Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 21, 2011, at 7:01:14
In reply to Re: zyprexa triggering mania?, posted by Christ_empowered on November 20, 2011, at 8:09:03
> I don't have any references/links for you, but I do recall reading that anxiety can go up on a neuroleptic, even if you don't have full-fledged akathisia. The way the stuff I read put it is that although we think of Parkinson's as a disease with physical manifestation--the stiff movements, for instance--its also accompanied by psychiatric symptoms. Depression, lethargy, and severe anxiety. This is why so many people with Parkinson's take benzodiazepinies.
Strange. I always figured neuroleptics were practically fail-safe as far as anxiety was concerned, though given all my other bizarre reactions to stuff, I should've expected as much. Anyway, the point you make about Parkinson's is interesting. I think that the mind/body split is somewhat engrained in popular culture, which is why, as you point out, there's a tendency to see Parkinson's a physical affliction - and likewise why I initially balked upon discovering that depression could cause symptoms of physical pain.
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> Now, all neuroleptics induce varying degrees of Parkisons. The atypicals usually induce a milder form, so you see fewer twitches and what not, but they can definitely still induce depression and anxiety. When my Abilify dose was too high, I had a sort of slowed down, lethargic anxiety. In an ideal world, I could ditch the Abilify--and all neuroleptics--and just live. Since I can't, I had to cut the dose in 1/2 to 15 and since then I've felt much, much better.
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> Have you tried low-dose Abilify? I couldn't tolerate anything except Abilify, which is why I now stick with it through thick and thin (though the thin spots have been rather unpleasant, I must say). With the D2 partial agonism and what not, I would think a really, really low dose (I think they make 2mgs tablets) might be helpful. Abilify is super potent, so even at what seems to be a tiny dose, a pretty large % of your D2 receptors will be occupied.I haven't tried Abilify, no. Maybe that's next on the list ..
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> Other than that...any non-neuroleptic options? Benzos can be good for OCD.Hmm. My psychiatrist prescribed Xanax when I first saw him. The starting dose (0.5mg, 3x a day) didn't have much of an observable effect and he gave up after that. I should bring them up again, 'cos I'm just about ready to off myself due to anxiety, but I'm scared he'll refuse given my little stint in the emergency room several weeks ago.
I've been thinking about asking if I could try an MAOI again but I'm not sure if they're any good for anxiety.
poster:g_g_g_unit
thread:1003037
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20111120/msgs/1003283.html