Medicating AS - depression and anxiety.

Post Reply New Topic

As a neuroscientist, I am 100% for medication whenever it is needed. I do feel that medication is being overprescribed today, but for people who really need it, medication is the best solution. All neuropsych disorders are neurobiological in nature, so it is only right to treat the abnormal brain chemistry, in my opinion. It took me years to find the right medication for my OCD and panic attacks, but I found it in 2008 with Anafranil (clomipramine), the original OCD medication. I'm entirely convinced that Anafranil works for me, a severe case of OCD/anxiety, because it is NOT an SSRI. Yes, it works on serotonin reuptake much more than the other tricyclic anti-depressants (the reason serotonin started to be looked at for OCD in the first place), but it is NOT selective to serotonin. Many other neurotransmitters are affected by Anafranil. I feel that serotonin is being looked at as the "answer" to OCD and depression too much lately, especially when only 40-60% of OCD patients respond to an SSRI alone.

I have tried Anafranil in the past. The side effects we're also overwhelming. The problem is that my system is very sensitive. I have the same reactions to other medications, such as antibiotics. There is not a antibiotic I can take for over a week without breaking out in red rashes, sweats, shakes and hives. Even some cheap vitamins can make me sick. If I don't rinse my own sweat off of me after working out, I will break out in red hives within a few hours. Its not the medication, its my system.

I just started on Effexor for depression. I have some euphoria today that might be from effexor. I was also put on lorazapam for anxiety and tamazepam for insomnia. I realise those 2 are benzos and are addictive. I will only be on them temporarily. Hopefully it helps to stop all the agitation I have had lately. I don't want to keep punching things.