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Faceplams: My sister has been contributing to this blog called Supportive Minds. It's written by people coping with mental illnesses and I find it incredibly fascinating, heartening, entertaining, and helpful.
God is an American
My sister has been contributing to this blog called Supportive Minds. It's written by people coping with mental illnesses and I find it incredibly fascinating, heartening, entertaining, and helpful.
I was nobody. Nothing.
definitely. i miss my psychiatrist in dallas...this local yokel doesn't seem to have a clue about psych meds and treats my request for a higher dose of citalopram after two months like a request for oxycontin or something.Originally Posted by allegro
he really gets off on the little bit of power that he has...i had to reschedule a referral he gave me and he responded by taking me off of an antipsychotic medication as, as far as i can tell, a fucking punishment. and when i called to try to speak with the medical assistant about it, she fucking hung up on me. i am seriously looking forward to never seeing this eerie fucker again.
i am seeing a pain specialist in amarillo for my back problems and will be seeing a psychiatrist in amarillo for my psych issues. (amarillo is the "big city" around here, lol.)
thank god.
Bite me
According to this, the dosage is supposed to increase (unless you're already at the max suggested dose).
My friend's primary put her on 10mg of Lexipro and after a few months it seemed to be working for her anxiety, but then she was back to being pretty anxious, again, and I told her to check with her doctor. By that point, her primary had split and she had a new primary, so NOBODY was monitoring her Lexipro at all, which is what happens when you have your primary physician giving you these drugs. So she asked about it and they said, oh, yeah, Lexipro works best at 20mg. Wtf. So they upped her to 20mg right away and wow, jeez, better. (eyeroll).The usual starting dose is 20 mg in the morning or evening. The dose may be increased to 40 mg daily after one week. A dose of 60 mg has not been shown to be more effective than 40 mg. As with all antidepressants, it may take several weeks of treatment before maximum effects are seen. Doses are often slowly adjusted upwards to find the most effective dose.
Her primaries before this used to dole out Valium and Xanax like candy, but big cities doctors are no longer doing this since the AMA has been slapping these docs and pharmacies with warnings.
Last edited by allegro; 08-06-2014 at 03:09 PM.
just a small town doggo
Haven't heard of it, but just googled it and it looks pretty! It's in South Australia, and I haven't been to that state yet - so might need to check out your sister town if I ever go there! (There's not much to do in South Australia)
Aaah, gotcha. Pretty sure that a GP doctor can prescribe anti-depressants here, but most wouldn't. They recommend you either go and see a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychologists can't prescribe medication though, only psychiatrists.
Aaaand off topic, but I keep reading CBT and cock and ball torture and thinking 'but how will getting your balls stomped on help with your depression?'
Active Member
LicSW's can do talk therapy.
Hierba Gatera
I don't think you've ever told me what anti-depressant you use. Xanax isn't an anti-depressant nor is it a psychiatric med altho' psychiatrists DO prescribe it for anxiety and panic attacks. It's also used to help chemo patients with nausea. It's a benzo and in the same family as Ativan and Valium. (I'm a walking PDR, honestly.)
BTW - that messed up death penalty case that happened in AZ a couple of weeks ago? They used a benzo and an opiate to try to kill the person. FYI.
Active Member
It's something like that.
And fuck HMOs.
Bite me
Some of it is. See this.
I was nobody. Nothing.
loz me too.
Lorazepam, Clonazepam, Alprazolam, and Diazapam, hooray. But Benzodiazapines ARE psych meds, aren't they?
Honestly i can't believe that benzos are still so readily available. They are some of the most addictive substances in the world and you can die from the withdrawals.
But when i'm having a panic attack, nothing else works.
If i could afford it, i would just get back on suboxone. it (bupronorphine) is actually used as an antidepressant in many countries, and it worked for me. I was in rehab for alcohol some years ago and the dr kept pushing it on me because i mentioned that i took opiates occasionally. i swear i think the clinic was getting kickbacks from it.
but anyway, i finally tried it. I was at the worst point of my drinking, and miraculously, i just quit.
The next two years were the most productive of my life. With AA and suboxone i was able to keep from drinking or taking any drugs. I was top salesman at my sales job. i was on top of the fucking world...happy all the time.
i often wonder if those of us who are predisposed to opiate addiction are missing some essential brain chemical or function that opiates provide.
a warning lest anyone try this...suboxone is INSANELY addictive.
Now I'm 0000
Yeah, Klonopin is the one drug that I've learned to hold at arm's length. And for some reason, SSRIs made the withdrawal worse.
I still keep some Klonopin on hand for emergencies, but a 30-day supply can last me for years at that rate.
Melty Member
Don't know if it should go in relationship thread or here, but when do you tell someone about your mental health situation in a relationship? I think it's probably a case by cxase basis but was just wondering how other people have handled it.
