![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Klavot on August 1, 2007, at 18:34:36
I experience these episodes where I feel extremely stressed out, anxious and angry. They seem to be getting worse. They come and go in waves which last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, usually late morning, then mid afternoon, and then late evening. When it happens, I do things like bite my fingers (not fingernails, but actual fingers). My fingers are covered in blisters most of the time. I also develop this intense rage, beyond any reasonable proportion, towards people who I perceive have harmed me. I become extremely pessimistic and negative about life. I fixate on my failures and compare myself unfavourably to people who seem to have achieved more than I have. I become physically restless and pace up and down waving my fists. It really is ridiculous. And when it's over, it dissipates within literally minutes, and I feel calm, poised, relaxed and happy, happier than happy, like I just had an emotional catharsis.
What is wrong with me? I'm not taking any medication at the moment. This does not seem to happen when I take Zoloft, but I don't want to go back on to Zoloft just for that. Maybe I could try a very low dose, like 25 mg / day? Might any of the other SSRIs do the same job better than Zoloft? The benefit of Zoloft for me is that I've got Zoloft on tap from my local pharmacy. Any other drugs I would first have to get a prescription for. Ugh! Just the thought of going to my doctor and explaining all of this to him already exhausts me. And if I want to see my psychiatrist, then I will have to wait probably two weeks minimum for an appointment. Maybe I'll try chamomile tea.
Klavot
Posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2007, at 22:22:37
In reply to Episodes of intense anger and rage, posted by Klavot on August 1, 2007, at 18:34:36
Klavot was the zoloft working no rages? I'd advise you to go back on it. I'm like you I don't want to take meds but I guess we do. I'm thinking about zoloft as I only took 50mg before what dose were you on? Love Phillipa
Posted by Klavot on August 2, 2007, at 9:30:00
In reply to Re: Episodes of intense anger and rage » Klavot, posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2007, at 22:22:37
Hi Phillipa
I was on 50 mg / day of Zoloft and I was a more relaxed person.
I don't particularly want to use Zoloft unless I have good reason, because it saps my motivation and ambition. So for the time being I'd rather behave like a wild banshee once in a while. I'm investigating alternatives. You know, it's hard to tell whether a particular treatment actually works, because it's all so subjective. Yesterday evening I had a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed, and again this afternoon. So far I've been relaxed. Is it just coincidence, or is it the chamomile tea? Time will tell.
Klavot
Posted by Netch on August 2, 2007, at 9:49:21
In reply to Re: Episodes of intense anger and rage » Phillipa, posted by Klavot on August 2, 2007, at 9:30:00
> Hi Phillipa
>
> I was on 50 mg / day of Zoloft and I was a more relaxed person.
>
> I don't particularly want to use Zoloft unless I have good reason, because it saps my motivation and ambition. So for the time being I'd rather behave like a wild banshee once in a while. I'm investigating alternatives. You know, it's hard to tell whether a particular treatment actually works, because it's all so subjective. Yesterday evening I had a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed, and again this afternoon. So far I've been relaxed. Is it just coincidence, or is it the chamomile tea? Time will tell.
>
> KlavotMaybe you need a mood stabilizer, although these might affect motivation and ambition as well.
Netch
Posted by revaaron on August 2, 2007, at 14:01:26
In reply to Episodes of intense anger and rage, posted by Klavot on August 1, 2007, at 18:34:36
I've an occasional serotonin depletion that is precipitated by other meds/supplements. For those times I take 50-100mg 5-HTP. I don't take this dose every day, but as needed, which usually is once every few days.
I'd try it, as-needed. The side effects of taking 5-HTP (or L-tryptophan) on a regular basis is likely going to be similar to what you've had with SSRIs.
When I am on the far side of serotonin depletion I start to get angry, stemming from frustration. Like to the point of wanting to hit my fist on a table, or smash the project I was working on. For me, this is something I've never experienced in my adult life; when life frustrates, I turn inward, isolate, turn off, etc. I never had any problems with anger, temper or aggression until I started to get this serotonin depletion.
Posted by BGB on August 2, 2007, at 14:18:06
In reply to Episodes of intense anger and rage, posted by Klavot on August 1, 2007, at 18:34:36
I used to have the same problem, and my p-doc said that the episodes that I was experiencing were "dysphoric" manic episodes. Now that I am treated with mood stabilizers (1,000mg Depakote ER and 200mg Lamictal), I don't have the episodes anymore. By the way, that was about 7 years ago, and while my depression has come and gone and I have had to change antidepressants several times, the Lamictal and Depakote combo are still doing their job well.
Best of luck to you!
Posted by elanor roosevelt on August 4, 2007, at 23:03:17
In reply to Re: Episodes of intense anger and rage, posted by BGB on August 2, 2007, at 14:18:06
i am interested in why/how ssri's help with rage and anger
this is true for me
Posted by Klavot on August 5, 2007, at 4:01:58
In reply to Re: Episodes of intense anger and rage, posted by elanor roosevelt on August 4, 2007, at 23:03:17
> i am interested in why/how ssri's help with rage and anger
>
> this is true for meI believe serotonin promotes a sense of well-being. Certainly my irritability threshold was much higher on Zoloft.
Klavot
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.