Posts by Anthony Lopez8

Chloe Hughes6 said:Every single word you said is spot on. So, what am I even supposed to do now? I experience all of these symptoms, yet I don't have an official diagnosis in that sense.

What should you do? I can't give you a roadmap, but if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't let a label consume me. Instead, shouldn't you focus on pinpointing your primary struggle—the one thing actually making your life difficult—and then figure out which medications or therapies actually address that? I’m in no position to suggest which diagnosis fits you best because I don't know you; I don't know your medical history or the full spectrum of your symptoms. It seems to me that psychiatrists often lean toward the worst-case scenario, jumping to conclusions like schizophrenia even when the clinical evidence doesn't come close to justifying it.

In my own experience, they were incredibly confident about psychosis early on, despite the fact that I wasn't exhibiting any positive symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia. Eventually, they settled on severe depression, while simultaneously deciding that certain negative symptoms should be attributed to the depression, while others were tied to a schizoid personality—traits I've actually demonstrated my entire life, and even more intensely now.☕

Chloe Hughes6 said:What is all this about, really? I personally struggle with a complete lack of motivation and an inability to experience pleasure, though that falls under schizoid elements—and depending on how a psychiatrist evaluates me, it might even be classified as schizophrenia. To make matters more complicated, I also possess certain traits that stand in total opposition to the clinical profile of a schizoid personality. It seems that for every different psychiatrist you consult, you receive a brand-new diagnosis, unless, of course, you happen to be a textbook case!

I couldn't agree more with the bolded part. It is a reality that identical symptoms can point toward entirely different disorders. A lack of drive, abulia, or general apathy—for instance—could be interpreted as a symptom of depression, a component of a schizoid personality, or even a negative symptom of schizophrenia. For a layperson, sorting these things into the correct categories is nearly impossible, and if my own experience is any indication, even the professionals often struggle to find much clarity in these distinctions... 🤷

hollowsailor48 said:Does anyone actually know anything about Pfizer? The box says 2x1, but I can't tell if that means I'm supposed to take two tablets a day or what exactly.🙈

That’s exactly right. It means twice a day, one tablet at a time. 😁

ruggedsurfer293 said:Hi there. My 21-year-old daughter is on Xanax. I was talking to her earlier—she had a bit of a moment of honesty—and she admitted she took a pill along with some alcohol. What kind of trouble could this cause? Should I be worried?

If she only took a single tablet rather than an entire bottle, she isn't going to face any catastrophic physical crisis. The most realistic danger here is simply that the medication will amplify the effects of the alcohol, potentially leading to erratic behavior or even a blackout where she won't remember her actions the following day.

You "should" be concerned, though perhaps less about the physiological impact of one pill mixed with booze and more about the underlying reasons behind such self-destructive impulses.
If these issues persist over time, it might be worth considering a shift toward a more appropriate treatment plan, given that Xanax isn't meant for long-term maintenance; it is designed primarily to manage acute symptoms.

Thomas Rodriguez14 said:Can you explain what kind of side effects we're talking about? And what's the absolute worst part? I don't need a lecture ☕ I just want some peace at home while my mom waits for her divorce papers to go through.

The side effects can vary quite a bit, though they generally taper off after those initial few weeks—especially if you introduce the medication gradually, say by starting with a quarter dose before moving up to a half and eventually the full amount. You might deal with headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, restlessness, rashes, or even blurred vision. As for Xanax, it has a very distinct effect, particularly if someone has used it before. All in all, it’s more than enough to make someone suspect they are being "poisoned."

I think it is vital to point out that Zoloft can actually increase agitation at home because, by its nature, it lacks a sedative effect. In fact, in extreme cases, it has been directly linked to multiple homicides, such as school shootings.
In psychiatry, when the goal is to calm a patient down and ensure they are cooperative, doctors typically prescribe antipsychotics (such as Haldol or Clozapine) along with anxiolytics (like Xanax) for rapid, short-term relief.

