[Secretum]

Anyone here med-free? I recently went off my meds because they were sedating and caused weight-gain. Are there any ways to treat/prevent psychosis without meds? If you are med-free, how do you cope with both psychosis and mood issues? I'm thinking of getting a light box for winter depression.

[Rapunzel]

Talk to your doctor about medications with less side effects. There are newer meds that are better. And work with a therapist on monitoring and recognizing and coping with psychosis. Make sure that there is at least one support person (friend or family member) in your life who is able to help you to identify symptoms and who you will listen to if they tell you that you need to get help. What is your track record for relapsing if you are off medication? Side effects can be a pain, but what could happen if you have an episode and you are not using any meds? Are side effects worse than consequences like hospitalization if that is something that could happen?

[vmsmith]

I hate my side-effects as well... but my meds work well. Well enough, in fact that I usually feel like I am perfectly normal and don't need them!

I have tried a couple of times to come off my meds. It always seems like a good idea to me! But my moods are so extreme, it is hard to function. I have 2 kids at home and they need me to be functioning.

[NanuConfused]

For about four days I just tried to stop taking my Zyprexa but I was scaring myself with harmful thoughts and impulses so I'm back on it now.

[insilence]

ive found both internal and external methods are needed.

[worthit]

I was Schizoaffective for 30 years without treatment. It was a terrible life for me. I've worked with my pdoc and have tried around 20 different meds and like what I'm on now although I still have symptoms and every day is different. Therapy and group workshops have helped a lot as well as reading about my illness.

[HoboofOside]

Originally Posted by Secretum

Anyone here med-free? I recently went off my meds because they were sedating and caused weight-gain. Are there any ways to treat/prevent psychosis without meds? If you are med-free, how do you cope with both psychosis and mood issues? I'm thinking of getting a light box for winter depression.

I have the Schizoaffective Disorder w/Bipolar Since 6/1994 to today
and ADHD Since 1971 and I lost my Doctor after 2/2010 of 10yrs
by a $200.00 Co-Pay on Medicare A,B,D and Medicaid=Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal=California Medicaid and I get SSI and SSDI
and I had a Had time finding a Doctor that takes Medicare/Medi-Cal
and when I seen my old Doctor in 1/2010 he gave me pills+3 Refills
and when my Refills was looking for a new Doctor by dec2010
my mood swings, paranoia, manic Episodes and was Depressed a bit
and it got in the Hospital for 2 weeks+ and Day Treatment
and I was getting ready to move from San Diego, CA to Oceanside, CA
Bugout of a Big City and I had to see a Doctor at
San Diego County Mental Health this when I lost my trust with
Doctor's and It is not easy for me not being on meds

I had a Review from Social Security Admins since I had no Doctor
they sent me to there Doctor at QTC Medial Group said I am no
longer Disabled as of 6/2014

I have a new Doctor and back meds "Invega ER 6mg"
and I told him what SSA Doctor Said and he said to me
I am Disabled and when I get paper from SSA he will sign it that
I am Disabled and I got on SSI and SSDI in 11/1994

for me I am going to take my Meds

Tim

[Secretum]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm back on zyprexa because I couldn't sleep without it, and when I don't sleep I get nauseous. I'll try to go off it later, with my pdoc's help.

[vailjanine]

Originally Posted by Secretum

Anyone here med-free? I recently went off my meds because they were sedating and caused weight-gain. Are there any ways to treat/prevent psychosis without meds? If you are med-free, how do you cope with both psychosis and mood issues? I'm thinking of getting a light box for winter depression.

Have you tried medical Marijuana by chance? My son was recently diagnosed and has been using CBD (cannabediol) every day and it has really helped him with his anxiety. It is a non-THC substance, so you can actually order it online. Do a google search on "CBDs for schizoaffective disorder" and see what you think! Good luck.

[TaterChip]

I went off my meds for a bit and it was okay until I started getting stressed, also I'm coming onto a good age for developing mental disorders, so thhat might be part of it. I've gotten worse in every way but depression. Anger explosions, hyperactivity, mania, everything like that. anyways, im on Geodon now and im getting better. id prefer no meds too. look into that cannabinoid thing someone brought up. I wish you the best, friend.

