Posted by Jasmineneroli on October 26, 2004, at 0:39:45
In reply to Re: Hope you feel better soon, posted by jboud24 on October 25, 2004, at 22:36:16
Sorry you had a rough weekend, and frustrations with your parent's lack of understanding.
Unfortunately, that's all too common, and comes down to ignorance. Most likely your parents have a little guilt happening too, that they may be responsible. One way to deal with this is to deny anything is wrong!
You are not to blame for your parents' reaction to your illness.
I'm from the UK originally, but have lived here in Canada for a number of years. My sister still lives there and suffers from social phobia and depression. When I was visiting in 2002, I was appalled by the lack of general knowledge at "home", about such illnesses. My parents had no idea what my sister was dealing with (she was not diagnosed at that time).
I took my sister out shopping and she had a panic attack in a store, when I left her for about 5 minutes. This was when she told me how she'd been suffering.
I then browbeat my parents for the rest of my vacation that she HAD to go to the doc's and get treatment. I gave her a letter to take to her doctor about what I thought was wrong!! (Doc's over there are just not used to assertive patients!). She was put on various SSRI's that didn't help. But I kept pushing my parents from here.
They realized how worried I was about her and finally realized her public avoidance and constant sadness was not "normal". They then supported her and she is FINALLY just seeing a psychiatrist.... the wheels of medical motion turn really slowly there. She is on Paxil, and sounds far better when I talk wih her on the phone than I can remember :)
I didn't mean to go off on this personal story, but it's just to illustrate that I completely understand what you're going through.
You've probably seen, from my posts to this site, that I have severe GAD, that doesn't really have a social aspect to it. But the constant worrying and anxiety is hugely draining (of course worrying about my sister was very typical of GAD.. I had to act!).
I've found Klonopin to be the only med to really help it, and also take a very low dose of Celexa to help the thinking worries. I hate the Celexa side effects, but the combo does help.
The magnesium I'm taking, and dropping the calcium, seems to be helping also.
I'm not "there" yet, but am improved. My journey on this road has taken about 5 years.
I think Klonopin is worth a try, in combination with some kind stimulant, like Strattera. IF you can get a doctor there to prescribe the Klon.The only way to deal with Brit doctors is to act like a battle-ram (I also had to do this on behalf of my father when he had triple bypass surgery and heart valve replacement - I was there in 2000 fighting the system!). Honestly, just go in with paperwork, your opinions and research and tell them what you want. Show them you are not a "lowly" patient, but that they are working for you! It is possible to get the treatment you deserve by being persistent and annoying!
I know it takes a lot of courage and energy, when you may have neither right now. But don't give up. You only have you, when it comes right down to it. And you are worthy.
Keep going, we're here to support.
And as long as you put a med in your post, you can stay here on the med board!!
Warmest wishes,
Jas
poster:Jasmineneroli
thread:406926
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041024/msgs/407291.html