Rec | PUSHING BACK AGAINST OVERMEDICATION AND BECOMING AN ACTIV...

Rec

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pushing back against overmedication and becoming an active participant in exploring my mental well being and agency

every body and mind is different but from maybe 16-22 I had been taking a myriad of prescriptions for my mental health while I balanced school. Had felt incredibly emotionally stunted and unfeeling or impulsive while taking several kinds of medications and got worse, was unreceptive to any therapeutic help during life stresses and landed in hospitals multiple times. Making any kind of change to a poly pharmacy routine is … risky
In the middle of the onset of COVID lockdowns I weaned myself off meds with my doctors assistance and did very intensive psychotherapy, got more active and got a job that I enjoyed. Experienced very deep personal losses in friend and family as well as relationships. I teetered on the edge so many times, but I do not regret any decision I’ve ever made because I have the tools and willpower to take over any conflict and talk myself through it
Again every one is different but if you feel like something isn’t working for you, take charge over what you can do for your own mental wellbeing

@aidanaguirre

Apr 3, 2024

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@masteroogway

I have a similar experience, one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s easy to forget you have to tend to yourself ALL the time, sometimes I think I’m spit spot and good to go, and then shit comes crumbling down, but that’s because it’s a constant practice, not a conflict resolution. If you think this is something you can try, I highly recommend, facing your thoughts and feelings is the best way to learn who you are (though It’s very difficult).

Apr 3, 2024

@theclack

This is so badass and such a difficult feat when it has been a dependence since childhood. Sounds like you did it smartly and safely, and well, I’ll just say it: we’re all proud of you!

Apr 3, 2024

@sola

congratulations 😌🙏🏼💯🫡

Apr 3, 2024

@radeline

proud of you!! patient advocacy is hard and scary :( how do you feel about naturopathic medicine?

Apr 3, 2024

@aidanaguirre

radeline thanks! I haven’t done enough personal investigation into it to know what it can do for me tbh

Apr 3, 2024

@Usernameusernendjfjfjjc

awesome

Apr 3, 2024

@aidanaguirre

chlonline sappy but proud of who I have become

Apr 3, 2024

@Usernameusernendjfjfjjc

aidanaguirre it rocks and you did it

Apr 3, 2024

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I drafted this earlier to post tonight and when I signed on, just saw that @tyler posted about Wellbutrin, so the wavelength seems even more correct to post about this. If you are in need and can find a trustworthy psychiatrist that you can collaborate with so that your experience doesn’t feel like a unilateral pill-push, I feel like the results can be excellent. I feel like the meds create a sustainable wave pool baseline and therapy teaches you how to surf.
Meds aside, I also recommend some form of movement to move energy through the body. Getting enough sleep, going outside, eating enough, even if you need to have a smoothie or some nutritional drink, whatever you need to do.
Trying new meds can def be a trial and error thing. In my experience, if you and your doctor think it’s a good idea, I recommend starting low and slow. If some meds feel too activating for you (like SSRIs, SNRIs), but you enjoy the benefits, they might be best paired with a mood stabilizer.
For therapy, I recommend DBT, CBT, or IFS (Internal Family Systems). EMDR and Somatic therapy also seem very promising.
It is important to mention that I am by no means a doctor, I have a high school diploma, and this is not medical advice, just a friendly rec.

@relaxing

Feb 15, 2024

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my assorted antidepressants journey

- lexapro: first one ever, made me feel very flat and actually more depressed - wellbutrin: made me manic and possibly activated my bipolar disorder - prozac: sweaty and agitated - zoloft: sweaty and agitated - lithium: sleepy - seroquel: sleepy - buspar: didn’t work - lamotrigine: horrific - abilify: combined with zoloft + caffeine it felt like I took molly or ecstasy this was actually fun
for me personally the best antidepressant was realizing I was using drugs and alcohol to cope, stopped smoking weed all the time, find a good match for a therapist, ate healthier, got a job that was fulfilling, get off social media, exercise, find a supportive partner (it’s all easier said than done but this truly does help)

@aidanaguirre

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