been on meds for years... none work

[rachel592]

I take meds for social phobia and depression and then meds to control the 'bipolar' symptoms I get from the depression meds. Any advice... help?

 

[Helyna]

Get off the meds. A huge warning sign is when you're taking one kind to take care of the side effects of another. Therapy, usually Cognative Behavioral Therapy, works, but you have to find someone who understands it. You can do therapy yourself, too, but I think that must be harder. CBT gets you to think differently so you can handle your fears yourself, to put you back in control, and it has lasting benefits with no side effects known.
I don't mean get off your medicines now. That won't be good for you. But start something better as well so you can free yourself eventually.

 

[sabbath92002]

Meds are useless and dangerous imho. Try ACT instead.

 

[rachel592]

thanks, I've kind of been leaning on going off the meds and trying something else but also to see what my real symptoms are. I'm really really bad off when I'm off them though because I have such bad depression, and when I get really upset I can be a danger to myself. Is there some sort of program where you can be monitored while you get off your meds?

 

[raylite]

I was thinking about trying some meds, never tried anything before except the natural supplements, I guess I'll have to rethink that one. Can anyone share anything that does work?

 

[chris87]

I was thinking about trying some meds, never tried anything before except the natural supplements, I guess I'll have to rethink that one. Can anyone share anything that does work?

On another forum I used to read, they always used to talk about how effective Nardil is. It's an MAOI though, so it's not that common for a doctor to prescribe it.

 

[rachel592]

the med that has worked best for me has been effexor. it helped my depression and got rid of almost all of my physical symptoms of anxiety, for the most part.

 

[shield]

I would really advise you to get a blood test because it may be hormone imbalances such as low thyroid causing your depression e.t.c. I had been on antidepressants for many years with little positive effect. Then I decided to get a blood test and it revealed that my body didn't produce enough Thyroid and I needed a different type of medication

 

[rachel592]

thanks for the advice shield. I had never even thought of that! I'll bring it up with my doctor.

 

[Rigil]

I take meds for social phobia and depression and then meds to control the 'bipolar' symptoms I get from the depression meds. Any advice... help?

By "bipolar" do you mean manic, restlessness, racing thoughts... etc. ?
(I'm assuming you aren't counting depressed symptoms)

 

[rachel592]

yeah, I drive my family crazy because I'll start saying all of the things I need to do, write down, buy, etc. because I get so many thoughts sometimes. And really just not being able to sit still and calm down.