I have lots of anxiety and depression related problems, been to therapy a bunch. I think this might be off putting to some people when you first start to date. It's been going through my mind lately after I broke up with my long time girlfriend and will probably start seeing other people soon.
Worth reMembering
Given SSRIs the flick and onto SNRIs for my chronic anxiety. Plus a *handful* of Diazepam as the new doc was not keen on handing me the prescription, even though I told him that high doses do very little to calm me.
Living with my parents again. Sigh. While it is nice to save money, it kind of hit me hard mentally - as in WTF have I done with my life. I'm sure my depression will sink in even further than it did on the drive across country, but hey at least i made it right? Even though I had thoughts of driving off the Great Australian Bight while drunk.
My father is a religious man, so we clash frequently when talking.
I hope one day to return to Melbourne. That is the goal I have set to give me something to aim for. Just have to find something to occupy my mind in the time I am here or I'm sure I'll sink deeper. Creative writing could be the go. I could write about actually committing suicide via crash drowning in a cathartic way. Though I still have that Nullarbor Nymph story kicking around in the 'ol head turds.
Thank you to the folks who were there for me, reaching out a digital hand. Big big love.
Worth reMembering
*FIXED*
There are some very creative ways to clear the dark clouds temporarily :P
Active Member
I wouldn't lead with it, but I wouldn't keep it on the DL too long. There's a sweet spot when you want to trust and you are relatively sure they are invested.
Throbbing Member
As soon as I told my last gf my issues she ran a mile. As in the next day I got a text and that was it. Gone like lightening. Its the last time I'll open up to people again. Heartbroken.
Active Member
I think I told one guy the first or second time. It was more like, "You have been 5150'd too? So have I!!!!!"
I think disclosing that kind of stuff is vulnerably beautiful. If you choose to disclose that kind of stuff and the date can't handle it, then they have no business to date you. There are better people out there.
Melty Member
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded. I'll have to think about it some more and decide when I want to let it out. I was thinking slowly instead of all at once. But again, case by case basis.
Throbbing Member
im a hesitant liar when it comes to my emotions around anyone except myself and my wife. basic defense mechanism at this point. it worked for me in my 20's not so much in my 30's. where as my family thought I was just 'quiet' in my 20's people are 'concerned' about me now. funny thing is, I feel the same :/
Last edited by TheyCallMeDrug; 08-13-2014 at 02:47 AM.
Active Member
So, I've been having anxiety about going back to work and being so lonely. It got so bad, that I thought I was gonna check myself into the hospital today. Fortunately, I was able to see my therapist and we both agreed that I am in no shape to return to work. My only hurdle from getting time off of work is my psychiatrist whom I haven't seen in over two years. I see him next week. I hope things go well for me. I am not suicidal but I'm pretty low. Feeling the way I feel sucks hard. It's painful. I wish I had a hug right now.
I was nobody. Nothing.
i hope you get to feeling better, @Charmingly Miserable .
are you taking any psych meds? are you having full-on panic attacks?
edit: i used to get TERRIBLE anxiety about going to work and i would wind up calling in. It happened so much that it made us poor!
I know the feeling.
Last edited by elevenism; 08-13-2014 at 11:08 PM.
Trollhunter
I'm not too far off from your scenario. I finally get in to a psychiatrist in a week. Been waiting a long month. We both need to just make it a week. We can. We will.
Active Member
Thank you. I haven't been on any meds since January 2012 and I've never felt better. My depression is situational and I am not sure if meds will do. I just want my psych to write me a note so I can have time off from work while I continue my therapy with my therapist and such. I'm scared.
I was nobody. Nothing.
A few years ago i lost my ex, who was also my bandmate. We broke up after three uears and she wound up with someone who i considered one of my very best friends.
It was so insanely fucked up. I wanted to kill myself.
Well, this girl reached out to me on facebook. Neither of us was working, so we talked using chat on facebook CONSTANTLY: up to eight hours a day and at least a couple. She became my rock. I would DEFINITELY be dead if it wasn't for the support she gave me.
Eventually she introduced me to the woman to whom i am married.
For this reason, i want everyone to know that i am here for you.
I will talk to anyone here who is having a hard time. Sometimes being able to vent to someone who you don't know is exactly what you need.
It literally saved my life,
I was nobody. Nothing.
Sorry for the double post, but YES!
We should take care of each other here. We can be a great support system for one another.
"don't cry...you're not alone...don't cry tonight...don't cry...you'll always be loved. Don't be so hard on yourself...those tears are for someone else."
-Seal
Active Member
I think friends and family are all well and good for a support system, but they can just mirror your own opinions about yourself and your situation. A therapist, an outside objective observer with education in many pysch/social behaviors and diagnostic abilities is extremely useful. The internet or drugs can not replace this. There is no shame in going to a therapist and talking through what's going on in your life and how to handle it. @Charmingly Miserable is clearly making the good choices today to take care of herself. Bravo.
