Psychotropic medication discussion thread

rowdycobra10 said:I was wondering if anyone could explain the actual difference between Sanval and Cerson? I used to be prescribed Sanval—the first pill I took basically floored me, and the second one did the same, though it felt more like I was just eating candy rather than taking an actual sedative. Once I switched over to Cerson, things actually got worse; it feels like it does absolutely nothing at all. To top it off, my dosage of Xanax has been increased, but the effect only lasts about 15-20 minutes before everything just goes right back to how it was :S

Well, here is the thing: Sanval contains zolpidem, which doesn't really act as a muscle relaxant for the body. On the other hand, Cerson contains nitrazepam, which works as an anticonvulsant and a muscle relaxant, but also functions as both a hypnotic and an anxiolytic.
That is the fundamental distinction right there.
There is also the matter of the elimination half-life—Cerson stays in your system for about 24 to 30 hours, whereas Sanval is out in roughly 2 hours. So, with Sanval, you don't really face that heavy "daytime sedation" risk.
As for dependency? It is the exact same story for both.
And then, of course, there are other nuances regarding administration methods and how they interact with other medications, among other things.

I’ve realized that Xanax actually works wonders for my sleep. Just a tiny 0.125 mg dose and I'm set. It keeps me out cold for at least a few hours, and honestly, when I finally do wake up, I feel way more rested than usual.
But now I'm starting to wonder—what am I actually doing to myself by taking this every single night? I really don't want to end up hooked, where the meds stop working or I can't even drift off without them. I've got some other stuff on hand, but right now, Xanax seems to be the only thing hitting the spot.

Which psychotropic med would you recommend for someone who just wants to become a blank slate?
I know everyone else is out there trying to "feel better," get social, and all that nonsense... I just want to feel nothing at all. No emotions whatsoever.

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Which psychotropic med would you recommend for someone who just wants to become a blank slate?
I know everyone else is out there trying to "feel better," get social, and all that nonsense... I just want to feel nothing at all. No emotions whatsoever.

Giving advice like that would be, at the very least, completely immoral.
Medication is meant to help a person heal, isn't it? It's meant to cure, not to make you sick.
And this idea about socializing being "nonsense"... don't you see how much easier it makes communication and life in general?
Before you go poisoning yourself and turning your entire existence into a cycle of suffering—both mental and physical—perhaps you should actually study the art of socialization.
It’s much easier that way.

Currently, my regimen consists of Seroquel XR 200mg, Effexor 75mg, Mirtazapine 30mg, and Misar SR 1mg—which serves as my substitute for Xanax. I suppose I should mention that five years ago, this combination quite literally saved my life.
Regarding the Seroquel, I’ve been tapering myself down from an initial 600mg dose. I’ve managed to reach 200mg daily now, which hasn't been particularly difficult, provided one is careful and moves at a very gradual pace.
The Effexor has been a different story; I went from taking three pills a day down to two, and that transition is proving troublesome. If I don't take it first thing in the morning, by the evening my head starts throbbing so intensely it feels as though my brain might actually explode.
As for the Misar (Xanax), I have stopped taking it regularly, though I always keep some on hand just in case a severe crisis hits. It works incredibly fast for me—usually within just a few minutes.
My diagnosis is F33.3, accompanied by suicidal ideation.
Perhaps I signed up for this forum unnecessarily.
What I really meant to convey is this: please, take your medication. Once you finally achieve some semblance of stability, then—and only then—should you even begin to contemplate tapering off.
There isn't a pill out there that will simply numb you so you can ignore life's problems, but there are medications that can provide you with the actual will to live and the strength to fight for it.🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Giving advice like that would be, at the very least, completely immoral.
Medication is meant to help a person heal, isn't it? It's meant to cure, not to make you sick.
And this idea about socializing being "nonsense"... don't you see how much easier it makes communication and life in general?
Before you go poisoning yourself and turning your entire existence into a cycle of suffering—both mental and physical—perhaps you should actually study the art of socialization.
It’s much easier that way.

Nonsense like "socializing" has been a total waste of my entire life.
I wouldn't say what I said without some actual reasoning behind it.
And let's be real, life is still a struggle even when you are social.

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Which psychotropic med would you recommend for someone who just wants to become a blank slate?
I know everyone else is out there trying to "feel better," get social, and all that nonsense... I just want to feel nothing at all. No emotions whatsoever.

