Worried this is permenant damage

[Darkcloud]

I'm new here and just would like some help or guidance on what to do as feel as if in hell and wondering if anyone has been through a similar experience or has any ideas what this could be

I just come off anti pyscotic drug abilify which I was on for 2months on 10mg dose until I decided the side effects were becoming serious and no one was listening to me or taking me serious when I informed them that I was beginning to develop tics/facial involuntary movements and shaking in my hands.

Even though i was advised to continue for time indefinite I stopped because I could feel it slowly shutting my brain down to the point where I didnt have any thougts.I noticed I was getting invotuntary mouth movements while on the drug and would often feel disoriented. So I went off the drug against what the psychriarist told me because I knew this drug was doing more damage than good. Originally I was prescribed olazinpine due to sleep deprivation and for racing thoughts. I was not in a state to really look up the drugs effects and the stupid nurse didnt bother go through with my parents the risks/side effects of taking such a strong drug. I think all I needed back then was some sleeping tablets as was stressed from work and wasnt sleeping properly for a couple of days

After a couple of weeks on low dose of olazinpine I then couldnt take it because my body rejected it was causing me to vomiting and was making me have paronia.

I then was refferred toanother pyschriatrist who advised and told me how good abilify is and that it rarely has any side effects because its a new drug. I'm so pissed off with myself for not doing extensive research on what I was putting in my body at the time because if I knew what I know now about true damges these neuroleptic anti pyschotic drugs do to the brain(even the socalled 'safer'ones) I would have never taken this crap in the first place.

I fear I have brain damage because I'm unable to experience any pleasure of any kind. The only positive is that the tics/shakes which were signs of developing tardive dyskinia have gone away. When I told my doctor I was experiecing this she dimissed it and said it was was in my head. I said to her I observed in other patients what these drugs do to people and how they are barely functional and her typical response was that it was the illness which I know is bs

The women is either evil or super ignorant as to the effects or seriousness of these anti psychotics. She wanted me to stay on this abilify for longterm even though I was no longer having any problems besides side effects fromthe abilify. Anyone reading this DO NOT TAKE this drug it is poison. You will experience all side effects such as, restlessness,agitation, sleep disturbances, altered body temperature, suicide thoughts

I was never informed by the doctor of any side effects just that this was a new safe drug. There is nothing safe about anti pyschotics its just another form of control I think so you can no longer think for yourself but become a braindead sheep

I can only describde it as like having a veil or straightjacket covering my brain and eyes, a permanent cage inside your head, almost no thoughts, just complete darkness when I close my eyes. I have no longer have sex drive, I dont care anymore about anything. I use to have motivation to est healthy, go gym,writ, sing and be social. I remember asking the pyschiarist if the drug would change my personality and she said reasurred me that it could never do that. I use to be good natured, opitimisc and cheery, now im deviod of any uniqueness and all I'mjust bitter, resentful and negative because I cant see a way out of this

All I think about is the regret of being naive enough to put my trust to believe this doctors had my best interest at heart when prescribing me with this poison. I also use to be very creative, enjoy listening to music, have compassion,empathy and intuition and deep connection with God. Now its all gone and have nothing. I can no longer relate to others because I feel stuck inside my head like a zombie. I cant laught naturally, cant cry, cant have any other type of facial experession besides a blank starealong with resentment towards the people who gave me this drug. I know I got to take responsibility too and got to live with that every day knowing my life is gone and only in my early twenties. I use to have so much aspiration for helping people, now I can barely help my self get through the day without wondering when this will all end. Suicide seems an option but I dont think thats the answer, I want toeither sue these doctors or fight some campaign for getting these drugs banned before I die

Everyday is the same flat mood, there is just nothing. . I suspect abilify blocked or completly destroyed some important dopamine receptors that are linked withemotiond or the braibs reward center between the limbic system and the pre frontal lobe. Along with nuerotransmitters aswell as higher cognitive functions in my brain because there is no stimulation whatsoever as never does anything cause a reaction or suprise me. Anything could happen and I wouldnt be shocked or cause a stir in my head.i use to be very sensitive to anything now Im just numb.

I been off the abilify for 5 weeks and there has been no change in my brains activity. I been to a new doctor who advised me that st johns wort will help as he believes what I have is clinical depression. But I researched st johns wort and its usaully treated for mild depression. And I dont know how that is going to reverse the brain damage which I think I may have .I had depression before and there was at leat some range of emotions or sensations. What I have now is compared to feeling like a complete vegetable and just left to deal with it. I read about anthedonia think maybe it could be side effect but its diffocult to know whats wrong with me

Is there any hope for reseversing the damage this demon drug done to me? Anyone else had experience with anti pyschotics and felt like this and recovered?

[texgirl]

Welcome to PP, Darkcloud. I think that with only 2 months use, it's extremely unlikely that the damage from Abilify is permanent. Five weeks off is much too early in the process to project what might or might not last forever. The fact that you've already recovered from the physical side effects is huge. Hang in there; I'm sure the psychological recovery will follow.

Also, please don't beat yourself up about believing what your doctor told you about this "new, safe" drug. Most of us ended up here because we trusted and believed in our doctors. Good for you for taking charge of your health. You will be OK.

