Re: How do you know when you are better?

Posted by Philidor on September 15, 2004, at 18:22:01

In reply to How do you know when you are better?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 14, 2004, at 21:33:04

WHOA! Lexapro 50 mg??
You'll know you're getting better, dear, when you get yourself another SHRINK. That is an UNHEARD OF dose of Lexapro. 10-20 mg a day is the most recommended. And she plans to up the dose even more??
And the neurontin on top of that? No wonder you feel like a shell.
Look, there is no evidence---no studies, nothing--that more than 20mg Lexapro will do anything but give you more side effects. The research does indicate that 20 will give you twice the side effects of 10mg. And you're taking 50?
So step one is tell her you want to get off the Lexapro as quickly as is safe. If she wonders why just say that you don't think it's helping and that you're a little leery of taking MORE THAN TWICE THE DOSE INDICATED in the package insert(under DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION):
http://www.lexapro.com/pdf/lexapro_pi.pdf
Then while you're finding another p-doc
(to respond to your other question) I suggest you take the Beck Depression Inventory:
http://www.ibogaine.org/graphics/3639b1c_23.pdf
(Scroll down to p.2)
Then score yourself as follows:

1 – 10: These ups and downs are considered normal.
11 – 16: Mild mood disturbance
17 – 20: Borderline clinical depression
21 – 30: Moderate depression
31 – 40: Severe depression
over 40: Extreme depression
This is a very respected test. (Not like the tests you find in Cosmo or USA today.) It is recommended by experts like Dr. David Burns ("Feeling Good") You can use it repeatedly to gauge your progress week by week. (And it stays accurate!)
I've used it myself many times. Don't consider yourself "recovered" until you make it to the single digits. Hope this helps.
Good luck,
Phil

1 – 10: These ups and downs are considered normal.
11 – 16: Mild mood disturbance
17 – 20: Borderline clinical depression
21 – 30: Moderate depression
31 – 40: Severe depression
over 40: Extreme depression

Thread

How do you know when you are better? Emily Elizabeth 9/14/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? fayeroe 9/14/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? yznhymer 9/14/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? Steve3211 9/15/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? thinkfast 9/15/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? Philidor 9/15/04
Re: double double quotes » Philidor Dr. Bob 9/15/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? » Philidor Pfinstegg 9/17/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? sunshine211 9/18/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? Philidor 9/18/04
Re: How do you know when you are better? Dr. Bob 9/18/04

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