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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 8:22:13
I am using psychotherapy in addition to drug therapy to address my issues with depression, anxiety and possible bpII and ADD (who knows anymore, right?)
I was hoping to drop down to 20mgs of Celexa with the help of Lamictal, but it's getting increasingly rough after several months. rumination, difficulty concentrating, and defeatism are becoming more present. It's getting so bad I am leaving my massage practice b.c. I've lost my benevolence toward clients and my ability to focus during the sessions.
I'm finding that by boosting the Celexa with tryptophan (which is a precursor to seratonin) occasionally, these problems are all but eliminated.
The problem is, I don't think it's healthy to start popping pills (of whatever kind) when I start to slide. I want to have the full range of emotions and frustrations that everyone has and accept them rather than make them disappear chemically...
Even though dealing with obtrusive symptoms is something I deserve, I feel that I may be strengthening addictive behaviors lurking beneath.
BTW, I came down off the Celexa to restore my sentimentality and sex drive.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
Posted by ed_uk on December 9, 2004, at 9:53:32
In reply to PRNs=self medication???, posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 8:22:13
Hi,
I'm not sure what you're asking but prn=pro re nata=take when required. For example, Valium 5mg prn.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 19:08:39
In reply to Re: PRNs=self medication???, posted by ed_uk on December 9, 2004, at 9:53:32
> Hi,
>
> I'm not sure what you're asking but prn=pro re nata=take when required. For example, Valium 5mg prn.
>
> Regards,
> Ed.Exactly...My question is: Is it psychologically damaging to resort to short-term medicinal relief, given the conditions mentioned above.
In other words, I want to address the underlying chemical inadequacies, while still developing coping skills for dealing with NATURAL suffering, imperminance, anxiety, etc.
I hope this makes sense.
Craig
Posted by ed_uk on December 10, 2004, at 11:14:15
In reply to Re: PRNs=self medication???, posted by CraigD on December 9, 2004, at 19:08:39
Hi,
I must admit that I take 60mg Celexa and am not as sentimental as I was!!
I suppose that some psychotherapists would argue that using prn medication might inhibit a person's ability to develop coping strategies. For example, if you get into the habit of taking a Valium everytime you do an exam you might be afraid that you wouldn't be able to cope without it. From personal experience, I have found there to be some truth in this theory. I am glad that my doc only gives me a few Valium tabs at a time because if he gave me a bucket full I'd probably take them when my anxiety was only mild and I didn't really need them.
If you do use meds prn, try to take them only when you are really desperate for relief. That way, you will still be able to develop skills to deal with you everyday anxiety.
About the underlying chemical inadequcies..... to be fair, there is no way to measure whether you have got any chemical inadequacies so you can't really know whether or not they are being addressed! It is quite possible that if you do have any, your psychological treatment may correct them.
Regards,
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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