[scotslass]

Hi and welcome to paxil progress,I dont have any experience with abilify but have seen it advertised and there are many unpleasant side-effects listed,so I dont know how your doc could possible say it had none.You were only on it for two months though and I am certain that you will start to feel better soon.It is highly unlikely that there has been any permanent damage,so I would not worry too much about that.What you are experiencing is very likely withdrawal as two months is still long enough for you feel somme effect of coming off cold-turkey.Just try and take things one day at a time,what you are feeling now as miserable as it is will not last.You will get better,be thankful that you only took the drug for a short period of time and know that your body is perfectly capable of healing itself it just needs the time to do it.

[texgirl]

One thing to keep in mind is that, if a drug is new, no one really has any idea whether or not it's "safe." The clinical trials for psych drugs are criminally brief and the results manipulated by the maufacturers. It's all about $$$.

[Darkcloud]

Hi scotslass and texgirl thank you for the responses, I cerrtainly hope this is just part of withdrawaland just not soemthing I will have to live with. My parents say the drug should be out of my system by now so thats why I worried that I'm left like this permantely half the person that i was.

I certaintly hope things will get better because this is horrible.i been through a lot of painful experiences but none so bad as this. . I'm going to get brain scan and if Im left like this forever I will be taking these bastards to court making sure they dont do this to someone else even though it wont bring my life back there will be some justice

Your right texgirl its all about the money and there is nothing safe about mind altering pysch drugs. I feel like I was used just as an experiment while they test out its effects

I would just love to be able to get my emotions back and be able experience life as a human being again that has ups and downs, that is spontanous, that is creative and have my own mind.

Its scary because I dont know anyone else who is going through this

[LCrawford67]

The drug being out of your system is irrelevant. What you're experiencig is the brain readjusting from the chemical changes the drug made to it. That doesn't happen over night.

Are you on any medications now?

[Darkcloud]

I only been taking st johns wort supplement hypericum 300mg daily. I'm on 2nd week on it and been advised to wait 4weeks to see if there is any difference . I been thinking if that if that dont work I will maybe try some amno acids supplements that aid in dopamine which contain Phenylalanine or Tyrosine. The doctor offered to put me on anti depressants but my body has already been through too much already so i didnt think that would be good idea.

Just cant imagine how things are going to come back now.I was absolutely flying before abilify got into my system,as I had faith in myself, confidence and had sense of well being. now I can barely get out of bed or get out the house with no motivation to do anything Everyday all I can do is reminisce about how I use to be and regret to who I have now become, my worst fears seemto have come true.

Do you think its possible everything will come back like emotions, sensivity and my old personality if like you say my brain is readjusting?

Thanks

[rbds22]

Originally Posted by Darkcloud

I only been taking st johns wort supplement hypericum 300mg daily. I'm on 2nd week on it and been advised to wait 4weeks to see if there is any difference . I been thinking if that if that dont work I will maybe try some amno acids supplements that aid in dopamine which contain Phenylalanine or Tyrosine. The doctor offered to put me on anti depressants but my body has already been through too much already so i didnt think that would be good idea.

Just cant imagine how things are going to come back now.I was absolutely flying before abilify got into my system,as I had faith in myself, confidence and had sense of well being. now I can barely get out of bed or get out the house with no motivation to do anything Everyday all I can do is reminisce about how I use to be and regret to who I have now become, my worst fears seemto have come true.

Do you think its possible everything will come back like emotions, sensivity and my old personality if like you say my brain is readjusting?

Thanks

Everything will come back into balance. I'm just glad to hear you only took that drug for a very short period of time. I would advise against going on antidepressants also. It has a similiar action as the abilify as that it "unbalances" your brain chemistry. Drugs are a short term solution to fixing any problem that you have. What you really need to do is start controlling yourself in lack of better words. If you're tired make yourself untired, if you are unmotivated make yourself motivated, if you are feeling blank then stimulate your brain in some way. I know it's easier said then done, but remember you still are in control.

That being said, remember not to blame everything on the medication because that can be unhealthy also. You will become a slave and full of excuses. No doubt the medicine did those things to you, but you need to start taking control now. Just because you're off of the medicine now also doesn't mean that you should feel perfect every day. People change over years of growing and may develop some types of depression and anxiety problems. I didn't develop many of my problems until around age 20.

Keep telling your brain whos boss and take it one day at a time. There is not a short term fix to many things in life. Hang in there

Ryan

[ray34iyf]

I know the pain Darkcloud. I've been there. I also am in my early twenties, and have felt very similar to you. What I will say is this. Do you best to control your resentment and hatred right now, and just focus on RESTING yourself, allowing yourself ample relaxation. The KEY right now is to allow your body all of the downtime that can be had, as this allows your brain the best chance to recover... and I promise you, it WILL recover. There are many people on this site who've been in similar situations, and they've gotten themselves back.
Lack of emotion and all of the things you've described is NORMAL, and I've had all of that, and it sucks. Don't worry though. You were not on the drugs that long, and I'm sure that your recovery will be soon.

Trust that you will recover, because you will. Keep you in my prayers.

[luc]

Don't worry about any "permanent damage", Darkcloud. It may take some time before you feel better, but you will get better no doubt. Be patient. Hang in there!

[scotty]

Abilify is one nasty drug and for ANY doctor to deny the tardive dyskinesia effect is unbelievable...heck, it's in the freakin commercial!

