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Posted by sexylexy on March 6, 2004, at 16:29:49
In reply to Re: Question for Lexy, posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 22:18:03
Hey Mystic and anyone who is interested.
I personally think a therapist who practices cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)are typically the most effective. In fact, CBT does the same thing that medication does to the brain, it just takes a longer time.
CBT believes that problems influence your thoughts which makes those nasty little automatic thoughts pop in your head. These automatic thoughts influence your emotions which is why you feel bad. A CBT therapist teaches you how to recgonize these thoughts, ingnore them and eventually make the go away.
As for a therapist. Unfortunatley, each person is different just like a medication works better for some people than others, but here are some of the most important things.
1. someone who pays attention to your need. Some therapist try to set their own agenda and not attend to you.2. It is also important to be able to have a therapist who you can be comfortable with. Some seem to work against you, you want some who you feel like you are on a team with working for the same thing, not someone working against you.
3. It is also important to find a therapist who looks at you as your own person, not your diagnoses. Sometimes when therapist have been around to long they forget that they are working with people and just use a theraputic method that is taylored for depression not you.
4. A therapist who is aware of your religious views if this is important to you. One of the big things we learn in school is that everyone has biases. You need to find someone who is either not bias towards your sex, race, creed ect, ect, ect or someone who has able to overcome their biases.
Over all just find someone who feels right, who feels comfortable and is willing to fight this battle with you.
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by mystic on March 6, 2004, at 16:46:21
In reply to Re: What to look for in a therapist, posted by sexylexy on March 6, 2004, at 16:29:49
Thank you so much Lexy for taking the time to write all that down for me...your an angel...I am going to call around on Monday and see if I can get in to see someone soon...the sooner I start the better it will be..Cant take many more of these days....Hey I have also been reading a book a very very large book that was suggested to me years and years ago and I bought it and never really read it...But now have taken it out again the name of it is..The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns...it is very large but going to try to read a little at a time...Think it might help.>>Well have a great rest of the day and thank you for getting back to me...God Bless...Mystic
Posted by wantinfo on March 6, 2004, at 17:22:23
In reply to Re: Not a good day!!!, posted by mystic on March 6, 2004, at 15:37:26
hey all...so its now week 4 day 3 for me. i feel SO weird...it's like i'm floating outside my body and almost don't know where i am although of course rationally i do. i called my pdoc's covering doc (shes on vacation til tues) and she said to up the lex...im not comfortable just doing it without my doc being around and it made me nervous how quickly she suggested it. i feel so out of it, like im totally not myself. this is worse than i felt when i first started the lex...whats going on?? thanks ...emily
Posted by Simus on March 6, 2004, at 17:38:31
In reply to Re: Not a good day!!!, posted by mystic on March 6, 2004, at 15:37:26
Mystic,
My heart goes out to you. I wish I had something I could say or do to make your life easier. The truth is, I am going through very similar things. I just wanted to let you know that even if I seldom respond for lack of answers, I really do care. Keep communicating, whether up or down. We have been where you are, or are there now, so we understand. It WILL get easier. Hold on to that thought.
Posted by mystic on March 6, 2004, at 18:11:02
In reply to bad day here too :(, posted by wantinfo on March 6, 2004, at 17:22:23
I'm with you emily...Same amount of time on the Lexapro..and my Dr. also told me to go up he originally wanted me to go up to 20mgs but didnt feel comfortable with that so suggested 15mgs..But havent been able to bring myself to do that...I feel desperate also..but the postings are all really good they tell that things are going to get better and you have to believe that is what I'm trying to do...Mind over matter...I'm praying for everyone because I do believe that prayer will help and I'm not a very religious person..I do not go to church but I do believe...So maybe you could just try that...I'm here for you and I'm where you are so please remember that..Please take care of yourself and try to relax...Do you take any xanax or anything like that it might help..You are in my thoughts..Take care Mystic
Posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:14:32
In reply to bad day here too :(, posted by wantinfo on March 6, 2004, at 17:22:23
Hi Emily,
I think you made the right choice not to increase without talking to your pdoc. The substitute doc was frighteningly quick to suggest an increase, and she's not that familiar with your history.