/hint hint
Throbbing Member
So...
I started a new job nearly 5 weeks ago. It's working in a call centre which is probably my all time worst nightmare for a job. I've been unemplyed for over 12 months after graduating and have been unable to find any work, graduate jobs or other. Tuesday was the first day I went on the phones taking calls (4 weeks in a classroom training previously) but I ended up having an anxiety attack. I've never been much of a confident guy but I always get through things and if I'm scared to do something I try to use that as motivation to do it. For example I went to Tanzania for 7 weeks to teach first aid to high school students. I mean standing in front of a classroom is pretty scary for someone who doesn't like to be the centre of attention but I did it and it was awesome.
Regardless. I had a breakdown in work which would normally mortify me. I keep personal problems at home and I come in and do the job because that's what i'm there for. Today I went to the doctors and taken the first steps in treating my depression. I'm 29 years old but I think I've always had depression. It was only 2/3 years ago that I first realised what I had but I still continued as before and battle through because that's just how I lived my entire life. I am a very strong person but I think it's just one battle too many. I feel like i'm scratching at the walls of life and within myself, I feel trapped and claustrophobic. nothing I have tried over the past year to improve my life (Get a job, move out this house and town, start again) has paid off.
For the first time in my life I am on anti depressants and tomorrow or Monday I will be taking steps to speak to a professional. More than anything I wish there was someone to hug but it's just not possible and the two people I would want to speak to most in the world are out of the country. Sucks donkey balls. I didn't really fancy posting this on Facebook so I thought I would just post it here. Onwards and upwards.
Down, but not out.
I didn't know where else to put this again, but I sometimes get immersed in this mentality.
The less mistakes you make, the happier you'll be.
I'm sure it has to do with a lot of my experiences struggling with people-pleasing and perfectionism. I've also gone over this with therapists and guidance counselors in my past, and it just occurred to me, as I still catch myself telling myself that whenever I make mistakes that I'd deem to be shameful, disgraceful, reprehensible and depressing.
*Any kindness, support and advice was always appreciated and will still be appreciated. I suppose I just need to chill again and lay low in general, so don't mind me for now. I just had too many things going off in my mind again, and when you combine that with being down in the dumps, that's anything but good.*
Last edited by Halo Infinity; 08-15-2014 at 07:51 PM.
I was nobody. Nothing.
@Dra508 , i am not suggesting that supporting each other here should take the place of professional help...just that it can be a good weapon, however small, against these problems.
And i am going to try to get some kind of talk therapy.
@Kris , what's going on? PM me if you get a chance.
I damn sure appreciate you. You are ALWAYS there for me man.
Down, but not out.
Thank you, but I just thought of clearing my mind again, and just reflect and even hide if it goes to that point. (I'm kind of doing that right now, but I also still like to socialize from time to time even if it's just the Internet.)
In a nutshell, I was overthinking things as well as my screw ups and regrets, while being in between feeling lonely and wanting to be alone. And then there's me not really having that much or even any friends and family in real life and it can all sometimes seem a bit too unreal, especially when I don't know who to go to or who to trust, or what exactly I'd want out of life, while not always being comfortable in my own skin. It makes it worse when conflict and drama causes such losses as well. Forgetting things and letting things go was always a constant battle, challenge and struggle for me as well. It just inevitably leads me to just feel out of it from time to time.
*Forgiveness and trust are just hard for me, and not just to others, but also to myself, and I even thought that I was over it, but I still have a lot to work on yet again. I'm positive it's one of the reasons why I've isolated myself when it went beyond me just feeling down/confused.*
And not that it's always anything that serious either, as even I'd have to admit that's sometimes "just life" as some people go away/not get along for whatever reason, and then there's also the fact that there always isn't an answer, an explanation, a solution to everything in life, let alone a purpose. (Which reminds me why I sometimes shouldn't even bother tying to fix and/or undo anything, or run/hide, and why it's sometimes better to just deal with it and move on.) Anyway, I just thought I'd leave it at that for now, and would still like to thank you for your concern and offer for PMs and all even though I don't do private messaging and visitor messaging these days.
*Sorry, I'm saying too much again. All right, now I'm done with this thread, and hopefully for quite a while, if not for good already.*
Last edited by Halo Infinity; 08-16-2014 at 07:36 PM.
I was nobody. Nothing.
well it looks as though my dear friend elizabeth has killed herself.
she changed her facebook photo to a picture of a woman shooting herself, with a gun in her mouth and the back of her head blown off.
her husband is one of my closest and oldest friends. he called me needing support. they had been having problems.
she took a big bunch of something...apparently the paramedics worked on her for close to 45 minutes before taking her to the hospital.
so when people cry out for help, take that shit seriously!
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