Give it time..the good news is that you are now off it...the bad news is that it made temporary changes in the brain that will need some time to correct.

My main advice...don't add anything else to the mix in an attempt to get quicker resolution of symptoms...take nothing!

[Darkcloud]

Thank you all very much for the encouragement and support. I certainly hope and pray its just temporary even though every dayI wake up and there is no progress but I still got to go on.

Your probably right scotty that its advisable to take nothing but have already started course on the st johns wort which seems to help me sleep during the night. If that dont work which is likely then I will just take nothing but pray, eat healthy, and exercise.

And yes Abilify is nasty espcially as it causes tardive dyskinesia and akathisia. Whats worse is my doctor wanted me to continue taking it for a long time and would not entertain that I was sufferin on them. Never warned me of these effects. I feel cheated and lied to. I would not give that drug to my worst enemy. I should have listend to my conscience at the time that was telling me that this was harming me but I had so much pressure all around to take them I didnt want to go against the so called proffessionals who were advising me that had I stop taking them then things would get worse and I will have racing thoughts again. Well I rather that then be where I am now, at least my mind and body wouldnt feel trapped and numb.

What pisses me off is that none of these doctors have tried the medicine themselves before prescribing the rest of the population. They treat us like test subjects and smirk or patronise when you tell them that these drugs cause adverse effects or then prescribe you with another label or diagnose that was triggered from the previous med so that you become dependant on these pysche drugs and then your trapped on their merry go round of trying to different meds to remedy what their drugs caused in the first place.

[Junior]

Hi Darkcloud

Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of encouragement. I haven't taken an anti-psychotic but the inability to feel that you described is something I do know. I was like that about 3 months ago (see my sig) and I (having got back on what I needed - the Paxil) just waited it out. I'm still recovering but the feelings DID come back.

Be patient. (Easier said than done I know).

Junior

[Rachelina]

Originally Posted by Darkcloud

They treat us like test subjects and smirk or patronise when you tell them that these drugs cause adverse effects or then prescribe you with another label or diagnose that was triggered from the previous med so that you become dependant on these pysche drugs and then your trapped on their merry go round of trying to different meds to remedy what their drugs caused in the first place.

Yes, this is exactly what happens! Are you sure you're new here?

[whalebale]

Dark Cloud go back and read some of my first posts on this sight, your symptoms that you described were exactly mine 18 months ago. the drug is out of your system, but like LC said, the drug made some changes to your chemical structure in your mind. dont worry, its not permanent. the brain heals its self. I used to worry all the time "is this permanent? am i stuck like this forever??" but it improved drastically. all you have to do is take good care of yourself, i reccomend fish oil, ginkgo biloba, dha, to help with your brain.

[WhatIsNormal]

Your brain will recover. Think of all the miraculous thing the brain can recover from In the meantime don't cloud your mind with dark thoughts of "what if".. it will not help. When you feel those thoughts entering, redirect them to something more positive.

[Darkcloud]

Originally Posted by Rachelina

Yes, this is exactly what happens! Are you sure you're new here?

Yeah this is my first time here but get the gist how psychiatry works now through two months of hell first hand experience and know its absolutely is evil and I dont know how those in the field still have a job its fairly easy to see the damage and destruction they cause to peoples lives. In my opinion these pyschriatrist are either seriously sadistic or they have illness in their pyches themselves that they are not comfortable with and set out to destroy what they see in themselves in others.

I sincerely believe some of them know what they are doing no doubt about that or they are being misled. They are destroying peoples lives so they become dependant on these meds which disable the individual in some form in the long run. If these doctors had any conscience then they really wouldnt be administering these poison in the first place after knowing the seriouse side effects that they cause . Or if they did they would give it out only in the most extreme circumstances with serious caution as to its effects on how it alters the body mind of that individual and give an information to the patient of the risks and benefits of taking the medicine. No one is given that opportunity to make an informed decison because we blindly put our trust in these people who we see as our guardians in sickness, and when we are vunerable we easily give into the deception. But as doctors its their responsiblity to give educated information on what the drug will do and its risks

We are not talking a little headache reaction or stomach ache like you get from taking paracetomal or from having too much coffee but talking serious damage to the bodie's and minds natural graceful functions. These kind of potent psyche drugs are no better than illegal street drugs yet doctors seem to be above the law prescribing with no consequence and just hand them out like candy. How on earth these drugs are approved are beyond me.

The truth is these pdocs are no better than your local drug dealers out to make a profit out of you while at same time ruining life leading you on to a hellish dependance. I mean where is the logic that says if a drug messed you up then lets fix it by adding another drug, and if that drug messes you up, then obviously you need another drug. Its just insane and these people are allowed to get away with it. What pains me is the trust that is put in these psychos who then have the cheek to say to you that your mentally ill.

