Posted by Pfinstegg on September 22, 2003, at 16:56:54
In reply to PTSD (was Re: Nardil and the end of a long road.), posted by Michael D2 on September 22, 2003, at 14:45:05
You've got such a tough situation. I, also, have PTSD from childhood physical and sexual abuse, with a lot of associated depression, anxiety and intermittent derealization and dissociation. The things which have helped me the most are 1) a psychoanalytically-oriented therapist who specializes in treating severe childhood trauma, 2) TMS, which only lasts a few months, but is extremely helpful in keeping depression at bay, and does not seem to have any negative side effects at all and 3) using T3 and T4 to keep my TSH levels at 0.5 or lower- this thyroid supplementation has been an excellent adjunct to the AD's- currently Lexapro. All of this has made a huge difference- for the better- in how I feel.
A year ago, and also for many years before that, I was struggling so hard with suicidal impulses, and was extremely withdrawn socially. This has now all but disappeared, and I am living a much happier and fuller life. Each of the physical measures plays a maybe small but important role- the TMS. Lexapro and the T3-4 augmentation- but I think that the most powerful force for change has been finding a trauma specialist to have therapy with.
I hope these thoughts have inspired some hope in you. If I have been able to do it, why not you?
Pfinstegg
The Nardil sounds like the best possible choice. Some people have to wait a number of weeks while they are getting the dose raised up to therapeutic levels, so give it plenty of time.
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:117296
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030917/msgs/262463.html