Posted by cache-monkey on October 11, 2004, at 13:42:03
In reply to Re: HELP BACK ON THE MEDICINE, posted by mattsit on October 11, 2004, at 11:43:12
<< "But if it is as you are explaining it seems like you may be catastrophizing a little."
What does Catastrophizing mean? Does that mean overblowing it to the point where I have myself convinced Im going to jail, or being sued for millions or dollars when all I did was play a prank that didnt go over very well???
If so, I do that to myself all the time. What should I do, will the Lexapro help me not do that, or do I need to talk to someone?
>>If by "talk to someone" you mean therapy, I really recommend it. Therapy can be very beneficial in addressing and working on long-term patterns of maladaptive thought and behaviour. But it can take some time and effort to get the positive effects.
The Lexapro may very well help with anxious/obsessive thoughts. I think medication can play an important role in ameliorating the symptoms of anxiety/depression. But getting a positive response from a medication might also take a bit of time.
I am of the school, though, that medication shouldn't be used alone, in place of therapy. Being just on medication can make it seem that nothing's wrong anymore. While this alone can allow you to make progress on your thought/behaviour patterns, there is also the chance that since you feel so good you decide not to put in the extra effort for long-term change. This happened to me before, and I really regret it now.
I think that medication can really actuate the process of therapy. I.e. you can have the distance and perspective to really get the most out of therapy for the longer term. This is important since medications might eventually "poop out."
So I'd really recommend therapy regardless of your decision on the Lexapro.
Good luck,
cache-monkey
poster:cache-monkey
thread:401485
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041007/msgs/401637.html