Therapist Trying To Help

[joeylittle]

my psychiatrist told me some months ago about DNA testing that can determine what antidepressant will work for an individual. He said it's covered by Medicare, which I have. I have my next appt. with him in Sept. and I may well look into doing that. Though I've tried sooooo many of them over the years. Still, it can't hurt to have the test.

Just sharing what I learned about this from my psychiatrist - it doesn't actually tell you what antidepressant will work; it tells you what kind of metabolizer you are, which ideally will give the prescriber a better clue as to which medications you will metabolize effectively - and it predicts where your adverse reactions will be.

The metabolizing part is the useful part, although if you are on either extreme end of the spectrum - super slow or super fast - you only prove that you are incredibly difficult to medicate - there's not a lot they can do with the info. So, in part, right now, the test is helpful to confirm the reason for an individual's treatment resistancy...but it doesn't necessarily point the way forward.

This link is a great page on it, and is worth reading anyway:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cyp450-test/basics/results/prc-20013543

I was looking into it, but my insurance doesn't cover it yet and my psych explained that we had actually already tried stuff across the metabolic spectrum, so for me, it would be kind of a waste of money. BUT, if your insurance is paying for it, might as well - just know that there are limitations to what it can actually do, right now.

But in recent months, I've been able to do it to help my anxiety. I don't know what changed.

I bet it was just through sheer practice. I'm curious, do you know how many months it was from start to actually having something work for you?

 

[hodge]

Joey, I started trying breathing exercises about 10 years ago. For quite a long time, it made me really anxious. As I said, it's only in the last few months that I can do it to calm myself down. So, I guess, to answer your question: years!

Thank you for the additional info about the DNA test. I'm going to do it, since Medicare covers it. I'm curious about what the results will be. And maybe it will lead to something that will really help. I don't even care if it's an old med. I've never tried any of those, anyway. I know a lot of those have bothersome side effects, but I don't care if the benefits outweigh them. Just don't want to gain weight again. That's a biggie.

 

[watundah]

Yoga, mindfullness, meditation. Call it what you want, it's all body work and valuable as a tool. The best thing is to quit judging whether you are doing it right and just keep working on it. It's all positive if you are working to move forward.

My therapist is a trauma expert and has suggested all of these things so yours is not off base. It does take time and commitment like any new habit. She has me check in with breathing and my body constantly because I am usually outside of it or in my head. It is not easy after 50 years of checking out, believe me.

I went on an 8 mile hike last week and paid attention to the details. Was I absorbed in nature (outside my body) or in my head? When I could, or when I caught myself, I concentrated on my breath. I thought "well, this is silly. 'Normal' people don't walk around focusing on their inhale and exhale." Then I reminded myself that it is a learning process. This is what it takes to be present. Not out in the trees with the birds or deep in thought. Both mean I'm checked out.

I have no idea how long I'll need to practice this before I can be "present" without conscious effort. It is a new skill but Im holding hope that eventually it will be my new norm.

Good luck on your journey.

 

[Chaplain Billy Bob]

I know my therapist is really trying to help me to the best of her ability. I sense that. She is telling m...

It takes practice! PTSD has become an Awakening for me once I accepted I was traumatized! Mindfulness has opened the doors for me to see life for what it is! I am living in the present in the here and now. It's discipline and takes practice. You will be rewarded with significant peace that you never knew possible

 

[Biz]

@hodge, I'm very interested by this thread.

I've thought a lot about how mindfulness was split from its original Buddhist origins. So the psych's teaching it don't actually know the material in depth. Someone without a deeper practice may teach that mindfulness is your mind becoming void, when really the thoughts continue and mindfulness is expanding around the thoughts.

Two really good reads on mindfulness: Radical Acceptance and The Joy of Living by Yongey Mingur Rinpoche. The second one especially talks about the way Western culture gets competitive and goal-focused when using mindfulness, so we think we're not doing it good enough or that we're not achieving the goal if our mind is not calm/void.

About 3-4 months in to daily meditation I had this recognition of mindfulness being space. The teachers always talk about how when you begin your meditation/mindfulness you take in sounds around you but you don't try to define or place them (the same with watching the thoughts that come in). I am very hypervigilant and I was at a guided class, and someone came in to the room. I had this experience of implicitly knowing/hearing/understanding this person was now here, but not trying to guess at their potential harmfulness or associating any mental words with their entrance. That's when I realized there's so much depth to mindfulness practice and I knew I continue to learn more over time.

 

[Chaplain Billy Bob]

@hodge, I'm very interested by this thread.

I've thought a lot about how mindfulness was...

Yes, I agree! For me it is a life changing experience not just a modality for my work with clients.
Peace
Chaplain Billy Bob

 

[Kailani]

There is some audios on mindfulness on a web site heal my PTSD. Something about going through every step of making a cup of tea- it's calming. I'm new to actual treatment for PTSD- i'm working on grounding stuff that really helps some but could use more. There might be a specialized trauma/PTSD counselor online or skype-i've heard some people so that. Any who I hope you feel better! I hope you find what you need ...

 

[hodge]

Thank you, Kai. I really appreciate your post!

 

[hodge]

It's been several months, Joey, can't say exactly. Sorry.

 

[Tinyflame]

Somewhere on this forum there's a video for mindfulness for ptsd. Much different than the norm. Autralian or English guy if I recall.