Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 119764

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Working and Drugs????

Posted by TomG on September 13, 2002, at 16:07:42

I saw my psychiatrist yesterday and the last two visits he has been stressing that I need to get a job. He thinks this will somehow cure me along with medicine. I have been around the block with medication and found about 6-7 days of pure relief from lithium. The positive reaction faded and raising the dosage was futile. I was fired from my last job which was my first job since graduating college, because of incompetentcy, hesitantcy to make decisions, and poor communication all of which I think stem from my bipolar II diagnosis. Its not that I don't want to work or progress in life. Its simply that I find it truly hard to function in public. My behavior is just an act every time I leave the house. I have terrible anxiety, slowed thinking, and confusion everyday. My doctor has been reluctant to raise my dosage of Lamictal the past two times, because he wants me to have a job. I think I can get at least some relief from meds alone. I was at 100mg of Lam and he didn't want to go higher. The usual response of Lamictal can be from 150mg to 400mg. He said medication will do nothing if not combined with the responsibility of a job. Only after asking did he let me have the dosage increase and acted as though it was useless. Its hard for me to believe that I can't get just a little relief from meds. My doctor was trained at Harvard, but I'm starting to second guess his methods. What are people's thoughts about this situation? Is it time to get a fifth opinion? This is my fifth psychiatrist!!!

 

Re: Working and Drugs????

Posted by jsarirose on September 13, 2002, at 17:31:38

In reply to Working and Drugs????, posted by TomG on September 13, 2002, at 16:07:42

> I saw my psychiatrist yesterday and the last two visits he has been stressing that I need to get a job.

I've had trouble working for most of my "work career". Something to try instead of the overwhelming idea of getting a job, is to try volunteering. The committment level is usually much fewer hours than a job, and while it's important to be there when you say you will - it's not the end of the world if you can't handle it. Another idea is to get a part time job. It doesn't necessarily have to be in your career field, just something you think you would enjoy doing. The most important thing right now is to regain your confidence and keep the committment at a level you can handle. Think of something you have always wanted to do and try it part time or as a volunteer!

This has worked so far for me. I've kept my part time job for 6 months now, that's pretty good for me.

Don't let your doctor make you feel like it's all or nothing.

-Jessica


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