😍

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 26, 2013

Donna Torres5 said:I wanted to reach out to everyone here who takes Valium, as I’m currently on it myself. Does anyone find that it actually helps settle things down for you? I usually take a pill whenever my anxiety starts to peak and the panic sets in, but honestly, I can't say it provides any massive relief. Do you all find yourselves taking it on a daily basis, or is it more of an as-needed thing for you?

I take it regularly; it acts as a mood stabilizer for me. It doesn't necessarily knock me out or make me drowsy, though. When my panic attacks hit hard, I find Xanax works better because it kicks in faster and hits harder. But if I'm just feeling generally anxious and know it's going to drag on all day, I'd rather stick with Valium. What dose are you on? I'm at 2 mg.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 21, 2013

Mark Nelson said:Everyone reacts differently 😉

I don't know, I don't drink it every day, actually lately I've been avoiding it quite a bit..
but today the craving just hit me, so I had one with milk. I'm hoping it's not such a huge mistake since it was just a moderate amount and it isn't a daily habit.
Then again, I'm only 19, so maybe that plays a part in it... 🤷

No, the real issue is how long you've been drinking it consistently every single day. I've been having it daily for twelve years now... ugh, I guess I'm getting old. 🙂
But whatever... if you aren't addicted to it and don't feel lost without it, you're probably better off not drinking it at all. That's what doctors say, anyway.
Look, it's not some huge mistake. Honestly, the only thing you might deal with is a bit of increased anxiety, nothing else. So don't sweat it.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 21, 2013

Mark Nelson said:I’m pretty much the same way—I always mix mine with milk so it doesn't hit my stomach too hard first thing in the morning. Though, to be honest, I'm actually kind of nervous about having any at all right now. I just bumped up my dosage of antidepressants yesterday, so I don't want to stress my system out while my body tries to adjust to the meds.
Does that sound reasonable? 😁

Look, psychiatrists generally advise against coffee because caffeine can spike anxiety, especially while you're adjusting to antidepressants, so you really have to make your own call. I personally never quit coffee because the headaches without it are killer, but I'll just make it twice as weak as I usually do and see how I react. For me, it isn't an issue; there are days when I'll grab a Red Bull or a Coke and feel totally fine. Some days I'll consume enough caffeine to give a "normal" person a panic attack, and I won't feel a thing. Other days, like today, I wake up feeling insanely anxious and I end up drinking coffee anyway. Besides, cigarettes are the only thing left in my life that actually gives me any pleasure, and frankly, I couldn't care less about anything else.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 21, 2013

ironotter5 said:There’s always the ER as a fallback. If you're hitting a wall and feeling like you can't cope, just head straight to the psychiatric ER and talk to someone. Seriously, you've got nothing to lose.

Exactly!!! Don't let anyone tear you down when they should be helping you out.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 21, 2013

Mark Nelson said:Does anyone else here drink coffee while they're on antidepressants?

I’m a massive coffee addict, but I’ve managed to scale back quite a bit. Now, I just have one small cup in the morning and call it a day. Honestly, I’ve gotten so used to this routine that it feels perfectly fine. I haven't noticed any impact on my anxiety levels, despite what people usually claim happens. But again, I strictly stick to just one cup a day—and it's a quick instant coffee with milk, not a heavy dark roast.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 21, 2013

Matthew Clark3 said:I asked, but she won't budge... She just said if things don't improve next time, she might try putting me on something like Misery or Xanax, but I just have to wait until then... Easy for them to say it's not a big deal when they aren't the ones going through it.

Switch up your meds; take my word for it. My doctor put me through the ringer for two months, and I was honestly on the verge of losing it completely.🙂

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 20, 2013

Justin Rogers5 said:I'd take something just to feel some spark of interest in living again, but I'm too tired to even bother trying. Something to actually get me out of bed in the morning, so I might actually want to go outside for a walk or whatever. But apparently, every antidepressant hits everyone differently. 🤷

Go ask about Wellbutrin; that stuff has me feeling like I have endless energy!!