I bought out a whole dossier of information to my new doctor with articles showing proof of what these kind of drugs due to cut off important areas in the brains natural functions. He then had the decency admit and agree himself that these drugs do these things. unfortunately I forget to ask him why in the first place if they do more harm then good, are they prescribing it to humans to ruin. Every time I sit in the waiting room of one of these psche wards, I never see anyone there that is bright, alert. vibrant, controlled and looking better off from any treatment. All I see are broken individuals looking as if they have come from a crack house but unfortunately they are coming from the same medical team who apparently cater to mental health

Doctors in latin means teacher. Did the doctor teach me about the effects of the so called medicine they were admistering? All they do is write off a prescription and tell you that you have some made up disagnose and that it works for their made up terms such as depression which is either in the bracket of mild moderate major severe, bipolar,ptsd shizophrenia, pyschosis,post pyschosis depression, ADHD,ADD, all these made up terms cover a broad range of syptoms that any human being will experience during their life time. Yet if they treat these range if different states of being as if its machine that and all the time their cop out is that the brain has a chemical imbalance never anything else. All these is decided in one assessments without any thorough examinations except the pyschiarists own indoctrinated opinion that you have some serious illness because it matches up with what she had been told. Is that really science or pseudo science? How can the mind be so complex and yet it always comes down to the same thing regardless of the different illness that they label on us?

Its all total guesswork as they hardly know what the drugs that are giving out do, all they know is that the patient seems better once the patient has become totally numb and subdued to the effects of the drug. The only thing they have taught me is that man is still inherently fallen and corrupted and will destroy his fellow man just for money or status. And that when in sickness such as mental torment is a sign that we should be depending and trusting God to help us get rid of the sin and put things right naturally rather than artificially through man made corrupted drugs.

What sickens me is that they develop and coin this ironic phrase 'mental health' when in reality they really have no idea what constitutes true mental health. It should be really advertised as 'Mental ruin -Abandon hope all ye who enter here'

In my opinion these pdocs are practising true crimes against humanity as they mess up something fundamental in someones individual make up. Its nothing more than barbarism and mental abuse.

I use to have god given talents and gifts but in short period thats been wiped away and not once have they apologised and said you know what, maybe we were wrong and we should have been more careful

The most difficult thing for me is learning to forgive those people who nonchalantly gave me something dangersou and destructive while smiling in my face telling me it was going to be for my own good. Behind those pretentious smiles is satanic deception outright there to destroy your very being. I now have to learn to forgive my parents for being naive and negligent in thinking they were helping me by taking me to the hosipital where putting me the hands of sadistic doctors whos only intent was to put me on the strongest medication even though I just experienced experience mild disorientation from lack of sleep. I have to forgive them for not bother looking into the effects of the drugs and not relying on God to see through the difficult period.

Its been a fight to get my family to believe that they drugs caused my personility to change and that it caused brain changes as they believed I should be trusting doctor when they said it was not causing the illness and its only when I went to new doctor that he admitted I was the right to to stop the medication even when everyone around me was telling me it was going to help.

This is my punishment for not listening or running away out of the hospital when I had the chance initially because back then I sensed I was in dangerous position and allowed things to get where they are. No one forced me by hand to take the those sickening pills just done what I was advised and now i taken a huge step back in my life if you can even call what I have now a life as im left with absolutely nothing. No friends, no job, no love, no relationship, no mind or spirit, no future prospects just emptiness and hopelessness

No one seems to be as upset about this as much as me. its only recently wearby I have lost all interest in things I would normally do that my family have started taking my syptoms seriously but there is no form of urgency at all

I now know abilify is a dopamine blocker a serious antongist against important receptors. I was so happy and excited everyday before now Im jealouse while I ahve to see people around laughing naturally able to experience life in the fullest, able to enjoy their natural mind with their god given dopamine able to experience enphorhins and adrenaline rush and not be afraid of life. I feel like a 55 year old man with syptoms boarding on parkinsons disease as I constantly grind my teeth still anxious and depressed laying awake wondering how this could happen to me. My life wasnt meant to this route of ruin

Originally Posted by whalebale

Dark Cloud go back and read some of my first posts on this sight, your symptoms that you described were exactly mine 18 months ago. the drug is out of your system, but like LC said, the drug made some changes to your chemical structure in your mind. dont worry, its not permanent. the brain heals its self. I used to worry all the time "is this permanent? am i stuck like this forever??" but it improved drastically. all you have to do is take good care of yourself, i reccomend fish oil, ginkgo biloba, dha, to help with your brain.?

Thanks I have looked into your posts and good to hear you are much better, I will be trying to take care of myself but have to say its really difficult to find the motivation to even eat. I was informed by my mum and new doctor that the brain can heal itself because of people who recovery from strokes or brain injuries which I understand but this what I got feels uniquely different in the sense that my brain feels indefintely frozen as if this feelslike a finality and , its so scary. I will look into those supplements there seems to be a wide range of reccomendation to try, what I dont understand is why on earth these ****s didnt reccomend natural remedies in the first place instead of prescribing poisonous garbage which gets us in the mess. Oh yeah they say its to speed up the process to get rid of the syptoms the patient is suffering from. A quick solution if you will. Well they need to learn lessons in not giving people hard drugs for quick solutions.

In fact I remember now I was intially given olanzpine for anxiety.How can you give someone ****ing anti psychotic because they are anxious because they havnt slept properly for a couple of days due to stress? Man I am so angry and frustrated at the fact my life is in ruins because of these *******s

Originally Posted by WhatIsNormal

Your brain will recover. Think of all the miraculous thing the brain can recover from In the meantime don't cloud your mind with dark thoughts of "what if".. it will not help. When you feel those thoughts entering, redirect them to something more positive.

