Posted by Shes_Initforthemoney on March 23, 2012, at 0:29:56
In reply to Pdoc won't give me Alertec, posted by Deneb on March 22, 2012, at 1:08:30
> I saw pdoc today. I told her I was doing well except that I'm sleeping a lot, sometimes about 15 hours a day. I go to bed around 5 am and sleep until 5 pm on days I don't work. I get up and surf the web and drink some water (being really dehydrated after sleeping for 12 hours) for a couple of hours. Then I crawl back into bed until about 10 pm. I eat and surf the web the rest of the night and go back to bed at around 5 am.
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> I asked her if I could have some Alertec or something, but she said it wasn't going to solve my problem. My problem was not maintaining healthy habits.
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> I asked if melatonin might help, but again she said it wasn't going to solve my problems.
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> I think she's kind of worried about me. She said my parents are going to get sick one day and won't be able to take care of me.
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> She wants me to be more independent. She said I don't need to move or anything, but I should do more adult things, like learning how to cook. She said I'm not mentally retarded or physically handicapped or anything. She said I can do things to be independent.
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> She gave me some homework. It's kind of a lot. I'm supposed to write things down as I do them.
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> These are the things I have to do:
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> Wake up in the morning everyday.
> Eat regular healthy meals based on the food pyramid.
> Go outside at least once a day.
> Do some exercise for about 30 mins everyday.
> Decrease Celexa and remember to take Prozac every morning.
> Do things other than surf the Internet reading articles for 7 hours straight.
> Think about some things I want to do.
> Do things to become more independent, like cooks meals and clean the house.
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> Pdoc said I should be gathering resources at this time in my life, whatever that means. I think it has to do with the fact that my parents won't be here forever. I think she's kind of worried that they'll die and then I'd be totally helpless.
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> She said it's good my parents help me, but it's also bad because it prevents me from growing up. I'm not sure why I didn't just naturally grow up. I'm kind of stuck in adolescence I think. Well, but at least I'm over the moody phase lol.
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> Also she wants me to stop drinking drinks with caffeine. She says it's bad for my delayed sleep. Time to switch to decaf I guess. Argh. LOL
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> I should find an app to track all this stuff. I'm so glad pdoc is there is guide me through life. I'd be so lost without her!
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> I hope it doesn't take another 10 years to reach my next stage of enlightenment. I grew out of my depression/moodiness and most of my anxiety at the end of my 20's.
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> Hopefully I'll be more like an adult by my mid 30's.
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> Is there anything else you can think of to make me sleep less and be more like an adult?
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Deneb,Well, with what others have said, I have my own experience. I don't want to think all that has applied to me would apply to you.
But, I was Dx'd with MDD and GAD around 20 years of age. It took so many wrong Dx's, and a few insensitive psychiatrists, and one amazingly smart and compassionate doc to get where I am today. (By the way, I am 42...but I still feel 20..lol). We had to try every medication (well..almost every one...I don't think anyone has really tried EVERY medication) over all these years. I wound up taking the MOST unconventional med combo(s) ever. I don't want to mention exactly what, because we all react differently based on our genetics, etc.
But, folks have to realize taking two SSRI's is not a far-fetched idea, and the combo has worked for me. There is quite a difference within the SSRI classes themselves, as to what neurotransmitters each is more or less powerful on. I have to combine other drugs, which are in the same class as each other ( within each of anti-psychotics, and even mood stabilizers), in order to get a robust, consistent reaction.
I will say my life is still far from perfect, but the unconventional medication combos have been crucial to my recovery. Having said that, all of those seemingly 'small' things from eating right, to taking your vitamins, to exercise are also crucial to your well being.
I am looking to getting a therapist next, and that also is another option in possibly helping you along. I would highly suggest trying a bit of melatonin to set your sleep clock. Now, I work 12 hour shifts, so my sleep is often messed up.
If left untreated, mental illness can get both chronically and acutely worse. I believe you are educated in the life sciences, so if you have ideas for your doctor, research and print the most valid research out there, and show it to them. But, be confident and serious, to show them you are an adult.
This garbage about you "having" to live on your own, have your own apartment, support yourself, etc is not needed to be worried about. In this economy, I know of many people being forced to move back home...or what are the alternatives? Live in a car? Nooo. That is also a very, very sad fact (and reality for many) today too. People seem to only care about being 'independent', but as the good ole' (very caring) Humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers said, we are ALL inter-dependent on each other. This society is all about 'me me me', never about WE. And look where that has gotten us. I think the 1 in 3 statistic regarding mental illness just says it all. Or the 99 percent'er?
Good luck Deneb, and I think you will find your way well.
Jay
"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we'll change the world," ~Jack Layton 1950-2011
poster:Shes_Initforthemoney
thread:1013597
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120316/msgs/1013680.html