Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 731996

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 34. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

My dx PTSD and Somatization Disorder. I get so depressed I feel parallyzed. I get physical problems with no physical findings.

Everyone is telling me it's me. I agree that I get bad anxiety and it turns into a self feeding frenzy but I don't know how to stop.

Has anyone out there willed themselves into feeling better in any respect (obsessive thinking, body pains/problems, felling depressed etc...)

If anyone has, can you tell me how it's done so I can quiet my critics?

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by Iansf on February 12, 2007, at 0:10:49

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

> If anyone has, can you tell me how it's done so I can quiet my critics?

There may be some people who can will themselves better, but I think not many. In fact, the people who are able to will themselves happy probably don't get depressed to begin with. I rather envy them. On the other hand, you CAN use your will to look for an approach works for you. And you can use your will to KEEP looking, even if the initial approaches you try don't work - even if the first two dozen approaches you try don't work. Think of your will as someone who fights alongside you, but probably not as someone who comes to your rescue.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Alone

Posted by Declan on February 12, 2007, at 0:51:51

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

Ask your critics how they do it, and when they tell you, you can tell us.

Truly I'd love to know, because I think you can, but of course I can't.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Alone

Posted by yxibow on February 12, 2007, at 1:01:51

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

> My dx PTSD and Somatization Disorder. I get so depressed I feel parallyzed. I get physical problems with no physical findings.
>
> Everyone is telling me it's me. I agree that I get bad anxiety and it turns into a self feeding frenzy but I don't know how to stop.
>
> Has anyone out there willed themselves into feeling better in any respect (obsessive thinking, body pains/problems, felling depressed etc...)
>
> If anyone has, can you tell me how it's done so I can quiet my critics?


There was a time with my Somatization disorder when I could will it worse somehow, don't ask me how I could do it, like concentrating on my eyes or something and suddenly really odd things could happen. This was back when it was much worse -- like if I was playing some game on the computer or even just seeing moving images, I could actually replay the images back in my mind and I would "see" them on my retina, or at least my "psychiatric retina". Kind of made me afraid, but I mean, I know what reality is, there was no psychosis, it was just -- I have no other word to say than "curious".


Might have been due to medication too, because another curious thing happened when I took Remeron, which actually helped except for weight gain -- I would wake up with a hypnaegogic hallucination literally of the last "frame" of my dream projected on the wall. Remeron was rather trippy at the beginning especially, other things happened like I would wake up in a similar fashion hearing a buzzing bee or a brrr--zap and I would return to a wake state.


I sometimes get really railed and walk down the street and think in my mind, stupid traffic light you're really not actually that bright. Hey, that rhymed. But it's still there 24/7, although worst in the evening.


So, to say can you directly will yourself better, I'm not sure. But I know that if you can get to the core of it, if your insurance can provide for it or if you can afford it, "inside therapy" or psychodynamic therapy is one of the tools that has been used to attempt to unlock what causes Somatiform disorders.


Another form of therapy, if you're already in therapy is to have your psychologist, someone you get along with and confide in well, to make a relaxation tape (or if they're sophisticated enough, a CD) that uses hypnotic guided imagery to recall a place, e.g., that brings good memories, like a spring meadow or something. There are different techniques, but basically you count back, or "go down a set of stairs", and then do the same in reverse. And you can repeat listening to these tapes at times when you are especially anxious. If its overeffective, you may even fall asleep. :) I have.


I've been going to therapy for 5 years. I know that sounds like a lot of time, and believe me, time gone by that I wouldn't will on anyone, but I can't say its just medication that has gotten me to where I am at the moment, even if things aren't erased -- having someone to confide in is an important thing.


But along this timeline of pills and therapy exists now a slowly increasing timeline of restorative efforts to guide me back into volunteering, and at the moment adding onto previous skills through the university extension so I can "cover the gap". Because that's the problem with extended illnesses is that your resume can have a blank. But you can finess it and say, well, I've had an extended illness (or you can leave that out), I've been volunteering, I've gone back to study things, and (hopefully) I've done a little freelancing.


Perhaps more questions pondered than answered, but I thought I would share that part of myself.


I hope that provides some insight for you.

-- tidings

Jay

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by blueberry1 on February 12, 2007, at 2:31:36

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

Not me. Six months of psychotherapy helped with coping but not healing.

If the cause is life event related then I believe one can will it away with help and training from a professional. If the cause is biological, then it can be willed away no more than a diabetic can will away the diabetes.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by munificentexegete on February 12, 2007, at 6:53:44

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

> My dx PTSD and Somatization Disorder. I get so depressed I feel parallyzed. I get physical problems with no physical findings.
>
> Everyone is telling me it's me. I agree that I get bad anxiety and it turns into a self feeding frenzy but I don't know how to stop.
>
> Has anyone out there willed themselves into feeling better in any respect (obsessive thinking, body pains/problems, felling depressed etc...)
>
> If anyone has, can you tell me how it's done so I can quiet my critics?

the mind is capable of many things, and I am sure that reframing your state of mind is achievable notwithstanding some actual physical problem.

have you started with the basics of good health; diet and nutrition?

