They help me.
They don’t fix you, though. They just help.
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Meds have been a literal lifesaver to a couple of people I know, and have significantly improved quality of life for others. In my (second hand) experience, med transitions can be rough. Starting them, finishing them, changing from one to the other. Make sure your doc is available to work with you through those processes. You also need to be really strict about sticking to a routine with them, it’s not like antibiotics or something, if you miss a dose or take extra out of schedule your levels will roller coaster and it will mess you up.
There will be side effects, and unfortunately the side effects will kick in during the early stages when you’re still getting accustomed to the meds and it’s already difficult. It’s worth being in regular contact with your doc during this stage.
Also, meds can be awesomely helpful, but you also need to focus in the other side of things too. Use the buffer space that the meds give you to develop strategies and habits of mind to help you through.
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Yep.
Well put.
I was on Anti-Ds for about 18 months. Depression was curbed, but so was my enjoyment of the good things in life. Imagine a flattened roller coaster of emotions. Less downs and less ups. The world was so much greyer, so I decided to get off them.
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The other thing to keep in mond, not every medication will work the way you want it to. So sometimes you need to change the type of medication you are taking until you find the one that works best for you.
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Mostly, because there’s often nothing to see. Its not like someone having an arm or leg in plaster.
Its just the way some people’s mind’s work and unless it happens to them or someone they know, they have no understanding.
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You answered your own question, your make up and environment are different to others - only an assessment and then what might be a bit of trial and error and you will get there.
It’s not just the meds, it’s lifestyle as well, diet exercise, family support and regular counselling. And if you improve dont just fall into the trap of I’m fine, don’t need to go back etc.
Some drugs are very good and may play a bigger role than the other means suggested. I’ve had some mates swear by them, and others say it numbs it a bit. it’s a holistic approach made up of a myriad of elements that to be effective must find balance, just like anything else. Don’t go by one persons opinion or experience, however well intended.
See your doctor.
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I cared for a partner with schizophrenia for many years. Her GP and psychologist were careful not to over-prescribe medication, and helped her with other support strategies as much as possible. She resisted taking medication as she hated the side effects.
However, she did engage in a few risky acts during psychotic episodes (eg driving or wandering around outside at night) when she was quite irrational. So there was a difficult trade off between the potential for serious harm and the serious negative side effects. It probably took 10 years of trial and error to find a balance she could live with.
Whilst this doesn’t apply to her medical team, I do think our health system is primarily based on a business model which significantly over medicates. If I didn’t work, maybe I could have been a more active carer and kept my partner safe, only using medication during the more extreme episodes? But going on and off the meds also created problems.
My unqualified opinion is that for conditions such as my partner’s, as well as dementia, medication is used to subdue/pacify patients to keep them safe, but to also enable them to be cared for with less than 24 hour supervision ie it’s convenient for family and casual carers who can still go about their normal lives.
But this leads to over prescribing in profit focused institutions such as aged care homes.
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tis funny, some days and in some moods that question can lead to some amazing thoughts about the evolution of everything that has ever happened to lead us to the point in our lives as a whole that we are in today.
in other moods it can be the most crippling question that stupidly pops into ones head.
sometimes i just sit there and think about people who are going about their business, that it’s just the same old routine, wake up, go to work, pretend to like and care about things so as to not feel as alone as we do, go home to the people we care about, and pretend it’s all good.
sometimes you just wonder that there has to be more to it, than this.
Never been to this thread before, but went to a funeral today were two sons and a old dad were the pallbearers!
Just tell someone if you aren’t coping, there is always a better way!!
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Anyone got any experience with young children with mental health issues.
My 6-year-old has just been diagnosed as being on the spectrum, her 8-year-old sister is also on the spectrum but it affects her very differently.
The 6-year-old has massive problems with emotional regulation in particularly anger. She can not control herself and can become extremely violent towards her siblings and takes a long time to call down. Part of her problem with her rage is it is how her anxiety manifests itself.
Her peaditirican has recently prescribed her anti-anxiety meds but she flat out refused to take. Tried bribing her, no dice, try pointing out the positive effects the meds Mum has just start taking has had on her, no dice.
She needs to be taking this meds, she spends so much of her life either anxious, in a rage or upset but she simply refuses. Other than pin her down and forcing the tablet down her throat (which I’m sure would not be great for her anxiety) I don’t know how to get her to take it. She is a stubborn little cow when she wants to be.
Hi Ealesy, Mrs Humble works in this field. I referred her post to you and she mentioned a couple of things that may be helpful.
Have you made contact with the NDIS for both young ones? Through this program, there is specialist assistance funded. Our daughter has an NDIS package, and while its a hard nut to crack, the funding has been very beneficial to all of us.
Through the NDIS there is the possibility of assistance for you and Mum…a range of options including access to behaviour specialists.
Finally, best wishes and good luck. Feel free to PM if needed.
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The eldest is on the NDIS. We applied for the 6-year-old but it is a pretty slow process so she doesn’t have funding yet.
She has an appointment with her psych on Monday though so maybe she can suggest something.
Yes, NDIS is not easy at all…
Thats the go to see a Psych. Forming up a team is important.
Best wishes.
This is going to sound terrible @ealesy05, however have you tried mixing her meds into her food so she doesn’t notice?
This is absolutely appalling. I’m sorry mate. Time to find a more supportive employer I think
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If/when you have your kids vaccinated, don’t do the one where they have like 5 in 1. Get them individually done and spaced out as well.
If you do of course, up to you.
I’m pro vaccination to an extent ( I know it will lead to over population and we’re basically fkd) but that can get stuffed when it’s your kids obviously.
And It doesn’t trigger autism you peanuts.
One of my kids gets needle trauma - she’s been through the full gov sponsored schedule, as overseen by her father under the public health act wouldnt you know it.
It is horrible to watch.
It doesn’t trigger it and it’s a discussion for another thread. I’m simply saying that if they do vaccinate then to get them done individually and not all at once. Had a couple of friends kids have the 5 in 1 and their bodies really struggled with it and it set them back a bit.
Totally agreeing with you.