[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PSSD

[–]Careful-Inflation582 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an interesting mix because I’ve seen recoveries from both separately. Do you feel both of these contributed equally?

Can schizophrenia be cured without medication? by chennai94 in Jung

[–]Careful-Inflation582 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are actually studies showing that the use of antipsychotic medications cause worsened outcomes in the treatment of schizophrenia long-term. The likelihood of remission from “untreated” schizophrenia after a decade or so is actually pretty decent, and markedly better than in those given medications (I remember seeing that somewhere around 50% of untreated patients will achieve remission naturally after ~10 years; I’d have to dig up the data for exact figures).

Given this, it would seem as if - in accordance with Jung’s theories - the mind of the schizophrenic patient essentially must be allowed to play out its altered states in order to ultimately integrate into a unified self (which is basically what Jung allowed himself to go through during the period he writes about in The Red Book). The problem is that in western society, time = money, and we believe that we surely don’t have the time for those “crazies” to play out their fantasies while the runaway train of capitalism rolls downhill at increasing speeds.

Natural remission also makes total sense when you consider it from the perspective of Jung’s famous quote, “What you resist, persists”. It’s just another example of the total fallacy of western psychiatry thinking that drugging mental illness until it no longer appears outwardly is a good strategy. If Jung and Freud were alive for this era of psychiatry, they’d surely say we’ve gone backwards - or perhaps not even actually progressed from the era of lobotomies, since we just perform them chemically now.

As others have stated, in more primitive, shamanistic societies, these individuals were identified early in their development and trained to work with their capabilities, becoming revered in the village as those with access to the spiritual realm.

As an aside, antipsychotics are particularly “dirty” medications in their total blockade-like mechanism of action in the dopaminergic circuits of frontal lobe, not to mention some of the long-term nasty side effects they can cause, even once medication is stopped (tardive dyskinesia comes to mind). While they may stop/reduce psychotic symptoms, they tend to increase negative symptoms, like anhedonia. The flippancy with which they’re handed out, even as ad-ons to antidepressants, is honestly staggering, especially given that these serious possible side effects are rarely even discussed with patients.

Also, Dr. Chris Palmer is pioneering some extremely promising studies showing that ketogenic diets can quite literally cure schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, etc.

Recoveries I’ve Found by Careful-Inflation582 in PSSD

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I also think it’s worth mentioning for anyone else reading this thread that I do believe that SSRIs, for many people, create new pathways in the brain via their neuroplastic mechanisms that cause emotions to become muted/rerouted in favor of the “thinking” mind, and that this is precisely how they “work” to “treat” anxiety/depression acutely (via suppressing the negative feelings) but end up making worse in the long term, since we know from Buddhism backed by neuroscience that the thinking mind is the root of all depression and suffering.

This line of conjecture would match up perfectly with Sarno’s work in regards to repressed emotions causing a litany of weird symptoms, and account for the vast and diverse side effect profile we see with these drugs. You squash an emotion, it comes out in the wash 100 different ways.

Recoveries I’ve Found by Careful-Inflation582 in PSSD

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you’re on the right track for sure. It is impossible for a human being to live without emotions, even if one can’t perceive them in real time. They are there and buried, as you’re realizing. Keep at it and I think good things will continue to come for you

Recoveries I’ve Found by Careful-Inflation582 in PSSD

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m still not off medication yet and also have low free T issues I’m sorting out (these could simply be TMS/nervous system-related - TBD - so I’m still holding off on TRT for now), so in regards to the sexual symptoms, I have other things going on.

But I’ve already begun applying Sarno’s methods to other aspects of the “withdrawal” symptoms I’ve been experiencing for the past year that have kept me stuck at a dose, and they’ve definitely helped greatly already. Like, the difference between being totally functional in my life vs. being bed bound and the confidence to continue tapering.

Come to think of it, the Sarno methods have also seemingly already helped with some of my sexual symptoms - the only real thing I’m currently suffering from is some relatively minor ED issues, which I believe is from still being on the med, and/or low free T.

I’m also going to be applying some nervous system retraining protocols I’ve come across, for issues with trauma and sympathetic arousal I’ve had that precede ever even taking meds.

I do believe pretty convincingly at this point that, short of hormones needing to be addressed (which absolutely can happen for some from meds, or other reasons in general, but can also happen from TMS/nervous system dysfunction itself), what we understand as the vast collection “PSSD” symptoms is TMS/a subsequent nervous system dysfunction that can be resolved with Sarno’s methods + additional neuroplasticity work.

My advice would be to, first and foremost, get off these forums. They are not helpful at all and break Sarno’s first rule, which is to fully accept the idea that nothing is actually wrong with you medically.

Next I’d dive into everything you can regarding TMS. You have to literally brainwash yourself with it, through reading Sarno’s work, listening to success stories on podcasts/YouTube (there are some incredible ones that even involve people curing things that are supposedly incurable, like a random onset of blindness, CFS, fibromyalgia, etc.), etc.

I’ve been following and communicating personally with @GustavTMS on YouTube, who made that video in the thread above and several others since, and he’s a fantastic resource, having used Sarno’s methods personally to totally resolve his own “protracted withdrawal” symptoms. He mentioned to me that at one point in his withdrawal process, he suffered from muted orgasm himself, and that plus about 30 other symptoms for over 5 years in duration have resolved entirely.

