Posted by phidippus on February 23, 2014, at 16:27:49
In reply to Worried: PTSD or ..psychosis?! .. agoraphobia etc., posted by zonked on February 18, 2014, at 19:13:41
>I never imagined that I'd have PTSD-like feelings coming back here.
What sort of feelings are those?
>I am afraid to leave the house
This is better known as agoraphobia.
>people are "staring" at me or "judging" me, even though I know they're not.
This can bean anxiety component of PTSD
> I am afraid to tell a shrink all of this, because I do not want my irrational fears mistaken for paranoia that requires antipsychotic medication, something I do not want to put in my body.
Small dosages of antipsychotics can be helpful in treating some of the symptoms of PTSD. I don't think your shrink will think your paranoid in a psychotic way-he should understand the symptoms of PTSD.
> No amount of Xanax ,BTW , seems to reduce or calm my fears much about leaving the house, being in crowds or on public transportation, etc. I wake up in a terror and it does not cease.
Agorophobia is often best treated through behavorial therapy, specifically ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention). It is best to find a therapist who treats agoraphobia and meet with them to outline a course of treatment.
Another group of medications which may help you more is SSRIs, which will reduce your anxiety and panic.
Eric
poster:phidippus
thread:1060844
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140214/msgs/1061111.html