Lithium To Quell Suicidal Ideation For Ptsd

[Lucycat]

I am by no means an expert on Lithium. My understanding was that it helped to correct the chemical imbalance in Bipolar disorder. However the depression associated with PTSD is often not a classic depression, and does not have the chemical imbalance. Some have described it as 'distress' rather than depression for that very reason.

I know when I was feeling suicidal, my GP put me on an antidepressant that just made me fuzzy. I stopped taking it, and my T agreed it was pointless. However what did help was therapy - specifically EMDR that made me feel a lot better more quickly than antidepressants could possibly have started to work.

I am not saying that you should or should not try Lithium, I am just thinking that I will be interested in your psychiatrists take on it.

 

[Deleted member 25711]

@Lucycat, thank you for the feedback.

 

[Deleted member 25711]

@TimeToHeal,

Thanks for caring. Here is the update:

My psychiatrist and I decided to try and handle my flashbacks and night terrors by adding Clonidine. He's hoping it will allow me to use my breathing techniques to settle my anxiety that fuels this depression. I'm actually thinking that the work I will be doing in therapy (twice a week) will probably be more helpful than another psyche med....I hope. I really miss connecting with my 13 and 16 year old so much. They seem like strangers to me. They know I'm suffering, we talk to them, (it's obvious I'm not "myself") age appropriately, without the traumatizing details about how I was medically mistreated and how this injustice hurt mom's brain. I don't want to traumatize them by watching me be traumatized!!! I just want to be better and to be able to engage in their lives' again. I'm paralyzed by panic now. Oh, please tell me it get's better. My psychiatrist is very arrogant and minimizes PTSD symptoms, although he medically manages PTSD patient's meds. Fortunately, my therapist doesn't minimize my agony and knows I'll do the hard work. In the meantime, I never dreamt life would be this painful.

 

[TimeToHeal]

@sunnyfan, thanks for the update!

How difficult it must be to have your psychiatrist minimize your pain and struggles. At least he is able/willing to work with you on finding a medication to help ease some of your symptoms.

How painful for you to feel so distant from your children. Have you brought this up with your therapist? Perhaps they could provide you some suggestions on opening the lines of communication with them.

I'm so sorry for what you have been through. Yes, it will get better. Don't give up, and keep reaching out.

:hug:

 

[Deleted member 25711]

@TimeToHeal,

Thank you for your kind thoughts. And, yes my therapist helps immensely with the relationship I have with my kid's. I just feel so depressed and am so symptomatic that I unable to participate in their lives as much.

My 13 year old says he is "sad" because mom doesn't do as much as she used to. My youngest is an old soul. He doesn't want took much information or he says it makes him "nervous." We take his lead. Don't need anymore anxiety 'round here. My 16 year old knows I've been diagnosed w/PTSD, and is well, kind a like a 16 year old. He told me he wasn't surprised in the least that I had PTSD, he had to add that, in sharp contrast to my former life (I think I'm disassociating cuz I'm in a lot of pain), I now just lie around all day.

I know all the self-help coping tools. I'm so fragile with triggers. Fortunately, my therapist is working on triggers ASAP so I don't have constant panic attacks. And, we will meet 2 x a week until I get more stable.

Probably more than you want to know....sorry for the ramble.

I hope my grammer was OK.

I hope you are well. Again, thank you for the encouragement. I really need it from someone who has walked in my shoes.

 

[TimeToHeal]

@sunnyfan, I'm so sorry you are in so much pain - physical AND emotional. I deal with some chronic pain myself, though thankfully it's not related to of my traumas. I imagine that would make it much more difficult to deal with.

Your 13 year does sound like a kind and sensitive old soul. Good on you for picking up on his lead. As for your 16 year old - wow, 16 is such a difficult age in and of itself. You couldn't pay me enough money to go back to 16! I'm sure it's difficult not to, but I hope you can try not to take his remarks too personally. It sounds like your trauma has been pretty recent - is that right?

I'm really glad to hear it sounds like you are getting the help and therapy you need right now. I'm sorry if you've answered this already (I don't always have the best memory), but is your therapist a trauma specialist?

No, dear sunny, you aren't rambling at all! Please, feel free to share as much or as little as you are comfortable with. If you're more comfortable sharing privately, don't hesitate to write me in a PM, anytime. :)

I wish you a positive and peaceful day! :hug:

 

[ISupportHer]

Just wondering if anyone else has feedback on Lithium use?