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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by libbyann on December 9, 2004, at 10:30:15
Would anyone be willing to talk with me about chemical imbalances that flare up in certain situations? I'll try to make it brief, but here's my situation:
Bad Boyfriend (BB) was emotionally abusive for 2 years. We broke up. I was fine.
New Boyfriend (NB) is sweet and caring and the opposite. Now I have intimacy issues because of BB. When NB started coming around, my anxiety became unbearable. We'd break up, I'd be OK for a day, then I'd realize I missed him. We got back together and within a couple of days, my anxiety would be over the top.
Now I'm on some meds for the anxiety and am in therapy for the intimacy issues. It's like I have a low reserve of seratonin, but don't have to deal with it unless something brings it up - like NB. All the fear of relationships I have because of BB come to the surface and I have panic and anxiety to the point that I can't function. So I'm hoping the meds will help w/ the anxiety/depression so I can deal with the emotional damage in therapy.
My question is: does anyone else have a chemical imbalance that only comes to the surface in certain situations? I know people on here have talked about social anxiety, but what about my sort of situation? A friend of mine said it sounds like post traumatic stress syndrome. Can anyone relate?
Thanks!
Posted by Sebastian on December 9, 2004, at 11:44:18
In reply to Bad Boyfriend + abuse = seratonin issues?, posted by libbyann on December 9, 2004, at 10:30:15
I do.
I get defensive around people especialy in certain situations like a bar. I anticipate that I will be attacked by some one.
Posted by libbyann on December 9, 2004, at 11:58:50
In reply to Re: Bad Boyfriend + abuse = seratonin issues?, posted by Sebastian on December 9, 2004, at 11:44:18
Have you been attacked before? How much of it do you think is seratonin issues and how much is a psychological glitch? I'm wondering this about myself and my own situation.
The doc told me that the "normal" person has, let's say, 50 units of seratonin. If a situation that requires seratonin arises, they can jump up to, let's say, 80 units, if that's what is required to handle the situation. Well, people like me start with 25 or 30 units, so when a situation comes up that requires 80 units, my brain/body is only able to get me to about a 40. So the meds help me get up to whatever level my brain needs. Does that make sense? Does that sound right? Anyone? I tend to handle things better if I can understand them... I guess we all do to an extent.
Then there's the whole purely psychological side of things. I've been hurt, therefore I have an aversion to situations like the one I was hurt in. That's a pretty basic concept, but when you're in the middle of it, it feels very confusing, especially if your brain isn't pumping the right chemicals!
Anything anyone has to say would be much appreciated! Talking about it almost always helps me...
Posted by Sebastian on December 9, 2004, at 21:20:23
In reply to Re: Bad Boyfriend + abuse = seratonin issues?, posted by libbyann on December 9, 2004, at 11:58:50
I was attacked by a bunch of people, who beat me unconsous. I was blamed for the death of a freind. I was picked on and beat up repeatedly growing up. Basicly I moved because the people stoped liking me. Or atleast were showing it more.
I've been ill since 95'. I take a lot of medicine. 5 of them. 7.5 mg zyprexa, 60 mg celexa, 400 mg bupropion sr (wellbutrin), 100 mg lamictal, and 120 mg geodon. I was in the hospital few times, and had a lot of ECT. I'm increadably shy, paranoid, anxious, depressed, psychotic, I'm a mental basket case. Oh, and when I was 13 I had a very demeaning sexual experience, with a gay guy who. I can't say rape, but I can say I was not realy interested. I think that had an affect on me also.
With the seratonin that sounds right.
Posted by libbyann on December 10, 2004, at 8:37:15
In reply to Re: Bad Boyfriend + abuse = seratonin issues?, posted by Sebastian on December 9, 2004, at 21:20:23
So do you feel anxiety all the time or just when you're in situations that remind you of things that have hurt you in the past? Or do you feel it just when you think about those times or being in similar situations?
I'm truly sorry for the things that have happened to you. No one should have to bear such pain.
Posted by ed_uk on December 10, 2004, at 9:59:34
In reply to Re: Bad Boyfriend + abuse = seratonin issues?, posted by Sebastian on December 9, 2004, at 21:20:23
Hello Sebastian,
I was very sorry to hear about the bad things that have happened to you. It sounds like many of your current problems might be related to the things that have happened to you in the past. Do you agree? For example, do you think that being attacked has made you paranoid today?