Look, not everyone is chasing "improvement" or trying to be social; when I first started my treatment, I felt the exact same way, wanting nothing more than to be a complete blank slate—basically a living ghost who just wanted to sleep and take a break from existing altogether. That’s honestly just the first stage of the process. Besides, suggesting specific psychiatric meds on an online forum is totally reckless; you really need to sit down with a psychiatrist and lay everything out, explaining exactly how you reached this point where being a blank slate feels like the only option, and they will prescribe something to help you manage that initial phase. And don't even bother thinking that "getting better" means you have to undergo a total transformation into some bubbly social butterfly or anything like that. You don't actually *have* to be "better." It is perfectly okay to feel exactly the way you feel right now. You have every right to feel that way. There is absolutely no pressure to be faster, better, or stronger in the eyes of society or even in your own mind. This road is a long one, so my advice is to just start exactly where you are right now, with these feelings.

redtiger35 said:Look, not everyone is chasing "improvement" or trying to be social; when I first started my treatment, I felt the exact same way, wanting nothing more than to be a complete blank slate—basically a living ghost who just wanted to sleep and take a break from existing altogether. That’s honestly just the first stage of the process. Besides, suggesting specific psychiatric meds on an online forum is totally reckless; you really need to sit down with a psychiatrist and lay everything out, explaining exactly how you reached this point where being a blank slate feels like the only option, and they will prescribe something to help you manage that initial phase. And don't even bother thinking that "getting better" means you have to undergo a total transformation into some bubbly social butterfly or anything like that. You don't actually *have* to be "better." It is perfectly okay to feel exactly the way you feel right now. You have every right to feel that way. There is absolutely no pressure to be faster, better, or stronger in the eyes of society or even in your own mind. This road is a long one, so my advice is to just start exactly where you are right now, with these feelings.

Exactly. I just want some rest. I want to stop having emotions for a little while because they haven't helped me so far, and since I'm going through such a brutal period in my life, they aren't helping now either. If anything, my emotions are driving me insane right now.
Regarding the recommendations, I just wanted to see which pills most commonly cause that feeling so I can suggest that specific type to my psychiatrist; he usually takes my preferences into account. I know every medication affects people differently, but there has to be something that frequently turns people into zombies.
My appointment isn't for another week and a half, so more crap is just going to happen in the meantime, and I want to start therapy immediately without waiting. It's easier for me to suggest something to him right away instead of experimenting with other pills that might do the exact opposite of what I actually want.
To me, being "better" would simply mean being without emotions. I would be perfectly satisfied with just that.

Emotions... they hit you like a freaking tsunami sometimes, just completely overwhelming you and leaving you totally defenseless, especially if you've been battling mental health issues for a while, whereas some people seem to handle those emotional waves like it's nothing. Honestly, you need a ton of experience to deal with that, and unfortunately, most of that experience comes from the bad stuff; you have to mess up plenty of times to actually learn the lesson, but the real kicker is when you're already feeling broken and sick, and all those past setbacks just leave you feeling disappointed and vulnerable, making you feel like you aren't learning anything even though you absolutely are. Your first instinct when that emotional tidal wave hits is usually to just shut everything down—just go totally "off." It sounds tempting when you're desperate, but let’s be real, that doesn't work because humans aren't built to function without feelings. Apathy is this super weird, intense state I used to fall into during bouts of depression. Having zero emotions is actually way worse because suddenly you're getting all this input from the world around you but you can't find any way to react to it, and if you couldn't see the point of things before, now it feels completely impossible. An anxiolytic that your doctor likely prescribes will give you these little moments of relief. You don't have to worry about messing up too badly with an anxiolytic, nor do you necessarily have to swap them out as often as you might with an antidepressant; anxiolytics are fast-acting and they work right when you need them. They're bad for you in the long run because they can be addictive, but in the moment, they're great and I'm honestly grateful for them. So, don't stress about potentially having to switch anxiolytics; whether it's something like Xanax or another one in that group, it happens. I'm definitely not an expert here, but in my experience, you'll probably face fewer hurdles with the quick results of an anxiolytic compared to other meds, though everyone reacts differently and some people get side effects that just don't sit right. Just make sure you tell your doctor that while you want the anxiolytic, you also want consistent, long-term treatment, counseling, and therapy, because while you're essentially putting your emotions on standby, you still need to learn how to actually deal with them. Try to look at it like a "know your enemy" situation 🙂 study them a bit, borrow a book from the library, or just read up online about the psychology of emotions, talk to your doctor, and try to wrap your head around the mechanics of it all. We are all so much more than just our psychopathology.

