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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 28, 2011, at 19:43:03
I've been up and down with my voices lately. The thing is, it doesn't *feel* like acute psychosis; it feels like I'm still haunted by my past. My shrinks' suggestion was to go to 30 Abilify. I'm at 15 and 200 Lamictal. I've been taking 30 for the past few days. This time, I won't get suckered into taking 30 all the time, every single day. How long do you think I should stay at 30?
My other problems include: lack of focus, sleeping either too little or too much (I switch off between the two, a few days to a week of one then a few days to a week of the other), and some increased social anxiety (facial flushing, feeling awkward, etc.). On the plus side, I've been more talkative, witty, and sociable.
What to do?
Posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2011, at 20:07:41
In reply to Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 28, 2011, at 19:43:03
CE you were doing great on the 30mg of abilify. Please continue taking. It seems to work well for you. I'd wondered where you had been. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on November 28, 2011, at 22:21:28
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices... » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2011, at 20:07:41
CE, you can sue me for this. But have you thought about some good therapy? If these voices are from your past, they might need their butts kicked. That is my opinion at the moment, though you can convince me otherwise. I'm not saying no to upping your Abilify. I don't really know. But one tool for dealing with the intrusive past is therapy.
Hope you feel better real soon.
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 28, 2011, at 22:34:46
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices... » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on November 28, 2011, at 22:21:28
thanks, fb.
I'm at a community mental health place, so I haven't had a therapist/counselor/"case manager" in a while. I had one, but then they changed her job or her case load got too large...anyway, something happened and I had to be transferred to someone else. I have my first appointment with her in about a week.
I think moving back home was a great move overall, but its triggering voices. My past is all around me. Lots of people around here either never leave or end up back here. Maybe its like that in every hometown? I don't know. Anyway, before I just heard voices. Now, I have to run into people from my less-than-respectable past in public, and its kind of...troubling.
Oh well. I'm different now. We don't have to go to High School together 5 days a week anymore. I don't go to bars anymore, so its not like I have to hang out with drunk d-bags from the past anymore.
Therapy will help, I think. I just don't know what form of therapy would help the most. CBT? Just talking? Who knows, right? And this place is all about keeping therapy short-term. This is helpful on one hand--keeps you focused on results and progress--but it seems that it might interfere with rapport and developing a warm relationship with the counselor.
I have developed some "coping mechanisms" of my own for dealing with some of these voices. I emailed a HIPPA complaint about one of my ex-shrinks to the Office of Civil Rights, complete with his contact info. The only part I may have been less-than-truthful about was the date on which the violation occurred (they have 180 day rule). Other than that...totally honest. That was very cathartic, trust me.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 28, 2011, at 23:02:14
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 28, 2011, at 22:34:46
CE, I bet that was very satisfying and healing. I think an important (empowering?) way of dealing with past detritus. I'm glad you did that. There seems like there can be so many pieces of ourselves or the past to fit together and so many ways that are required. Maybe I am speaking on my own behalf. Being home is probably a challenging blessing. You just gotta work it any way you can I imagine. You know I wish you the best.
Posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2011, at 23:29:45
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 28, 2011, at 22:34:46
CE just talking will be good for you I feel. Have you looked any further into online classes or voices too bad lately. How do your Dad and Mom see you now mental health wise? Yes it is a small town. Did you like being away better or better back home? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 29, 2011, at 0:22:31
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices... » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2011, at 23:29:45
Hey, Phillipa. My dad said I've seemed "frazzled" these past couple days. I am stressed, what with the voices and all, but I've been more articulate and clear headed. Weird.
I like being home better. I know the area, its pleasant, still southern.
Posted by morgan miller on November 29, 2011, at 3:45:09
In reply to Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 28, 2011, at 19:43:03
Hey CE,
If you can, find a good therapist and start doing some heavy lifting. That's the best advice I have for now.
If you are not exercising intensely 3 to 4 days a week, you should be doing this as well. There is nothing like intense exercise followed by a thorough meditative stretch for the brain.
You might also want to consider 2.5 mg to 5 mg Lexapro.
Also, if you have not already, move toward mostly a Paleo/primal diet. I think we discussed this before. I like Mark's Daily Apple for guidance on this subject.
Keep up with the social activities, have as much fun as you can, and do as many things as you can that make you feel good about yourself.
Morgan
Posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2011, at 18:24:45
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 29, 2011, at 0:22:31
CE glad you enjoy being home that's a positive. Frazzled meaning anxious? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 29, 2011, at 18:49:24
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices... » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2011, at 18:24:45
I guess. I decided to stop fighting and just take the 30 abilify. I can't spend my time fighting hallucinations all day.
Posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2011, at 20:06:49
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 29, 2011, at 18:49:24
CE no you can't. If it works take the abilify. Phillipa
Posted by morgan miller on November 30, 2011, at 2:40:09
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 29, 2011, at 18:49:24
CE, I believe if you do all the right things and work hard at getting better, you will not need such a high dose of Abilify in the future. Keep at it and try not to get discouraged.
Posted by Phidippus on November 30, 2011, at 21:01:42
In reply to Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 28, 2011, at 19:43:03
Are these internal voices or hallucinations?
Eric
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 30, 2011, at 22:11:35
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices... » Christ_empowered, posted by Phidippus on November 30, 2011, at 21:01:42
I'd say internal voices mostly, but sometimes I swear I HEAR them, and they're distracting. But they feel different from what I had when I experienced my "crack up" a few years ago. Back then, I could *feel* angry voices; it was like a warmth, a slight tingle on my right ear.
What's your advice? I start counseling soon.
Posted by sigismund on December 1, 2011, at 1:29:26
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 30, 2011, at 22:11:35
I can remember when I was 17 and my brain was still new how intense the voices were.
By 'the voices' I mean the conversations about conversations about conversations with familiar people, all in my head. Wheels within wheels.
A colossal waste of youth, a head full of snakes.
Posted by Phidippus on December 2, 2011, at 0:00:23
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices..., posted by Christ_empowered on November 30, 2011, at 22:11:35
Inner voices are more indicative of a dissociative disorder and are a product of anxiety. I have experienced inner voices that were not my own telling me what to do. At the time I was overwhelmed with anxiety and was not psychotic. A psychiatrist referred to my symptom as 'splitting'. The voices felt very real and when I thought about them, I could not decide whether they were aural hallucinations or not. They did not seem to come from outside of me.
Disassociative symptoms can be the product of many types of mental illness. Getting them under control is often as easy as treating the underlying disorder.
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2011, at 10:47:21
In reply to Re: Can't shake these voices... » Christ_empowered, posted by Phidippus on December 2, 2011, at 0:00:23
CE how are you doing babble is up and running again thanks to Dr Bob!!!! Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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