![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sar on April 11, 2001, at 9:42:23
I'm in a financial bind and am thinking about spending the rest of my money on a few appointments with a good psychiatrist. I have no insurance. I'm 23 years old and have been depressed for at least ten years but now I'm wondering if it's more than just depression--though what else it could be (aside from the anxiety I have too) I don't know. When I go to see this psychiatrist I want to be armed with plenty of suggestions and information cuz if they try to slap 75 mg Effexor on me again I'll cry. It just wasn't enough, it did nothing for me except make me laugh for 6 hours stright when I stopped taking it.
I can't concentrate--it's difficult if not impossible to make it through a book or movie. My social anxiety makes my hands shake and sometimes even makes me dizzy, but when I drink I blackout fairly quickly and my personality changes--a friend of mine called it "a swagger" and I become very very talkative and animated and funny (me?!). At my lowest point (summertime) my libido shot through the roof and the blackout drinking led me to um come on to men very strongly and find them in my bed in the morning. I thought depression was supposed to kill libido and appetite but I still eat, I never skip a meal. At the same time, I could lie in bed for a few days in a row. I also thought that depression makes you want to avoid people but I become very needy with them and they're one of the few things that make me feel better (when they're not making me feel worse). I walk around like a dying nihilist in a fog for half a day but if the slightest good thing happens I'm all smiles. Moody. Failed suicide attempt in February. I also have lots of obsessive thoughts about all my loser ways, am terribly rejection-sensitive and avoidant with people I don't know very well.
Does any of this sound familiar?! Can anyone recommend what sort of meds might be good for me? I've already tried Paxil and Effexor.
thanks,
sar
Posted by ccass on April 11, 2001, at 10:50:17
In reply to please help, posted by sar on April 11, 2001, at 9:42:23
Hi Sar
poor you! But many of us have been there, that sounds pretty close to what I've been through. I won't go into detail because it would just repeat the many things you've mentioned. My first ad was celexa and I have been on it for a year and a half. I start out at 20mgs for 6 month and now have been on 40 the remainder of that time. Its been good for me and actually surprised me about how less anxious I am I'm almost normal :)
maybe celexa is the answer for you too, I stayed off alcohol for a few months when starting it because its a depressant. so good luck to you!
Cassie
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 11, 2001, at 13:24:24
In reply to please help, posted by sar on April 11, 2001, at 9:42:23
Perhaps you could go to a psychiatrist inexpensively by consulting one in training or in residency.
> I'm in a financial bind and am thinking about spending the rest of my money on a few appointments with a good psychiatrist. I have no insurance. I'm 23 years old and have been depressed for at least ten years but now I'm wondering if it's more than just depression--though what else it could be (aside from the anxiety I have too) I don't know. When I go to see this psychiatrist I want to be armed with plenty of suggestions and information cuz if they try to slap 75 mg Effexor on me again I'll cry. It just wasn't enough, it did nothing for me except make me laugh for 6 hours stright when I stopped taking it.
>
> I can't concentrate--it's difficult if not impossible to make it through a book or movie. My social anxiety makes my hands shake and sometimes even makes me dizzy, but when I drink I blackout fairly quickly and my personality changes--a friend of mine called it "a swagger" and I become very very talkative and animated and funny (me?!). At my lowest point (summertime) my libido shot through the roof and the blackout drinking led me to um come on to men very strongly and find them in my bed in the morning. I thought depression was supposed to kill libido and appetite but I still eat, I never skip a meal. At the same time, I could lie in bed for a few days in a row. I also thought that depression makes you want to avoid people but I become very needy with them and they're one of the few things that make me feel better (when they're not making me feel worse). I walk around like a dying nihilist in a fog for half a day but if the slightest good thing happens I'm all smiles. Moody. Failed suicide attempt in February. I also have lots of obsessive thoughts about all my loser ways, am terribly rejection-sensitive and avoidant with people I don't know very well.
>
> Does any of this sound familiar?! Can anyone recommend what sort of meds might be good for me? I've already tried Paxil and Effexor.
>
> thanks,
> sar
Posted by Glenn Fagelson on April 16, 2001, at 2:01:32
In reply to please help, posted by sar on April 11, 2001, at 9:42:23
> I'm in a financial bind and am thinking about spending the rest of my money on a few appointments with a good psychiatrist. I have no insurance. I'm 23 years old and have been depressed for at least ten years but now I'm wondering if it's more than just depression--though what else it could be (aside from the anxiety I have too) I don't know. When I go to see this psychiatrist I want to be armed with plenty of suggestions and information cuz if they try to slap 75 mg Effexor on me again I'll cry. It just wasn't enough, it did nothing for me except make me laugh for 6 hours stright when I stopped taking it.
>
> I can't concentrate--it's difficult if not impossible to make it through a book or movie. My social anxiety makes my hands shake and sometimes even makes me dizzy, but when I drink I blackout fairly quickly and my personality changes--a friend of mine called it "a swagger" and I become very very talkative and animated and funny (me?!). At my lowest point (summertime) my libido shot through the roof and the blackout drinking led me to um come on to men very strongly and find them in my bed in the morning. I thought depression was supposed to kill libido and appetite but I still eat, I never skip a meal. At the same time, I could lie in bed for a few days in a row. I also thought that depression makes you want to avoid people but I become very needy with them and they're one of the few things that make me feel better (when they're not making me feel worse). I walk around like a dying nihilist in a fog for half a day but if the slightest good thing happens I'm all smiles. Moody. Failed suicide attempt in February. I also have lots of obsessive thoughts about all my loser ways, am terribly rejection-sensitive and avoidant with people I don't know very well.
>
> Does any of this sound familiar?! Can anyone recommend what sort of meds might be good for me? I've already tried Paxil and Effexor.
>
> thanks,
> sarHi, Of course I am not a doctor; however, when you see your psychiatrist, ask him about the
combination of Celexa and Neurotin. Celexa is
excellent for people who worry and obsess a lot,and it is a very good anti-depressant. The
Celexa could lower your libido. The Neurontin
is a mood stabilizer and the side effects, I have
found, are minimal. Neurontin is also very good for social anxiety! You might want to ask your psychiatrist about Wellbutrin as well. Sometimes, over-eating and
over-sexing are symptoms of depression and anxiety. Also, over-eating and over-sexing happens in order to relieve pent-up frustration.
Please do not try to self-medicate with alcohol. Alcohol is a terrible central nervous system depressant.
Glenn
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.