Posted by Jim on February 27, 1999, at 11:23:28
In reply to self-injury, posted by lynn on February 27, 1999, at 0:12:54
Lynn,
As I understand it, a number of different medications have shown some success in treating self-injuring behavior--including antidepressants such as the one you're on.But a different and perhaps more useful medication to look into might be NALTREXONE -- there's quite a bit about its use with self-injurying behavior on the "tips" part of Dr. Bob's site, in fact. Naltrexone is a relatively safe "opioid antagonist" medication that seems helpful in a variety of addictive situations -- specifically, it seems to work by helping to block the constant craving for the addictive "rush" that comes from stimulating your natural opioid receptors in various ways. (It's particularly popular these days in treating alcohol and opiate addiction, but seems to often be effective with various other kinds of addictive behavior too, such as self-injury, food binging, even gambling, I think.) In some people it even seems to help relieve depression too. You might look into to this option more and bring it up with your doctor(s). Best of luck-- it's overcomable!
-- Jim
Lynn wrote:
> I have the usual history of depression, I won't get into that other than to say I take effexor, 300mg daily. I also have a history of self-injury, started it in my teens.
> After my last treatment for deperession abt 5 yrs ago, I thought it was under control. Unitl recently, I hadn't done it.
>
> I am a cutter, I use razors to cut myself. This is not considered to be suicdal. But, it does seem to have an almost addictive quality to it. The more I do it, the more I want to do it. I have many urls's for info on it, have discussed it w/my T and pdoc...I can't seem to stop. And for the first time ever, it's scaring me. I want to see more blood every time I do it. Last time I knicked a vein, the blood gushed. Took quite awhile to get it stopped, using pessure & ellvating it.
>
> Are there any meds that might help...any new trmnt that might be effective? It's really scaring me & yet I can't stop.
poster:Jim
thread:3275
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990201/msgs/3283.html