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by Deniseuk190466 on February 12, 2007, at 7:36:46

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by munificentexegete on February 12, 2007, at 6:53:44

I don't know. The problem is the worse I'm feeling the more I start to doubt and question myself and wonder if this depression and anxiety is self inflicted. Trouble is I don't know why I'm depressed or anxious and it seems to be a constant feeling, no matter what I do, where I am or who I'm with.


Denise

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2007, at 9:49:46

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on February 12, 2007, at 7:36:46

I've tried for years the more I try seems the worse it gets. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by Squiggles on February 12, 2007, at 11:29:53

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

In my experience people who ask this question
are afraid to take medications or have had
unsuccessful trials with them.

It depends of course on what kind of illness
you have. If you want to "will" yourself into
wellness, why don't you try it. There are
a lot of sites on the net on meditation, naturopathic medicine, self-awareness treatments, etc. If that approach doesn't work, maybe you can see a doctor.

Squiggles

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 11:49:59

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Iansf on February 12, 2007, at 0:10:49

> > If anyone has, can you tell me how it's done so I can quiet my critics?
>
> There may be some people who can will themselves better, but I think not many. In fact, the people who are able to will themselves happy probably don't get depressed to begin with. I rather envy them. On the other hand, you CAN use your will to look for an approach works for you. And you can use your will to KEEP looking, even if the initial approaches you try don't work - even if the first two dozen approaches you try don't work. Think of your will as someone who fights alongside you, but probably not as someone who comes to your rescue.
>
> I tend to agree and disagree. A book that seems to help me in times of depression or ADD issues and panicky phases if called," the four agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Just a simple book about four things.. Being impeccable with your words, never taking things personal,never assume without asking and always do YOUR best. Just a suggestion.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by cgd092 on February 12, 2007, at 13:43:38

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

Personally, it's my tendency to think I can think or will my way into and out of any mood or feeling is what in great part caused my mood disorders. One of my worst feeling is when I am feeing terribly anxious and no matter how I think, it won't go away. Not being in control of my own brain is the worse feeling. When I finally surrendered control is when I helped it not spiral.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Declan

Posted by Crazy Horse on February 12, 2007, at 14:40:09

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Alone, posted by Declan on February 12, 2007, at 0:51:51


>
> Truly I'd love to know, because I think you can, but of course I can't.

You can't because you think you can't (just kidding of course:)) I think the people 'that can' are not suffering to the same degree that we are..that's what i truly believe.

-Monte

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by munificentexegete on February 12, 2007, at 14:42:04

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on February 12, 2007, at 7:36:46

> I don't know. The problem is the worse I'm feeling the more I start to doubt and question myself and wonder if this depression and anxiety is self inflicted. Trouble is I don't know why I'm depressed or anxious and it seems to be a constant feeling, no matter what I do, where I am or who I'm with.
>
>
> Denise

Hi Denise, have you always felt anxious/depressed for all of your life?

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » blueberry1

Posted by yxibow on February 12, 2007, at 16:17:04

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by blueberry1 on February 12, 2007, at 2:31:36

> Not me. Six months of psychotherapy helped with coping but not healing.
>
> If the cause is life event related then I believe one can will it away with help and training from a professional. If the cause is biological, then it can be willed away no more than a diabetic can will away the diabetes.

Alone, and myself have what I believe, and I can't say that they're identical, Somatization disorders. They're biologically based, but they are now known to have some root in psychology as well.

Just as my OCD was and still is (quiescent now basically) biological, its breakout origin was puberty and my overwhelming embarassment over my sexuality which came from environmental factors; my parents aren't conservative types, not politically anyhow.


So while you can down as many pills as I do to make life easier; in the long run I don't know if its capable for me to keep the regime up, what with possible side effects of long term use, even of medications that have collective thousand-year patient aggregate safety profiles.


Also, masking the disorder from what all I have been told, while it makes life tolerable, it also makes therapy harder because you are blunted. Your affect does not get out as much -- therapy is a time to be animated, to get out what is hurting you at the time.


Do I believe that therapy alone can "cure" something or that you can "will" something better, no (with a caveat that CBT alone can sometimes be as effective as SSRI challenges against at least not the worst cases of OCD -- this was proven 15 years ago) -- but I've had some odd experiences with a disorder that in manifestation at least, is rare.


The usual conversion/somatization disorders that appear and disappear are pseudoseizures and the like and they tend to be short term events.

-- Jay

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 19:26:05

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

> My dx PTSD and Somatization Disorder. I get so depressed I feel parallyzed. I get physical problems with no physical findings.
>
> Everyone is telling me it's me. I agree that I get bad anxiety and it turns into a self feeding frenzy but I don't know how to stop.
>
> Has anyone out there willed themselves into feeling better in any respect (obsessive thinking, body pains/problems, felling depressed etc...)
>
> If anyone has, can you tell me how it's done so I can quiet my critics?