Sure, you don't need to be sedated—but that's only because the medication wouldn't have any meaningful effect on you anyway. I could easily lecture you on how much more sensible it would be to simply move out away from a problematic individual (there is always a way to do that regardless of your financial situation, especially if the alternative is covertly "poisoning" them), but I won't. There is no point. 😁

Thomas Rodriguez14 said:Look, I didn't come here for a lecture. Also, I totally forgot to mention in my last post that back in 2001, he was hospitalized for F25.2—schizoaffective disorder, mixed type, whatever that means. He refused the meds then, too. Things were okay for a bit, but everything went south in 2009 when he started talking nonsense and smashing stuff around the house. We called 911 and they kept him in the hospital for a month. By 2011, things got even worse; he saw a psychiatrist and was on Haldol, then his doctor switched him to clozapine. In 2012, he got Zoloft and Xanax, but he won't take them because he'll just wreck the house—so my question is, would the meds still work if they were hidden in his coffee or tea?

Yes, the medication should still take effect even if it is mixed into coffee. However, you lose that placebo effect, which is actually quite significant when dealing with antidepressants. At the start of treatment, there can be unpleasant side effects, so there is a distinct possibility he might notice something is different. Xanax doesn't present those specific types of side effects, but its sedative effect is quite obvious, so...

By the way, you can't really expect to ask for advice on how to carry out something illegal on a public forum without receiving, at the very least, a bit of a "moral lecture."☕

Thomas Rodriguez14 said:Hey everyone—not sure if this is the right spot for this, but I’ve got a question. My stepdad is dealing with some seriously, seriously heavy mental health issues, and his psychiatrist prescribed him Prozac, but he just flat-out refuses to take it. Neither my mom nor I have any clue what to do at this point. So, I was wondering—if we were to crush those pills into a fine powder and sneak them into his coffee (which he basically lives on)—would they actually do anything?

First off, what exactly does "extremely, extremely severe" mean in your eyes? He was prescribed Prozac, which is an antidepressant. Since you haven't mentioned any antipsychotics being part of his regimen, shouldn't we assume his reality testing is still intact—that is, he hasn't completely lost touch with reality? If he actually has, then Prozac certainly wouldn't be the solution here. Furthermore, since his doctor didn't recommend hospitalization, it stands to reason that he doesn't pose a significant danger to himself or others.

Don't you think that, even in his state, your stepfather should be the one to decide whether or not he wants to take medication? (I personally believe that even individuals experiencing intense psychosis should retain that right, though that is a subject open to debate.) If his behavior is making life miserable for you and your mother, there are other ways to address the situation. Slipping medication into his coffee strikes me as fundamentally wrong.

Bradley Williams74 said:It seems to me that most of the discussions on these forums are pretty outdated, even though I know there are so many people out there struggling with psychosis who, just like me, are searching for some real insight into the medication they've been prescribed...

Since I can't find a dedicated community specifically for this particular drug, I was hoping to hear from those of you currently taking it? For now, my doctor has me on a regimen of 150 mg of Seroquel at night (with the possibility of bumping that dose up later). My main struggle, however, is that this medication makes it feel absolutely impossible to wake up. I’m sleeping at least ten hours a stretch, and even then, it takes me a full hour just to physically pull myself out of bed; once I do, I’m hit with this intense dizziness and vertigo. I'll let you in on my little secret for managing it, though. The first thing I do when I finally manage to stand up is brew myself a pretty strong cup of coffee, and after about an hour or so, I start feeling a bit more stable—I still have some lightheadedness, but it isn't nearly as overwhelming as that initial wake-up period. By the afternoon, the sensation usually fades away entirely.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

I don't suffer from psychosis myself, but I do have some experience dealing with Seroquel. Among the more modern antipsychotics, this one is undeniably the heaviest hitter when it comes to sedation. For those who take it specifically to help with sleep, I wouldn't recommend doing so unless you are already tucked firmly into bed. Otherwise, simple activities like slicing bread or grabbing a snack could end quite poorly for you. 😲 😁

Ultimately, you have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. If these side effects persist and you find them intolerable, you really have no choice but to switch to a different antipsychotic. Most alternatives do carry a sedative effect, but generally speaking, it is significantly milder and much easier to manage. Given that your current dose is relatively low and it's already causing you this much trouble, one has to wonder how you will handle it if your doctor decides to increase the dosage...

redcrane22 said:It’s pretty pricey. Someone mentioned it might be around $167 but don't quote me on that, I could be off by a mile.
Just keep in mind you can't exactly pick it up off a shelf without a prescription.

Thanks for the heads-up, at least now I have a rough idea...

I have a prescription, obviously (I mean, why wouldn't I? 😬), it's just from a private doctor.

