Is medication-free really possible?

lucie · Post by **lucie** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:21 am

What are the TEA forms, if I may ask?

JR5 · Post by **JR5** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:19 am

Originally posted by Mary Wargo:
I went off any and all medication I was taking for anxiety at the same time I started this program over a year ago. I have been med free since that time. I was told at one time that I would most probably need meds for anxiety for the rest of my life. They were so very wrong. I'm not against taking medication if it's needed but it's certainly worth a try to learn coping methods and skills to find out if the meds really are needed.

I could not agree more! I am not anti-meds but I find it sad so many are told they have to take them for the rest of their lives when the facts just don't back thais up.

JR5 · Post by **JR5** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:21 am

Originally posted by lucie:
What are the TEA forms, if I may ask?

It's the cbt thought countering exercise in the book by Sam Obitz. They are really basic and pretty effective for managing your thoughts and anxiety.

weakeye · Post by **weakeye** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:55 pm

What is the name of this book by Sam Obitz? Also, what is a tea form?

Eric Staats · Post by **Eric Staats** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:31 pm

I have been taking effexor for three years and although it has helped I all but have lost my sex drive. Nothing to get anxious or depressed about there, right. Anyway, I really think this program is gonna do me alot of good and I am going to be able to stop taking effexor for good.

Celyon · Post by **Celyon** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:13 am

Hi Eric,

I am so happy the program is helping, but remember DO NOT STOP TAKING MEDS WITHOUT THE HELP OF YOUR DOCTOR. THIS CAN HAVE VERY BAD SIDE EFFECTS. If you are being treated for bio-polar disorder you may need your meds for a good little while.

egriff · Post by **egriff** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:12 am

Originally posted by Celyon:
Hi Eric,

I am so happy the program is helping, but remember DO NOT STOP TAKING MEDS WITHOUT THE HELP OF YOUR DOCTOR. THIS CAN HAVE VERY BAD SIDE EFFECTS. If you are being treated for bio-polar disorder you may need your meds for a good little while.

I would go one step further and ask your doctor to take you off conservatively slowly, meaning slower than recommended just to limit any side effects.
I also believe bi-polar is totally different and probably should not go off meds.

miamikittycat · Post by **miamikittycat** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:06 pm

I have bi-polar, and I agree w/Cel and egriff. It's hard to accept that I need the meds, and the doctor has to switch them around sometimes because they can stop working well. I have tried many, many times to go off meds, sometimes cold turkey (very bad idea), sometimes very sensibly, weaning slowly with a dr. When I go off them slowly, it's not like anything dramatic happens, it's just that I don't want to get out of bed some days, and then I could be planning to start a company the next day. Sometimes even from hour to hour. One minute thinking it would be nice to just sleep, sleep, sleep, no thinking, the next, intricate ideas about the politcal situation in Iran and what does my cat really think of me, lol.

egriff · Post by **egriff** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:46 am

Miami the end of your note cracked me up. I am not bi-polar and feel for ya. My understanding is that bi-polar is the anxiety disorder that is hardest to deal with without meds. Take care and thanks for making me smile!

miamikittycat · Post by **miamikittycat** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:48 pm

Back at ya, egriff, you make me smile too. The latest drug combo made me itch and break out in hives. The last took away my sex drive. But yet, everyone, my doc & family, and me sometimes, thinks I need to be on meds. I wish there was one without side effect that I can't deal with. My cats can even tell when I'm not on meds, they try and wake me up out of bed, by meowing and scratching at me. Or they just look at me like I'm crazy when I'm manic and cleaning the grout on my tiles at 4am.