I sincerly hope so. Another thing I have to admit I find difficult to struggle with are the ''what if'' of regret, and the ''should have''. So much pain so much misery could have been easily avoided if people werent so damn stupid and negligent. Sorry for the long rant just so frustrated and annoyed with this needless situation.

[Junior]

Originally Posted by Darkcloud

All they do is write off a prescription and tell you that you have some made up disagnose and that it works for their made up terms such as depression which is either in the bracket of mild moderate major severe, bipolar,ptsd shizophrenia, pyschosis,post pyschosis depression, ADHD,ADD, all these made up terms cover a broad range of syptoms that any human being will experience during their life time.

While I totally understand your anger and frustration toward psychiatrists, I cannot agree with your assertion that mental illness does not exist.

The problem here is more that the field of psychiatry works by treating mental illness with medication and that it is being misused and overused.

[Darkcloud]

Originally Posted by Junior

While I totally understand your anger and frustration toward psychiatrists, I cannot agree with your assertion that mental illness does not exist.

The problem here is more that the field of psychiatry works by treating mental illness with medication and that it is being misused and overused.

Im not saying mental illness doesnt exist,obviously people do become mentally unwell but most of these are concocted up terms to justify prescribing so called medicine. They never look at the causes of mental illness rather they look at the syptoms and believe that is the origin of the illness.

Just look at children who are targeted towards taking these toxic drugs just because they are hyper which kids are naturally. Kids who energenic and have tantrums are now precieved ADHD, or ADD. My nephew has tantrums but through discipline and stucture there he is getting better and is able to concentrate. The last thing I would like to see is him being put on medication to mask the real problems which is diet, discipline and sufficient attention from parents in relation to quality time

These kids suffer aswell as adults because they are fed a diet of sweets, junk food, tv 24/7 along with video games and general unhealthy lifestyles and then expect a pill to fix it all without taking into account the fundamental reasons why they become unbalanced in the first place

I believe people will recover naturally if they readjust their livestyle to incorporate correct diet,excerise and social/family support and adequate rest

People are naturally going to experience stress, breakdown from being overworked, and the pressures of day to day living and the mind will inevitably struggle during these periods But escaping or trying to rememdy through taking pyschriatric drugs is not the answer. I mean really was we put on this planet to aim to numb our feelings to pain, breavement or to actually to learn lessons and grow from our struggles. I mean the doctors nowadays give people antidepressants or strong tranqualisers as if they are animanls just because they are greiving a loss of a loved one, relationship, or a job, or something traumatic. Whats really needed is love, support through talk therapy, patience, God and care to help someone get over such a tragic event. Drugs to numb the body and brain are never the answer.

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by Darkcloud

Im not saying mental illness doesnt exist,obviously people do become mentally unwell but most of these are concocted up terms to justify prescribing so called medicine. They never look at the causes of mental illness rather they look at the syptoms and believe that is the origin of the illness.

Just look at children who are targeted towards taking these toxic drugs just because they are hyper which kids are naturally. Kids who energenic and have tantrums are now precieved ADHD, or ADD. My nephew has tantrums but through discipline and stucture there he is getting better and is able to concentrate. The last thing I would like to see is him being put on medication to mask the real problems which is diet, discipline and sufficient attention from parents in relation to quality time

These kids suffer aswell as adults because they are fed a diet of sweets, junk food, tv 24/7 along with video games and general unhealthy lifestyles and then expect a pill to fix it all without taking into account the fundamental reasons why they become unbalanced in the first place

I believe people will recover naturally if they readjust their livestyle to incorporate correct diet,excerise and social/family support and adequate rest

People are naturally going to experience stress, breakdown from being overworked, and the pressures of day to day living and the mind will inevitably struggle during these periods But escaping or trying to rememdy through taking pyschriatric drugs is not the answer. I mean really was we put on this planet to aim to numb our feelings to pain, breavement or to actually to learn lessons and grow from our struggles. I mean the doctors nowadays give people antidepressants or strong tranqualisers as if they are animanls just because they are greiving a loss of a loved one, relationship, or a job, or something traumatic. Whats really needed is love, support through talk therapy, patience, God and care to help someone get over such a tragic event. Drugs to numb the body and brain are never the answer.

I couldn't agree more!

[Norma]

Originally Posted by Darkcloud

what I dont understand is why on earth these ****s didnt reccomend natural remedies in the first place instead of prescribing poisonous garbage which gets us in the mess.

Actually, I can answer that. Anyone, at anytime, can go to the store and buy supplements. No prescription required. If you don't need a prescription, you don't need the doctor. Then they can't get rich off of your suffering.

End of story.

Since you appear to be Christian, don't forget what the Bible says...

MONEY is the root of all evil.

[Songbird]

Your p-doc sounds like an idiot! Why were you originally prescribed the Abilify? Was it really only for stress-induced insomnia? I think you may be right about the anhedonia coming from reduced dopamine. You will recover from this but it will take time.

I was prescribed Seroquel for sleep and it gave me bad muscle twitches, mainly in the legs (not in the face which would be much worse). I took it for a couple of months (the twitches didn't appear straight away), then weaned off quickly, but the twitches have continued ever since and I've been off over a year now. However, they have continued to reduce in severity and frequency, they are now only occasional and very mild, hardly noticeable any more. I hope they go away completely in time.

You could try magnesium supplements, and omega-3 fish oil, which are relatively safe supplements.

