Intro

[jacob hamilton]

this is my first post on this forum. a little background about myself: I'm in my early 20's.. multiple deployments to afghanistan.
i wanted to ask for some advice. i don't think that my psychiatrist is taking me seriously; i express to him my problems and he acknowledges it, but he continues to put me on SSRI's and other antidepressants. he, himself, diagnosed me with PTSD and antidepressants don't do a damn thing to help. at the most it makes me depressed/mind-fogged.
now, i know that there is only so much that psychiatrists can do. all I'm looking for is something to help me out. i feel that my only escape, the only thing that really helps is my drinking. and that is deteriorating my life. i just want some insight into what helps others. any help is appreciated.

 

[Zipperhead]

The anti depressant I'm on is actually suppose to help me sleep. Truth told, I can't forget to take it, because I'd be awake at 3am wondering why I can't go to sleep. They also have me on Zoloft, which takes the edge off the anger. But it's the EMDR that's getting me back out in the real world. The drugs are a crutch to get you through therapy. Forget about finding a drug that cures you. Find a therapist to do that. Evening Jacob.

 

[reddevil1111]

Welcome to the forum. I am trying to go drug free at the moment. I have been so for about 3 weeks now. Like Zip said drugs are a crutch to help out. Therapy is a big part of learning how to better cope with the PTSD. I would also say learning your stressors and ways to get rid of stress are just as important. If you could positively get rid of the stress before it effects you, then you would reduce or eliminate a large part of your problems. The problem is the stress comes on at the worst times and so quickly.

 

[Jimmy1]

Gidday Jacob and welcome to the forum.

The guys are spot on there, the drugs are there to take the edge off and enable you to think clearly enough to go through therapy, if they are not working tell him.

You must have filled out a questionnaire or answered his questions, it's called DAS, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. Generally psych's will prescribe based on answer to questions, your behavior and what you describe. Zoloft and other SSRI's have multiple purposes. This is straight off the Zoloft website.

ZOLOFT is approved by the FDA to treat in adults Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and Social Anxiety Disorder. It is also approved to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years.

So Jacob, who did you serve with mate? Just interested, we have guys on here from conflicts such as Vietnam, Somalia, as well as the more recent ones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. They must have hammered you as soon as you joined being so young.

Do what the guys say, go find a really, really good therapist, they are the ones that help the most. And if you have a question, just ask.

 

[Chin Strapped]

Morning Jacob. Lots of good info on here mate, helped me massively.

Welcome.

 

[Ned]

Morning Jacob. Learning time. Like the blokes above said, look for a doc who does more than chuck anti-depressants at you. And have a read around here, you will see lots of examples of people who have found out how to give themselves a bit of help. Lots of good tips mate.

 

[JarHed]

Hey Jacob

Welcome to the forums. The kind of things that you get from the people you see for your PTSD will vary. Psychiatrists can do therapy and be effective, but they are more about medications to treat the problem. Psychologists, on the other hand, are about listening to your problems and suggesting alternatives to help you manage them. They don't and can't prescribe drugs. I've been to both and the later I find more helpful. I agree that drugs can cloud your mind making it more difficult at times. As was suggested, finding a good therapist of either type is what's important. I hope you can do that. Glad you made it back and found us here. Good people and a ton of info.

JarHed

 

[Sarg]

Welcome, Jacob!

Pull up a chair and join in. Ask lots of questions as there will always be one of us that have gone through the same/similar.

Sarg

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Welcome home Jacob, lots of good info on meds here.

all I'm looking for is something to help me out. i feel that my only escape, the only thing that really helps is my drinking.

From my experience the drinking worked at first. Then there was not enough booze that would quiet the beast and as long as I chased the one drink that would my ass fell off as did everything around me. Depression and adding a depressant is a quick formula for disaster. And along with meds it could be fatal as well. It took me over 25 years to figure it out with a few jails and institutions along the way. Thats not to mention the wreckage of relationships and family left in it's wake.

Take it from me - work your meds and do some therapy to find the right balance.

Ba

 

[Spock]

Welcome Jacob...booze & meds are a dangerous combo for us