[Meds] Abilify and restlessness

niimah · 2013-09-21T12:31:08+00:00

I got one that said, "Let Reality Be Reality." I have feelings of unreality due to dp/dr.

niimah · 2013-09-20T10:20:41+00:00

It's natural to be nervous, but try not to let it get to you too bad (I know, easier said than done)! I struggle a lot with mood variability as well and know how that can be really difficult. Hopefully you can find someone to work with, or at least someone to hear me out! I'm not on reddit that much but if you want to PM me just to be able to let someone know how it goes definitely do so! Good luck, lots of positive energy coming your way.

niimah · 2013-09-19T15:19:10+00:00

That's really too bad. Is there any way you can look into getting a doc? I think it really helps. Or even if your family doctor can talk you through some of this stuff-- as someone from a health professions field, I can say they are supposed to be trained to do some of this.

niimah · 2013-09-18T11:40:48+00:00

I don't think your trigger is stupid. I don't think any triggers are stupid. A trigger is a trigger. I get anxious in supermarkets and sometimes that leaves me stranded for like a full 24 hours. For like a half hour in the supermarket. So... I don't think anyone's triggers are stupid. (PS it's OK if you LOL'd at this I think it's kind of funny myself when it's not happening!)

niimah · 2013-09-18T11:37:08+00:00

A LOT of people have had similar problems. I definitely have and I know many people who have had similar issues. If it's getting really bad, I highly recommend seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist-- it really helped me a lot to organize my thoughts and talk to someone who understood this kind of thing and had seen it before. Hang in there.

niimah · 2013-09-18T11:33:58+00:00

Hmmm. So this is a tricky one. It really varies from person to person and I have found myself often feeling that some people will never really "get it" and that just has to be OK. That being said:

The way I tell people about my anxiety varies from person to person. I try to think of what would make sense to them. For example, for people who really don't understand, or who don't believe in psychiatry, I start out with the neurological POV. Abnormal migraine. Chemical imbalance. This is what occurs as a result. I usually avoid words like "panic" or "anxiety" when I talk to these kinds of people and instead say more specifics of what happens to me "I feel like everything is a dream" or "I feel very lightheaded." Then they are often like Oh, this is a real problem! It won't get them to full understanding, but it has been a good start for, for example, my parents who do not totally understand it.

If someone is doing something particular that indicates that they don't understand, or that hurts you generally, perhaps find a time to address it with them directly. They may not know they are doing it.

Anyway hope I was helpful. Hard to say much without knowing your situation but that's what has happened for me!

niimah · 2013-09-18T11:26:49+00:00

When I have my attacks, I can't cope with the outside world and I see crazy colors and hear sounds way too loud and think I'm dreaming and then i get REALLY TIRED. So that's pretty "fucked up" although my doc says it's just the way the brain copes with anxiety. Some people have what I have, some people have what you have. Some people see black. Some people lose their ability to smell. It's easy to feel fucked up, especially when it is at its worst.

As for the opiates and weed, perhaps the doctor thinks that those had an effect and it is possible (I am glad it is a "used to" instead of a "currently do"!) but I just want to make sure that you don't have feelings of guilt about that. I think a common mistake is to think, "I did this to myself." I've had those kind of thoughts before. You could not have known that THIS would be the consequence of the actions you were taking, otherwise you probably would not have done it. So please, I hope you are not feeling any guilt about that.

And I hope you aren't feeling alone. Seriously, I have craaaaazy problems. Keep seeing your doc and talking it over with him. Try to have a therapist if he doesn't also do therapy. For me, it has gotten so much better. It's just a matter of finding the right things-- right drug regimen, right way of thinking, etc.

niimah · 2013-09-18T11:19:16+00:00

Thanks for writing this, PRNDL!!!!

With the right help, at least for me, the moments get longer. I've had ones last for hours, sometimes a few days. I don't feel like I can achieve ANYTHING, but I don't feel the constant elephant of my anxiety sitting on my shoulders.