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Exactly. I just want some rest. I want to stop having emotions for a little while because they haven't helped me so far, and since I'm going through such a brutal period in my life, they aren't helping now either. If anything, my emotions are driving me insane right now.
Regarding the recommendations, I just wanted to see which pills most commonly cause that feeling so I can suggest that specific type to my psychiatrist; he usually takes my preferences into account. I know every medication affects people differently, but there has to be something that frequently turns people into zombies.
My appointment isn't for another week and a half, so more crap is just going to happen in the meantime, and I want to start therapy immediately without waiting. It's easier for me to suggest something to him right away instead of experimenting with other pills that might do the exact opposite of what I actually want.
To me, being "better" would simply mean being without emotions. I would be perfectly satisfied with just that.

Are you really going to go in there and ask for a prescription just so you can feel nothing, or maybe just feel less? I truly hope not. Anxiolytics will blunt you very quickly—but those emotions don't just vanish; they keep building up deep down in your subconscious. Once that container overflows, you'll face panic attacks that could hit you at any moment, even when you finally feel calm, and it'll catch you completely off guard. If you're looking for actual help, you can find licensed psychotherapists through your insurance provider—meaning psychotherapy is the real solution, the method, the path, the process where you'll eventually learn to verbalize your emotions. They have to come out. The choice is yours, obviously, but think about whether you want a long-term solution or if you'd rather just be a zombie struggling with panic attacks—or God forbid, something worse like psychosis. Good luck!

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Nonsense like "socializing" has been a total waste of my entire life.
I wouldn't say what I said without some actual reasoning behind it.
And let's be real, life is still a struggle even when you are social.

Socialization is a science! It isn't some piece of bubblegum you can just chew on and change flavors whenever you feel like it. If you don't feel like any form of socialization is actually helping you, then either you haven't truly grasped its power and importance, or—and this is a hard truth to face—you simply lack the capacity to be anything more than what you currently are or can be.☕

redtiger35 said:Emotions... they hit you like a freaking tsunami sometimes, just completely overwhelming you and leaving you totally defenseless, especially if you've been battling mental health issues for a while, whereas some people seem to handle those emotional waves like it's nothing. Honestly, you need a ton of experience to deal with that, and unfortunately, most of that experience comes from the bad stuff; you have to mess up plenty of times to actually learn the lesson, but the real kicker is when you're already feeling broken and sick, and all those past setbacks just leave you feeling disappointed and vulnerable, making you feel like you aren't learning anything even though you absolutely are. Your first instinct when that emotional tidal wave hits is usually to just shut everything down—just go totally "off." It sounds tempting when you're desperate, but let’s be real, that doesn't work because humans aren't built to function without feelings. Apathy is this super weird, intense state I used to fall into during bouts of depression. Having zero emotions is actually way worse because suddenly you're getting all this input from the world around you but you can't find any way to react to it, and if you couldn't see the point of things before, now it feels completely impossible. An anxiolytic that your doctor likely prescribes will give you these little moments of relief. You don't have to worry about messing up too badly with an anxiolytic, nor do you necessarily have to swap them out as often as you might with an antidepressant; anxiolytics are fast-acting and they work right when you need them. They're bad for you in the long run because they can be addictive, but in the moment, they're great and I'm honestly grateful for them. So, don't stress about potentially having to switch anxiolytics; whether it's something like Xanax or another one in that group, it happens. I'm definitely not an expert here, but in my experience, you'll probably face fewer hurdles with the quick results of an anxiolytic compared to other meds, though everyone reacts differently and some people get side effects that just don't sit right. Just make sure you tell your doctor that while you want the anxiolytic, you also want consistent, long-term treatment, counseling, and therapy, because while you're essentially putting your emotions on standby, you still need to learn how to actually deal with them. Try to look at it like a "know your enemy" situation 🙂 study them a bit, borrow a book from the library, or just read up online about the psychology of emotions, talk to your doctor, and try to wrap your head around the mechanics of it all. We are all so much more than just our psychopathology.

Just like a tsunami... And I feel like I haven't learned anything because I keep making the exact same mistakes even though I know I shouldn't. I can't seem to move away from this dead end where I always react the same way.
Antidepressants seem like a lot, so I figured I'd start with the lesser evil 😬
I'll definitely look for a book or check things out online, thanks so much 🙂

fadedbear92 said:Are you really going to go in there and ask for a prescription just so you can feel nothing, or maybe just feel less? I truly hope not. Anxiolytics will blunt you very quickly—but those emotions don't just vanish; they keep building up deep down in your subconscious. Once that container overflows, you'll face panic attacks that could hit you at any moment, even when you finally feel calm, and it'll catch you completely off guard. If you're looking for actual help, you can find licensed psychotherapists through your insurance provider—meaning psychotherapy is the real solution, the method, the path, the process where you'll eventually learn to verbalize your emotions. They have to come out. The choice is yours, obviously, but think about whether you want a long-term solution or if you'd rather just be a zombie struggling with panic attacks—or God forbid, something worse like psychosis. Good luck!

