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Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Started by Robin Myers91 · · 👁 817 views · 10K replies

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Participants Robin Myers91Eric Wood7Maria Gomez6crimsonhound80Tyler Ortiz6dustyscout41Andrew Stewart2George Ramos64Morgan Long49Jason Sanchez3briskgull27Charles Edwards8Brenda Allen2hollowtinker8bluecyclist28electricorca13David Kern14Ashley Morganwanderingscout13Sam Hall15coppergardenerCarl Thompson4Mark Stewartanalognomad762 …
wiredskipper45 wiredskipper45 Active Member
60 messages
joined Dec 2012
#5141 ·
Sophia Moore38 said:Man... I am right there with you, friend.....
🙂🙂
So, what’s the move here?
Has anyone actually found success with alternative treatments?

Honestly, I feel like I've tried everything under the sun since summer. Bioenergetics, chakra cleansing, homeopathy, all those self-help gimmicks—EFT, positive affirmations, the Sedona Method, meditation, yoga... you name it. After all that, I ended up feeling WORSE THAN EVER. Total disaster. So yeah, I’m officially crawling back to conventional medicine. Ugh. Just... ugh.

🙂
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5142 ·
Sophia Moore38 said:Man... I am right there with you, friend.....
🙂🙂
So, what’s the move here?
Has anyone actually found success with alternative treatments?

About a year and a half ago, bioenergy work completely wiped out my agoraphobia. It only took four sessions. It hasn't come back since, which is wild, because before that, I couldn't even dream of stepping foot outside without feeling like I was going to pass out. It also significantly dialed down my anxiety at the time, though obviously, that fluctuates whenever new stressors pop up....
But the agoraphobia—the thing that basically cut me off from the entire world—is gone, and hopefully, it stays that way forever. I am endlessly grateful to those bioenergy practitioners for making that happen. And just to be clear, this happened while I wasn't on any medication; it was right after I stopped taking my pills, when things were at their absolute worst. 😍
wiredskipper45 wiredskipper45 Active Member
60 messages
joined Dec 2012
#5143 ·
Gerald Torres2 said:About a year and a half ago, bioenergy work completely wiped out my agoraphobia. It only took four sessions. It hasn't come back since, which is wild, because before that, I couldn't even dream of stepping foot outside without feeling like I was going to pass out. It also significantly dialed down my anxiety at the time, though obviously, that fluctuates whenever new stressors pop up....
But the agoraphobia—the thing that basically cut me off from the entire world—is gone, and hopefully, it stays that way forever. I am endlessly grateful to those bioenergy practitioners for making that happen. And just to be clear, this happened while I wasn't on any medication; it was right after I stopped taking my pills, when things were at their absolute worst. 😍

I cured my agoraphobia on my own, just using my own damn strength. I was twenty then and had zero clue what was actually happening to me; I didn't even realize I was dealing with a mental health issue. once you actually become aware of it, though, it gets harder to fight. at least that's how it felt for me, because I started identifying too much with those *damn diagnoses I carry. :/
energy healing helped me a little bit with anxiety this past summer, but I guess you'd have to go every single day for months to see anything lasting. and who actually has that kind of money? not me. 🙂
Sophia Moore38 Sophia Moore38 Member
36 messages
joined Oct 2012
#5144 ·
Gerald Torres2 said:About a year and a half ago, bioenergy work completely wiped out my agoraphobia. It only took four sessions. It hasn't come back since, which is wild, because before that, I couldn't even dream of stepping foot outside without feeling like I was going to pass out. It also significantly dialed down my anxiety at the time, though obviously, that fluctuates whenever new stressors pop up....
But the agoraphobia—the thing that basically cut me off from the entire world—is gone, and hopefully, it stays that way forever. I am endlessly grateful to those bioenergy practitioners for making that happen. And just to be clear, this happened while I wasn't on any medication; it was right after I stopped taking my pills, when things were at their absolute worst. 😍

As far as going out goes, that isn't really my struggle.
I work, I have a kid, and I try my best to just live a normal life...
But it’s a constant battle.
Honestly, I've had enough of the pills; besides the side effects, they caused me to put on 15 pounds.
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5145 ·
wiredskipper45 said:I cured my agoraphobia on my own, just using my own damn strength. I was twenty then and had zero clue what was actually happening to me; I didn't even realize I was dealing with a mental health issue. once you actually become aware of it, though, it gets harder to fight. at least that's how it felt for me, because I started identifying too much with those *damn diagnoses I carry. :/
energy healing helped me a little bit with anxiety this past summer, but I guess you'd have to go every single day for months to see anything lasting. and who actually has that kind of money? not me. 🙂

Honestly, I spent three years mistaking my agoraphobia for low blood pressure or a sugar crash, haha. It wasn't until some specialists put it in writing that I realized what was actually going on. And just like you, once I finally understood it, I ended up sinking even deeper into it.
I used to go to bioenergy sessions using the Zdenko Domančić method. Usually, it's free and you just show up whenever you feel the need, maybe two or three times a year. You just leave a donation of whatever amount you want... if people are broke, they just bring a thank-you note and a box of chocolates, and nobody gives you a second look or judges you for it.
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5146 ·
Sophia Moore38 said:As far as going out goes, that isn't really my struggle.
I work, I have a kid, and I try my best to just live a normal life...
But it’s a constant battle.
Honestly, I've had enough of the pills; besides the side effects, they caused me to put on 15 pounds.