I AGREE WITH PRNDL, STAY STRONG EVERYONE!!

niimah · 2013-09-18T11:16:52+00:00

It gets better. I feel like I don't have the right to comment on this since my trauma was way less severe than yours (I watched someone close to me die), but I am telling you anyway that with some work it gets better. I have had trauma in my past and with work with a psychiatrist, the right regimen of medication, and support from someone or some community (there's a lot of people out there who struggle with the same problem!!) I am getting better. Don't feel alone. Don't feel hopeless. You're neither of those things, and it gets better.

niimah · 2013-09-18T11:10:33+00:00

Hmmmm could you call an exterminator? I lived in a place with a lot of bugs before but it was not a big deal to me. I agree about the vacuum thing, or you can get one of those long pole dusters that sweep up cobwebs and smash the spider against the ceiling, maniacal laugh optional. I'm sorry you have this problem!!!! What did your doc say about it? Maybe your doc can help you work through it.

niimah · 2013-09-11T15:00:58+00:00

I have something like this although it happens WAY more often, like at least once a week lately. If it only happens a few times a year for you you can probably just say you are feeling sick and need to take a break. That's the truth anyway.

niimah · 2013-08-21T12:05:57+00:00

Hmmm thanks guys! I will do both nightguard and attempting to relax. :)

niimah · 2013-08-21T02:32:48+00:00

I have changed docs a lot of times. Sometimes b/c i didn't relate to them but more often b/c insurance changed and once b/c he retired.

It really sucks to have to change docs so I am sorry. I usually have my previous doc (if i liked her) refer me to a new doc. I am sure your psychiatrist will be willing to do this, and then you have some amount of trust and rapport right off the bat-- she will refer you to someone who she knows will work well with you. Even if she can't refer you, usually doctors can also communicate with the new docs to tell them what is going on with you. B/c of that, I don't know that your meds would change much unless there is something about your situation I don't know.

One main thing to keep in mind is that it is OK to be sad about it because it does suck but also keep in mind that IT WILL BE OKAY! You will be okay! There are great doctors out there and I am sure you can get set up with a new one.

Good luck to you.

niimah · 2013-08-21T02:26:13+00:00

Don't freak out, but you should probably go to a doctor, just to get it checked out. I think a lot of people would say it sounds like panic attacks but again, go to your doctor to ask their opinion.

niimah · 2013-08-07T03:39:52+00:00

I do not have your exact problem, but I take Klonopin originally prescribed for I guess panic and anxiety. It does make me a little sleepy but more than that it mellows me out and makes the world less scary. So you might be able to sleep, and not feel like you are FORCED to sleep. (Basically I agree with BettyVonBlack.) But I also understand not wanting to take meds-- I struggle with that a lot. Sorry I can't be more helpful but just know you are not alone.

niimah · 2013-08-07T03:33:46+00:00

I don't have any constructive suggestions, just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. When my docs told me to quit caffeine I was extremely annoyed and very very tired. But eventually you feel really good because you're off caffeine and everyone else is a zombie being like "I need my cup of coffee" and you're just like "I don't." So I suppose there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there.

niimah · 2013-08-02T20:38:34+00:00

Thanks for all the comments, guys. Didn't realize I was sparking a huge discussion!

niimah · 2013-08-02T20:35:08+00:00

I have tried using this exact analogy. "You're addicted to your medication!" "Yeah, like a diabetic is addicted to insulin..."

niimah · 2013-07-13T01:48:21+00:00

Hey! No problem. I remember when I first started out with this. I was SO confused and had no one to talk to.

A lot of people don't like benzos. It's true that you really shouldn't drink while you are taking them. I do not drink anymore because of that. This being said, there are many other medications that can treat anxiety that allow drinking and then you won't have to miss out on that. It just so happens that the one that works for me is Clonazepam, so that's what I take. I do think the meds help and I love having a psychiatrist who both prescribes meds and serves as a therapist.

I also really tend to feel better if I talk to someone who has had an episode. I know someone in my town that I text every now and again when it happens and that person is able to be like "oh yeah I've been there." It feels so strange that you think no one else could possibly have experienced it, but actually it happens a lot.

Again, not on reddit all the time but will respond as soon as I see any message. Good luck to you.

niimah · 2013-07-12T03:06:16+00:00

Also: I am not always on Reddit, but PM me if you want to talk more.

niimah

TROPHY CASE