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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 18:29:00
Are there any meds that help with what is appearing to be a case of negativity? The glass is always half empty. Even getting a pin in the mail yesterday which enters me in the Circle of Influence for enrolling 4 people last month didn't do anything to either make me feel good or anyway. Just a big deal. I have an excuse for everything. How can I sell that? I don't have a testimonial like everyone else. Why don't I believe in a product like I once did. Why don't I believe in myself anymore? A summa cum laude pharmacist new grad, and I were talking today at the health fair and I asked her about a post here and showed it to her as I'd copied it which stated SSRI's aren't serotonin selective and she said it was true. So I believe she knows what she is talking about. This site is my Barometer. I told her that AD's don't work and she said maybe you're not depressed. If I'm not depressed, than what am I? Are there meds to help this or am I doomed? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Declan on May 21, 2005, at 19:03:58
In reply to Meds To Help Negativity?, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 18:29:00
I wish I knew too, Phillipa. I'm not convinced there are any legal ones (certainly not for long). Living in a less atomised society with old fashioned herbs like coca and poppy, would be my guess, but we're too late for that.
Declan
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 21, 2005, at 19:59:05
In reply to Meds To Help Negativity?, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 18:29:00
Phillipa,
I am not convinced that a person is not depressed if ADs don't work. First of all, you must look at WHY they don't work. Were their too many side effects to build up to a theraputic dose? Do you require a higher than "normal" dose because of other meds you might be taking or the way your body metabolizes a drug?
Why did I not respond to SSRIs or TCAs, but did respond with Wellbutrin when I was severely depressed? Fortunately, or unfortunately, however you see it, that was years ago and Wellbutrin has never worked that well again. Everyone is different. And I think to some extent every DEPRESSION is different.
Does that mean you need to experiment with all the drugs all over again each time you become depressed? I don't know. I'm not that smart. But I do know that blanket statements like the girl you meet at the fair made seldom cover everyone!
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 20:17:18
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity?, posted by MidnightBlue on May 21, 2005, at 19:59:05
At the time I was trying all the various AD's I was going through menopause. Now that it's over it seems like none of the meds I take do anything. I just walk through life and wait to go to sleep at night. The only thing the pdocs care about is if you are suicidal. Well i'm not. I keep waiting for a miracle. I'm amazed at the motivation and knowledge of the posters here. They "tweek" a med here and there and seem to come up with something that works for them. I'm not that intelligent. The glass is half full. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by mike13 on May 21, 2005, at 20:55:54
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » MidnightBlue, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 20:17:18
Well meds like Adderall and Ritalin always instilled optimism for me , but it's so temporary and fake the great feeling just sequences into a crash ..leaving me feeling worse then before.. Also abilify did so to, if you want to go that route..
Posted by Maxime on May 21, 2005, at 23:21:22
In reply to Meds To Help Negativity?, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 18:29:00
Hi Phillipa
I haven't read any of the other responses to your question but I think that psychotherapy would help you the most ... especially CBT. Do you have access to that?