To’s actually what I was thinking, Doc. I can tell him anything without him looking at me like I’ve lost my mind or laughing in my face. So I know if I just approach him directly with the right arguments, he’ll actually listen.
That’s why I asked about something that handles the emotions too, so I don't end up having an outburst or something. I don't want to just walk around like a zombie; I want to actually feel things—or rather, manage how I feel.
So far, psychotherapy without medication hasn't really done the trick...

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Socialization is a science! It isn't some piece of bubblegum you can just chew on and change flavors whenever you feel like it. If you don't feel like any form of socialization is actually helping you, then either you haven't truly grasped its power and importance, or—and this is a hard truth to face—you simply lack the capacity to be anything more than what you currently are or can be.☕

It’s not that it doesn't help, it’s just that constantly trying like an idiot only to have everyone screw me over again gets on my nerves. Honestly, I just don't have the will anymore. People are generally all the same brand of garbage; it's just a matter of when they decide to show how much garbage is inside them.

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Just like a tsunami... And I feel like I haven't learned anything because I keep making the exact same mistakes even though I know I shouldn't. I can't seem to move away from this dead end where I always react the same way.
Antidepressants seem like a lot, so I figured I'd start with the lesser evil 😬
I'll definitely look for a book or check things out online, thanks so much 🙂

To’s actually what I was thinking, Doc. I can tell him anything without him looking at me like I’ve lost my mind or laughing in my face. So I know if I just approach him directly with the right arguments, he’ll actually listen.
That’s why I asked about something that handles the emotions too, so I don't end up having an outburst or something. I don't want to just walk around like a zombie; I want to actually feel things—or rather, manage how I feel.
So far, psychotherapy without medication hasn't really done the trick...

It’s not that it doesn't help, it’s just that constantly trying like an idiot only to have everyone screw me over again gets on my nerves. Honestly, I just don't have the will anymore. People are generally all the same brand of garbage; it's just a matter of when they decide to show how much garbage is inside them.

So, what you're saying is we choose our own company? When we get "screwed over," is it a sign that we chose that path ourselves, or perhaps we simply didn't see it coming?
Everyone makes mistakes.
In my view, people aren't just piles of garbage—they are more like sources of inspiration or life lessons. Perhaps that is how you should try to view others?
If you go into something knowing there is a chance you might be deceived or exploited, then accept that reality. If you do, you can walk away from such a relationship as a winner.
Take that predictable dynamic and use it for your own benefit.
You could even play along—perhaps even amplify certain traits in someone—just to see if they truly are who they claim to be, or perhaps to test yourself? To see how much knowledge and intuition you actually possess to discern someone's true qualities?
That can actually be quite interesting, and it provides excellent motivation for future relationships.
Over time, you will realize that people are fundamentally all the same—but you already know that, don't you? So, every new friendship or encounter can be treated as a genuine experience and a lesson learned.😉

Hey again, it’s me... still relatively new to this whole medication thing and definitely feeling like a rookie at it.
Just got back from my check-up, and honestly, I feel more or less okay. My meds haven't changed, just the dosages are a bit different now.
So, it's one Prozac in the morning plus 2 mg of Normabel, half a Normabel in the afternoon, and then Normabel plus one and a half Prazin right before bed.
I was dealing with some nausea earlier, but it’s happening way less often now and it isn't nearly as intense.
That Normabel really hits the spot when it comes to relaxing—I seriously didn't expect it to work that well. Since my heart was racing a bit too much, usually right before lunch, my doctor bumped up my morning dose from half a pill to a full one.
All in all, I'm feeling better.
But now, I have a question 😁
I'm not sure if this has come up in this group before, but if anyone out there is on the same or a similar regimen as mine, I would be so incredibly grateful for some insight..
Um... okay, let's talk about sex.. How do these meds affect you in that department?
My libido is totally fine—the drive is definitely still there—but I've noticed it's becoming way harder to actually reach an orgasm, and it takes me forever.
My partner and I have an amazing relationship; he's super understanding and never makes me feel pressured, but I still end up feeling crappy about it myself..
Anyway, I'm just being blunt and asking you guys (it's honestly way easier to talk to people here than to my doctor 😁), so I'd love to hear about your experiences with this.