My feelings are simply that, feelings of what has worked for me periodically. Granted, I too take meds to aid in helping my bipolar, ADD and depression. For me, I also feel that a bit of cognitive thinking helps me as well. Case in point, I will not accept or tolerate my pdoc expressing to me that I can change or eleviate my diagnosis or anything of the sort. What I can do is meditate when I'm feeling antsy, talk to a best friend when I want to isolate, tell myself when I can't remember a darn thing, even if it's written down. Okay rina, your just having a bad ADD day. My personal thoughts help me think of ways I can possibly aid in feeling better. I've taken the gamit of coctail meds and believe there is no magic pill, but the mind is a powerful thing. I sit and think sometimes, wow some of the greatest scientists, doctors, lawyers etc are dealing with the same situation as myself. They are no greater or less than myself. Like I said there is no cure but I can definitely continue to try and make life more productive and funtional for me to live. Just my own experience and point of view.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Alone

Posted by ace on February 12, 2007, at 22:25:55

In reply to Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Alone on February 11, 2007, at 22:17:26

> My dx PTSD and Somatization Disorder. I get so depressed I feel parallyzed. I get physical problems with no physical findings.
>
> Everyone is telling me it's me. I agree that I get bad anxiety and it turns into a self feeding frenzy but I don't know how to stop.
>
> Has anyone out there willed themselves into feeling better in any respect (obsessive thinking, body pains/problems, felling depressed etc...)
>
> If anyone has, can you tell me how it's done so I can quiet my critics?


Your critics really don't have much compassion. You cannot 'will yourself' out of any pathology, mental or physical.

That's like telling light to travel in a crooked line: it aint going to happen!

But you can learn skills to better cope with your pathologies.

peace!
Ace

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Phillipa

Posted by ace on February 12, 2007, at 22:29:13

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2007, at 9:49:46

> I've tried for years the more I try seems the worse it gets. Love Phillipa

yes indeed. If we keep trying so hard to get better, relying on word, we are scratching at a sore....making it worse many a time!!!!

Leave it up to the meds I say!

Ace:)

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better?

Posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 22:44:21

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Phillipa, posted by ace on February 12, 2007, at 22:29:13

> > I've tried for years the more I try seems the worse it gets. Love Phillipa
>
> yes indeed. If we keep trying so hard to get better, relying on word, we are scratching at a sore....making it worse many a time!!!!
>
> Leave it up to the meds I say!
>
> Ace:)

It works for some and not others. Almost like trying different meds until you find one that works for you personally.
>
>

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » yxibow

Posted by Alone on February 12, 2007, at 23:22:51

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Alone, posted by yxibow on February 12, 2007, at 1:01:51

I love self hypnosis relaxation tapes. I have a few good ones I use to fall asleep at night.

I feel less anxious today, and some of the stomach symptoms are less. I do think I have a nervous stomach.

I think my new AD Lexapro is starting to kick in.

Thanks for your input.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » munificentexegete

Posted by Alone on February 12, 2007, at 23:28:46

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by munificentexegete on February 12, 2007, at 6:53:44

I tried good nutrition several times, but I can't tolerat whole wheat (at all) or oats, and I am really lactose intolerant.

There are only like 4 things I can eat right now and they are all bad for you.

I have an appointment with a Gastroenterologist in a few weeks. My GP thinks I might have Celiac disease.

I lost alot of weight and have become B12 and iron anemic. Just have to wait and see now.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Deniseuk190466

Posted by Alone on February 12, 2007, at 23:37:40

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on February 12, 2007, at 7:36:46

I know what you mean about the self doubt and everything.

I had a really horrifying childhood, but I am trying to leave it all in the past.

Psychotherapy, in my opinion, made me worse. I had a Behavioral Therapist for many years and I got the best I ever was with him.

But sadly he died, and I have yet to find another therapist who pratices behavioral therapy. They all are into psycho-analyzing.

Maybe that kind of therapy would help you though, to find out WHY you become depressed and anxious. I don't know.

Thankyou for relating, it made me fell better.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Squiggles

Posted by Alone on February 12, 2007, at 23:43:12

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Squiggles on February 12, 2007, at 11:29:53

Yoga relaxes me, but since my Prozac pooped out on me, I haven't had the energy.

I think my new AD Lexapro is starting to just kick in.

I felt that unmistakeable feeling that I only felt once before, way back when, when the Prozac first kicked in, so I am starting to feel a little encouraged.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » rina

Posted by Alone on February 12, 2007, at 23:45:29

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by rina on February 12, 2007, at 11:49:59

I wrote down the name of the book. I liked the philosophy of it. Much thanks!

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » Phillipa

Posted by Alone on February 12, 2007, at 23:48:00

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2007, at 9:49:46

Phillipa, I have noticed how you are always there for everyone here. I think I speak for many in thanking you for that, being there.

 

Re: Can you WILL yourself better? » cgd092

Posted by Alone on February 12, 2007, at 23:49:49

In reply to Re: Can you WILL yourself better?, posted by cgd092 on February 12, 2007, at 13:43:38

How did you surrender control?


Go forward in thread:


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.