Does anyone happen to know what the current going rate is for Seroquel (or quetiapine, generally speaking) when buying it at the pharmacy?

ruggedtinker9 said:I happened to come across this article regarding antipsychotics... it suggests that long-term use of these medications can lead to a significant reduction in brain volume.

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/1006....2010.281.html

The study mentioned here specifically focuses on haloperidol (Haldol), rather than the newer generation of antipsychotics like Zyprexa.

Furthermore, the text points out that these shifts occur quite rapidly—even after relatively short periods of use—yet they remain reversible, meaning the brain can recover once the medication is discontinued.

redtiger35 said:Hey everyone, I'm new here, though I've been lurking on the forum for a while now.
I’ve been dealing with mixed anxiety and depression, taking 15 mg of Elice and about 0.5 mg of Xanax daily "as needed" for maybe 3 or 4 months. I've already talked things through with my psychiatrist—we check in pretty often since I go to a private practice, which is tough on my budget, but honestly, she's a lifesaver so I just cut back on other stuff to make it work... anyway, she thinks the anxiety has cleared up significantly (!), but the depression hasn't budged. My appetite and sex drive have vanished too (which, honestly, works for me), and I can't even cry anymore. That's also super typical; I noticed it just a week after starting the AD—I feel like I need to cry, but nothing comes out, which was a huge shift from my old life where I'd be sobbing 3 or 4 times a week. BUT, that deep sadness, dissatisfaction, and total lack of interest in life are still right there. So, when we last spoke, my doctor suggested switching up my meds... and yeah, now I'm stressing.

Just to be clear, I'm not planning on following any advice from this forum; I have my own doctor and I trust her... but I've always appreciated hearing about people's experiences, and especially being able to vent like this since I don't really have anyone around me who gets it, let alone someone going through the exact same thing. 👋

How did you guys handle switching medications? How often do you actually end up changing things? And is it possible that Big Pharma is just playing us? Look, I know how wrong and ignorant it is to take depression lightly, but I definitely take my depression lightly. 😢 As soon as I feel even slightly better, I start blaming myself, or if I feel terrible, I blame myself then too... Like, I must be doing something wrong. I can't stop thinking that maybe depression is just made up and I'm just wrecking my body with all these pills for nothing. The truth is, Xanax is what pulled me out of that dark hole. For the Elice, I haven't noticed anything major over these three months, though I can't say it hasn't helped a bit with managing the anxiety. But the anxiety was never nearly as heavy as the depression was.

I'm terrified of new side effects from a different med, and everything else that comes with it... I originally wanted to stop the AD after six months, but now if we introduce something new, I'll probably be stuck on this stuff for a year or even longer... 😢 What has your experience been like, guys?

There really isn't much deep philosophy to unpack here. Whether or not "depression" exists as a clinical diagnosis is actually irrelevant.

If you know for a fact that you are profoundly unhappy, and you realize you simply cannot pull yourself out of that hole on your own—knowing there are chemical compounds that can help people stop being so miserable—isn't that reason enough to try them? 🤷

Kimberly Cook5 said:What you described definitely isn't just "adjusting" to the treatment—because I take olanzapine (Zyprexa) myself, and I used to be on Fevarin too. Are you absolutely certain she's actually swallowing the pills? Also, regarding the cognitive issues, those aren't necessarily tied to the diagnosis; I live with schizophrenia and I'm currently pulling double duty as a student at two different universities.

Look, if she refuses to cooperate with treatment, then honestly—without any guilt whatsoever—you should just insist on having her admitted to a psychiatric facility for a while. Maybe that'll finally bring her to her senses. I've spent time in a psych ward before, and it’s actually not a bad place to be.

That isn't legal, and frankly, I don't find it morally acceptable either—this idea of just "forcing someone into a psych ward."
She isn't posing a threat to herself or anyone else. Just because your own experience was fine doesn't mean we should be imposing forced interventions on others. 🙂

Kenneth Scott41 said:The part about the weight gain is definitely true, but I suppose you could list out all the negative side effects you actually dealt with while on Zeldox?

If my memory serves me right, I believe I already detailed them all for you somewhere else in this thread. And if I recall correctly, I think I’ve already mentioned that I am female. 🙂 😁

Regardless of what those side effects might be, they are highly subjective and don't manifest the same way in everyone. The specific way my body reacted to Zeldox certainly isn't a universal rule; if it were, nobody would be touching the stuff.

