HELP!!!! Dr. suggesting antipsychotics for agoraphobia????????

Tigs · Post by **Tigs** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:08 pm

I am freaked out right now. First of all I have a medication phobia. I have tried some SSRIs but they make me sick or panic. I am not always sure what is me or the meds. Anyway my psych. gave me a sample of Abilify. He says it helps for my PTSD, panic disorder and agoraphobia. The only med I can tolerate is Xanax which I increase or decrease as needed. I dont want to take this Abilify
stuff, but am trying to be open-minded. Anyone out there taking this kind of med?
Thanks.

sunset34 · Post by **sunset34** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:09 pm

You can overcome your agoraphobia without medication. I completely understand your medication phobia. Most of us have suffered with it! The good news here is that medication is a choice. You can recover from this disorder with or without medication. For me, medication was just another stressor I didn't want to deal with and when I found out that I would eventually have to learn to do things without medication, I totally decided to recover without them. This program has taught me that recovery without meds have a much less chance of relapse in the future and so far, it has been many years for me. I have never gone back to square one and when I look back on my life, things used to be really bad. My agoraphobia made it difficult to even get the mail from my own mailbox. Agoraphobia is not the problem, the problem is your fear of panic and avoidance behaviors. If you can overcome your fear of panic, you will be more than half-way home to recovery!!! I know because I've been there !

OC Mike · Post by **OC Mike** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:37 am

I also had a great psychiatrist prescribe antipsychotics for anxiety. I've been sober for over 12 years but had a history of addiction before that so Xanax and other benzos were totally out of the question.

Doc said that he and some of his other doctor friends have had great results using antipsychotics for treating anxiety. The best part is they're not addictive like benzos. I can't tolerate SSRIs and they didn't really help me anyway.

When it's all said and done, I don't take anything right now. The antipsychotics he has prescribed (Geodon and Seroquil) are very expensive and my biggest worries are usually about money.

Anyway, Doc's main concern was that I didn't think I was psychotic when he prescribed antipsychotics. The best I can suggest is to try to keep an open mind and realize that nothing is permanent.

TracyH · Post by **TracyH** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:13 am

sunset34...what a GREAT reply you offered! VERY inspiring and SOOOOO much appreciated to hear from one who's been there, done that and sharing the light from the other side...it CAN be done (meds or NO!) Thanks so much for taking the time to return to this forum and share your good news!
God Bless!

Dodger · Post by **Dodger** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:32 am

Tiggs I completely agree that you can overcome your anxiety without medication. The program is a wonderfull tool in learning to recognize stress in our life and react to it in a healthy way before it turns into anxiety and if it still does then it gives us the tools we need to ward it off and push on.

This program is a lifestyle change. Its more than just words on a CD. If you really listen and DO what it suggests you can overcome your anxiety and depression. You must learn to speak positively and assertively to yourself as well as others, eat correctly (what you feed your body is what its gonna run on for the day) fill it with crap and you feel like crap, adjust your sleep habits so that your getting full nights of sleep, excersise even if at first its slow to get going a simple walk outside even to the corner and back is fine to start but get up and get doing.

So much more is suggested in the program to live a healthy happy lifestyle and if you follow her suggestions you will feel better.
Remember doctors work for you. What they say isnt the LAW According to Medicine. There are many factors to consider when caring for your body and your feelings are very important. You have to be comfortable in your treatment plan. Sometimes when we go to a doctor for a while they feel like hhhhmmmmm this persons not getting better so I should give more medication. Not always true...maybe you need a place to come to dump all this stress and get it out of your system and thats ok....

I know for me when I go to a doctor Im not looking for medication to fix it. Im looking for reassurance that what Im feeling is ok and normal for someone in my situation at the time. If your not liking what doctor is suggesting you could get a second opinion it is your right or you simply can refuse treatment again your right.

You will be ok come to chat and forum work your program....gain some self confidence within yourself to speak for what you want and dont want and you WILL be feeling better without all that medicine.
Dodger

Swan01 · Post by **Swan01** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:40 am

Here are my thoughts on medications.... I, like a lot of people on here, are also afraid of taking meds. I think that our society is drenched by the media that we can just take a pill to 'fix' any problem that we have. I happen to have a really good doctor who doesnt always just write a script every time I have a problem. I want to find the ROOT of the problem, not just take a med to fix a symptom.
I hope I am not rambling, and certainly do not mean to offend anyone.
I dont want to take medications, I took Zoloft for 3 days and felt a lot worse... decided to stop taking it, and am working on the program, working on my thoughts, working on my behaviors and patterns. The answer and solution is right inside all of us.
I do have xanax that I carry inside my purse, and have been doing so for about 8 years.... LOL...They usually turn to dust before I take them, but its like a security blanket. I know that its there if I need it.

I guess my point is, if meds work for you, than thats great, but we do need to learn coping skills and strategies to overcome our fears, thoughts, etc. I personally do not want to take meds (antidepressants), so Im working on me.

My wish is for everyone on here to feel well, and not to worry, this to shall pass. Stay positive, laugh, and love. Connect with your source and KNOW that you have all the power inside you to come out of this okay!

Best wishes for a great day
Barbara

Dodger · Post by **Dodger** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:07 am

Amen Barbara!
Excellent words of encouragement I agree with you 100%
Dodger

MichiganMom · Post by **MichiganMom** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:04 am

I absolutely positively would not take it or even consider using it. My opinion is based on my knowledge of natural healing and all that is available AND all the potentially disastrous side effects that stem from pharmaceuticals. Pray for guidance and trust in what your being told on a heart level.