My psychiatrist prescribed me Rivotril (2 mg daily). Has anyone here taken it? I'd love to hear what your experience was like.

We’ve actually covered a ton of ground regarding Rivotril on here, so if you just scroll back through my old posts, you'll probably find exactly what you're looking for since I was asking all the same questions when I first got put on Rivotril myself. You were prescribed a pretty substantial dose, which honestly is a great thing because it really is an incredibly effective medication, and I think it shows a lot of strength that your doctor jumped straight to Rivotril to get things under control. 🙂Just give it a few days to settle in so you can see how it actually affects you.

He told me Rivotril might be more effective than Xanax, and since I'm young, I'm starting to wonder if Xanax is even the right call for me.
I have another appointment with him this Friday; hopefully, he can monitor my reaction and maybe adjust my prescription with some more pills.
I saw some posts here saying you all had good results, so I’m really hoping for the same—I just want this mental fog to finally clear up.
I actually received my official diagnosis today, and it's listed as F43.2. It feels pretty accurate, though I suspect I might be sliding into a deeper depression, but I guess my psychiatrist will be the judge of that.

Right now, I'm taking one 0.5 mg tablet in the morning, one in the afternoon, and two before bed.
Do you think it would be okay to switch things up and take two tablets in the morning or afternoon instead? I don't feel much benefit from the dose if I'm mostly just using the heavy dose at night to help me sleep.

Benjamin Robinson3 said:He told me Rivotril might be more effective than Xanax, and since I'm young, I'm starting to wonder if Xanax is even the right call for me.
I have another appointment with him this Friday; hopefully, he can monitor my reaction and maybe adjust my prescription with some more pills.
I saw some posts here saying you all had good results, so I’m really hoping for the same—I just want this mental fog to finally clear up.
I actually received my official diagnosis today, and it's listed as F43.2. It feels pretty accurate, though I suspect I might be sliding into a deeper depression, but I guess my psychiatrist will be the judge of that.

Right now, I'm taking one 0.5 mg tablet in the morning, one in the afternoon, and two before bed.
Do you think it would be okay to switch things up and take two tablets in the morning or afternoon instead? I don't feel much benefit from the dose if I'm mostly just using the heavy dose at night to help me sleep.

No. There’s a specific reason your dosage is structured this way, and if you have any doubts about how to take it, you really should clear it with your doctor first.

Generally speaking, the largest dose is meant for bedtime, so following your prescription exactly is the best way to go...

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Benjamin Robinson3 said:He told me Rivotril might be more effective than Xanax, and since I'm young, I'm starting to wonder if Xanax is even the right call for me.
I have another appointment with him this Friday; hopefully, he can monitor my reaction and maybe adjust my prescription with some more pills.
I saw some posts here saying you all had good results, so I’m really hoping for the same—I just want this mental fog to finally clear up.
I actually received my official diagnosis today, and it's listed as F43.2. It feels pretty accurate, though I suspect I might be sliding into a deeper depression, but I guess my psychiatrist will be the judge of that.

Right now, I'm taking one 0.5 mg tablet in the morning, one in the afternoon, and two before bed.
Do you think it would be okay to switch things up and take two tablets in the morning or afternoon instead? I don't feel much benefit from the dose if I'm mostly just using the heavy dose at night to help me sleep.

That’s exactly why I say it works. You really just need to trust the doctor and have faith in the medication; having that mindset is huge for how you recover. If there's any way to avoid benzos altogether—like Xanax or Helex—then honestly, that's the gold standard. From what I've gathered from others, Rivotril seems more potent, but since the active ingredient is different, it just hits you a little differently.

Regarding shifting your dosage—don't start overthinking that right away. What the doc prescribed sounds solid; it looks like he timed it perfectly so it carries you through the day and then helps you drift off at night. If it doesn't feel right, just check in with your physician, just like Michelle Evans suggested.

- I did a quick Google search and realized Rivotril is actually a benzodiazepine too. Look, I'm no expert, so everyone should definitely listen to their doctors instead of some random forum! 🙂 🙂

As long as it actually works, I don't really care what category it falls into or what it's supposed to do, just as long as it does its job haha.
I deal with some pretty extreme mood swings—just swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other—so I was hoping this would help keep me somewhat steady in the middle.