It’s easy for someone to see others' bad experiences and panic, concluding that Zeldox must be inherently dangerous. However, when we are discussing actual harm, the metabolic damage I've seen Zyprexa inflict on fat and sugar processing is, in my opinion, far more concerning.

hiddenwalker30 said:Oh, wonderful. 🙂 Now I’m left wondering what on earth I’m supposed to do next. 😁

Still, you should give Lipitor a shot. It didn't sit well with me either—in fact, I felt it had a worse effect on me than the milligram—but if it works for your system, it could be an excellent alternative, especially since it is the only one proven not to cause weight gain.

hiddenwalker30 said:But I've only been on these pills for a month :P Is that even enough time for the weight to kick in?🙂

Why not suggest that you ask your doctor about trying Zeldox first? It has a proven track record of not causing weight gain, and if it happens to sit well with you, the effects are remarkably similar to Zyprexa.
Perhaps you could explore some of the other antipsychotics she considers to be viable alternatives? While most of them tend to cause weight gain, the impact is generally much less significant than what one experiences with Zyprexa. 😉

hiddenwalker30 said:I've been taking Vistaril up until now, and then suddenly my doctor switched me over to Oleanz.

If that’s the case, there really isn't any reason to worry.

Both Vistaril and Oleanz contain the exact same active ingredient—olanzapine. If you haven't struggled with weight gain up until this point, why would you suddenly start now?😁

hiddenwalker30 said:I've read them, sure, but isn't the fear of weight gain just as real?😢

If I were in your shoes, I would certainly explore other antipsychotics before settling on Zyprexa, though obviously, that should only happen after a serious discussion with your doctor.
She really does cause significant weight gain. It doesn't happen to everyone, but for the vast majority? It’s a very real issue.

copperhound99 said:So I’m doing a little deep dive online and stumbled onto this wild theory.

Some psychoanalyst was talking about "ideas of reference"—basically when someone feels like everything they hear or see is somehow tied back to them personally, like there's this hidden meaning meant just for them...😁

But honestly, it makes me wonder—is there anyone out there who *doesn't* connect what they read or see on the news back to their own life? If I'm not comparing information to my own experiences or the people around me, what am I even supposed to do with it?😁

Like, I'll be watching the weather report, see that rain is coming, and naturally, I start thinking about how it’s gonna mess up my plans or what I'll end up doing if I can't get out...

Is that actually what they mean, or am I totally misreading this? Are we all just a little bit schizoid at heart?😁

Are you absolutely certain the text specifies a schizoid personality rather than schizophrenia or schizotypal disorder?

My own psychological assessment leaned more toward me being schizoid, but this is the first time I’ve ever heard anyone suggest there was any connection to delusional ideas regarding relationships or other manifestations of insanity. To be perfectly honest, I have never experienced any kind of productive psychotic symptoms in my life. 🤷

Frank Campbell said:That’s exactly what I struggle with. Hypomania.

When I’m on Zoloft, I become talkative, a bit laid-back, predictable, bursting with energy, maybe a little intense, and incredibly active. But normally? I’m passive, unmotivated, totally lifeless, dull, irritable, and just feeling helpless...

On Zoloft, I can be a bit rough around the edges. My mood is fantastic, but my behavior often comes off as unpolished, careless, or inconsiderate toward others. I definitely get a boost of overconfidence. Still, none of it feels excessive.

With Zoloft, I feel like that mischievous kid I spent years trying to hide because I was embarrassed by how bubbly, cheerful, open, and naive he was. He's a kid full of life, ideas, strength, and willpower. I ended up burying him deep inside the shell of black depression just because it felt easier for everyone around me :-(

My philosophy is quite simple: everyone should have the autonomy to take whatever they want, provided it makes them feel good.

However, you really have to weigh whether or not you actually maintain control while in that state. A textbook symptom of hypomania is when a person starts making risky decisions that could lead to negative psychosocial or physical consequences. Another issue is developing an overly hostile attitude toward others, becoming manipulative, or acting on impulse—not to mention direct harm, though I suspect that isn't happening in your case. You really ought to think deeply about whether this is truly the kind of person you want to be...

Have you ever considered taking a mood stabilizer alongside your Zoloft? As far as I understand, it won't block the positive effects of the antidepressant, but it does prevent those dangerous escalations.