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
Just make sure you keep talking to your doctor tell them what's going on with the meds and how they make you feel or if you have any side effects from them.
I don't often talk to doctors. It's one of my quirks. After being ill for years when I was younger, I discovered that while doctors are half decent at dispensing pills (too many sometimes), they are not so great at figuring out what ails you. Pharmacists and my google finger have proven to be far wiser ;-)
If its helping you then its a good thing just be carfull that's all. I can say iam not a big fan of doctors some are good the reast not so much. I do agree the pharmacist are good and they can tell you about side effects and stuff.
I'm careful. I actually don't like drugs, which is why I put up with all the heartache and anger for so long. Before I gave in I took a six week meditation course, I tried everything natural I could find, nothing worked. The attorney was even warned by my husband that I was going to arrive in court unstable, so to be prepared for the unexpected. But here I am. Calm as can be.
Pharmacists are great. I switched away from doctors years ago. Why go to a doctor's office, sit in the waiting room for hours, just for him/her to tell you that you have a cold or the flu or whatever? And then hand you a stiff bill on top of all that? A pharmacist will share what's been going around and just what you can take for it.
It's sounds like you totally did the right thing in trying everything else first its not a easy call to make but well done you on making it its also really good that's helping you. Boy do I know about doctors bills not fun I think sometimes there only there to make money.
When many people in this country hear the word "antidepressant", two words come to mind---"mentally ill."
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Think of it like this. Why do diabetics use oral medications like glipizide and glyburide or inject insulin to treat their condition? It is to correct a situation in which the pancreas has failed to excrete the proper amount of insulin to metabolize the food we eat. This is called replacement therapy.
Why do ladies going through menopause take estrogens such as conjugated estrogen to treat their condition? It is because their bodies are not producing enough estrogen to ward off conditions such as osteoporosis to keep them healthy. It is called replacement therapy. We are supplying that which the body can no longer supply in sufficient quantities.
Why do people with hypothyroidism take Synthroid or over forms of levothyroxine? It is because the thyroid gland has become lazy and can not long produce enough of the thyroid hormone to keep us healthy. Again this is termed hormonal replacement therapy to supply what the body can no long supply.
So why is it difficult to understand why some people with brain chemistry disorders caused by a deficiency of a couple of neurotransmitters, serotonin or norepinephrine, take antidepressants to increase the amount needed to think clearly and organize their thoughts. After all, this is replacement therapy also, much as in the case of diabetes, hypothyroidism, or when a women does not produce enough estrogen.
Why is that so difficult for us to understand? All these situations are just treated alike---we supply the drug which will cure the deficiency.
Looking at it this way should take away some of the stigma from taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs.
rewdiazepam
I do think that there needs to be more education about these things because it can effect anyone at any time even the very strong can be effected. It needs to be talked about more not just put aside and given a label wich most of the time or all of the time is wrong.
Down hear people do talk about it and there are groups like beyond Bule, head start and a few others who are trying to stop people putting that label on to people who need these meds. Yes it is another replacement therapy drug it something most people don't get and people do need to talk to there doctors to get the right amount for them just like any othere medication that you can go on.
Our loved ones do need us to be strong for them.
I have been feeling very down lately. I feel better when I exercise, eat healthy, and take medication. I haven't been doing any of that lately, so duh...I need to start and reading about how it has helped other people motivates me to start doing my medication and exercising again. So thank you for posting it, I really needed to read it.
And anyone who cares about me wouldn't be concerned about a label either. They'd want me to be free from the horrible pain and anguish I was experiencing.
Antidepressants are sort of like Man Bags. Men, especially when they get older, have extra stuff to carry around (just look around you at all those bulging pockets). But there's no traditional way to do it unless they revert to backpacks (too casual for some) or briefcases (too formal for others). And both are too cumbersome to carry around all the time. Man Bags are practical, and just right for the overflow from their pockets. Problem is, a lot of men are afraid of getting laughed at, so instead, they are always shoving extra glasses and bits and bobs into the purses of their mates (who already have tons of stuff). It's tedious for all, especially when a practical solution is out there.
I do like the man bag thing.
In his words he would rather the side effects then getting call a nut job and getting put into a physic ward.
We have a friend who would most likely not be alive today if not for his bipolar meds. That is a fact. And he is not the only one we know of. There are people who really do need them. But again...it should be when nothing else works. I have also heard of people controlling bipolar through diet. I am not familiar with that and I can understand why someone who has meds that are working for them would be hesitant to go off of them to see if the diet is sufficient.
Meds can be great boons...WHEN they are truly needed and prescribed with great care. Otherwise...I agree with you. There are huge problems that can, and do, come about.
Regarding the violent psychotic incidents, if you are talking about the school shootings and such, if you dig deeper, there were other things going on. It was not just the meds. I do know, though, of some suicides that are only med attributed. And I believe it because I was on one that almost took me out years ago. That is why close monitoring is SO important and only using when absolutely needed.
Deena
But if you do go on them stay away from things like beer, wine,spirits.....they are downs and can have a bad reaction to the medication that your on.