Medication - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Message Board

mk25 · 05-06-2006, 08:06 PM

I am a survivor of a sexual assault. I've had PTSD for about 2 and a half years now. I haven't been to therapists because.. well.. I kind of hate them, haha. Helpful attitude, I know, but you have to realize that I went through extensive forensics exams after the attack. Any kind of doctor's office is a nightmare for me.

Anyway, I'm finally going to see a psychiatrist in June and I'd like any advice you all may have about medication. I want to avoid as many side-effects as possible, especially weight gain & drowsiness.

Side-note: I take 10 or 20 mg adderall for ADD. Not sure if that changes anything.

popples2006 · 05-09-2006, 09:35 PM

Hello,

Sorry to hear that. I have suffered emotional and physical abuse most of my childhood and then sexual abuse about 3 years ago. this is an extremely traumatic event. I commend you for reporting the issue because unfortunately I didn't have that strength. I commend you for seeking out help in june, but make sure you want to go because if you don't then you can't make a true commitment and will probably stop going when memories start coming back. I take zoloft 50mg daily and suffer from no side effects. It has done wonders for me. I tried seeing someone, but it wasn't for me. after a long time of going through the memories and I still have them, I have been able to understand it and go on. Although I have not forgotten the taste, smell, sounds and feelings, I have gotten to a pointe that I have accepted and have grown from it. Since then I have taken self defense classes that even if the other person out weighs you or you know them, they help you take take control and give you more options to try and help yourself. I have also found great strength in people, by telling them what happened and the reasons why i react to certain people and situations, so that they know and understand. Find yourself a great support group, whether it be fellow victims, or friends/family. You need to find a way to get through this and I'm sure you will find that way. Just be patient and take one day at a time. If there is someone (i.e. men) that you are uncomfortable with then make sure you have someone you are comfortable with that knows this and it will help greatly. I don't know your scenerio but I now carry pepper spray on my keys and practice my self defense daily. Good Luck through this journey.

jenbrugg · 05-10-2006, 08:35 PM

hi MK 25
been there too(PTSD for 3yrs from sexual assault and several traumas as a child). Im on meds (CELEXA and Xanax) and im kinda still up in the air about wether or not they are for me. some days i feel no better than usual so i cant be sure if they even work. i personally dont think anyone really knows if they will work until they try them. i would rather not be on meds but if they can make my life easier i'll stick wth them. I also do not like therapists but in my experience you are better off with them than without. I have gone through several different therapists and even started with a new one this week. My motto is that you have to find someone you feel comfortable with or it wont work. you wll not be able to open up to this person enought for them to help you. I say research your problems, get some insight on what you are dealing with and then you will be abl to lead the therapist to see what your specific needs are. And hey, if you dont feel comfortable just say so. a therapist above anyone else knows how to deal with people's emotions. they provide a service and are trained to be compassionate. I commend you for your strenght in reporting your assault. I was too scared of hurting people (family friend was assailant), so I did nothing. I am sure it was very difficult and unfortunatly you felt even more degraded after the fact. I do want you to have hope ( i know its hard) because after all you have to live with the things in your head and you can make things better for yourself. hang in there. i find even recognition from other people to validate your experience can make you feel alot better.
good luck jen

mk25 · 05-26-2006, 04:39 AM

Yeah.. what happened to me was really horrible and very public. Newspapers, TV. It happened at school. I doubt you can even imagine the way people treated me. All I wanted to do was crawl under a rock and hide.. which is basically what I have done for the past two years. I'm going back to school soon but I'm worried it will make things worse. I wish I could wake up and pretend it had never happened, haha. Too bad there is nothing to erase your memory.

trg247 · 05-31-2006, 12:21 AM

One of the meds to look at is Wellbutrin, it has been reported to have minor side effects. I take it in my cocktail for the last six months with no problems

take care
trg247