Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
Actually, the drug itself is not new, and it's recreational use has been known to be dangerous: ecstasy, so words of caution are in order. I saw the article today and wanted to post the actual news story to prevent rumors.
We are not mental health professionals here, so I would want a professional to check this information out. Personally, my history with meds goes back to 1985, and as grateful as I am for the pharmaceutical efforts to help me, they gave me permanent kidney damage over the long run. In my case there was no quick fix, no magic pill. Though, like anyone, I'd be glad to wake up magically free of PTSD tomorrow, I've adapted to where I'm somewhat comfortable with the fact that it hasn't happened for now, speaking just for myself.
So like it or not, I'm probably not a candidate for this new treatment, even if it pans out. In my own case, I've found therapy, support groups, and talking here to be very, very helpful--more so than meds, which I took compliantly until the end and could take them no more for kidney health reasons. My 2 cents.
That said, here's the CNN headline story today:
Experimental treatment for PTSD: Ecstasy
By Caleb Hellerman, CNN
updated 7:33 AM EST, Sat December 1, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/01/health/ecstasy-ptsd-1/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
We are not mental health professionals here, so I would want a professional to check this information out. Personally, my history with meds goes back to 1985, and as grateful as I am for the pharmaceutical efforts to help me, they gave me permanent kidney damage over the long run. In my case there was no quick fix, no magic pill. Though, like anyone, I'd be glad to wake up magically free of PTSD tomorrow, I've adapted to where I'm somewhat comfortable with the fact that it hasn't happened for now, speaking just for myself.
So like it or not, I'm probably not a candidate for this new treatment, even if it pans out. In my own case, I've found therapy, support groups, and talking here to be very, very helpful--more so than meds, which I took compliantly until the end and could take them no more for kidney health reasons. My 2 cents.
That said, here's the CNN headline story today:
Experimental treatment for PTSD: Ecstasy
By Caleb Hellerman, CNN
updated 7:33 AM EST, Sat December 1, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/01/health/ecstasy-ptsd-1/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
I'm currently visiting Mom, helping her get her house/life back in order, after her neighbors (adjoining walls) burned THEIR house down, in March, ruining my mother's house, in the process.
[I'm trying to help HER deal with a major trauma in HER life, and -- surprise, surprise -- it's taking a huge toll on me]
Mom bought her house from Gary Fisher:
http://www.erowid.org/culture/characters/fisher_gary/fisher_gary.shtml
http://www.hofmann.org/papers/fisher/fisher_index.htm
Gary and I met, and chatted, on several occasions. He was a kind and decent soul. I liked him very much.
I was always fascinated by his research and work with hallucinogenics as an alternative treatment for psych disorders.
Different things help different people. Nobody and nothing has a lock on The Cure. To the extent we are able, we should be open to possibilities that may offer benefit.
And ... as I sit in Gary's former living room ... I know what Gary would have told me :-)
Interesting, but like you I am doubtful. I remember how LSD was researched at Standford and Harvard as a possible adjunct to traditional psychotherapy. Even under the most controlled of circumstances, experiencing an altered perspective does not mean that perspective change will be permanent. Drugs wear off. What goes up must go down, as simple as what happens with a cup of coffee. And strong drugs fry neurons, over time change neurochemical balance.
PTSD gets hardwired into the nervous system. I do believe the nervous system is malleable and can be rewired again. Like you mujica I have the most faith in my own ability to adapt and grow, so it will be genuine change.
I remember when people believed LSD would enlighten the masses, and Gen X has to some extent embraced Ecstasy as a similar (temporary) shortcut to mental liberation.
Be will be interesting to see what others think about this approach.
We'll stay tuned and see what shakes out. Like lettibe, I've come to believe in the theory of PTSD as a hard wiring of the brain and rewiring as possible, but with hard work. But I'm not beyond fantasizing that there might be that simple huge medical leap forward like happened with polio. If you here the miraculous good news of The Cure before I do, don't leave me out of the loop.....
The other thing is that I am big on learning and being taught skills on helping me deal with my issues or at least control them. I rather just keep using what I am learning and being taught about my PTSD rather than use a medication for help.
The other concern I have about taking medication is the cost of covering them, the need to have them refilled, and how years from now I could hear a report on the medication saying it had all these previously unknown health related problems. You know, a recall on 'we didn't know about this back then' thing.
Anyone who wants to take medication for help, that's fine and I am not saying against that. It's just for me, I rather depend on myself as it seems to be the best for me at this point.
The up side is that, without meds, I had to rethink my recovery, and ended up here, which is awesome. I'm better off with my PTSD than ever, have learned so much from others here, and it's going to be OK.
So I would never point the finger at anyone who is taking meds, since I did and when they worked, they worked at the time. But now I agree when you write: "I rather just keep using what I am learning and being taught about my PTSD rather than use a medication for help." That's where I'm at now, too. Congrats on your 12 years "clean." And nice avatar. Blessings.