Posted by alexandra_k on November 16, 2004, at 23:52:48
In reply to Specificity of Anti-psychotics, posted by ed_uk on November 16, 2004, at 9:50:24
I get what are called 'pseudo-hallucinations'. Basically I hear voices, but I understand that they are my brain processes and don't attribute them to an external agency. In times of great stress I also get visual hallucinations, but not very often whereas I get the voices pretty much on a daily basis.
I have been on a variety of anti-psychotics and none have had any effect with respect to reducing the intensity and / or frequency of the voices. What they do do for me, however, is make that experience less distressing for me and I am more able to keep a focus on what is going on in the real world rather than being caught up in them.
I have met people who have claimed that voices have gone away with anti-psychotics. Others say that they are just better able to cope with them, and others say that they reduce a bit in intensity and / or frequency. I guess that is a bit individual.
I agree with what you say about non-specific effects, though. I find the anti-psychotic useful with respect to my generalised anxiety and also with respect to getting off to sleep (because of the sedating side-affect). I personally think that anti-psychotics should be used over benzo's for anxiety and sleep because they aren't addictive.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:416642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041113/msgs/416901.html