My Decision, No Med Recovery

[Mami]

I would be interested in hearing what you learn from your naturopath! I would like to go off my meds eventually too!

I suffer from insomnia, so I take camomile tea at night. This is a basic knowledge, but as I learn, I will try to write about more herbs and food on this thread.

 

[Philippa]

I have been on an anti depressant for many years. I read an article that said that they cause chemical brain damage. Im not good at reporting on anything scientific, but basically it changes the chemicals that the brain produces and the brain becomes dependent on those chemicals.

A healthy brain is able to produce serotonin, but when we are depressed, these levels get depleted and if we take meds to replenish it, it can have the effect of causing atrophy to our brains, so that, as you said, they no longer produce serotonin naturally, as they are meant to, and this is how we become dependant, because when we stop taking them, our brains are so used to not having to do it for us, that they spazz out when it is taken away. Like it forgets how to after a while.

This is why it's important to eat foods that contain Trytophan, which is needed for the brain to produce serotonin again, and it can be found in white foods like almonds, milk, fish etc. You can google trytophan and natural foods that contain it to learn more. Curing yourself through wholefoods and also empowering yourself via correct information is a step in the right direction, I think.

Dr Elaine Hollingsworth compiled an excellent e-book called "taking control of your health" which can be downloaded at her website. I cannot remember the precise name of her website, but if you google her name I'm sure you will find it. She has devoted her entire life to researching all the foods and all the things the food industry tells us that are total lies, so it's a very empowering book to read. I highly recommend it.

Just realized I've already mentioned it once in this thread.:oops:

 

[bethinhfx]

Yes well, here is my take on medication: I refused meds for my whole recovery from substance abuse even though I struggled with depression, OCD, and anxiety. If I had to do it all over again I would have stayed on the meds that were prescribed for me because the depression became dehibilating; anxiety really interfered in my life; and OCD could have been treated.

As such, unmedicated I became a runner to alleviate depression and running has been a great joy on my life. I was unable to develop any real skills because I was all over the place (ADD) and generally had a chaotic existence but I was fun to be around. After hitting bottom ( yeeeeears later) I decided to take ADHD seriously and went on meds. LIFE CHANGED. I also, at this time, meditated for 3 years; became a vegan and was in therapy. I may have been able to grow so much because I was on meds.

I went off meds again because I needed a break----- but stayed off them and lets talk NOSEDIVE shall we but I did pick up yoga intensely for 5 years, which has also become a great joy although I tried to drown myself in the bathtub when I was very depressed. So, holistic stuff is wonderful: running, yoga, meditation, nutrition, are all great components to living a healthy life (I also had an eating disorder= bulimia/ now recovered) BUT don't throw out the baby with the bathwater because on meds-- over time-- my life is better. PERIOD. I can focus, plan better, I am not RUNNING all of the time! (which might be cute but its not functional).

I am balanced in a way that I am not unmedicated and I take a very low dose of a stimulant medication and no anti-depressants at this time. I just went through flashbacks and was very agitated but refused meds from the hospital and instead felt god slow me down; literally, and yoga really helps for that. It really is trial and error but that's my 2 cents. Peace!

 

[Red Feather]

I avoided doctors and medication for 5-6 years after my trauma and when I ended up in the hospital not to long ago, all the nurses and doctors were pretty shocked that I hadnt been taking any medication. My mother is an acupuncturist and doctor of alternative medicine, and so I was brought up learning about all these techniques and methods. But also our relationship was hampered by the abuse I got when I was a kid. She is much better now, but always wants to treat me like I am her patient. And always yells and puts me down, although she is not even aware of it. So I think I developed this adversity to her methods. And totally gave up on the "self help" methods I learned about.

I know I have to find a balance soon enough and don't want to be on medication for too long. I also admire your courage to take this path. At the moment, I still want to "hide" behind the medication and get that added support. I hope I can handle it though, once I get off.

Another friend psychologist and specialist on Jung- Psychoanalysis, also said that medication will widen the gap between me and my shadow even more. And that once I get off the medication I can pay attention to my dreams and this can help the healing process.

The thing is that I have to keep some sort of stability in order to be able to see my kids regularly.

Thanks for sharing about your decision. It gives me a lot of courage that I can also do this one day.

 

[Philippa]

I had the same reaction to the self-help movement after my father used to work for one of the leading PD gurus at the time, Brian Tracey. I even met the guy and his family in San Diego once. They were weird. There were giant paintings with grotesquely elaborate gold frames everywhere in their house of Happy family portraits. It kinda made me want to puke actually. No family is that happy, and it made me wonder what his dark secret was?? His kids were total assholes as well. Trained from birth to believe they were geniuses.:rolleyes:

For the longest time, I couldn't get past the barriers in my mind about affirmations and subconscious re-programming, as it made me mad to think that my father was out there 'helping' all these strangers, he didn't even know, with their life issues, and right in his own backyard, our family were disintegrating, as I saw it, only I seemed to be the only one who noticed.

He'd put me down, mock me, minimize and invalidate my feelings, and negate my reality all together and not even know the damage he was doing, but then go out and give himself a big pat on the back for helping so many people. It made no sense to me...and still doesn't.

Why wouldn't he do the same for his own family? Mum was gambling more and more and escaping into the computer, playing mai-jong for hours and hours and watching stupid american sitcoms and game shows that drove me mad to come home to the sound of canned audience clapping, and smiles everywhere.