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 20, 2013

wiredskipper45 said:My doctor isn't going to switch up my meds just yet. They want me to start combining Lexapro with Wellbutrin first before making any big moves. 🙂

But man, these mood swings are hitting me hard. I tried taking Lamictal for them, but it didn't really do anything for me...

I'm certain she knows exactly why she's doing what she's doing. The rest of us are just guessing and playing fool (if anyone actually bothered to read what an expert writes)... 😲
I really hope you start feeling better soon; we don't have much choice but to wait things out... ☕

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 20, 2013

fadedbear92 said:I’ve been on Klonopin for a few years now—was actually a total Xanax addict back in the day—but I finally managed to kick it thanks to propranolol.
Klonopin acts as an anticonvulsant, but it's also frequently used in psychiatry to help stabilize mood—though its chemical makeup actually includes components that provide an anxiolytic effect too.
I’m actually pretty happy with it—though, if I'm being totally honest, xanax is still my absolute favorite when it comes to anxiolytics (talking about anxiolytics specifically, not mood stabilizers, of course)—but I definitely wouldn't want to go calling for that little devil again. Not a chance!😲🙄

It's true that xanax is the best, but like you said... trying to quit it? God forbid anyone has to go through that.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 20, 2013

wiredskipper45 said:Guess I'll be looking for it too.
🙂

Go ahead and look. My boyfriend is incredibly happy with them; xanax doesn't even touch him.😕😕😕😕!!!

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 20, 2013

wiredskipper45 said:Klonopin is actually an anticonvulsant, not an anxiolytic. 😉
So, it actually helps your anxiety? Hmm... I guess I'll ask my doctor about that today. I'm really trying to get off the xanax. 🙂

Look, I know it's classified as an antiepileptic—they even prescribe it to toddlers with seizures. But honestly, Clonazepam is frequently swapped in for Xanax because it isn't quite as aggressive and doesn't feel like it builds up a dependency quite as fast. My primary care physician switched me over from Xanax without any hesitation; she actually seemed pretty pleased with the choice... haha. (I actually ended up trying it after a friend gave me some when I was having a rough patch and had run out of my usual stuff). What I noticed is that I don't deal with that frantic, irritable edge once it wears off the way I do with Xanax. That's why I asked for it, and that's why I got it.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 20, 2013

Timothy Wood38 said:Could someone please share their experiences with Klonopin? If you’ve tried other anxiolytics as well, I’d love a comparison—specifically regarding how fast they kick in, how effectively they knock out anxiety, if they act as a sedative, and so on.
Thanks

First off, good morning everyone!
In my opinion, Rivotril is the absolute queen of pills. A 2 mg dose doesn't knock me out nearly as hard as 0.5 mg of Xanax does, but it provides this incredibly smooth, steady relaxation that just makes my anxiety vanish. I honestly love this medication and take it pretty regularly. It doesn't feel as easy to get hooked on compared to other anxiolytics; there isn't that sudden "hit" or a crash when it wears off—I just suddenly feel calm. Plus, it lasts a significant amount of time. I've been taking it for about 3 or 4 months now, averaging every other day, and it can last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours depending on how anxious I am. On an empty stomach, it usually kicks in within 20 to 30 minutes; if I've just eaten, naturally, it takes a bit longer. Honestly, all I can say is hats off to this pill.🙂

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 18, 2013

Sophia Moore38 said:And why on earth wouldn't you be able to?
You’re going to make it happen; I went through pregnancy while dealing with massive anxiety and depression.
I managed the whole thing without touching a single prescription pill.

And don't even get me started on how many times I ended up in the ER before I even conceived.
Once I was pregnant, all I did was nitpick my husband and constantly compare him to my exes...
The bottom line was that I needed an outlet, even if that meant taking it out on him.
It was the only way I found relief.

I honestly admire your courage. I don't think I could ever pull that off...

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 18, 2013

David Bishop4 said:Some of you at least have children to look forward to. As for me, I find myself constantly wondering if I will ever be able to experience that part of life...