[vailjanine]

Originally Posted by Secretum

Anyone here med-free? I recently went off my meds because they were sedating and caused weight-gain. Are there any ways to treat/prevent psychosis without meds? If you are med-free, how do you cope with both psychosis and mood issues? I'm thinking of getting a light box for winter depression.

Have you tried Cannebediol? Or CBD? It's a component of Marijuana without THC that has been proving to help people with this disorder, and even Schizophrenia. My son was recently diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder, and he's been taking this daily and it's really helped him. You can buy it online, because it is not considered "Marijuana". It's not cheap, though, so we got him his medical Marijuana license to get it cheaper, and we live in Colorado, so it's readily available.

Here's an article you might find interesting:

Cannabidiol: The side of marijuana you don't know
48
By Jack Giddingson, November 20, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Cannabidiol: The side of marijuana you don't know
If there's a marijuana-related compound you've heard of, it's likely Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
THC is what makes you high and the reason most recreational users partake. What most don't know is the medicinal value of the plant comes mostly from a different source:cannabidiol.
Cannibidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of marijuana that possesses a wide range of therapeutic benefits. When present in high quantities, CBD enhances THC's positive effects while negating many of the negatives. It's clear both cannabanoids coexist in the plant for a reason, often acting synergistically.
The problem is growers realized decades ago that THC is what sells; it provides the floating, euphoric feeling people associate with marijuana. In order to enhance THC content, CBD has been bred out of many strains, leaving users with a highly psychoactive experience but not necessarily the healthiest, especially for those with preexisting mental disorders.
This cannabanoid-reliant difference is demonstrated in this video: THC/CBD vs. THC alone
Thankfully, the objective of growers is beginning to change. Recent research suggests CBD is the most important part of the plant and growers/medical dispensaries have increased their focus on high-CBD strains, oils, edibles and tinctures.
Here are some things that should prompt us to give CBD a much closer look...

CBD reverses alcohol-induced brain damage.
According to a recent University of Kentucky study, cannabidiol can prompt physiological brain changes that could help offset the damage caused by chronic alcoholism. The study found that administration of CBD resulted in a 48.8% reduction in entorhinal cortex neurodegeneration. Stoners have known forever that a few tokes provide incredible hangover relief, but this study takes the therapeutic potential of cannabanoids to a whole new level.
CBD is a very effective treatment option for severe social anxiety.
Many people claim to find relief from anxiety with marijuana while others say the opposite. It appears CBD content may be the deciding variable.
A study aimed at determining CBD's impact on social anxiety in public speaking demonstrated that those pretreated with CBD experienced significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment and discomfort during their speech performance. The placebo group experienced noticeably higher levels of anxiety and discomfort. The study's authors stress that CBD holds many advantages over standard social anxiety treatments such as anti-depressants due to its quick onset of efficiency and absence of severe withdrawal symptoms or side effects.
CBD "turns off" the cancer gene found in metastasis.
Scientists at California Pacific Medical Center found that CBD turns off a gene that causes cancer cells to metastasize, or spread. This finding adds credibility to the growing evidence that marijuana is one of the best things a cancer patient can consume, whether for symptom relief or actual prevention. It also makes UCLA's marijuana-doesn't-cause-lung-cancer study that much more interesting; is it possible the cannabanoids themselves offset the carcinogens found in smoke? Could marijuana truly be anti-cancer?
CBD is a potent anti-psychotic medicine.
A clinical trial in Germany found CBD to be as effective in treating schizophrenia as common antipsychotic medication with far fewer side effects. This further clarifies the yin-yang relationship of marijuana, since THC has been shown to trigger psychosis in high doses. CBD is what offsets the negative mental effects of THC alone, and thus, should be the focus of any marijuana user with a history of mental illness.
Last but not least...it's LEGAL!
That's right! If you're an American reading this right now, you can have a CBD-infused product sent to your home safely and legally. CBD is consumed in a variety of forms including oil, tinctures, edibles, capsules, lotion and even chewing gum. My personal favorite place to shop for CBD is Bayshore Botanicals.

There you have it. If you suffer from anxiety, stress, pain or want to take preventative steps against cancer (ie. if you're a human being), you may want to give CBD a try.