[Junior]

Originally Posted by Darkcloud

Im not saying mental illness doesnt exist,obviously people do become mentally unwell but most of these are concocted up terms to justify prescribing so called medicine. They never look at the causes of mental illness rather they look at the syptoms and believe that is the origin of the illness.

Just look at children who are targeted towards taking these toxic drugs just because they are hyper which kids are naturally. Kids who energenic and have tantrums are now precieved ADHD, or ADD. My nephew has tantrums but through discipline and stucture there he is getting better and is able to concentrate. The last thing I would like to see is him being put on medication to mask the real problems which is diet, discipline and sufficient attention from parents in relation to quality time

These kids suffer aswell as adults because they are fed a diet of sweets, junk food, tv 24/7 along with video games and general unhealthy lifestyles and then expect a pill to fix it all without taking into account the fundamental reasons why they become unbalanced in the first place

I believe people will recover naturally if they readjust their livestyle to incorporate correct diet,excerise and social/family support and adequate rest

People are naturally going to experience stress, breakdown from being overworked, and the pressures of day to day living and the mind will inevitably struggle during these periods But escaping or trying to rememdy through taking pyschriatric drugs is not the answer. I mean really was we put on this planet to aim to numb our feelings to pain, breavement or to actually to learn lessons and grow from our struggles. I mean the doctors nowadays give people antidepressants or strong tranqualisers as if they are animanls just because they are greiving a loss of a loved one, relationship, or a job, or something traumatic. Whats really needed is love, support through talk therapy, patience, God and care to help someone get over such a tragic event. Drugs to numb the body and brain are never the answer.

I'm sorry but I still have to disagree with you. Mental illness is NOT just a bunch of items concocted so that Drs can prescribe drugs. Mental illness is real and valid.

Part of the problem is the American health system whose insurance providers require a label before they will provide cover. Hence the inclusion of things such as "caffeine induced anxiety" and "mathematical disorder" in the DSM. Here in Australia one does not need a label in order to receive health care. Another part of the problem is that it is very white-middle class and western-centric. It really does not stand up cross-culturally.

Another part of the problem, which is probably more prevalent in America (I'll explain in a minute) is that people are sent to / or go to psychiatrists looking for treatment for a myriad of problems. By nature, psychiatry diagnoses and treats according to a medical model, mostly by giving out medication. A few years ago, this major gap in the mental health system was identified here in Australia and we now have Medicare access (public funding) for people to see clinical psychologists and a range of allied health providers for treatment. There has been a big uptake in this program which shows that people want other ways of dealing with their emotional stresses /mental disorders.

On the topic of mental illness per se.. there has been plenty of research into the causes of these. With the advent of more advanced technology (e.g. mri's and ct scans), scientific studies have been able to detect a range of either structural or functional differences in the mentally ill / disordered brain. This also applies to ADHD. While I agree that ADHD is being overdiagnosed and overtreated, it is still a genuine disorder and such individuals can benefit greatly from proper treatment - whatever their parents decide is the best treatment pathway. I can attest to this as I have a son with both autism and ADHD. I made sure there was always structure, 'quality time', limit-setting and enforcing of the boundaries. I had to balance discipline with encouragement and positive reinforcement; a fine line as my son has always struggled with low-self esteem. However, despite all of that, he still has ADHD. This is a child who consistently wriggled into the corner of his cot; a child who literally wriggled off his change table at 3 months of age; a child who - at 2 and 10 months, ran for 45 mins solid at a wildlife park; a child whose mind raced and who wanted to do everything 'faster, faster, faster', a child who could not plan and execute, a child who had very poor fine motor skills. He was eventually put on medication at the age of 7, following a very difficult period at home (long story) and during which he was literally destroying the house. At that time, no amount of good parenting was going to help. He just wasn't responsive. So ADHD DOES exist. Oh, and in terms of diet, it has previously been found (in research although I don't have the references to hand) that only 10% of individuals with ADHD respond to dietary changes. What HAS been found, on MRI scans, is that parts of their brain underfunction.

Having said all of that, I DO agree with on how Drs are handing out anti-depressants (in particular) to all and sundry, for a myriad of reasons that have nothing to do with mental health. THIS is a major problem. THIS needs to be addressed. People (including children suspected of having ADHD) need to be properly assessed before being put on medication. If the problem is purely emotional, then talk therapy is by far the best option. On that, I agree 100%.

Cheers
Junior

[Junior]

Originally Posted by Norma

Actually, I can answer that. Anyone, at anytime, can go to the store and buy supplements. No prescription required. If you don't need a prescription, you don't need the doctor. Then they can't get rich off of your suffering.

End of story.

Since you appear to be Christian, don't forget what the Bible says...

MONEY is the root of all evil.

No it's not. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.

Sorry..just had to correct that

[Darkcloud]

Originally Posted by Junior

I'm sorry but I still have to disagree with you. Mental illness is NOT just a bunch of items concocted so that Drs can prescribe drugs. Mental illness is real and valid.

Part of the problem is the American health system whose insurance providers require a label before they will provide cover. Hence the inclusion of things such as "caffeine induced anxiety" and "mathematical disorder" in the DSM. Here in Australia one does not need a label in order to receive health care. Another part of the problem is that it is very white-middle class and western-centric. It really does not stand up cross-culturally.

