Official Mental Health Thread

[goldendoodle]

Lucem is right, most of these places are terrible and you can practically see the apathy and contempt just dripping off the workers. Last time I was at my clinic, this very bipolar lady gave me the card for the psych nurse at her clinic; she said it was much, much better (and they even offer one on one therapy. Actual therapy) than the places in Baton Rouge so I may do that if/when they're open. It's 45 minutes away, however.

I wonder how my very erratic (I prefer the term whimsical) usage of Latuda might be affecting me. I'm prescribed 60mg, but because it causes bad restless legs I take only half a pill (which doesn't necessarily prevent it but it seems to lessen the chances of waking up with the need to thrash around), and I only take that half a pill every other day. I just hate the fact that a.) it must be taken with food-- at least 350 calories (I am trying to lose 15 lbs and I have guilt spirals when I feel I ate too much), and b.) I HAVE to take it right as I'm falling asleep or else the restlessness will keep me up. So this means I have to eat a meal while falling asleep and I haaaaate eating right before bed, because it makes me wake up groggy. So now it's been 5 days since I've taken any Latuda at all. (I feel fine though.) Can't really do anything about it until my clinic reopens. My doctor there-- although I like her personality-wise-- hardly listens to me anyway. (She doesn't want to put me on more than two medications even though I clearly need anti-anxiety meds and possibly some Lamictal or something, and yes, this was the case even back when I was taking the Latuda correctly as prescribed) I can, however call to get a Lexapro refill.

Spoiler for melodramatic whining about minor medication induced weight gain:

But the Lexapro contributed to the weight gain, so I don't know what to do.

And yes, I realize that many, many psych meds (especially antipsychotics) tend to cause weight gain, so even if I switch from Latuda to something else, there's no avoiding it. It's just so frustrating because I will apparently have to resort to something extreme (and miserable) like the keto diet in order to be in the weight range I prefer. (Intermittent fasting didn't work, exercise didn't work, and running just resulted in me immediately injuring myself, but I will try that again once our A/C is repaired) On the various crazy people forums I frequent, people like to point out that weight gain is worth it if it means you're sane and happy and functional, but it still drives me crazy, because my weight used to be the one thing I could control about my life/body and now I can't. I realize I am being over dramatic, but when I am over a certain weight, I develop puffy potato face syndrome which is very bad for my self-esteem since I already have the bone structure of a Bob's Burgers character.

Mainly I'm super terrified of developing permanent akathisia.

Originally Posted by Raime

Has anyone here tried to ween themselves off of depression medication? I want to see what I'm like after the withdraw symptoms from Cymbalta have gone away, but I'm on day 5 of not taking it and I'm getting hit pretty hard today. I figured I'd block out as much negative **** as I can, so I deleted my social media accounts to help.

All the time. I very recently stopped my Lexapro cold turkey, and it wasn't unbearable; my main withdrawal symptom was this constant head-swooshy (I'm sorry, that's the best I can describe it) feeling plus the occasional low-grade fever. But the time before that, I just started taking half a dose for a couple weeks, and then stopped completely and that seemed to work out okay. What all withdrawal symptoms are you getting?

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by Lucem Ferre

I've literally been robbed at gun point before and this is worse.

I talked my way out of being robbed or shot, these people are more ruthless than gang members.

Yes, as through this world I've wandered
I've seen lots of funny men;
Some will rob you with a six-gun,
And some with a fountain pen.

And as through your life you travel,
Yes, as through your life you roam,
You won't never see an outlaw
Drive a family from their home.

Woody Guthrie

[Raime]

Originally Posted by goldendoodle

All the time. I very recently stopped my Lexapro cold turkey, and it wasn't unbearable; my main withdrawal symptom was this constant head-swooshy (I'm sorry, that's the best I can describe it) feeling plus the occasional low-grade fever. But the time before that, I just started taking half a dose for a couple weeks, and then stopped completely and that seemed to work out okay. What all withdrawal symptoms are you getting?

I get super lightheaded, body aches, irritability, shakes, suicidal thoughts. I get the last one is bad, but I know it's because of the withdraw effects, and as long as I realize it'll get better once I get past them. I've really grown to hate Cymbalta mainly because how awful withdraw is. I've been on dozens of medications throughout my life, and it's probably the worst withdraw wise.

[WWWP]

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as insensitive. Was drinking and felt VERY concerned about Alex's brain chemistry. I know it's not as simple elsewhere. Still, if you are going to ween yourself, it's better to do it Chio's way - gradually. Btw Chio the head-whooshies are often called brain zaps or brain shivers. I think all three describe it pretty well.

[goldendoodle]

Ohhh, I didn't know that head swooshies are the same as brain zaps. I hear people talk about brain zaps a lot.

I've personally only ever had withdrawal symptoms from SSRIs, never any other type of meds. Actually really only Lexapro.

[Marie Monday]

Jesus christ, all those side effects are horrible.
Chio, I don't think you're being overdramatic about the weight gain. That **** can have a serious impact on your mental health. And even restless legs are the worst, I've been cursed with those all my life for some reason

[Lucem Ferre]

Brain shivers? Is that what I've been getting?

[goldendoodle]

Originally Posted by MarieMarie

Jesus christ, all those side effects are horrible.
Chio, I don't think you're being overdramatic about the weight gain. That **** can have a serious impact on your mental health. And even restless legs are the worst, I've been cursed with those all my life for some reason

Oh no, have you tried any supplements or anything for the restless legs? Magnesium is supposed to help. (Didn't for me with the Latuda legs though) And I think there's a medication that can be prescribed for it but I can't recall the name.

Wellbutrin was the worst for me in terms of side effects.. (but of course it was the best in terms of treating the depression.. Sigh) mania and hallucinations. (edit: I miss being able to talk to house plants though.)

[Marie Monday]

I didn't know that, I might try magnesium.
I can imagine that medication that has a stronger positive effect also has stronger side effects
Did the plants talk back?

[goldendoodle]

Originally Posted by MarieMarie

I didn't know that, I might try magnesium.
I can imagine that medication that has a stronger positive effect also has stronger side effects
Did the plants talk back?

Usually they'd just say "hello" very politely and quietly when I passed. They weren't super talkative (they had their own little plant language and made a pigeon-like cooing sound), but they were very nice.