Experiences With Medications?

[whserenitynluv]

Today I am going in for my third therapy session this week. Meeting a new dr who specialized in cptsd. I have incorporated a obit standing support network of medical teams and in a short time they have helped so much. Me being totally against medications had a sit down session with my regular dr on Monday and discussed the situation of medicines and why they are important. My ptsd had gotten to the point it had never been before, and we discussed that in the past, wether it was extreme behavior, or alcohol, or drugs would be an out for the real symptoms. I had no problem quoting alcohol, have no desire, I had no problem quitting other drugs I got extremely wrapped up in, and it helped to know that the reason why was an escape to my ptsd a symptoms. It was like I couldn't be in a social circle without getting a buzz on first. These days and the help of practices I can go into group session with tools and be ok. This is huge growth. So today we are talking medications.... What are your experiences and thoughts behind medications? Thanks everyone.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I have felt for a very long time that my brain needs mind altering medication. In its organic state I am too self destructive, dissociative, and depressed. I've had the same psychiatrist for 11 years, he has been very patient and supportive. He tells me it will never eliminate all the problems of PTSD. I have to work for that.

If you're struggling and feel less and less functional, what's the harm in trying? When I abused drugs it never entered my mind not to do it.

 

[TeaLeaf]

I've used medication on and off (mostly on) for times when I couldn't function in my life without it due to anxiety or depression. I am someone that doesn't go on medication unless I am having constant suicidal thoughts or I can't function in my job/school and the options are either take meds or drop out of life and lose my insurance/access to therapy. I really don't want to be on medication and am always working on different skills and therapies to be able to get off medication some day. The first time I got on the right medication, I thought, "this is what it is like to be normal", it was such a relief. There were still a lot of challenges but it gave me distance from the anxiety and depression and I could function in my everyday life, I also felt like I got more out of therapy because I was better able to participate.

My feeling is that medication is a tool that can really help recovery but it isn't for everyone. There are side effects, reasons to not take it etc. Is your doctor feeling like medication would help you? Or are you feeling like you need something more than what you currently have to cope with life?