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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on July 19, 2001, at 21:51:19
Oh man, reading all those responses to my initial question about what are flashbacks in a psychiatric sense (thanks all, btw!) made me realize that what I thought was part of obsessive, racing, worrisome thoughts is technically FLASHBACKS!!
I also realize now that the more depressed I am, the more frequent and repeated the flashbacks are, and they in turn get me more anxious, agitated and tense. EEEEk, but at least this is falling into place, almost a pattern to it for me, and making more "sense" to me (and I see I'm not alone with it either).
Anyone out there had any success with any med(s) to control or STOP them? Any responses greatly appreciated.
-Janelle
Posted by terra miller on July 20, 2001, at 0:05:27
In reply to FLASHBACKS:now realize I get 'em-what helps?, posted by Janelle on July 19, 2001, at 21:51:19
> Anyone out there had any success with any med(s) to control or STOP them? Any responses greatly appreciated.
> -Janelle
Hi, Janelle. This is my personal philosophy just so you know *s*. I think flashbacks, though scary, are actually extremely helpful to let you know there's something in there that needs considered and mastered and healed or understood. I consider flashbacks as my friends which help me learn what I need to work on which I was previously amnesiac about.But, if you want to medicate them away I think that is possible too. Some antidepressants can make you "unfeeling" which can mean decreased flashbacks. Some benzos do that as well. You can use benzos to effectively handle anxiety that flashbacks can produce. But I have also personally found that benzos longer term use made me feel less and flashback less... to the point that I felt stalled in therapy and going off the benzos brought so much up that I've been working my tail off (which I consider a good thing since I'm going to have to heal sooner or later, so it might as well be now so that I can get done with this pain stuff.)
Long answer to a short question. I guess it depends on your motivation. I do believe there are times when you just need to regroup and keep the flashbacks at bay so you can rest, and in those circumstances I have found ativan and ambien, a sleep aid, to help calm me down to rest up for the next round.
-terra
Posted by SalArmy4me on July 20, 2001, at 0:55:51
In reply to Re: FLASHBACKS:now realize I get 'em-what helps? » Janelle, posted by terra miller on July 20, 2001, at 0:05:27
That "unfeeling," "numb," or "apathetic" response to antidepressant treatment of flashbacks can be remedied with the dopaminergic medications like buproprion, pramipexole, ropinirole, methylphenidate.
Posted by Janelle on July 20, 2001, at 1:08:56
In reply to Re: FLASHBACKS:now realize I get 'em-what helps? » Janelle, posted by terra miller on July 20, 2001, at 0:05:27
Hi, and thanks for your comments - very insightful! I would say it depends on the specific flashbacks as to whether or not they could be helpful in letting you know there's something in there that needs considered and mastered, healed or understood. However, my flashbacks sometimes go waaaaaaaaaaaay back to the distant past and are usually of a "trivial" or insiginficant nature, but I obsess over them to the point of extreme anxiety. I wish I could consider flashbacks as "my friends," letting me know I was amnesiac about issues I really do need to address.
I have tried several a-d's and one benzo (Klonopin), all of which have helped but not conquered (at least not to the degree I need them to) the flashbacks and resulting anxiety.
Believe it or not, Ambien used to get me to sleep, but I've "outgrown" it in terms of my obsessive, racing, worrisome thoughts and anxiety become so intense as to "override" Ambien (which is gentle according to my pdoc).
Thanks again,
-Janelle
Posted by Janelle on July 20, 2001, at 1:11:30
In reply to Re: FLASHBACKS:now realize I get 'em-what helps?, posted by SalArmy4me on July 20, 2001, at 0:55:51
Thanks for the info (as usual!) Believe it or not, the anxious/nervous/tense and high strung one here "needs", wants and likes that "unfeeling," "numb," or "apathetic" response to antidepressant treatment of flashbacks. But it's good to know that if it can be remedied with the dopaminergic medications like buproprion, pramipexole, ropinirole, methylphenidate.
Posted by terra miller on July 20, 2001, at 20:25:09
In reply to To TERRA MILLER re Flashbacks: » terra miller, posted by Janelle on July 20, 2001, at 1:08:56
janelle-
re: ambien. i have just very recently had to stop ambien myself for the very reasons you mentioned. hmmmm. i'm switching over to trazodone this week to see if i can get some sleep. i just can't seem to convince myself that i am safe enough to fall into deep sleep. i've been pretty tired. eventually i just kind of pass out on the bed after the sleep deprivation takes over completely. it's a real drag. it's not always this way. but i am processing a lot of flashbacks myself lately, and it is very hard- i agree- to not think about them to the point of anxiety and panic. and it's even harder to try to talk myself into believing that the perceived danger is from the past and not my present. ahhh, the nature of flashbacks. anyway, understand your ambien comments. to be totally honest, sometimes the best sleep aid is half a glass of wine (i have no tolerance of alcohol at all. i can swallow twice and already not be safe to drive.) so a very little bit goes a long way for me. my pdoc and i agreed that it's not the best longterm option, but he _was_ very understanding. i'm beginning a trial of buspar for anxiety (it could be months before i know if it works or if the dose is high enough). that's where i sit now anyway. -terra
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