?'s about medications

[justpassingthrough21]

I have been googling different topics concerning AD. I have read some pretty big horror stories about people taking them and it completely destroyed their mind. But for every one I read, I read 100 where it really helped people get through their issues.
What is everyones take on this?
I have read some pretty harsh comments about Christians taking antidepressants, my guess is that it is from people who have never experienced any kind of mental disorder. What does everyone think about a believer taking medication for a mental disorder? I have come to realize that medicine can help lessen physical symptoms and balance brain chemicals, but we still need to look to God to heal the emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives.

 

[canamer]

I don't think that taking medication is wrong at all. Let's remember that we serve a 'common sense' God. Do you remember the joke about the guy who was drowning in the ocean? He prayed and asked God to save him. God sent him 3 boats (1 after the other) and the guy refused the help each of those 3 times because 'God was going to save him'. He drowned and when he got to Heaven he asked God why he wasn't saved. God said I sent you 3 boats!

If medication is accessible and it's helpful to the situation than by all means try it out. There's no harm in trying. I don't think that one should expect that medication is going to be a cure-all anyway. I'm still on the fence as far as whether or not I truly believe 100% that medication can help me. I've been on a medication for 3 or 4 weeks - it's really the first time I've tried medication for OCD - and although I feel somewhat more relaxed I wouldn't say it's helping the intrusive/obsessive thoughts in a major way. I found out that my insurance isn't going to cover the medication and I'm tempted to just say the heck with it and not take any medication. I guess it just goes back to the point that I'm not 100% convinced that medication can really help me out.

As far as people judging you I would say pay them no heed. A lot of people have an opinion and a lot of the time it's the wrong opinion too. Until somebody has walked in your shoes they'd be best to keep their mouth shut if they don't have anything good to say.

Many years ago I knew this guy. A friend of my parents. This was before I had OCD. He had some mental concerns (I don't know what... maybe he was bi-polar or schizophrenic). Anyway, from what I heard, apparently he did some really bizarre stuff. He ended up killing himself by drinking windshield washer fluid. What a way to go, I know. But, the more I go on in life, and certainly since I've gotten OCD, I think that maybe I can understand a little bit just how that guy felt. Dealing with a mental concern can be extremely exhausting and sanity can seem to be very far away at times.

Unless somebody is struggling with the same thing that you are than they have no right to judge. And... if they are struggling with the same thing you have they probably won't judge you, right?

 

[dabro]

Yes ditto I believe that meds do help but, I'm also on the table of wanting to try it without meds. I stopped my Klonopin not saying that anybody should if there taking it. My doctor said it was okay and I found out that I have been having so many issues and have been all over the place here lately. But, I don't let my anxiety rob me of the life God has givin me. If He didn't want me alive I wouldn't be. But I believe I have a job here to do and help other's. So yes if you think you need to get on then then try it out. And see if it helps.

 

[justpassingthrough21]

I just started taking pamelor. It's a tri-AD. OCD is hardly my issue anymore. As my OCD becomes less my anxiety levels haven't. Instead of having anxiety from obsessions, now it is just totally random. Kind of like gad. My main symptom of anxiety is sweating. I found that pamelor anticholigerent(sp?). Which helps stop sweating and also helps stop anxiety. I'm pray this helps, and I can use the time to grow more in the Lord.

 

[dabro]

Justpassingthrough! You made a really GRT point there. Thats all I have been dealing with too. Is anxiety. GAD. Is what they call it. and it's free floating anxiety at that. I know it hurts brother. Lean on God first and formost. It's very importent because at the end of each day. I'm like glad that I got thru it. I don't deal with obsessions even tho my anxiety tries to lure me into ruminating I usaully am on top of it. But ever since I stopped the benzo my anxiety has shot thru the roof. It's just so darn addictive and now I know why. With ppl like us who deal with an anxiety disorder anything that takes that anxiety away makes us feel good but in the long run it's harder to get off a med then longer you've been on it. So stay strong brother. I'll be praying for you.

 

[justpassingthrough21]

Thanks Dabro for your encouraging words. GAD I think is in a sense harder to combat than a specific OCD obsession. When I know exactly what I am fighting, then I can aim my attention to that. But with GAD its like, I get up to brush my teeth and I start feelings anxiety, or I am talking with my wife and I start feelings anxiety. It has no rhyme or reason, so for me it is much harder for me to attack. I also just started a new job, I am a computer operator at a natural gas plant, and it is a pretty stressful job.

You are definetly right, having general anxiety can try to find old obsession to attach to, and make you feel like you are obsessing. For me, I have for the past 1 year and will continue to look to God for the healing or my soul, and setting my mind upon things of God. But sometimes the physical effects can make it so hard to focus on God. I hope this helps bring the physical aspects of this down, so I can focus wholly on God for my mental and emotional healing.
My faith has increased so much over the past year, I truly believe that it is stronger than it has ever been. Befor I had these mental issues I thought my faith was strong, but I never had anything challenge it before. It just "seemed" like strong faith, because it's easy to believe when everything is good. Now that I have endured torment and pain beyond anything comprehendable, and came through with enduring and growing faith I know the faith I have now has truely been refined by fire, and is more precious and pure than gold.

 

[justpassingthrough21]

Well im done with SSRI's, lol. I had pretty bad side effects, not to mention I just didn't feel right about it. After reading online about common withdraw symptoms, I really had to ask myself, am I taking these because my anxiety is bothering more, or because I can't function. I guess it is more annoying than anything, and I am going to go back to exercise, vitamins and growing in trust in God.
Thank you everyone for your comments, it was greatly appreciated!

 

[Sasha37]

Try Bach Rescue Remedy. You just take it as you need it, up to four times a day. It is a combination of four all natural essential oils that you can either take straight or in water. I use it myself here and there. It won't remove your anxiety completely, but it does help to calm the physical symptoms of it. Hope that helps. And I will be praying for you, okay? God bless

 

[justpassingthrough21]

Thank you Sasha! I will def. look into that. I came across that before on some website, but never really looked into it. I found a place where you can buy huge amounts of Inositol for super cheap. You can buy anywhere from 500 grams, to 100 Kilos! lol. I think you can get 5 Kilos for like 100$. Which is pretty much unheard of. Since you have to take between 10-18 grams a day to notice a big change, you go through it pretty quick.

Also somewhere online there was a clinical study done with Inositol, an antidepressant, and a placebo. In the % of people who saw drops in their anxiety, the placebo got around 30%, the antidepressant got around 40-45%, and the Inositol was around 70-75%.

It is worth looking into. I'm going to look into the company and see if what they are selling is decent quality.

 

[Sasha37]

So you are thinking about taking Inositol then? I remember you had said before that you hadn't tried it. I have to admit I was a little freaked out by the person who said she started losing her hair from it...