Another part of the problem, which is probably more prevalent in America (I'll explain in a minute) is that people are sent to / or go to psychiatrists looking for treatment for a myriad of problems. By nature, psychiatry diagnoses and treats according to a medical model, mostly by giving out medication. A few years ago, this major gap in the mental health system was identified here in Australia and we now have Medicare access (public funding) for people to see clinical psychologists and a range of allied health providers for treatment. There has been a big uptake in this program which shows that people want other ways of dealing with their emotional stresses /mental disorders.

On the topic of mental illness per se.. there has been plenty of research into the causes of these. With the advent of more advanced technology (e.g. mri's and ct scans), scientific studies have been able to detect a range of either structural or functional differences in the mentally ill / disordered brain. This also applies to ADHD. While I agree that ADHD is being overdiagnosed and overtreated, it is still a genuine disorder and such individuals can benefit greatly from proper treatment - whatever their parents decide is the best treatment pathway. I can attest to this as I have a son with both autism and ADHD. I made sure there was always structure, 'quality time', limit-setting and enforcing of the boundaries. I had to balance discipline with encouragement and positive reinforcement; a fine line as my son has always struggled with low-self esteem. However, despite all of that, he still has ADHD. This is a child who consistently wriggled into the corner of his cot; a child who literally wriggled off his change table at 3 months of age; a child who - at 2 and 10 months, ran for 45 mins solid at a wildlife park; a child whose mind raced and who wanted to do everything 'faster, faster, faster', a child who could not plan and execute, a child who had very poor fine motor skills. He was eventually put on medication at the age of 7, following a very difficult period at home (long story) and during which he was literally destroying the house. At that time, no amount of good parenting was going to help. He just wasn't responsive. So ADHD DOES exist. Oh, and in terms of diet, it has previously been found (in research although I don't have the references to hand) that only 10% of individuals with ADHD respond to dietary changes. What HAS been found, on MRI scans, is that parts of their brain underfunction.

Having said all of that, I DO agree with on how Drs are handing out anti-depressants (in particular) to all and sundry, for a myriad of reasons that have nothing to do with mental health. THIS is a major problem. THIS needs to be addressed. People (including children suspected of having ADHD) need to be properly assessed before being put on medication. If the problem is purely emotional, then talk therapy is by far the best option. On that, I agree 100%.

Cheers
Junior

Again I’m not saying there is no such thing as mental illness obviously there is because people are suffering. What my argument is that you do not attack mental issues with mind altering drugs and justify it by saying its all to do with chemical imbalance. We should lay more blame on the living imbalance or moral imbalance. nearly all lifes stresses and bad habits can be intrepretated into mental disorders now. I think the mental illness in terms that psychriatry use the term is not just overused accidently but used intentionally as social control to simply use as titles for the population and its highly dangerous because as I said its ruins the very fragments of that persons own mind and inviduality turning us into emotionaless zombies who are too subdued and in pain to care. Its an abomination. This mindless prescription to these drugs is dangerous, the side effects far out weigh any short term band aid benefit

I’m not going to pretend im aware of all these policies all I know is western civilisation is being taught the that the answer to fixing their problems is popping pills.
To the point where everything behaviour that is precieved as problematic is pathologized. The problem is people mistakenly think via brainwashing that these drugs will help them because its widespread advertising on the tv and there are drugs out there that cater to everything. in this society, because an adult or child is different or e finds it so much harder to adapt to the demands of work, home, and school, we treat it as a disorder. I mean there was no such ADHD diagnosis in the U.S. until the 20th century.

People could casually use the terms anxious or depressed to describe an emotional state of being, but when a therapist attaches a code number from the DSM to these words, anxiety and depression become mental illnesses along with taking down your thoughts and then used as a general perimeter to gauge the rest of the population with. Everyone becomes anxious or depressed

I’m no scientist and I don’t pretend to know everything but I wouldn’t put all my trust in those studies who’s main intention is to seek rationale and labels for different types of behaviour in humans as if we are test subjectsand those studies are most likely funded by NIMH. I wouldn’t be making decisions based on subjective research that always every so often changes with new studies dished every couple of years when they find out and inform us the previous findings were inaccurate to begin with.

There are going to be changes in the brain and in its chemistry that have been altered through stress, behaviour and different emotional states of being and genetic make up which doesn’t necessary mean that person is in their terms ‘’mentally ill’’ and doubt remedying it with drugs is ever going to make the brain balanced or in order because as most of us know through experience learning the hard way these drugs dont fix anything

As for your child Its not unheard of for a baby to wriggle around in its cot and its certainly not unheard of having a 2 year old which is full of energy running around endlessly and sometimes erratic Have you ever thought that children growing up are sometimes erratic with different unique tendencies and obviously a child is going to have high energy and slower levels of development than other children as they have different ways of behaving and yes genetics, diet, environment, brain chemistry genetic come into play,

Doesn’t mean they should be stigmatised and offered drugs to correct it. Sometimes these things need to be accepted and balanced out by working around these issues with patience and eventually most of the undesirable elements, the child will naturally outgrow as the body and mind learns to adapt and cultivate these high energy levels in productive channels once they reach maturity or find a field that caters to their temperament.