She'd gone mad and was normalizing it...didn't even notice she was mad.

 

[kimba]

MHO is that if your recovery is hindered because you can't handle the flashbacks, memories etc. and you need medication to keep you stable to do the work, I have no problem with that. My anxiety became an issue when I had panic attacks while driving and nearly had an accident. Because I live alone and do not have people who could drive me places, I chose the medication route. Even with an antidepressant and medication to help sleep I still have had a couple of major happenings (flashback and meltdown). Finding the right combination and dosages of medications to get you throughn the toughest parts is nothing to be ashamed about. I ddin't turn to medication until I felt I was doing more harm and suffering to myself not taking it, and I am a Reiki instructor myself. Reiki can help but the work itself is the cure. I doubt there will ever be a "magic bullet" for trauma-related issues because every person is different and it takes a combination of things to help.

 

[Mami]

Up until now, I have met several psychiatrists. However, they served meds first. If they serve me counselling first, I don't mind taking meds with counselling.

When my desire is not met (having a counselling and talk), I cannot accept meds.

I hate all the psychiatrists who did not connect me to a proper counselling and sank me into meds:mad:

<Edited into correct paragraphing>

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

If they serve me counselling first, I don't mind taking meds with counselling.

I think you are misunderstanding what a psychiatrist does. They do not give counseling, mostly because time does not allow them to anymore. They do, however, confer with your current psychologist to understand you better and do know what medication path to take you on. This means that honesty is very important with your psychiatrist at all times and so is commutation between your psychiatrist and psychologist.

It is okay to shop around for these doctors, and you do not have to take medication if you do not want too ( some can get by without it). I was just trying to clarify what a psychiatrist does. It is also okay to ask questions of your doctors and to seek as much knowledge as possible.

I wish I had the option like you do to take or not take medication. But I really have no choice.

I also very much agree with Kimba.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Wow everyone said it all. I learned so much. Great topic.

 

[Philippa]

I ddin't turn to medication until I felt I was doing more harm and suffering to myself not taking it, and I am a Reiki instructor myself. Reiki can help but the work itself is the cure. I doubt there will ever be a "magic bullet" for trauma-related issues because every person is different and it takes a combination of things to help.

I was the same, and probably suffered needlessly for years for being so stubborn and not taking meds. When I finally did give into it, they really helped, but they also contributed to making me not so on the ball, and I got sexually assaulted while I was taking them...so, it was a bit of a case of...it helped with one thing and helped cause more trouble in another way for me.

It may have happened even if I hadn't been taking them? I was vulnerable and depressed, so I suppose it's better that I was on them than not...but they can affect judgement, and my judgement was not that great that particular night.

I also practise Reiki, and find that these things help with relaxing, which can go towards overcoming symptoms of depression and anxiety, but I do think each to their own. Some people just work better without them, and others can't function without them.

I don't think it's meant to be a debate though, or having a go at anyone elses choices with medication...Mami was just declaring that it's not for her, which I think is great to be so determined. I was the same once, but eventually I had to concede and just take the damn things. Nothing else really worked.

 

[bethinhfx]

@Maimi: I know how you feel. I do but like Ayesha said a psychiatrist does prescribe meds but they often lack a bedside manner. Maybe see a counsellor first who can work with you and a psychiatrist. Lol. Wouldn't that be nice---if people actually knew what they were talking about and got you the right help? Listen to what people are saying here because you look pretty young and we have all been through it....save yourself a few years of trying to get your needs met with inept professionals....ultimately you have to decide but give yourself 6 months to a year to see how you do without meds and if you are still experiencing a lot of problems try meds for a year.

I was really stubborn and did not receive the right support to stay on medication when I needed it ( 12 step hell) and overall...I needed meds, and its ok. There are no easy answers but I would give yourself time frames.....not being on meds really forced me to look at other ways of dealing with depression, anxiety and so forth. As is I take a very small dose of a stimulant med. I didn't want to be dependent, medicated....I didn't want my feelings to be numbed out...so, I stayed off meds and couldn't stand the 10 min psychiatrist appointments.

In the final analysis ADHD started making the most sense and I started taking that seriously in my late 20's but still didn't get medicated for it until almost 10 years later and I can tell you I was all over the place.....I am grounded now...nutrition ( huge); running helped me focus and with discipline and getting rid of all of that excess energy; meditation created a space I didn't have before; and yoga put me directly in my body where I had a hard time staying BUT meds ground me in a weird kind of way and help give me balance (overall). That's just my experience.....I repeated myself from my other post but you are talking to someone who tried EVERYTHING but meds for a couple of decades......and sometimes its okay to take meds.

Peace!!!!!! Beth

 

[Hashi]

Mami, just want to say good luck. I think everyone has to make their own decision on this, and the important thing is knowing about all the options and implications, and choosing what helps you most.

I have also decided meds are not for me, and I'm glad I haven't taken them. I have a slightly different view from you about flashbacks. I agree that I want my subconscious to "speak" to me as it needs to, and I want to process what comes up. But I feel that flashbacks are my subconscious communicating from a damaged and panicking place, and I've worked to communicate through more gentle methods, especially dreams. A big reason for not taking meds was that I didn't want anything interfering with my dreams.

I've also found talk therapy very helpful (with a specialist trauma therapist) and also try to use more natural approaches.to healing.

I wish you well on your journey.