If you don't mind me asking, what would you say is actually your biggest hurdle?
Sophia Moore38 Sophia Moore38 Member
36 messages
joined Oct 2012
#5147 ·
Gerald Torres2 said:If you don't mind me asking, what would you say is actually your biggest hurdle?

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.🙂
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5148 ·
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.🙂
Benjamin Martin65 Benjamin Martin65 Active Member
72 messages
joined Jul 2009
#5149 ·
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?"
Sophia Moore38 Sophia Moore38 Member
36 messages
joined Oct 2012
#5150 ·
Gerald Torres2 said: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.🙂

It's the exact same thing here; if there's an emergency, I start dialing every contact in my phone like my life depends on it...
Even though, looking back, my anxiety was actually grounded in reality—my grandmother being ill, losing my father when he was only 41, my mother struggling with her health...
But even though those crises are behind me, my nervous system still reacts as if they're happening right now.

The sheer duration of all that stress has taken a massive toll on my mental health, and physically, it's wreaked havoc on my stomach, my kidneys, and my heart...
how long is the minimum duration for taking medication? And what happens once you stop—does everything just slide right back to the way it was before?
I've been on it for two months now, and today my psychiatrist mentioned we might extend the treatment for a little longer, which makes me wonder what comes after that...
[

I think the standard is at least six months, though I can't say for certain.
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5151 ·
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.
Benjamin Martin65 Benjamin Martin65 Active Member
72 messages
joined Jul 2009
#5152 ·
That’s exactly what I was thinking myself... thanks for the input 😉
I mean, he probably intended to stay for a few more months, most likely, but I can't help feeling this lingering sense of anxiety because I just really don't want to end up back in that same painful situation again..
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5153 ·
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.😂
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5154 ·
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.
Sophia Moore38 Sophia Moore38 Member
36 messages
joined Oct 2012
#5155 ·
Gerald Torres2;43687518Tell me about those secondary symptoms. I can’t remember a single day where my stomach wasn't in knots said:

God, I am so incredibly sorry about that attempt; the only thing that matters is that you made it out alive.
For me, things hit a breaking point when my father passed away suddenly... I was only fifteen, and the shock was absolutely devastating.
Things were so bad back then that my doctor actually prescribed Xanax...
It helped take the edge off, sure, but it didn't actually fix the underlying trauma.
Later, after I got married and went through childbirth, postpartum depression hit me hard, and that's when I started taking
antidepressants.
wiredskipper45 wiredskipper45 Active Member
60 messages
joined Dec 2012
#5156 ·
Sophia Moore38 said:Man, I feel for you regarding the attempt. The main thing is that you made it through...
For me, things really hit the fan when my dad passed away suddenly... I was only 15, just a massive shock to the system.
I was in such a dark place back then, my doctor put me on Xanax...
It helped take the edge off, but it didn't fix the underlying mess.
Then I got married, dealt with postpartum depression after having kids, and that’s when I started on
antidepressants.

Mine flared up right after childbirth too, and honestly, I've been struggling with it for six years now. 😢
Plus, right as I was hitting puberty, I lost someone close to me—my sister—and then another death at 18... just one thing after another.

How long have you been on antidepressants, and which ones are you taking?
Gerald Torres2 Gerald Torres2 Active Member
192 messages
joined Feb 2013
#5157 ·
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.🤷>
Sophia Moore38 Sophia Moore38 Member
36 messages
joined Oct 2012
#5158 ·
wiredskipper45 said:Mine flared up right after childbirth too, and honestly, I've been struggling with it for six years now. 😢
Plus, right as I was hitting puberty, I lost someone close to me—my sister—and then another death at 18... just one thing after another.

How long have you been on antidepressants, and which ones are you taking?

It’s been eight years.
Paxil...
And I gained weight like crazy, honestly.
The meds kept me afloat, but they definitely made me want another baby.

When I gave birth, my whole support system basically vanished for two months.
Then, once I started the medication, the weight piled on; but it wasn't even normal weight gain, it was more like I was being inflated.
It wasn't a natural kind of heaviness, but more like I was bloated beyond recognition.
If someone poked me with a needle, I probably would have just deflated like a balloon.😂
David Bishop4 David Bishop4 Active Member
95 messages
joined Aug 2008
#5159 ·
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...
Sophia Moore38 Sophia Moore38 Member
36 messages
joined Oct 2012
#5160 ·
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...

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.

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