How long have you been feeling the way you do now...hours, days, weeks?
I felt really out of it the first 4 weeks I was on Lexapro. I couldn't concentrate or follow conversations.
The few times that I felt really disassociated from myself turned out to be panic attack symptoms...I just didn't recognize them because they weren't followed by an attack (thanks to the lex.) That might be what's happening to you.
Another possibility is that you're getting close to your period. (I think you've seen most of the discussion postings about that...for some people lex isn't as effective around that time of the month. That creates some pretty strange feelings.)
The good news is that whatever you're experiencing now WILL pass...the bad news is that you have to wait for it to go away. Do something to distract yourself like watching a funny movie or take a long tub soak...things that make you feel good, without using up a lot of your energy.
I hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted on how you're doing.
K.
Posted by mystic on March 6, 2004, at 18:15:38
In reply to Re: Not a good day!!! » mystic, posted by Simus on March 6, 2004, at 17:38:31
Simus....thank you for reaching out...it means alot...How long have you been on Lexapro and what are you on it for?...what is your dosage?..I hope that it is helping you and that you are feeling better than you did before for whatever reasons you are taking it...It helps when you know there is someone out there who understands..I was posting earlier about a book that I was reading which I warn you is very long but it sounds like it could help with our thoughts..The name is The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns...Like I said it is a large book but covers a lot...Not sure if it would help but thought I would put it out there...Thank you again...And take care of yourself also..Mystic
Posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:23:17
In reply to Re: Question for Lexy » mrs c, posted by sexylexy on March 5, 2004, at 21:53:40
Hi Lexy,
Wow, you sound like you're doing much better! There is no doubt in my mind that you'll have a terrific time while you're on vacation.
K.
Posted by sexylexy on March 6, 2004, at 18:59:51
In reply to bad day here too :(, posted by wantinfo on March 6, 2004, at 17:22:23
Posted by sexylexy on March 6, 2004, at 19:00:34
In reply to Re: bad day here too :( (nm), posted by sexylexy on March 6, 2004, at 18:59:51
Hey Girl,
I swear the same thing happened to me. It did pass. I wanted it out for and the spacey feeling is gone. The out of body type feeling (like your looking in on yourself ) hard to explain but I know what your talking about. It is just one of the lovely side effects. Mine was gone but now that I am upping my dose, I am having a touch of it again, not as bad though. I would give it about 6 to 7 weeks before upping. I waited 10 and wish I would have done it at like 6 or so. Good luck, I promise you will get though it. Remember it is a process. You will not wake up one day feeling great, it takes time, most people say it takes 6 months to get over an episode like this. I am feeling better but still see little things each day that improve. I hope to continue to see improvements from my 15mg of lex and assume I will. Good luck, you can do it hold out and know I have been where you are now... if you look back one of my post on week four, I was so spacey and disoriented that I almost quit. I am now glad I did not..you will be too.
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by fires on March 6, 2004, at 21:58:16
In reply to Re: Question for Lexy, posted by mystic on March 5, 2004, at 22:18:03
Try to find someone who will stay awake during your visits. :) I've had some fall asleep on me.
Posted by Simus on March 6, 2004, at 23:51:57
In reply to RE; simus, posted by mystic on March 6, 2004, at 18:15:38
Mystic,
I have suffered from depression and OCD, undiagnosed though, since early childhood. (I am now 42 - wife and mom of two.) About 9 years ago, severe anxiety and panic attacks started and I had no choice but to get medical help. I have been on Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, and now Lexapro, along with Xanax.
