Conflicted

[Athena]

I recently got a new therapist and am going through psychoanalysis. Since starting with him, my emotions have been out of control and I find myself reaching for "unsafe" coping methods. My kids act up when I'm like this and it makes the problem worse. I'm considering taking the antidepressant/antianxiety meds a previous psychiatrist thought would be helpful for me, but I am hesitant because 1) I tried one that had horrible side effects and, 2) I don't want to mess with the psychoanalysis. I'm also considering taking opiates for chronic back pain and mood control. Other than depression, I appear at low risk for abuse of the drug. However, same hesitancy as for antidepressants. Also, I don't want to get any more unmotivated and low energy than I already am - and I fear the drugs may have these side effects.

Any suggestions?

[LaLa]

Hi, Athena,

It's true that meds often have side effects, but it's not a reason to not to give them a chance - they can be very helpful.

I don't want to mess with the psychoanalysis

I'm in psychoanalysis with my psychiatrist who gave me my meds for anxiety and I don't think there is any negative effect, on the contrary: Thanks to my meds, I started to see things differently; I mean: I suddenly felt that "one can feel differently and what I've been experiencing all the years was not "normal"; it was anxiety, but I didn't know I could not feel like that"... I hope you see what I mean (I struggle with the formulations... ).

So... to feel better thanks to the meds can allow you to do more in your therapy. That's my opinion and experience .

Good luck!

L.

[Guest ASchwartz]

Hi Athena,

I agree with LaLa about meds being helpful. However, if I understand correctly, your meds were perscribed by a past psychiatrist and you still have them. In my opinion, you should not restart the medications without a doctors supervision, ie: another psychiatrist.

As for psychoanalysis, meds would have no impact whatsoever. You need not worry about that. In fact, if anything, meds would improve your ability to benefit from psychoanaysis.

Allan

[tobeistohope]

I have often wondered if my meds got in the way of me just being able to express the emotions I feel because the meds seem to mask that somehow. At least it seems that way to me. :confused:

[Athena]

L, Allan, TBITH:

Thank you all so much for your comments. *I called my GP today to schedule an appointment. *Allan, to clarify: Up here in Canada, we have this place called CAMH - which will provide a consultation (one time) with a psychiatrist if you are referred there. *It's better to be referred to somebody you can see on an ongoing basis, but this was my only option at the time. *He wrote down the drug recommendations after speaking with me (but not an official "prescription"). *

However, the opiates were my idea, after reading about studies citing 70% relief from chronic pain for arthritis. *My pain is in the muscles so it's not a perfect fit but thought it was worth a try. *As the pain has become the lower priority at the moment, I think I'll deal with that later. *My physiatrist (pain specialist) recommended against it as she knows how depressed I am. *She's worried I might become addicted. *(although that seems to be because you become happier on the drug so I must admit I'm at a loss as to why that's a bad thing!) * *

[LaLa]

She's worried I might become addicted. *(although that seems to be because you become happier on the drug so I must admit I'm at a loss as to why that's a bad thing!

Addiction is really not only related to the fact that "it makes you happier"; the problem is that when once you don't need (or cannot, for any reason) take the med, it's very unpleasant to stop, as you have to struggle with bad withdawal symptomes.

I hope you'll get a good med (that will "make you happier" without serious side effects and risks) for you soon!

L.