thats right you shouldnt be blindly following the advice of one person -- to take medication safely you have to talk to a psychiatrist (not a therapist, it is a psychiatrist that studies and prescribes medications) and you need to talk to more than one. medication is not one size fits all and different medications, as well as dosages, work differently for everyone. one person might feel GREAT on the same pill and dosage that makes someone else feel worse. Some people may feel no difference and may need to up the dosage or even take an entirely different medication. to go down the road of taking medication, you need to work with a psychiatrist, not just one time, but that same psychiatrist you pick over a long period. You should be meeting at least twice monthly to discuss your medication and if you are feeling any changes/having any struggles/think something feels off. This is so you can adjust your medication over time just like your body's reaction may change over time, so that you and your psychiatrist can always make sure the way you're taking medication, what you're taking, and what dosage you're taking is something that works for you specifically. Of course, some psychiatrists may be... more incompetent than others. I've had ones that straight up don't listen to me for so long that is was only 2 years ago I managed to get one that actually prescribed me medication that's specifically for insomnia instead of just MORE melantonin (which never works.) But now I've been able to sleep every night! Also, the psychiatrist before that put me on a main depression medication that really helped me out emotionally, but made me gain way too much weight over the year and a half I was taking it as a side effect. My mom blamed it on me and said I wasn't eating right and didn't excercise enough even though I was the one who was excercising the most out of my family. After I talked to my new psychiatrist about this, he switched the medication I was taking for my depression to something else that worked for me but didn't have that side effect. And I lost the weight. (of course there's still a permanent "pouch" I have as a lasting leftover ,, ) But he was able to pinpoint the problem and solve it.
That medication I started taking could have had another side effect as well -- rashes on wrists or ankles, and so my doctor told me to look out for any rashes. If I started getting them, I'd have to switch the medication or dosage.
I didn't get the rashes, but someone else could -- just like while I gained weight on the other medication, someone else might not gain weight on that same medication.
Anyways, medication is very complicated, and can be very helpful OR very dangerous in their side effects and how compatible they are with you.
You should talk to many psychiatrists and doctors about this and remember ---
Don't believe the words of only a single person just because they are a verified professional. Everyone makes mistakes. If you feel like something is wrong with the medication you are taking, (if you do decide to take medication ) speak up, and find a psychiatrist who listens to you intently and tends to make choices of medication that work for you. A good psychiatrist will listen intently when you describe how your mind and body has been feeling when on medication and at the times you are taking it, and will try to infer from that information what may be causing side effects or what kind of medication may work for you. They will be able to tell you when to up or lower the dosage accurately and they will even tell you what time of day to take medication.
The more they know about it, the better. Knowledge is power!
I know this was long, but I hope it helped in some way.
At the end of the day, the decision is up to you!
PS: In my experience, I wouldn't be able to "function" in "normal" society without medication, nor survive my bouts of panic. Also, because of my insomnia, without medication, I wouldn't be able to fall asleep, period. I am really thankful for medication, but everyone is different.
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make sure you're looking into otc and prescription meds before you take them, I've learned that most doctors outside of psychiatrists don't know what medications they prescribe or reccomend can trigger mania or psychosis. when my dermatologist prescribed a steroid pill since my dermatitis was worse than usual, I became very manic and my psychiatrist confirmed it was the steroids. they can be found in nasal sprays as well, which brings me to where I am now
I have a sinus infection and I know I can't get anything like that and my doctor won't give me a prescription anyway since I haven't been symptomatic for over a week, so I try sudafed. I make sure I don't take more than the reccomended dose throughout the day but when I'm trying to sleep I literally cannot sleep for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time, if I get to sleep at all. when I get up in the morning, I see side effects like insomnia, anxiety, irritation, hallucinations, and some other things and alarm bells are going off in my brain and, sure enough, it's a stimulant
all this to say, I'm okay and I'm calming down lol (plus I believe it was just hypomania since I didn't take it for days). I'm blessed enough to be self aware a lot of the time since I got my diagnosis but I know a lot of us aren't, so please, please, PLEASE, look into any meds you're taking, even if it seems silly. the thought didn't even cross my mind, especially because I was sick and delirious for like two days lol. and as well, the effects of medication like this varies from person to person, but we are at a higher risk and if it's something that could potentially trigger mania, I'd say it's better to be safe than sorry
Feb 11, 2025
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this shit will change your life. the stigma around it is still so strong... and i get why people have their reservations. new things are scary - is this gonna make me feel like a different person? will i lose my sparkle? what if it makes me worse? all valid questions... however, you will never know until you try! medications have really changed and truthfully saved my life. side note - also love therapy. don't settle for a therapist you're not feeling! anyways, there is no shame if you need meds to function. they make these for a reason :o)
6d ago
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I was really opposed after a bad experience with meds in my teens but I can honestly say I would not be able to do the work in therapy that Iβve been doing without some storebought chemicals. if you donβt like the side effects, tell your doc to take you off! Or try another med! Every body and brain is so different.
(Please note: I live with SEVERE depression and PTSD, your mileage may vary)
Feb 15, 2024
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its so hard to even lock in in the first place but its great when u actually get in the zone bc you get so much done... just make sure to keep water and food near you and stretch π
ok this is also a way to say hi im still alive (went radio silent for who knows how long) (because this semester is KILLING ME) (THATS WHY I WISH I COULD JUST LOCK IN RN HELPP)
Dec 1, 2024
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the two major irritators of a migraine in my experience are light and noise. my recommendation is that after taking advil (or tylenol etc), put your phone away, go to a room where you think it will be the most quiet, preferably where you can lie down, like your bedroom (i know it can be hard; i myself live in a loud and dysfunctional household so i also have to put in earplugs but earplugs are also another thing that may help!) turn off all the lights, close the window shades (you may want to wear an eye mask) and just lie down there like that for a long time. It's ok if you don't end up calling asleep; the main goal is to keep you away from stimulators like light and noise for long enough that the migraine hopefully feels a little better. This may not make it go away completely but it does at least help. Afterwards though, try not to make an immediate jump back to looking at screens, walking around, talking, lostening to things, etc, because it might be so jarring that your migraine immediately relapses. I hope this helps and I hope you feel better soon!! Sending best wishes; I know your pain and ur not alone π
Jan 31, 2024
My great grandfather (the father of my mom's late stepfather) is Clancy Hayes. He was a relatively famous banjo player and jazz musician in the mid 90s; idk if anyone's heard of him here though! His music even was broadcasted on the radio and you can find some videos of him on YouTube.
... Also, my great great grandfather on my mom's side I think supposedly invented the machine that made Corn Flakes, (but sold the invention as well as rights to invention to make money for his family; I don't think he has any interest in the rights or being famous, which is fair --I mean it's a corn flake machine for gods sake, also in this world money can feed you far better than fame can!!!!) Unfortunately no one other than my family will know the person who invented the corn flakes machine was my great great grandfather π€£
Apr 11, 2024