You don't always need meds.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 6:13 am

i sincerely empathize with anyone who has to take meds for true chemical/ biological imbalances.

but i will have to agree with most on this forum that meds are too readily prescribed. i was fortunate to have a doctor who listened to me, could see the changes in me from starting this program, and was willing to work with me to reassure me that i was doing ok and physically it was just symptoms of anxiety.

i'm not a Jehovah's witness, but my father obtained a book from them that set about to prove the existence of God. Perhaps the greatest surprise in this book was how the human mind is the most advanced 'science' on the planet, and there is no way that anything this intricate just evolved on its own.

Anyways, the chapter talked about 2 factors that influence the human mind. 1) The environment one is in and 2) the way in which one perceives his/her environment. This brought so much clarity to me as it confirmed for me that the environment that we find ourselves may in fact be a trigger or provide the surroundings for anxiety/panic, but how we choose to react (inner dialogue, positive vs negative attitude, self-talk, etc) has alot to do with the chemical reactions in our brain.

Like Lucinda says, if we talked ourselves into a panic, then we can talk ourselves out of one.

Now, I know (as do all of you) that this is not easy. But it is possible.

The other problem that I have with meds is the treatment of the symptom, not the cause. True, I am afraid of meds (because of the side effects). But to work this out further, when does one know when to come off? Are they addictive? How does one truly know- since the symptoms have been masked for so long- if you are truly well? and again, what is the CAUSE in the first place?

i, chose the no medication route. do i want a parade? no. would i have healed quicker, would this process maybe have been easier with meds rather than without? perhaps.

but if the biological causes of anxiety may in fact, be a chemical imbalance, does that mean that i am a victim to it? helpless to my own neurotransmitters? is not the biological explanation (for most) simply the rationale for what is happening on a cellular level, not a life sentence of drugs and medications, pills and potions?

I don't know. i think that it is an individual thing and certainly don't mean to insult or insinuate anything to people on any medication. I have been afforded the luxury of not having to work while dealing with panic disorder. that gives me all of the time that i need (sometimes to a detriment) to work on this.

all i can say is that for me i have decided to not take meds, it has been an excruciatingly painful process and i am still dealing.

but i am improving.

and i will get there.

and so will everyone else.

God Bless,

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:18 am

I have purchased the complete program, but have not started using it. I have been on effexor since 2001 due to my sons suicide. The anxiety starts out of nothing and builds until, I am so sick that it starts my menaris to kick in. Now, the meds, so seem to control that but, I had almost gotten off of them and was stronger and just about back to wanting to live and get on with life and my husband passed away in 2005, they put me back on them, but I have started backin goff of them and want to see if I cant function without them. As a result of reducing the amounts taken daily, I find that I feel better and can function, but I have gotten real lazy and have lost my motivation to do things. I have always, been fairly active and now I cant seem to get motivated to do anything realy physical. So, I beleive that meds, do and can help you though the bad times but, longterm us will hold you back. I have been told I will probably be on these type of meds for the rest of my life. I DONT WANT TO BE, but I cant seem to get the motivation to do anything include listening to the CD's I have had them for 2 months and have yet to even open the packages. I know that no one can do this for me, but what is wrong with this?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:28 pm

Vi,
I would definitly open the package. It is very overwhelming at first when you see all the stuff in the box but...Lucinda really knows what she is talking about. Remember she suffered with this as well.
I don't know if you know this but..Lucinda lost her husband in June of this year. I don't know how that feels but I am sure she is using her skills that she has learned in the program to help her right now. I think about her alot and hope she is doing okay.
I know she would want you to try. There is a cd in the box that says "Listen To Me First". She helps you by putting this in a 15 week course to take it slowly.
I hope you will try it. Take care and God bless you

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:41 am

Dear vi,
One of the most difficult things to do in the entire program, is to open up that box. Just take a deep breath and do it! If you have endured all of those other hard things in your life, you CAN do this! There are lots of people out here who are ready and willng to listen, and to help. Godspeed!