I’m right there with you. When I take a moment to really think about it, I start spiraling. How am I supposed to make such a massive decision right now? There are so many variables to consider... what if I just end up dragging a child into my own mess? What if I can't handle the pressure of it all? Honestly, I'm just exhausted by life as it stands... ugh.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 18, 2013

Sophia Moore38 said:Man, I feel for you regarding the attempt; the main thing is that you pulled through.
For me, things really hit a breaking point when my father passed away suddenly. I was only 15, and the shock was absolutely devastating.
Since I was struggling so much back then, my doctor put me on Xanax...
It helped calm the nerves, but it didn't actually fix the underlying issue.
Later, after I got married and went through postpartum depression following childbirth, that’s when I actually started taking
antidepressants.

The truth is, these antidepressants aren't going anywhere, no matter how you look at it—even if everyone wishes they could just get rid of them once and for all.🤷>

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 18, 2013

Sophia Moore38;43687378 said:
Even if I had a valid excuse at the start—dealing with a sick grandmother, losing my father when he was only 41, having a mother struggling with her health...
That’s all in the past now, yet I still react the exact same way.

The whole thing took a massive toll on my mental health, my stomach, my kidneys, even my heart...

Ugh, don't even get me started on those physical side effects. I honestly can't remember a single day where my stomach wasn't acting up, or my heart wasn't skipping beats, or I wasn't spiraling into a panic attack thinking I was having a heart attack... it’s exhausting. I’ve lived with this constant, nagging feeling that something terrible is about to happen; I've felt it since I was a kid. When I was nine years old, I just knew something bad would happen if I walked down the street to grab some bread from the corner store, though I couldn't explain why. Of course, my mom just told me I was being lazy and sent me on my way. That's when I dealt with an attempted assault. Ever since then... the fear hasn't left. It’s like it’s glued to me. Sometimes it feels like I can't even breathe because of it, but hey... you just learn to live with it.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 18, 2013

Gerald Torres2 said:From what I understand, the best practice is to stay on them for at least eight months to a year after your last symptom clears up—basically, once you feel like yourself again and the depression, anxiety, or panic attacks have fully subsided. The whole reason for this extended period is to prevent a relapse or having the condition come crawling back. Now, here is the reality check: recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. For some people, they never deal with a recurrence; for others, it happens immediately, and for some, it doesn't show up again for ten years. It’s highly individual, and unfortunately, no one can give you a definitive guarantee on how your specific biology will react.

To add to that... it also depends on how severe your depression is and whether this is your first episode or something you've been battling for a while. Honestly, your doctor is the best person to walk you through all of this. Don't be shy about asking questions. I actually write my questions down on paper so I can read them clearly during the appointment. That's just how I handle it; otherwise, my brain starts acting like Dory from Finding Nemo.😂

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 18, 2013

Benjamin Martin65 said:Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how much AD one actually needs to take at a minimum to see results? And more importantly, what happens when you decide to stop—does everything just go back to exactly how it was before you started?
I’ve been on it for about two months now, and today my therapist mentioned that he might keep me on it for a little while longer, which honestly left me feeling a bit lost; I found myself wanting to ask him, "Well, what happens after that?"

From what I understand, the best practice is to stay on them for at least eight months to a year after your last symptom clears up—basically, once you feel like yourself again and the depression, anxiety, or panic attacks have fully subsided. The whole reason for this extended period is to prevent a relapse or having the condition come crawling back. Now, here is the reality check: recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. For some people, they never deal with a recurrence; for others, it happens immediately, and for some, it doesn't show up again for ten years. It’s highly individual, and unfortunately, no one can give you a definitive guarantee on how your specific biology will react.

Psychotropic medication discussion thread in Psychology & Therapy · Feb 18, 2013

Sophia Moore38 said:It’s this relentless, suffocating dread that something catastrophic is going to happen to me or my family—it's just constant.
The fear of death, those sudden, paralyzing panic attacks...
And then there's the endless loop of negative thoughts.🙂

In my experience, that specific fear is just a direct byproduct of having panic attacks. That was certainly the case for me. Every single time I dealt with a panic attack, I’d be convinced that one of my loved ones had been in some horrific accident. It became this endless loop that lasted for years. Even now, if someone doesn't pick up their phone when I call, my heart starts racing like crazy from pure anxiety. It feels like nobody truly gets what I'm going through. I know that fear intimately... I just haven't figured out how to shake it yet.🙂