Hugs,
Maxime> Are there any meds that help with what is appearing to be a case of negativity? The glass is always half empty. Even getting a pin in the mail yesterday which enters me in the Circle of Influence for enrolling 4 people last month didn't do anything to either make me feel good or anyway. Just a big deal. I have an excuse for everything. How can I sell that? I don't have a testimonial like everyone else. Why don't I believe in a product like I once did. Why don't I believe in myself anymore? A summa cum laude pharmacist new grad, and I were talking today at the health fair and I asked her about a post here and showed it to her as I'd copied it which stated SSRI's aren't serotonin selective and she said it was true. So I believe she knows what she is talking about. This site is my Barometer. I told her that AD's don't work and she said maybe you're not depressed. If I'm not depressed, than what am I? Are there meds to help this or am I doomed? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 23:44:26
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on May 21, 2005, at 23:21:22
Maxime, I agree. I don't know. But I do know the basic principle. The Fair is over. I found myself very negative. The woman who helped us was wonderful. She knows so much and can provide the proper training that wasn't available with my enroller. Now I have to quit telling myself that it can't work, that I can't sell, etc. The word can't should be eliminated from the English language. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on May 22, 2005, at 5:04:12
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 23:44:26
With CBT you start by writing down your internal voice and then you come up alternative. Writing it down seems to help. I've someone with a negative mindset and low self esteem (hence the eating disorder)I use the Feel Good handbook and adapt the situations for myself. There are other workbooks out there including one on self esterm like this
one
"Self-Esteem: A Proven Program of Cognitive Techniques for Assessing, Improving, and Maintaining Your Self-Esteem" and "Ten Days to Self-Esteem" What is said in the review about the last one ". It works because of actually having to write down how you feel, and what exactly you are thinking. The same negative thoughts that seem so natural and believable in my head seem so obviously over the top when I write them down: it is so much easier to WRITE the distortions and WRITE more realistic positive thoughts. Dr. Burns gets you to write down the percentage of your belief in your negative thoughts before and after examining them, and it is incredible how satisfying it is to notice the REAL difference in feelings about myself. It gives me back the feeling of having some control, of being able to effect change."Anyhow, I think this is the way to go. :-)
Hugs
Tierney
> Maxime, I agree. I don't know. But I do know the basic principle. The Fair is over. I found myself very negative. The woman who helped us was wonderful. She knows so much and can provide the proper training that wasn't available with my enroller. Now I have to quit telling myself that it can't work, that I can't sell, etc. The word can't should be eliminated from the English language. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Paulbwell on May 22, 2005, at 16:25:58
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 23:44:26
> Maxime, I agree. I don't know. But I do know the basic principle. The Fair is over. I found myself very negative. The woman who helped us was wonderful. She knows so much and can provide the proper training that wasn't available with my enroller. Now I have to quit telling myself that it can't work, that I can't sell, etc. The word can't should be eliminated from the English language. Fondly, Phillipa
Maybe the Valium is contributing? is that all you take?
Cheers
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 17:52:13
In reply to Phillipa, posted by Paulbwell on May 22, 2005, at 16:25:58
Maxime, I can't believe it! You really must be feeling better you've exposed yourself, Tierney, what a pretty name. I will take your advice as i know it it correct and try and write down my thoughts and challenge them. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 17:53:58
In reply to Phillipa, posted by Paulbwell on May 22, 2005, at 16:25:58
Paulwell, I hope not. I also take 25mg of zoloft. Not much. I also tried a percocet last night too. If that is an opiate it didn't do anything for me. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on May 22, 2005, at 19:22:49
In reply to Self Esteem Maxime » Paulbwell, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 17:52:13
> Maxime, I can't believe it! You really must be feeling better you've exposed yourself, Tierney, what a pretty name. I will take your advice as i know it it correct and try and write down my thoughts and challenge them. Fondly, Phillipa
F*CK - that was an error. Please no one address me by that name. I have my reason. Damn I am stupid!
Maxime
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 22, 2005, at 21:57:54
In reply to Re: Self Esteem Maxime, posted by Maxime on May 22, 2005, at 19:22:49
No Maxime, you are NOT stupid. You are brilliant!
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 22, 2005, at 21:59:58
In reply to Phillipa, posted by Paulbwell on May 22, 2005, at 16:25:58
Phillipa, I too have wondered if the Valium was casting a slight negative/sad/dark shadow? You may not even realize it is the med?
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 22:32:12
In reply to Re: Phillipa/Valium, posted by MidnightBlue on May 22, 2005, at 21:59:58
Why wouldn't it have done this before? It used to lift my anxiety so I was relaxed and enjoyed life. What do you suggest? Seriously. I place a lot more credance in what you people at Pbabble say than in what a pdoc says. And you have a lot more knowledge than I have. They really taught me nothing as a psych RN. For instance you had to know what prozac was, An SSRI simple things like that. This is where I'm getting my true education. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 23, 2005, at 0:56:48
In reply to Re: Phillipa/Valium » MidnightBlue, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 22:32:12
Phillipa,
I took a fair amount of Valium when I was on Wellbutrin to help with the tooth grinding, nervous tics, etc. I was on 450 mg of Wellbutrin which is the max dose, and probably 15 mg or so? of Valium. I can't remember, but I took several of the 5mgs a day. I never really got "hooked" on it. Valium is the ONLY muscle relaxer I can take without dissolving into tears. That said, I still think over the long term it can cause a tinge of saddness almost unpreceptible until you stop taking it. As can Ambien when used on a continual basis.