In November, my doctor switched me from 300mg Effexor to 10mg Lexapro. It was soon clear that this was not enough, so I went to 15mg and then to 20mg. In the mean time, I went through withdrawal symptoms as I reduced the Effexor dosage. Also during this time, for insomnia my doctor tried me on Seroquel (?). After 3 days, I became virtually mentally disabled. It took almost two weeks to recover from that fiasco. Then my doctor wanted to try me on Xanax XR. (Why, I don't know, and I didn't even ask! I took Xanax nightly for sleep and didn't have any problems with it, other than it lost some of it's effectiveness with time.) So I took the Xanax XR, slept a lot, and walked around in a fog when I was up. I insisted that he put me back on the regular Xanax, but by the time I got it a month had passed and I realized I had become addicted to the the XR. So I had to break that addiction.
That was the long way around the block to tell you I am on 20mg Lexapro and 1mg Xanax. And I don't care how bad I feel (and I do feel bad), I told my doctor I WILL NOT be making any more medicine adjustments for a while.
I have had to take a medical leave because trying to work through this mess was proving impossible. If I was able to drag myself in, the chances of being able to concentrate or even remember what someone said a few minutes earlier was slim.
So, yes, I do understand bad days, and I wish I had answers to help you all on the board. The posts absolutely break my heart, because I have been and am there. And I do care, but I feel so helpless for either you or myself.
God bless you all,
Simus
Posted by KathrynLex on March 7, 2004, at 1:14:53
In reply to Re: RE; simus, posted by Simus on March 6, 2004, at 23:51:57
Hi Simus,
Your story is both tragic and inspiring. The nightmare of so many med adjustments must have been devastating and I'm sorry you had to go through it. You've had a very difficult time, yet managed to continue being a wife and mother. It must take a lot of strength and courage, I admire that. I genuinely hope you find some peace and happiness in your life.
K.
Posted by Simus on March 7, 2004, at 2:27:59
In reply to Re: RE; simus » Simus, posted by KathrynLex on March 7, 2004, at 1:14:53
>I genuinely hope you find some peace and happiness in your life.
Thank you. That is my prayer for all of you too.
Posted by wantinfo on March 7, 2004, at 7:50:21
In reply to Re: bad day here too :( » wantinfo, posted by KathrynLex on March 6, 2004, at 18:14:32
hi k...i have been feeling totally out of it and spaced for about a week...i actually won't get my period this month bc i accidentally started my birth control pills a week early but this would be the week i'd have it. as i said i was on paxil 20mg for about 8 years and it was working up until the very end...i am now in my 4th week of 10mg lex and still feel this way. i havent felt "normal" since i started lex but this week was noticeably worse...i felt like i was losing my mind! i do take .25 xanax once or twice a day but yesterday i was so bad it barely seemed to help. i did have a few drinks while i was out with my boyfriend last night and that did seem to make me feel better (great huh). i just want this to pass! it's like i don't trust my own mind.
Posted by wantinfo on March 7, 2004, at 7:52:05
In reply to Re: bad day here too :(, posted by sexylexy on March 6, 2004, at 19:00:34
hey lexy...your spacey, looking in feeling went away? after how long? like i said i am in my 4th week...i did weird things like i said, started my birth control pill packet accidentally a week early and wore those 2 diff shoes the other day last week. i feel like i'm losing it...i feel like i don't trust my own mind :( thank you for your support...i just want to be myself again...emily
Posted by mystic on March 7, 2004, at 9:31:25
In reply to Re: RE; simus, posted by Simus on March 6, 2004, at 23:51:57
Simus....First of all Thank you so much for sharing I do realize that was probably pretty hard to write...and you did it to help people...I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time also..I know that reading the posts gives us all hope that someday this will work and we will feel better...and right now just a little better would be good...K was right you should be proud of the things that you are able to do..taking care of your children...as I mentioned in an earlier post I have started reading a book The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns..and it does have some very intesting things in it that really make you think...Are you getting any therapy? I'm beginning to realize the two meds and therapy might go together..that is what I will be trying to find for myself on Monday that might help...You are definately in my prayers and I hope that today is a better day for all...Take good care of youself..and Thank you so much for sharing I sense that it isnt easy for you...Mystic
Posted by mystic on March 7, 2004, at 9:35:39
In reply to Re: bad day here too :( » KathrynLex, posted by wantinfo on March 7, 2004, at 7:50:21
