[mojave_rose8]

I think I have done this, more or less, since my diagnosis eight years ago when I was prescribed Seroquel.

If I am feeling depressed and want to stay in bed, I will take Seroquel (or Geodon) in the middle of the day -- it never had any other effect on me other than sleepiness -- and take 4-5 hour naps. Actually, the Geodon can put me out for 15 hours straight, even at a small dose.

Depression is easier to deal with when you're not aware it's there.

Anyone else guilty of this?

[katgalaxy8606]

I am in my early 20's...when I was diagnosed at 19, I was prescribed a hefty dose of Trazadone that I began abusing once I knew its power. I broke up with my boyfriend about 6 months after I began being prescribed the Trazadone and I would take it any time I wanted to, even in the middle of the day, because I was depressed and/or wanted to waste some time. After I ran out of the prescription I had (once I started really abusing), I never asked for another one again. I just don't feel right doing that to myself even though it's convenient at the time. I don't want to have the temptation.

I used to take Seroquel but never thought of taking it in the middle of the day. I was 19-20 and was never aware I could do that although honestly I might have if I would have known. The only time Seroquel really knocked me out at night were the first few times I took it. After a while it wore off but I can see how it might be different during the day. I stopped taking Seroquel at about 20 because I didn't see that it was helping me and didn't like the weight gain aspect--not sure if it was really the right choice to get off of that med at the time but the meds I'm on right now are pretty good.

Anyway, that's my story

-KAT

[manic most days]

I just called and asked if I could take 50 mg of seroquil, it's mid day omg!!!! They told me yes I could when I just told them I was tired.... I've always followed my Dr's orders on meds.

[hamster-bamster]

I've never abused meds. Geodon would not have that soporific effect on me. I take 160 mg at dinnertime and am completely awake after taking it, and then must have Amitriptyline at bedtime - without it I would not fall asleep.

But I can see how one would want to sleep through depression.

No, Mojave, but I have sleep apnea and nothing restores the body's energy and quality of life more effectively than good, deep REM sleep.

I would discuss that with your psychiatrist who might recommend a sleep apnea test. It's well worth it to learn if you are missing Rem sleep.

Genetic

[Trippin2.0]

LoOng before I was medicated, as a teen, I'd swallow a bunch of anything that listed 'drowsiness' as a side effect. Couldnt deal with the inexplainable depressions or sudden rages. So yes, I'm well known for tranq-ing myself. Once I knocked myself out for 22hrs at age 17... When I was medicated tho, nope, but thats bcos I trust painkillers & antihistimines a hellva lot more than psych meds. Afterall, I do have a long history with them, and dont have to guess about dosage and consequence...

[Passion222]

I never abused the meds. Just drank alot. That made my depression either better or really worse.

[Mollie May]

Who doesn't just want to sleep through it? Xanax often helped me with that. I eventually had to ask my doctor to give me a lower dosage that would manage my anxiety without knocking me out. Then, I got switched to Ativan, which affects me differently--and keeps me awake through whatever.

[BlackPup]

Definitely have knocked myself out with sleeping tabs when depressed but if the sleep doesn't make things seem better the next day I make myself get out side and go for a walk.

[Victoria'smom]

I take sleeping medication "for my safety" when my dilutions involve hurting myself or others, switching my schedule to human hours or don't want to deal food. So 1-2x a week I do.

[Anika.]

I have in the past yes. I have also noticed I have done the same with advil or other meds. If I had advil in the house I would take it for headache relief, and then I would start taking more often for headaches or pains that I could have worked through without medication. I also noticed that I would have headaches more and more often.

It's tempting to sleep through depression, or anxiety and discomfort, but when you wake up, it's still present. It needs to be worked through. If you are not really aware it is there, from medicating it out, you are not really dealing with it, kinda like putting a bandaide over it. I think most of us have probably done this a lot.


I found it helpful to only have a very small ammount of medication on hand, so that I was more aware of why and when I was taking it. And allowed myself more time to.work through what I could. That might be of some help, if you had less on hand.

[canacrip]

I am trying not to. I have for years. I want to check out. I long for sleep. Depressin does that. Now, I want to find a better way of coping than just losing consciousness. It's counterproductive. I'd wake up and feel like crap and nothing has improved. I'd just feel worse, which would make me want to keep abusing my meds and use other drugs that aren't prescribed to me. Anything to not feel! It doesn't work. Don't do it. It just doesn't make anything better. Talk to doc about sleep issues, but don't self-medicate.

[sugahorse1]

I sometimes have. With either sleeping meds or Benzos.

[cocoabeans]

Yes, I have.

If I'm depressed, I don't really need to because I can just sleep and sleep but, say I've got some anxiety going on with that depression or some unexplicable energy going on sure, I'll take more than prescribed and for fun and relief from that ****ing energy that makes me feel like my bones will run from my skin leaving me a spread out pile of guts and fun really since when I'm like that none of the drugs I've been prescribed actually work to put me to sleep!

As for "working out the depression" don't feel it is needed. Why? It will spontaneously lift, benefits of bipolar and being down for no ******* reason. Life is good so fml, right?

Give me bandaids 'til then.