How long has it been since you were on NO psych meds? and would it be a possible consideration to wash out your system, re-evaluate, and start a new med?
I had to stop Depakote and Wellbutrin because we lost insurance. This was 18 months ago. Ambien was limited to about once a week. I had had TWO doctors tell me to never stop the Depakote. (I was taking it for migraine headaches but the pdoc was just SURE it was making me more stable.) Well it was making me more stable alright. It made me so flat that I never crawled out of my depression for even a moment. Without either drug I was still depressed, and sometimes VERY depressed, but I felt reactive again. I could be happy (very seldom) or sad, or very sad. But there was a sense of movement in my spirit. I don't know how else to say that.
I found that a lot of my anxiety was bound up with my depression when I was younger. The "right" antidepressant actually helped the anxiety.
Forgive me for asking, but I have noticed in your post you said you are past menopause? I will leave it to you how far past that mark you may be, but assuming you are 50ish have you considered estrogen to help with the depression/apathy/anxiety? For a while I found an estrogen patch (in a fairly high dose) made it much easier for me to think and enhanced the psych meds I was on. Just a thought.......
Sorry, must really go to bed now.
Hope this helps some,
MidnightBlue
Posted by alohashirt on May 26, 2005, at 22:07:32
In reply to Meds To Help Negativity?, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2005, at 18:29:00
I don't think that meds are what is helpful here:
I liked Marty Seligman's "Learned Optimism" which is a psych book with a self-help title along with Yalon's "Love's Executioner."
I've seen people find help with "The power of positive thinkling" or Tony Robbins
Therapy helped me on two of seven attempts.
Groups can be tremendously helpful. Stopping
drinking was life changing.Exercise is tremendously helpful in producing endorphins.
Testosterone supplementation also helps but less of an option for you, I imagine.The best help for negativity was having children, second best is good chocolate.
Good luck Philippa
Posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2005, at 22:24:31
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » Phillipa, posted by alohashirt on May 26, 2005, at 22:07:32
Well I eat chocolate every night. I have 3 grown children. I guess the books are next. I've looked in this area for groups in vain. I liked the idea on Admin for a CBT Board. It was posted for a OCD dx but it applies to everything. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by alohashirt on May 26, 2005, at 22:58:10
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » alohashirt, posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2005, at 22:24:31
Two more things:
1) Going to AA really helped but then you have to be a drunk.
2) "Helping people" or at least doing stuff wher ethe focus is others can be really rewarding. I don't mean working as a nurse which, based on the nurses I dated, can be a pathology but helping out in a soup kitchen or similar can help break down the natural tendency to isolate and withdraw that can leave people feeling alone and negative.
3) Years ago I found "If you meet the buddha on the road kill him" to be very useful. I lived in Australia then. Here in teh US I'm sure someoen has already killed him.
4) I second Maxime's recommendation of CBT. But the therapist has to be good.
Posted by Declan on May 27, 2005, at 15:52:39
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » Phillipa, posted by alohashirt on May 26, 2005, at 22:07:32
Hey that's right about children. When I saw them reflecting my negativity I became more circumspect. You know that saying, your children bring you up. Tony Robbins is the one with the teeth, eh?
Declan
Posted by Phillipa on May 27, 2005, at 16:51:16
In reply to Re: Meds To Help Negativity? » Phillipa, posted by alohashirt on May 26, 2005, at 22:58:10
Aloahashirt, Tell me about the nurses. How was working as one a pathology? I really liked it when I was working. It does burn you out. But, seriously what do you mean by the above as I've been thinking of maybe trying to work parttime in psych again. Thanks, Phillipa
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