How can you expect a child to plan and execute without difficulty when they are still so delicately developing in infancy while their brains still forming and mind learning and testing boundaries? What child doesn’t want more enjoyment in speeding things up. What child hasn’t thrown a tantrum and thrown things around? My nephew at 3 pne timewas screaming repetitively non stop for a good few hours and was serious danger to himself, he sometimes acts aggressive towards his parents. These forms of behaviour are undesrible but can be tamed naturally through displine. My nephew struggles to do up his shoes hold glasse corretlly, spell his name a in his little hands but I know as he grows up these things will improve. I not seen one child that hasnt had problems with motor skills as their boduies are still adjusting So maybe it stands to reason that not all of their brain functions will have been at optimum level. Complicating things further through drugs while their brains are still yet developing whose cognitive functions and central nervous system are still in a delicate state of high development is too risky as it interferes with the toddler and child's normal brain functions

Also children are meant to be living and enjoying the moment not worrying about carrying out plans and excueting them as if they have an important job to carry out. or pressurised to focusl solely on meaningless school tasks. They should be encouraged to use that excessive energy in activities
Did you try to change his diet or did you simply believe those studies carried by scientist who have their own agenda believing your son to be in the 90%? Did you try implementing an activity, exercise plan?

Even if those studies are true that parts of the brain under functions? do you not think its dangerous giving children drugs when they are in such a tender age when their brains are still yet developin?

. In my opinion there is no justification putting children who misbehave and have excessive amounts energy on powerful mind stimulants drugs to cover the problem instead of working with the so called illness. You may as well be experimenting with narcotics and giving a child caffeine when they are seem inactive and unable to finish their homework

I’m sorry but all the reasons above simply sound like just how any infant would be behaving. They need discipline however long it requires them to learn right from wrong, it takes times to adjust and implement the correct one suited to the child. This is where practice, patience and tolerance comes in. Pills are counterproductive and only act as short term fix with long term repercussions . Do we even know what these drugs are doing to their brains and how its effecting their long term development and natural growth? Those are the important questions that neeed to be laid out. Parents need tio be educated with new ways to work around behaviour, suich as adapting environment, new parenting techniques, exercise through sports, games until they are tired, modifying diet – cutting out foods which are full of food colouring , preservatives,and drinks which are full of sugar and caffeine and other stimulants - is it any wonder they run wild

instead of looking at studies which support the use of these drug peddlers for justification, We should be looking at bettering their health naturally. Whats most likely going to happen is all these kids diagnosed as ADD ADHD they will grow up being dependant and doped up on medication because the Ritalin/ dexamphetamine will no doubt have side effects, withdrawals and then that same doctor will precribe them with antidepressants when they are older or they will end up being emotionally stunted. There is always a price to pay when we put poison inside our bodies

What I find so hypocritical from western society and the media is the outrage and despair at illegal drug-use. Yet at same time keep silent about drugs such Ritalin which is basically legal speed which is classified in the same category as Opium and morphine and we have children put on this stuff? We seriously need to wake up and realise these doctors are the ones are the ones needing assessing. How can we teach children to say no to mind altering drugs if the government on another hand are sanctifying their use. And why are hyperactive children being prescribed an hyperactive medication?

I personally believe it comes down to diet regardless of those supposed studies Basically if you eat crap food you get a crap attitude. Your liver and other body cleansing organs can only deal with so much rubbish in your body before it becomes overloaded and starts affecting other parts of your body especially if you are allergic to the certain foods and don’t know it. How many kids with so called ADHD are consuming soft drink instead of water, Mcdonalds instead of home cooked meals or are just simply crying out for attention from their parents

The truth is doctors are nothing short of legal drug dealers with qualifications. The more Drs I speak to the little trust I have in them. They are simply narrow minded gits told at Uni what they should believe and do.

. Another crime is there is no proper assessment before they hand out these prescriptions mindlessly. You go into their office and spend 10-15 minutes if your lucky more often even less where they ask a couple of questions and then they diagnose you with a illness that fits their indoctrinated criteria. Some kids as young as 2 are on medication. If the human race is serious about doing something about what is effectively damaging the human race then we have to stop putting Doctors up on pedestals and realise they are only good for treating certain ailments and that the so called food we eat and chemicals we use and breath are causing the very things doctors treat. If we eat organic foods, treat our body with respect in a holistic manner, stop going down the pollutant chemical road that we are on and treat the cause of illness not the symptoms, then we will see a change.

Doctors need to embark on providing and teaching parents/patients with tools,such as books, courses etc on child behaviour management techniques, healthy ways of living and nutrition with which they can learn ways to positively change their child's negative responses to stimuli instead taking the drug route

More importantly Gods laws are being completely ignored and we brainwashed to believe and put our trust in the state who’s only interest is profit and gain in the cost of lives ruined. Most of these doctors should be charged with malpractice who prescribes these drugs to be honest because they destroying lives before they even begin How can doctors justify putting poison into such young children bodies. Doctors should be ashamed of themselves and the government needs to put a halt to this immediately. . We need to ask why these doctors receive benefits from drug companys? It seems to me like it is a conflict of interest there. Doctors are not interested in finding the real issue to any problem these days. They are greedy, money hungry, dont care, dont listen all in the name of a buck from us and pharmo companies. They get you in and out of there in as little time as possible and always with a script. Doctors in my opinion are now at the lower end of the scale of professions I would trust