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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on January 14, 2004, at 19:49:30
Hey all,
I am on Nardil (45 mg, considering upping to 60mg)for atypical depression. Through therapy I have also found that I seem to have a great deal of anxiety, particularly in situations when I perceive I am being evaluated. Since I am a grad student, this poses a problem and results in serious procrastination.I mentioned this to my doc, and he suggested a benzo. My question is this: if I am mostly unaware of my anxiety, except by observing my procrastination behavior, will an anti-anxiety such as a benzo really help?
I truly do not feel anxious, but I can accept that anxiety is what's inhibiting my performance. So if I don't feel anxious, will I feel an effect from a benzo or something to add to the Nardil?
Posted by Jasmine on January 14, 2004, at 21:10:24
In reply to benzos, MAOI's and the experience of anxiety, posted by gardenergirl on January 14, 2004, at 19:49:30
I'm also a student with anxiety and so I know how you feel. That is why I started Nardil in the first place. However, my anxiety sounds like it's much more of a problem for me than yours is. Benzos definitely work in those situations that make you anxious, but they are just a short term fix and probably will not help with procrastination. Also, speaking as a student who took benzos while I was in school, my personal opinion is to not take them. They seemed to affect my school performance negatively and when I took them for anxious moments like discussions with my professors and presentations, etc, I found they made me too relaxed and I ended up being too out of it to make a good impression (although all anxiety was gone).
Like I said, this is my personal opinion. I suggest upping your Nardil dose if you think you can handle it. Although depression responds at 45mg, from what others say, anxiety isn't alleviated until about 60-75mg.Jasmine @>-->-- (I just upped Nardil to 60mg today because 45 was doing nothing for my anxiety)
Posted by SLS on January 14, 2004, at 21:31:21
In reply to benzos, MAOI's and the experience of anxiety, posted by gardenergirl on January 14, 2004, at 19:49:30
Perhaps CBT would help since it is so specific a trigger?
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on January 14, 2004, at 22:37:16
In reply to Re: benzos, MAOI's and the experience of anxiety, posted by Jasmine on January 14, 2004, at 21:10:24
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think it makes sense to try 60 mg before adding anything else. My gut sense about trying a benzo is similar to your thought--that it would not help much with the behavior and could make me too relaxed to be effective.
Let me know how 60 works for you. I'll try it and post, too once I can get my scrip filled (sending it by mail, so have to wait a bit.)
Thanks again,
g
Posted by gardenergirl on January 14, 2004, at 22:40:16
In reply to Re: benzos, MAOI's and the experience of anxiety, posted by SLS on January 14, 2004, at 21:31:21
CBT is definitely a good thought. Although my T is psychodyanically oriented, and I tend to be that way as well. My experiences with CBT in the past felt somewhat empty because I didn't feel like my emotions were getting involved.
But I am so tired of procrastinating, and I'm not sure I have the patience to trust the therapy process as it stands right now.
I'll think about making some changes. Thanks for the suggestion.
g
Posted by mattdds on January 14, 2004, at 23:43:50
In reply to benzos, MAOI's and the experience of anxiety, posted by gardenergirl on January 14, 2004, at 19:49:30
Hi there,
My gut tells me that a benzo would not be a good idea in this situation. Unless you *feel* anxious, which you reported that you do not, it just does not warrant the use of the "big guns" for anxiety. Consider yourself lucky.
I have bouts of procrastination. I have largely learned to deal with it through CBT, as Scott suggested.
You mentioned that CBT didn't involve your emotions enough for your style. Fair enough, however, why would you need your emotions involved here?
This seems like a really specific practical problem (and a common one).
I know this is getting old, but I gleaned so much practical wisdom from Burns' "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" that helped me deal with procrastination. There is actually a whole chapter devoted to anti-procrastination techniques.
BTW, I have found that I get anxious *because* I procrastinate, but that I mainly do it because of perfectionism.
I know you're style is psychoanalytic, and that you like to involve your emotions, but I'm not suggesting comprehensive CBT here. Just a very practical, limited application. If it feels too unemotional and robotic for you, you could always taper off - just go slow ;).
I would highly recommend reading the chapter on procrastination in the Burns book - I think it may have possibly shifted the balance and gotten me through dental school :-).
Best of luck to you,
Matt
Posted by gardenergirl on January 15, 2004, at 9:03:11
In reply to Re: benzos, MAOI's and the experience of anxiety » gardenergirl, posted by mattdds on January 14, 2004, at 23:43:50
Matt,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I guess you're right, a focused approach to a specific problem does not necessarily need to be emotion-focused. And perfectionism really plays a role for me, too. I will check out that chapter you recommended. Now that I think about it, I have a couple books on procrastination that I haven't read. That sounds like a bad joke, but unfortunately, it's true.
Thanks again,
g
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