![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sebastian on August 9, 2004, at 12:02:31
Told the doctor I have unresolved anger now for the last 9 years that does not go away. So he gives me more meds? I alread take 3? Why would a little more help me now?
Posted by linkadge on August 9, 2004, at 12:33:46
In reply to Anger = more meds?, posted by Sebastian on August 9, 2004, at 12:02:31
Which meds were you taking and which meds did he add ??
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on August 9, 2004, at 16:19:37
In reply to Anger = more meds?, posted by Sebastian on August 9, 2004, at 12:02:31
At rock bottom, it depends on the cause of your unresolved anger. If it's psycho-social, the pdoc probably isn't the one to address it from a psychotherapeutic direction. (By the way, have you tried therapy for it? Has it helped?) If, on the other hand, the anger is an outward manifestation of unremitted depression or bipolar despite the medications you're already taking, then yes -- the new med is appropriate.
Now, in fairness to pdocs, the new model of meds management divorced from psychotherapy limits a lot of pdocs in what they're comfortable and capable of treating effectively. It's a model that I vaguely distrust, so keep that in mind when considering what I have to say here. Even if the pdoc *knows* that the problem is better addressed by psychotherapy, he or she may not be comfortable either suggesting that another mental health professional is more appropriate to handle the issue, or saying that more of what he or she *can* provide *isn't* the answer. (Honestly -- I've talked to my doctors and vets about this. A lot of them seem to feel as if they are *required* to do something -- a test that probably isn't needed, a prescription that certainly isn't indicated, anything at all -- to fulfill the expectations of the patient. For some, it's caring and wanting to do *something* for their patients. For others, it's being afraid of the patient getting upset and leaving. And, for still others, it's a fear of missing something that will lead to legal liability.)
Remember, while you may be perfectly reasonable when told that you need a therapist rather than more drugs, others may not be -- and some of those others, in a psychiatric practice especially, may be quite frustrated when thwarted.
By the way, the best answers to your question will only be possible if you tell us what drugs you're taking, and at what dosages.
Best luck.
Posted by Sebastian on August 10, 2004, at 11:37:49
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds?, posted by linkadge on August 9, 2004, at 12:33:46
I was taking: 7.5 zyprexa, 60 celexa, 300 wellbutrin SR.
He added: My choice: 10 zyprexa, or once in a while 10 zyprexa, or small depakote, or lamictal.
I decided to stick with 7.5 zyprexa, 60 celexa, 300 wellbutrin sr.
I was not having any med problems. I told him this at the begining of the session and repetedly throughout. All I wanted was talk about problems, past and present. Guess he took it the wrong way? Got me upset, that I couldn't get any advice.
Posted by Sebastian on August 10, 2004, at 11:51:09
In reply to Depends... » Sebastian, posted by Racer on August 9, 2004, at 16:19:37
I listed the drugs in the last post.
I was under the impresion that I could get both psychological and medication from the same doctor. In the past I used to see 2 doctors, I decided the psychological one was not working and stoped seeing them. Eventualy through out the years I was talking more psychology to the drug doctor, so he said I could get hour sessions of psyhotherapy. Seemed to work fine untill last week. So, ultimatly I decided I'm not going to visit the doctor for a while, cut down from every 2 weeks and once a month to seeing him every 3-6 months like I used to do. Seems that the meds are just right and this was something we had agread on over the past months. I guess there is realy no need to go, if, I don't need to change drugs, aparently.
Posted by linkadge on August 10, 2004, at 19:05:28
In reply to Re: Depends... » Racer, posted by Sebastian on August 10, 2004, at 11:51:09
How do you think the wellbutrin is affecting your anger levels ? This is what I would come to suspect first.
Linkadge
Posted by patval on August 11, 2004, at 10:07:23
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds? » linkadge, posted by Sebastian on August 10, 2004, at 11:37:49
Sebastian, I was following your posts on your trials with abilify,because my son had tried and failed. I believe abilify was toxic for my son and he was quite ill for about a year after the attempt. I also read another person having difficulty after his abilify trial. Could this be the case for you? If so time does seem to help. patval
Posted by patval on August 11, 2004, at 10:24:00
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds?, posted by patval on August 11, 2004, at 10:07:23
Sebastian, My husband reminded me that my son became angry on zyprexa after abilify attempt. He had to raise his dose significantly to get results he used to have. He had been on 2mg of risperdal and went up to 6mg. He was also on 2.5 zyprexa(we could see him get angry after taking his zyprexa) which we slowly tapered down and finally eliminated. A year and a half later we have managed to lower his risperdol to 4.5mg. It's taken a long time. He's also on lithium. Clonazepam 1mg a day helped him get through agitation and anxiety as did propanol. I hope this helps. I don't believe a therapist is your first line of defense. Just my opinion. Pat val
Posted by Sebastian on August 11, 2004, at 11:40:52
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds?, posted by patval on August 11, 2004, at 10:24:00
My anger comes and goes any time. When I was on no meds, some meds, all meds, different meds. Its unresolved, and there is nothing I can do for it. I could be talking and suddenly want to go out and beat some one up for the hell of it, get talked out of it by my dad, punch the wall next to my dad, start yelling anger at someone into the air who I have no idea where they are, rip my shirt up in the middle of the night. This has been going on for 9 years now.
Posted by patval on August 11, 2004, at 19:24:50
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds?, posted by Sebastian on August 11, 2004, at 11:40:52
Sebastian, I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. Patval
Posted by Camille Dumont on August 12, 2004, at 10:46:08
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds?, posted by Sebastian on August 11, 2004, at 11:40:52
Have you considered getting a punching bag. It sounds stupid but sometimes when I feel anger I just need to get it all out somehow. Very strenuous exercise or doing heavy work eventually kills the agressivity.
Posted by Sebastian on August 12, 2004, at 11:21:04
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds?, posted by Camille Dumont on August 12, 2004, at 10:46:08
I work out at the gym.
Posted by catmint on August 14, 2004, at 3:17:57
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds?, posted by Sebastian on August 12, 2004, at 11:21:04
Hey,
I too have unresolved anger since I was 13. I'm now 38. I can't figure it out. I'm really easily provoked.
Therapy doesn't work. I was way worse on Wellburtin.
Depakote is hands down the best med for anger, but for me it caused too much depression and I couldn't get out of bed in the morning.
Now I'm on Lamictal which does nothing for anger. Thinking about adding Depakote.Take care,
Amy
Posted by karen m. on August 15, 2004, at 16:58:02
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds? » Sebastian, posted by catmint on August 14, 2004, at 3:17:57
Posted by karen m. on August 15, 2004, at 17:02:53
In reply to Re: Anger = more meds? » Sebastian, posted by catmint on August 14, 2004, at 3:17:57
i too take lamictal and truly it does nothing for anger. i wonder if lamictal would take care of the depression and depacote the anger. i wonder if anyone takes that combo and how they feel? i'd try it too. i know zilch about depacote.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.