any meds that help?

Hi.
I've recently been diagnosed with avpd.
I know popping a pill cant fix a personality disorder. (In my case anitidepressants and benzodiazepines dont even help with my psychiatric issues)

However surely something must help a bit?
Ive been researching and there is precious little annecdotal information on avpd and meds or drugs. And virtually no official studies.
This really is a neglected, understudied disorder.
This and bdd... two of the most painful mental illnesses... why i wander.

My personal experience with meds and my avpd
is only amphetamine helped. Ive done it twice.
Drug wise... alcohol helps (screws up more than it helps however)
I have had good experiences with psilocybin. But im too fragile mentally to get back in the water with psychedelics.. and you cant take them every day anyhow.

Now everything else just makes me numb if it 'helps'.. or doesnt affect my very low feelings about myself.
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Through my reading ive discovered a few people reporting Ritalin aka: methylphenidate to significantly help their avpd symptoms. These people also report amphetamine helping in the same way.
These are widely considered adhd meds.

Gabapentin may also help....

Im Desperate for something... not a cure, just something to help.
Maybe it could give me enough of an energy lift to 'get on with life...'

Im tempted to just go onto a high dose antipsychotic and try and forget about life. But id like to try out some alternatives first. But i am reaching the end of what i can cope with.

What works for you? Prescribed or illicit. Id love to know.

Final note; im pretty sure cannabis makes avpd soo much worse. Its been the subatance ive used most however. As it allows me to be comfortable avoiding. Going out stoned tends to caise me great discomfort and panic attacks.
I want something thatll calm me abit... slow down my thoughts.. or at least allow me to concentrate on one thing at a time (im normally very busy mentally...) - i want energy and confidence. I think i want a stimulant..
Regards
c5

I have AVP too. I Second the fact that it's exquisitely painful. The best thing I've found is meditation. It takes faith bravery and practice but can be very powerful. I also found that cannabis just ended up making everything worse especially when used daily. I've also learned that unlike physical illness, where it's essential to find the root cause that mental health is different especially with a PD. It's okay to focus on and treat the most debilitating symptoms directly.

have you ever considered an antipsychotic like seroquel, or zyprexa. even latuda may help slow down these thoughts.
feel free to contact me.

Thanks for the replies.
Yeah.. weed daily is terrible with this illness. I end up hurting my back as im trying to curl into a ball / shrink out of existence.. when in public

I totally agree on meditation. It does have a profound effect. And it does get more easily accessible the more you do it and start living your day mindfully.

Antipsychotics are the one class of meds im terrified of. The side effect profile is too much for me. I did try the lowest dose of olanzapine once and i was annoyed at how well it worked. (I kindove wanted it not to work so i didnt feel i was missing out on it)
With my conorbid issues- some of the potential long-term side effects are too ominous for me to accept the med. Youre right tamster. It really did slow down my thoughts majorly.. it was quite blissful in that regard.
But my heath anxiety, ocd, bdd combo stops me from allowing myself to take the medication... i wish i wasnt so terrified of this class. I could see it benefiting me.

Ive got a medication review coming up. Im going to try asking for gabapentin, then methylphenidate (ha... not going to happen... one can but try) and then ill enquire about antipsychotics again.

All the best. If i personally find some pharmaceutical or alternate psychoactive i think is beneficial i will update this thread.


Regards

C5

Hi I just joined the group and did a few tests and I was not surprised about the test on avpd and I am interesting in learning if there are any meds. that may help me. I am on Vyvanse 60 mg. for ADHD but I have been on the same dose for 7 yrs. and find that it is not working as good as it did when I first started.Should I enquirer about a dosage increase...or are there newer meds. for ADHD. It is very helpful in getting me started in my day as I have issues with chronic fatigue. I appreciate any feedback in this matter.