Posted by Racer on March 19, 2007, at 19:37:15
In reply to Re: Another perspective » Racer, posted by Jeff Smith on March 19, 2007, at 19:03:54
First of all, anti-psychotics are used for a lot more than psychosis these days. Low dose APs are used for OCD, anxiety, sleep disturbance, as an augmenting agent for antidepressants, and I'm sure other uses I'm not thinking of. The fact that your NP prescribed Abilify isn't so surprising, actually, as it's often used to kick up the effects of anti-depressants.
Second, from your description, I wonder if you might be bipolar? The sort of anger you're describing sounds a little like a mixed state. If so, finding a mood stabilizer might help.
And there are ways to mitigate the weight gain from antidepressants -- one of which is to add Wellbutrin. If you're taking Wellbutrin and it's not doing the full job, maybe adding a low dose of an SSRI would kick it into gear. There are also other drugs, of entirely different classes, that might work better for you. SSRIs are not the only game in town. The meds board here is a great resource for finding information about different drugs.
And I do think that a more effective drug would be the first step for you. Right now, it sounds as though you have plenty of reasons why you won't or can't do anything to improve your situation. To me, that's something I see in myself when I'm depressed. And I don't find it particularly attractive while I'm doing it. What I have found in the past, is that once I have adequate antidepressant activity going on biochemically, I *can* take steps to find the additional help I might need, or at least see options that I wasn't able to see before.
That's only my opinion, of course.
My last comment, though, is about your assessment of the therapists you've seen at community agencies so far: Are you familiar with the idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy? I guess I'd suggest that you consider what it is you're hoping to get out of talk therapy, and then ask for that. If a therapist is telling you too much about herself, and not helping you -- tell her. You don't have to be rude about it, and you certainly don't have to be angry when you tell her, but you can certainly tell her, "You know, I'm not finding it very helpful to hear about your cat. Can we try to stay on topic?" That's your right, since it's your treatment.
Just a few thoughts.... Good luck, whatever happens.
poster:Racer
thread:742135
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070309/msgs/742261.html