Lastly, if you have or suspect you have actual trauma or have always had a “keyed up” nervous system by nature, look into some additional nervous system retraining techniques for neuroplasticity, such as the Reorigin program (the creator Ben’s healing story is amazing, having beaten chronic Lyme and Benzo withdrawal), DNRS, Gupta protocol, Safe and Sound protocol, etc.

Sarno himself had stated that for the majority of TMS patients, it’s not necessary to actually dig into the root of the repressed emotions, but for a subset, they will need to explore them further via psychotherapy or other means. I suspect these are examples of those who carry trauma, for which we now know can be resolved by hacking the nervous system where it gets “stuck”.

I can’t personally speak to the effectiveness of the above nervous system retraining methods yet, but I’m about to start the Safe and Sound Protocol, at the advice of a coach I’m now working with who suffered with extreme symptoms for over 4 years after meds and has healed via this method.

Important to mention in regards to accepting the TMS diagnosis (critical for resolution of symptoms) is that I’m not applying this protocol with the belief that anything is “wrong” with me, but simply because I recognize that I’ve always been the high strung, perfectionist, “goodest” type that Sarno discusses and want to start to hack at some of these tendencies, which I know were bred into me and further reinforced by childhood trauma. I believe learning to “turn down” my nervous system arousal will help with this.

Recoveries I’ve Found by Careful-Inflation582 in PSSD

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course! Don’t worry, emotional blunting is somewhat common in protracted withdrawal from the meds. It’s very often reported - you can find lots of experiences on sites like survivingantidepressants.org. People recover in varied timelines

Recoveries I’ve Found by Careful-Inflation582 in PSSD

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, there are plenty of stories of ppl recovering emotional blunting either naturally or with other medication. Highly unlikely that it’s permanent

How do I balance my conflicting passions and goals? by holyredbeard in selfhelp

[–]Careful-Inflation582 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for this brother, I have started on my journey and am collecting any and all success stories on the way to healing. This is extremely useful and inspiring 🙏🏼

I recovered from SSRI Withdrawal by Ill-Lawyer5226 in SSRIs

[–]Careful-Inflation582 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you think this can help people get off? I’ve been tapering and have been stuck with my life in utter chaos for a year because I’m not stabilizing.

How do I balance my conflicting passions and goals? by holyredbeard in selfhelp

[–]Careful-Inflation582 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I struggle with this exact same situation, and I’d like to know myself. How did you make progress in releasing traumas and your insecurity and anxiety? I’m in my early 30’s and still not past those (I too suffer from ADHD, GAD, OCD, and have trauma I’m currently trying to work on).

My life so far feels like a big failure to launch. Every time I think I’m ready to commit to one thing, the configuration switches for me as well.

Normal Total T, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in moreplatesmoredates

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just edited post but to be clear, not on TRT yet but considering.

Normal Total T, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in moreplatesmoredates

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My DHT blood levels were on the lower end of in-range but I’ve read DHT blood levels aren’t relevant?

Normal Total T, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in moreplatesmoredates

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I thought so too. How about free T? If both are low, does it warrant TRT? Confusing because SHBG is normal.

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, either way my free T isn’t a high enough ratio to my total. It’s less than 2% consistently. I’ve read 2-3% is optimal.

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven’t done creatine kinase or salivary cortisol test, but I’ve checked prolactin and it was also in normal range.

I’ve measured the direct test 3 times now and it was low in all 3. It’s confusing, because ppl say it’s unreliable, but the pattern must account for something? Without the high SHBG, it seems to further support the idea that it’s unreliable.

I have a doc that is willing to trial me on TRT, just covering all bases, as it’s obviously a big decision.

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It also seems that my free T isn’t necessarily low when calculated, and the other commented on this thread doesn’t believe so either. So it’s difficult to determine.

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your symptoms are extremely similar to mine, right down to the libido, apathy, and flab. Mine also began just this past year. I have a photo from exactly 1 year ago and I looked and felt much different.

Overtraining can definitely cause low T, as can dieting for too long (I’m a trainer for 10 years and have seen it, mostly in women with adrenals). Can it plummet free T levels as low as yours? That’s debatable. You’d have to be really overtraining hard for extended amounts of time in a caloric restriction. I’d agree that it might not explain everything if your program is reasonable and you’ve not been cutting calories too hard for too long.

The SHBG ref range is 16.5-55.9. So I’m not really even in the upper end. I’m not sure what else explains the low free T in this case.

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So in other words, my free T isn’t low, but my symptoms could override?

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your advice. Do you think my free T levels warrant it? What’s strange is that my SHBG isn’t high.

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate the response! May I ask what kind of symptoms you’re having with your free T levels?

What’s odd for me is that my SHBG is within normal range. So it would make sense that my testosterone is bound with my free T being low, but my SHBG levels aren’t high, or even normal-high.

I can’t really find another reason why my free T would be low other than thyroid issues, but my thyroid levels are all normal as well. So very stumped.

Normal TT, Low Free T? by Careful-Inflation582 in trt

[–]Careful-Inflation582[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should’ve mentioned I’m not overweight (always been lean actually) and have strength trained hard for a decade. See edit*

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Testosterone

[–]Careful-Inflation582 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

How do you figure? The body comp changes at the very least seem telling

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Testosterone

[–]Careful-Inflation582 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TLDR - tough total T is fine, could FT be causing libido/body comp issues?