Posted by Pfinstegg on August 13, 2004, at 12:51:53
In reply to question about meds and ego state work » Pfinstegg, posted by Aphrodite on August 13, 2004, at 6:59:51
Hi.. I'll answer anything! (or at least offer my 2 cents). You asked a wonderful question, and there isn't a simple answer. Generally speaking, I think therapists (my analyst is among them) who do work trying to integrate separated ego systems prefer to use little or no medication. However, during the most difficult times, many will suggest them. Mine wanted me to see a pdoc a year ago at a time when the good effects of TMS were wearing off, and the therapy was becoming extremely painful. I went on Lexapro between 10 and 20 mg. It made everything much more bearable, but it did have a dulling, anhedonic effect on me, and what I was able to express in therapy. So we decided to gradually wean off of the Lexapro. Because I had taken various SSRIs and atypicals for eight years previously, I was very susceptible to their dopamine-lowering, anhedonic effects. Instead, I'm presently taking Wellbutrin 75 mg. of the old-fashioned regular release. This is a very low dose (300 xr being an average dose), but it is enough to help me have what feels like more normal dopamine levels, and to tolerate the stress and pain of therapy. I also have trouble sleeping, and take klonopin 0.5 about every other night.
So, to sum up, we are trying to keep everything at very low doses, but we're not at the ideal of no medicaton at the moment. I do find that, the less medication, the stronger and more spontaneous my feelings are in therapy.
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:376265
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040812/msgs/377215.html