Behavioral/cognitive Vs. Medication

[The Albatross]

@The Albatross
My point is that making blanket statements regarding the evils of medication is harmful because it is essentially fear mongering.

It (the question about how to broach the topic in a positive way) was asked by a person who has a self identified pattern of substance abuse. I think I did that, as I provided direct personal experience about the possibility of a serotonin issue. There was nothing in the initial post that indicated any fear mongering, the phrased used was "my therapist is very against". If you see fear mongering, where is it?

People with co-occurring behaviors reinforce the habit and instill the behavior of ingesting substance to avoid emotional pain, anxiety, or feelings. People with addictive personalities and mental health issues are in the most difficult prognosis category and have the lowest statistical chance of recovery. Fact. Obviously, I don't share your view since I am in that category myself, that therapists who are against medication are very dangerous. My view is one that is based on my own direct personal experience. I viewed my prognosis statistics as "very dangerous" and acted accordingly. As I am encouraging Emm Jay to do.

Solara, Bloom makes an excellent point about the risks medications can have for an alcoholic who may be drinking. Medications plus booze... do cause harm. Emm Jay does not say if she is abstinent or not.

So Emm Jay, I would add that I was sober for 1 year before I did the Effexor experiment for my attempt at resolving the serotonin issue.

 

[The Albatross]

Definitely ask your therapist for help managing your symptoms. He is doing his job of trying to minimize risk to you where possible, and do harm-reduction strategies when it's not. He is showing wisdom by being cautious. But if your coping skills are being overwhelmed, you need to share that with him so you can be given other options.

Well said Bloom. :tup:

 

[nursenurse]

Medications, when judiciously used, can be most helpful in some situations. For one person to write them off 100% without addressing the specific needs of that patient or providing a proper explanation, is folly. For some people they are a godsend, for others not. If this therapist is recommending no meds in your case only, as opposed to being totally against them for anyone, I would try to get a reasonable explanation. However, if this therapist says no drugs for anyone, then they are playing doctor and have no business doing what they do. Therapists are a part of a system of healing, not the only means to it. The importance they play on any one person is individual to that person's needs, and never a blanket solution to anyone with the same problem.

 

[EmmJay]

Thank you all for your responses, I will definitely think more about this before my next session.

I would prefer to not take medications, as before I have taken benzo's and SSRI's and they have had very adverse effects on me... I would rather just be me, but the last time I was me, I can't really remember that.

My therapist is trying to bring me back to me, and I feel me coming back, but I feel that I want it all at one time, I just want to be "fixed". I had a blackout last week at a wedding that I am still recovering from... I feel so humiliated, even though the bride and our friends think it's hilarious. But I feel sad and scared, and also humiliated. And still hurt, I remember "pictures" of the flashback and I felt totally terrified.

I do not have a doctor, I am seeing a therapist (not MD) through a free facility in NC for pretty much anyone that doesn't have insurance. They are a great facility and my husband has gone through treatment through there twice. They treat any disorder, but specialize in substance abuse and DUI treatment/assessments/etc.

I just wish there was an easy fix. Thank you so much for your comments, it means a lot to me that someone cares.

 

[EmmJay]

Also, if I was on medication, I would not drink... had enough scares with a previous eating disorder with a drug addiction... no mixing :)