Families of SOs Community Group
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As some of you already know, I was in the medical profession, so I want to address a problem for registrants and their families that I think is important.
Many of the ladies on the board, and some of the registrants, are completely overwhelmed and bewildered with the happenings we must face every day as either a registrant or the love one of a registrant. Some of you may find it difficult sleeping and organizing your thoughts, which is to be expected. The stress this process puts a person through is just like a meat grinder to both the body and soul.
If you find yourself where you think you can no longer cope, are depressed, or getting angry at the entire world, I suggest you find a physician and pour your heart out to him. He can put you on a mind antidepressan/anti-anxiety medication that will surely help, and might make a world of difference. If he tries one drug and it does not have the desired effect, he can try another one until he finds the correct fit for your needs.
None of us are invulnerable to these emotions and sometimes in life we do need a little extra to get us over the hump.
NOW, I am not saying that you should get put on a dozen different meds until you are groggy and cannot function and I am not suggesting that you take anything unsafe.
The new antidepressants are unlike the ones we used years ago. The older ones, the tricyclic antidepressants, did not work very well and had some unwanted side effects, mainly excessive drowsiness and dryness of the mouth. There has been a big improvement in the past several years. The newer antidepressants, the SSRIs, do not make you feel like a zombie, are safe and well tolerated, and they are usually effective.
Celexa and Zoloft are two excellent antidepressants that are well tolerated and they do work. Lexapro is another.
Some of the people may already be on some type of meds to cope with all this, but some may be afraid to try. These drugs are not habit forming and they will help in most cases. Do not let scare tactics keep you from finding relief from your stress.
I am merely suggesting a mild---mild---antidepressant to allow you to sleep and organize your thoughts. I have seen people who are a nervous wreck with their entire world collapsing who have done a 180 degree turn once they find the right med.
Situations such as being a registrant or having a loved one in that predicament can sometimes literally consume a person, and i don't want that to happen to any of us.
I just suggest to try this approach if you find you cannot manage all the stress and depression. I say this as a friend who cares about all of you, but also as a medical person who dealt with this on a daily basis.
rewdiazepam
Many of the ladies on the board, and some of the registrants, are completely overwhelmed and bewildered with the happenings we must face every day as either a registrant or the love one of a registrant. Some of you may find it difficult sleeping and organizing your thoughts, which is to be expected. The stress this process puts a person through is just like a meat grinder to both the body and soul.
If you find yourself where you think you can no longer cope, are depressed, or getting angry at the entire world, I suggest you find a physician and pour your heart out to him. He can put you on a mind antidepressan/anti-anxiety medication that will surely help, and might make a world of difference. If he tries one drug and it does not have the desired effect, he can try another one until he finds the correct fit for your needs.
None of us are invulnerable to these emotions and sometimes in life we do need a little extra to get us over the hump.
NOW, I am not saying that you should get put on a dozen different meds until you are groggy and cannot function and I am not suggesting that you take anything unsafe.
The new antidepressants are unlike the ones we used years ago. The older ones, the tricyclic antidepressants, did not work very well and had some unwanted side effects, mainly excessive drowsiness and dryness of the mouth. There has been a big improvement in the past several years. The newer antidepressants, the SSRIs, do not make you feel like a zombie, are safe and well tolerated, and they are usually effective.
Celexa and Zoloft are two excellent antidepressants that are well tolerated and they do work. Lexapro is another.
Some of the people may already be on some type of meds to cope with all this, but some may be afraid to try. These drugs are not habit forming and they will help in most cases. Do not let scare tactics keep you from finding relief from your stress.
I am merely suggesting a mild---mild---antidepressant to allow you to sleep and organize your thoughts. I have seen people who are a nervous wreck with their entire world collapsing who have done a 180 degree turn once they find the right med.
Situations such as being a registrant or having a loved one in that predicament can sometimes literally consume a person, and i don't want that to happen to any of us.
I just suggest to try this approach if you find you cannot manage all the stress and depression. I say this as a friend who cares about all of you, but also as a medical person who dealt with this on a daily basis.
rewdiazepam
You are spreading the kind of fear and FUD that keeps people from seeking help. I have a five year degree in pharmacology and a minor in medicinal chemistry, and the meds I have suggested do not have "horrible inappropriate side effects." Millions of people take these drugs on a daily basis with positive results.
