I am struggling with bad thouhgts that get severe. Can I make it through with out meds. I am afraid of them making it worse. I feel like I am never going to get better. The bad thoughts kick in and last for a couple of hours sometimes. I go to pschologists tomorrow night. Can I make it through without meds. Or do I need to give them a chance. I need the help.
Basically, the only way to get rid of bad thoughts without meds is to condition yourself to think of something else as soon as the bad thoughts start coming, so that you don't think of the bad thoughts. This is easier said than done...this is learnt through relaxation therapy, or better yet, CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), etc... CBT is something that your psychologist can help you learn. If you can't do that, then meds might be the only answer.
Take care,
__________________
Life should not be measured by how many breath we take, but by how many moments take our breath away
Last edited by ritzylady77; 10-12-2005 at 04:00 PM.
What do you mean by bad thought? Do you mean you are negative and a pesimist(sp?) Or are you talking bad thoughts like hurting yourself or something like that? If it is the second thing I would probably say FOR NOW you should get yourself on something that is going to help you stop them before you get too bad.
If it is the negative thinking, CBT can help you break that thought pattern but it is a LONG road and maybe some meds will help make it easier along the way.
I think the only way to permantly get rid of depression or learn how to cope effectively with it is through therapy. Learning to change the ay we think and stop thought patterns can make such a difference. However, in my case, the meds have given me a bit of a jump start which made it easier to see that good things do exist in my life and that I can make them exist. I've been on them for about a year and my dr thinks I'll be off in about 6 more months. I was really afraid to start them because I didn't want to become dependant, or have a bigger disappointment once I went off them. I've had periods where they've upped my dosage but now I'm down to 20mgs which is fairly low. Don't be afraid to tell your Dr about your fears, they helped me to understand a lot of things I thought before hand were actually false or more the exception then the rule. I think as long as you stay in good contact with your dr you're in good hands. Remember that if you have an illness that is disrupting your life such as a stomach ulcer or bowel problems, you would take medication until you were through it...its no different other then the problem is in our brain. Good luck!! Its never an easy choice.
Meds have no effects on bad thoughts as far as I know. They however sometimes produce an improvement in experience, changing the context, so the bad thoughts are no longer the natural position. This assumes that the bad thoughts are due to bad mood/experience. After all, if you feel low in mood, bad thoughts are a natural response and if you stop feeling low in mood, your thoughts should slowly become rearranged so they are centered on more positivity. That's my understanding anyway.
I do not know how much meds help or not as it comes to certain bad thoughts. I took Zyprexa for awhile, which is an antipsycotic, and it helped somewhat with the paranoia I was experiencing but was not overly helpful anywhere else and it was quickly bottoming out. Right now I take two AD's plus a couple more meds and I still have negative thoughts going from bad to severe. Counselling/therapy would definately help when you find the one that suits you best, and maybe the meds in addition would make it easier but I really do not know
