Posted by ace on March 11, 2003, at 1:08:38
In reply to Re: Atypical OCD - URGENT med suggestions needed NOW!!, posted by Questionmark on March 11, 2003, at 0:53:03
> i agree that a AP trial would be better before getting off Nardil and switching to smthing else, but i'm sure you probably agree w/ that anyway.
> But if you do try an AP, i really suggest you start out with a very low dose, especially since you are not psychotic or anything. i really believe that AP doses are so often too high for people and then they can turn you into little less than a zombie.
> Also, i wanted to mention something to you. Not to be condescending, anxiety-provoking, or discouraging at all, but... i'm convinced that psychiatric drugs can VERY often lose their efficacy after awhile (though it varies widely of course). So make sure you don't waste too much time in your present nardil happiness-- use it to accomplish things that you'd like to and better your life while you can. Not that you aren't of course, but i just wanted to tell you that. Also, i'm not saying you haven't already-- but just in case-- take some time to evaluate whether further med tinkering is really necessary or worth it. i really don't know, cuz i dont know how troublesome your remaining obssv-cmplsv stuff is. But if it's not too bad, i suggest just sticking with what youve got. -Just something to think about.
> Question: you said youre studying psychopharm. or would like to become a psychopharmacologist eventually-- do you know, does this require taking a buttload of chemistry courses (or being a chem major), or can one go another route? You think one could get an undergraduate psychology degree (w/ some chem and bio courses) and then go into grad school on a psychopharm path?I'm in a real hrry so i have only read your question.
Yes, I do indeed wish to become a psychopharmacologist. Now, remember I am in Australia so it could be different. But could be similiar too.
In my time I HAVE studied a LOT of chemistry.
At the moment I am almost about to complete my undergraduate degree (Arts/Science) I have studied Philosophy as part of my Arts section. Next year, provided I get an average mark of credit (I have actually got average Distiction thus far) I will sit a test called the GAMSAT. This test goes for a couple of days, and when you pass you are then allowed to begin a postgraduated medical degree. This is my plan.I should note that you do NOT need any science courses for the test. You just need a credit average in ANY degree. But of course going into med without any knowledge on physics/chemistry/maths/biology is implausible.
But, for instance, you could do an arts degree and study all the science stuff at home. But I chose to study a combo of Arts and science (which of course included chemistry)I actually have studied a fair bit of psychopharmacology at home because of my illness. But the psychopharmacology course I'm doing now at uni is very thorough. When finished I will know the actions of every psychiatric drug down to a tee. I know a bit now, but this course is really exciting me.
Tell me where you are from, your education, and anything else. If you need any help with chemistry/physics we can do it over email.
Take Care, dude
Ace.
poster:ace
thread:207316
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030310/msgs/207959.html