Good morning Emily....I hope that you feel better today...I feel about the same but am hopeful..going to drag myself to the gym and work out then get out in the sunshine which happens to be making an appearance today...Just remember you are not alone we are all there with you praying and hoping that today will be a good day...Take care Mystic
Posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 11:13:02
In reply to Re: bad day here too :(, posted by wantinfo on March 7, 2004, at 7:52:05
Emily,
It took like 5 or 6 weeks for it to go away. A big thing I noticed is that some of the crazy things I was doing are things I had probably done before or would not have thought much of if I did not have this anxiety. Remember your mind is so consumed with a constant self check "how am I feeling" "how am I doing" "do i feel like hurting myself" "can other people tell I'm depressed" ect to infinity. Some of your craziness is due to the spacey feeling however, I know for me, looking back I am able to see that it was for the most part me being so hyper concerned about my feelings each second that I was not paying attention to the things that I used to, ie my makeup, my homework (Im in graduate school, and I would like forget my books for class). I promise there is nothing wrong with you. It will go away, try to keep yourself busy with other things so your not so self consumed (not in a concided way but in a self help way). You will get past this, and if it makes you feel any better, I was so worried that I was going nutts that I called my pdoc and she said that 40%/50% of people get that feeling...I guess we were the lucky ones. Emily, you will get though it!
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 11:20:42
In reply to Re: RE; simus, posted by Simus on March 6, 2004, at 23:51:57
Simus,
What a story, May the Lord bless you and keep you may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his conternence upon you and bring you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26.
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 11:25:07
In reply to Thank you Lexy, posted by mystic on March 6, 2004, at 16:46:21
Hey Mystic,
I have heard really good things about the Feeling Good Handbook, there is also a workbook that goes along with it which is supposed to be great. We just ordered the workbook for the counseling center where I work, I am really looking foward to using it with some of my clients ( I won't lie, I plan on copying some of it and using it on myself!). You may want to get the set...?
Lexy
Posted by mystic on March 7, 2004, at 11:59:38
In reply to Re: RE; simus, posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 11:20:42
May the Lord bless you and keep you may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his conternence upon you and bring you peace.
Lexy that is just beautiful..thanks for sharing...Your an angel....I think that I have the workbook it is very very long..and it has all kinds of things to do in it..I know that there was a book at first then he came out with the workbook and that is what I have...going to read some more today..but it is really nice out today so going to get out for a bit..went to the gym and knock on wood feel pretty good...thanks Mystic
Posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 12:57:40
In reply to RE: Lexy, posted by mystic on March 7, 2004, at 11:59:38
Great to hear mystic... it is wonderful to hear you feeling even the least bit better!
Lexy
Posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 13:02:07
In reply to RE: Lexy, posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 12:57:40
Hey Guys!
I am starting to take my multi vitamin, fish oil and b complex. Have you all had any occurance of the vitamins making lex work not as well. I really do not know much about this. I want to take my vitamins so I can regain some energy.. I have been a sleeping fool this weekend. I just wondered if the vitamins could have an adverse effect on the lex and when you all take them.. together, before after whatever your lexapro.
Thanks guy!!
Lexy
Posted by BobYuma on March 7, 2004, at 14:50:17
In reply to Vitamins and Lexapro, posted by sexylexy on March 7, 2004, at 13:02:07
> Hey Guys! I am starting to take my multi vitamin, fish oil and b complex. Have you all had any occurance of the vitamins making lex work not as well. I really do not know much about this. I want to take my vitamins so I can regain some energy. I have been a sleeping fool this weekend. I just wondered if the vitamins could have an adverse effect on the lex and when you all take them.. together, before after whatever your lexapro. Thanks guy!! Lexy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi, Lexy.
I was already taking lots of vitamins when I started on Lexapro, and as far as I could tell, they didn't have any adverse effects. I take the vitamins throughout the day, and the Lex I take at bedtime.
Of course, I wouldn't know if starting vitamins after you're already taking Lex would make a difference or not, but I honestly don't think it would.
Take care and God Bless.
BobYuma
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