Best Wishes,
Ed.
Posted by Sebastian on December 10, 2004, at 11:25:28
In reply to Re: To Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on December 10, 2004, at 9:59:34
Yes, I think it has all added up. I walk around ready for a fight, because I always expect some one to come after me out of no where, usualy some one I don't know. I have a hard time realy feeling comfortable around people, and being able to open up. Usualy I can only be open when on drugs.
Posted by ed_uk on December 10, 2004, at 11:45:54
In reply to Re: Bad Boyfriend + abuse = seratonin issues?, posted by Sebastian on December 9, 2004, at 21:20:23
Hello,
I hope you find it easier to open up on psycho-babble :-)
I hope you don't mind me asking... Were you attacked by strangers? Did it happen in 1995?
I think you have been diagnosed as schizoaffective, is that right? Do you feel that you have benefited from your medication or ECT?
You said you are a 'mental basket case' but that's not how you come across at all. I mean that.
Best Wishes,
Ed.
Posted by Sebastian on December 10, 2004, at 11:57:20
In reply to Re: To Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on December 10, 2004, at 11:45:54
Since I was 5. Yes they were prety much strangers. Some were repeat.
Deffinitly benifit from meds. With out them I loose it. Bouts of anger, house bound, doing stupid things, etc, pacing, warped reality, fear for life, won't talk. and on and on.
The attacks realy affected me in '95. That what set me off.
I've been on so many drugs, sick for ever, done so weird stuff, I feel like a basket case.
Posted by ed_uk on December 10, 2004, at 12:14:53
In reply to Re: from Sebastian » ed_uk, posted by Sebastian on December 10, 2004, at 11:57:20
Hello,
How awful that you were attacked. I hope you feel safer now that you have moved to a different area. You have friends on psycho-babble :-)
Best Wishes,
Ed.
Posted by Sebastian on December 10, 2004, at 14:34:35
In reply to Re: from Sebastian, posted by ed_uk on December 10, 2004, at 12:14:53
Thanks, I could use some freinds(:
Posted by lew on December 12, 2004, at 15:03:24
In reply to Re: from Sebastian, posted by Sebastian on December 10, 2004, at 14:34:35
yes Sebastian. whenever you feel those feelings coming back, jump on the board and talk! you know you will always find kind, loving friends that are genuinely concerned. That's what we're here for and that's what makes this board so incredible. i hope this helps. lew
Posted by lew on December 12, 2004, at 15:08:11
In reply to Re: Bad Boyfriend + abuse = seratonin issues?, posted by libbyann on December 9, 2004, at 11:58:50
> Have you been attacked before? How much of it do you think is seratonin issues and how much is a psychological glitch? I'm wondering this about myself and my own situation.
>
> The doc told me that the "normal" person has, let's say, 50 units of seratonin. If a situation that requires seratonin arises, they can jump up to, let's say, 80 units, if that's what is required to handle the situation. Well, people like me start with 25 or 30 units, so when a situation comes up that requires 80 units, my brain/body is only able to get me to about a 40. So the meds help me get up to whatever level my brain needs. Does that make sense? Does that sound right? Anyone? I tend to handle things better if I can understand them... I guess we all do to an extent.
>
> Then there's the whole purely psychological side of things. I've been hurt, therefore I have an aversion to situations like the one I was hurt in. That's a pretty basic concept, but when you're in the middle of it, it feels very confusing, especially if your brain isn't pumping the right chemicals!
>
> Anything anyone has to say would be much appreciated! Talking about it almost always helps me...
Yes, talking definitely helps and taking care of yourself, meaning try to stay away from the bad guys. i've been there myself. sounds to me like this person doesn't deserve you. take care of yourself!! I really liked your analysis of how serotonin works in the brain. laymen terms. They're so much easier to understand. thanks for the easy explanation.
Posted by Sebastian on December 13, 2004, at 11:31:09
In reply to Re: from Sebastian, posted by lew on December 12, 2004, at 15:03:24
Thanks!
Good to know someone cares!
This is the end of the thread.
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