I am not against marijuana, but I would never suggest anyone break the law either. I do believe in most states, marijuana is illegal. I do admit it does have its medicinal purposes though, and should be decriminalized.
If you had some bad side effects or know of someone who experienced adverse side effects, either the physician was not properly prescribing them or the patient was not taking them correctly.
I know for a fact that the three antidepressants I mentioned are safe, usually well tolerated, and effective.
You can talk about prison reform and thoughts of revolution, but you are out of you league on this one. You are dead wrong.
rewdiazepam
My mom started taking Xanax when this nightmare began to unfold. and it helped, alot. Its shitty though that now her doctor realizes she is in fact dependent on them and is trying to slowly get her off of them. Its very wierd seeing a 70 yr old woman try and by xanax from anyone she thinks might have a scrpt. God, she even knows the street names for them. I dont understand why he doctor is doing that to her. If its helping, then let her take them.
I am not sure I agree with pouring out your heart to your doc, some docs have no bedside manner and that could do more harm than good. Which if I remember right is the first part of the Hippocratic oath, first do no harm. I do believe that someone should be consulted though if you are feeling down, depressed, etc... many employers have EAP (employee assistance program) which is a service provided to the emplooyes and families of their workers.) Otherwise I would talk with a psychologist or someone, as I have found in my time helping friends by being their patient advocate that many doctors are human and don't always react as they should in some situations.
As Amy mentioned, the pills have their addictive side effects that cause other issues down the line that are over and above what they started with causing more anxiety and now a worry about addiction to other med, not to mention the 'black mark' on her record at the clinic or hospital that she goes to. (I have friends in the medical industry and I grew up the daughter of a doctor, I know how things get recorded and follows you around from place to place, drug seeker is the popular one.)
But like all things, some drugs work better for some than others, and there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule. Not everyone tolerates the usually well tolerated and like in all service industries, there are good doctors and there are those that are just collecting a paycheck and move through patients after a time. With many that carry the label and their families affording the good docs is far more of a challenge and can be left with folks that are not as comprehensive in their assessment and treating of depression and anxiety using a one size fits all approach to their prescribing of those 'usual' prescriptions that are talked about here.
So of course, when rewdiazepam made the suggestion, I was reluctant to try antidepressants again. But my emotions were getting so bad something had to give. A couple of times I'd think of ending it (I knew I wouldn't but there was always the fear if something bad happened when I was down it'd tip me over).
And the worse part of this whole thing? I was gaining a lot of weight and that REALLY pissed me off.
I finally got to where I was desperate enough to try antidepressants even if I was out of it for weeks. Following rewdiazepam's instructions I researched the type of drugs he mentioned and got Zoloft.
Zoloft is fantastic. I don't feel drugged or out of it. I'm alert all day, yet when it's time to go to sleep I start getting tired and I drop off easily. I've slept through every single night since I started Zoloft (before, I was only sleeping a little bit each night, if any). My appetite tapered down so I started on a diet and I've lost over six pounds. I'm not stressed out and crying all the time. The numbing fear is gone and I can think clearly. And my husband can finally stop worrying about me. He was getting the brunt of this. The crying jags, the freaking out, the crazy talk.
Back when this happened and I started reading these forums, another mother and I discussed whether or not we'd take antidepressants. Because of past experiences we decided not to. I tried all kinds of natural things but they didn't take away the serious problems I was experiencing. Months later we've both changed our minds and now wish that we'd stopped the horrible emotional pain earlier.
There isn't any reason to be in that much pain when there are drugs like this available.
Thank you rewdiazepam.
So, I have to say that I agree that if you or a loved one needs professional help, it is not to be feared.
I lurk in the depression group and seems a lot of mothers feel that way. I know that's what has kept me going all these years. Depression comes in cycles for me, about every 8-10 years or so. Before this happened I was already waiting for it to hit because it was time.
Jarrow SamE works well for me. Not too sure about other brands. Jarrow was the one used in the clinical studies and it was recommended by an herbologist. He found that other brands did not work so well.
I bumped up the other thread I started that deals with ways we can take care of ourselves. Whether we take meds or not, it is good to know good, healthy coping mechanisms.
Deena
Honestly, I'm amazed. I didn't know there was anything like this available that wouldn't zonk me out. To be of any use, I need to be alert.
It doesn't dull my feelings all the way. I'm still sad. I'm just not falling apart and crying whenever anything new hits.
I'll be sure to quite before then.