a question for DIDer's...meds

Have you given any thought to whether meds really are appropriate treatment for DID?

Are the A/D's... helpful... and things like Xanax????

I have very mixed feelings... right now about my meds.. and just wondered... if you all feel that meds help you... or hurt you.. are even make any impact...

Thanks.... much to all the respond...

IMO - I do believe that all the meds I was on in the beginning (after my break down) hindered me from recovering from my DID for it kept all of us at bay as far as our feelings and inner pains were concerned........ plus my first T (a DID Specialist) said she felt meds were not a valid form of treatment for DID.

When I was in the early stages of therapy, I was on several meds from a p'doc. I went off of them not long after I began therapy, though.

No, AD's were not an option for me because by the time they'd start to work, I or a part of me would feel better and there was no need. I had to learn to manage through the depressions.

Xanax did help me when I needed it back then. it was quick in and quick out...works much better with switching because of that. However, a DID'er has to be really, really careful with meds for a number of reasons. If you're not used to taking maintenance drugs, you should consider that another person hold them for you until the whole is educated about them.

So, to wrap up, no AD's didn't work because usually it was a part of me depressed and that would resolve long before the AD's would have a chance to work. The fast acting meds for anxiety and panic did help alot though when I needed them because they're in and out so quickly and really work well.

I hope that helps?

Good luck!

KD

Thank you... thank you... both of you...

You have so so confirmed... what I am feeling.... that DIDer's... that the AD's don't work...when you are working with alters.. and they are working on their issues... the depression passes...

and I have finally found the "right" T...

I know that people... can be offended by what I just said... it is... just meant for me... personally... so please if meds help you... continue....

For me... I am going to start... the very slow.. slow... wean off Paxil... may take me a couple of years... because my last 5 attempts were unsuccessful... but I know I will make it...

take your time , we are here to help you , you'll never be alone, I'm on meds for bi-polar sometimes they work sometimes not, but as long as we all stick together anything is possible
Angie

thank you so much sweetie

i agree with kimmy on this one.. although prozac helped me what it did was numb the alters so i couldnt really heal or get much work done in the way of T .. im still not well and have to take the prozac to be able to get thru the days but i have been able to be off it and function when T set me up well ... sorry im not making much sense but ultimately the anti-ds wont help alters is what i guess im saying like the rest...

I really do understand what you are saying... and agree... thank you... for answering.... for me... it is now "time"... to w/d from Paxil... it was good in the beginning.. and.. I may have to go back on... but I think "now" is the time to w/d

I have mixed feelings on the subject.

For me, I have other issues that need to be addressed at appropriate times via medications, but it remains to be seen whether or not these meds have a beneficial effect with the DID.

I will say that being on an anti-psychotic(risperidol first and then zyprexa) seemed to bring down my trigger level and lessen the switching that was beyond my control. I don't really know that this is a regular thing however for everyone or just a coincidence for me.

I take meds for bipolar but I am hoping that the invega will help some of the problems with flashbacks and night terrors. We will see.

BB

Oh, good luck, BB!

How are you doing with this Freewill?

KD

hey everyone.... once again.... very sick.. with sore thorat... hurts.........

and... for me now... I began Paxil... because I was very depressed... all of me... my entire system.... I was in a very bad work situation... didn't have a decent T... so it was good for me to be on an A/D... really....

But.. now... I have a good T... who is working with each of my alters.... and I just feel that Paxil.. isn't needed... or perhaps... the wrong med... that I have other physical problems.. and it prevents me from taking meds that I need to for that....

Meds have helped me greatly. I've been on and off a number of A/D's since the age of 15. I've had major depression since the age of 10. For me it's been an issue of being able to function. Without them I wouldn't be able to get out of bed or the house for that matter.

When my major depression hits I can't do anything. Therapy while depressed just doesn't happen. Get depressed and all healing stops. I go numb and not able to even understand what's going on around me, so I can't work on trauma issues in that state. Sometimes I think it's a way to protect everyone inside from dealing with things.
So the A/D's really work for me. I wouldn't be alive right now without them. If the meds work for you then take that help they give you.

I agree... sweetie.... you are really saying what... all of us have....my first major depression was at 13... and there weren't med available in my rural area... way back then..

For me now... the Paxil is a deterrient.... there are other meds for like fibrom... that I would like to take.. and it just doesn't work with the Paxil..

Thanks for "weighing in"...