๐
make sure you're looking into otc and prescription meds before you take them, I've learned that most doctors outside of psychiatrists don't know what medications they prescribe or reccomend can trigger mania or psychosis. when my dermatologist prescribed a steroid pill since my dermatitis was worse than usual, I became very manic and my psychiatrist confirmed it was the steroids. they can be found in nasal sprays as well, which brings me to where I am now
I have a sinus infection and I know I can't get anything like that and my doctor won't give me a prescription anyway since I haven't been symptomatic for over a week, so I try sudafed. I make sure I don't take more than the reccomended dose throughout the day but when I'm trying to sleep I literally cannot sleep for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time, if I get to sleep at all. when I get up in the morning, I see side effects like insomnia, anxiety, irritation, hallucinations, and some other things and alarm bells are going off in my brain and, sure enough, it's a stimulant
all this to say, I'm okay and I'm calming down lol (plus I believe it was just hypomania since I didn't take it for days). I'm blessed enough to be self aware a lot of the time since I got my diagnosis but I know a lot of us aren't, so please, please, PLEASE, look into any meds you're taking, even if it seems silly. the thought didn't even cross my mind, especially because I was sick and delirious for like two days lol. and as well, the effects of medication like this varies from person to person, but we are at a higher risk and if it's something that could potentially trigger mania, I'd say it's better to be safe than sorry
Feb 11, 2025
Related Recs
๐
thats right you shouldnt be blindly following the advice of one person -- to take medication safely you have to talk to a psychiatrist (not a therapist, it is a psychiatrist that studies and prescribes medications) and you need to talk to more than one. medication is not one size fits all and different medications, as well as dosages, work differently for everyone. one person might feel GREAT on the same pill and dosage that makes someone else feel worse. Some people may feel no difference and may need to up the dosage or even take an entirely different medication. to go down the road of taking medication, you need to work with a psychiatrist, not just one time, but that same psychiatrist you pick over a long period. You should be meeting at least twice monthly to discuss your medication and if you are feeling any changes/having any struggles/think something feels off. This is so you can adjust your medication over time just like your body's reaction may change over time, so that you and your psychiatrist can always make sure the way you're taking medication, what you're taking, and what dosage you're taking is something that works for you specifically. Of course, some psychiatrists may be... more incompetent than others. I've had ones that straight up don't listen to me for so long that is was only 2 years ago I managed to get one that actually prescribed me medication that's specifically for insomnia instead of just MORE melantonin (which never works.) But now I've been able to sleep every night! Also, the psychiatrist before that put me on a main depression medication that really helped me out emotionally, but made me gain way too much weight over the year and a half I was taking it as a side effect. My mom blamed it on me and said I wasn't eating right and didn't excercise enough even though I was the one who was excercising the most out of my family. After I talked to my new psychiatrist about this, he switched the medication I was taking for my depression to something else that worked for me but didn't have that side effect. And I lost the weight. (of course there's still a permanent "pouch" I have as a lasting leftover ,, ) But he was able to pinpoint the problem and solve it.
That medication I started taking could have had another side effect as well -- rashes on wrists or ankles, and so my doctor told me to look out for any rashes. If I started getting them, I'd have to switch the medication or dosage.
I didn't get the rashes, but someone else could -- just like while I gained weight on the other medication, someone else might not gain weight on that same medication.
Anyways, medication is very complicated, and can be very helpful OR very dangerous in their side effects and how compatible they are with you.
You should talk to many psychiatrists and doctors about this and remember ---
Don't believe the words of only a single person just because they are a verified professional. Everyone makes mistakes. If you feel like something is wrong with the medication you are taking, (if you do decide to take medication ) speak up, and find a psychiatrist who listens to you intently and tends to make choices of medication that work for you. A good psychiatrist will listen intently when you describe how your mind and body has been feeling when on medication and at the times you are taking it, and will try to infer from that information what may be causing side effects or what kind of medication may work for you. They will be able to tell you when to up or lower the dosage accurately and they will even tell you what time of day to take medication.
The more they know about it, the better. Knowledge is power!
I know this was long, but I hope it helped in some way.
At the end of the day, the decision is up to you!
PS: In my experience, I wouldn't be able to "function" in "normal" society without medication, nor survive my bouts of panic. Also, because of my insomnia, without medication, I wouldn't be able to fall asleep, period. I am really thankful for medication, but everyone is different.
Feb 15, 2024
๐ง
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 doesnโt 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 itโs 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.
Feb 15, 2024
i used to be so scared of taking meds, Iโd had a history of bad reactions to anti anxiety medication. but my adhd meds have been completely life changing. they are the only thing that has ever helped my ME/CFS and I am the most functioning I have been in 6 years. Donโt be scared to try things that might help, cause if they work boy can they work! Iโm so grateful for them this morning!
Jan 27, 2024
Top Recs from @soulful_old_man_sunshine
I was bullied a lot for my eye color as a kid (because me having very dark brown hair and very dark brown eyes made me look "evil", apparently) and, naturally, began to dislike them. but as I've gotten out of school and away from people who put me down, I've realized how insane it is to bully someone over their eye and hair color and grown to love the color of my eyes. I mean, they may be dark but there's nothing wrong with that. and I can take pretty pictures of my eyes too, I just have to blind myself and almost stare into the sun to do so lol
Feb 27, 2025
๐
recently, when I wake up in the morning and have time to kill, I've been spending a bit of time reading before or after I get myself ready to go about the day instead of sitting on my phone when I first wake up. I feel like it helps clear my mind for the day and it feels nice to not immediately scroll when I wake up like I used to
Feb 5, 2025
"yap" about the things that interest you all you want; enjoy your hobbies and pour your heart into them, stop worrying about if what you're into is "cringe"; if your friends don't like your hobbies/interests and put you down for enjoying them, find people that will; surround yourself with people you love who love you back and you will be so much happier than the people that are so quick to put others down for pursuing their happiness
Feb 8, 2025