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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Hugh on December 3, 2015, at 12:22:16
"I think floating has a strong role in good therapy for a number of disorders that we really struggle with in terms of effective therapies," Fine says.
One of the only studies that suggests people with anxiety could gain therapeutic benefits from floating was published in 2006 in the International Journal of Stress Management. It found for a group of 70 people with stress-related pain, 12 float sessions reduced pain, stress, anxiety and depression while improving sleep and optimism. Those positive effects stuck around four months after treatment stopped.
Complete article:
Here's a story ABC News aired about floating:
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/sensory-deprivation-altered-state-mind-23760919
There are over 250 flotation clinics in the US. Here's a directory for them:
Posted by Chris O on December 16, 2015, at 23:49:13
In reply to How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression, posted by Hugh on December 3, 2015, at 12:22:16
Hey, at $60 a pop, it's a worth a try. I should try it. (Can't believe I haven't.) There is also that treatment, I forgot what it's cold, but they basically freeze you for a minute or something, in a room. Athletes do it for healing. But I think it's been shown to have antidepressant effects as well.
Posted by Hugh on December 18, 2015, at 14:17:51
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by Chris O on December 16, 2015, at 23:49:13
Is this what you're talking about?
If you try either one of them, let us know.
Posted by Chris O on December 18, 2015, at 14:45:56
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Chris O, posted by Hugh on December 18, 2015, at 14:17:51
Yes, that's it--cryotherapy. But I don't think I'm going to try them out right now. I have no doubt they would result in fleeting, minimal influence on my anxiety and depression. I'd definitely post about it here if I did try either one, though. How are you doing, Hugh? I think I interacted with you a bit when I was taking Brintellix over a year ago. I tried rTMS at the end of last year and have just kind of been off everything since early this year. It's the same low functioning life I've always had. Whatever. Good luck to you.
Chris
Posted by Hugh on December 18, 2015, at 17:56:15
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by Chris O on December 18, 2015, at 14:45:56
How am I doing? I'm low-functioning, as well. But compared to a few years ago, when I went through a hellish, many months-long withdrawal from Ativan, my current low-functioning state is absolute bliss.
I remember that you were having a so-so reaction to rTMS on the left side, and you were thinking of switching to the right side.
Posted by Chris O on December 19, 2015, at 20:48:21
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Chris O, posted by Hugh on December 18, 2015, at 17:56:15
Hi, Hugh:
Yes, I did the right side 4-5 times, I think. It seemed somewhat better, but that was at the end (like, the 30th-35th treatment) of what my health insurance would fund. I think any reaction I had to rTMS, both sides, was likely placebo or a "novel feeling" thing, where the newness of the experience combines with expectation to produce something that's not there.
Sorry to hear of your woes, but glad you were able to get off of Ativan and that the withdrawals subsided. I took Klonapin for a year back in maybe, 2009-ish and did not have withdrawals. Weren't/Aren't you taking multiple meds, and didn't you have a positive experience with Brintillex, as well?
My last foray into the world of psychotropics was a brief trial of Shire's Adderall XR. I have not dabbled in the amphetamine class of drugs at all (because I believe my main issue to be anxiety/panic), but surprisingly, Adderall did have some positive effects on my anxiety--easier to talk to people + less rumination about the past. However, even in my brief, one week trial, the negatives of Adderall outweighed the positives for me--incredible thirst, very strong anxiety when the medication wore off, racing heart, and a destruction of sexual functioning. In fact, two months out of this brief trial, I still feel like this drug has done something to my ability to sustain an erection. (Sorry to be graphic here.) This has never been an issue for me before, but I keep telling myself that it is impossible two months out of a one-week trial of Adderall. I don't know.
Anyway, wish you well. Thank you for interacting, as always.
Chris
Posted by Horse on December 20, 2015, at 17:27:26
In reply to How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression, posted by Hugh on December 3, 2015, at 12:22:16
Interesting. I detoxed from benzos a few years back, and lately I've been jonesing for that utter, complete ahhhh. As it turns out, there is a floatation place a few miles from my home.
The tank is not a bad looking pod. The face looks open, with a door that pulls across. I imagine one could leave the tank open, or I'd be afraid to get in.
I forget if you said you've tried it.
Posted by Hugh on December 22, 2015, at 12:48:09
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by Chris O on December 19, 2015, at 20:48:21
Sorry to hear about your Adderall side effect. I hope it resolves eventually.
I haven't tried Brintellix. I've tried quite a few ADs. What I discovered is that drugs that affect serotonin and/or norepinephrine either don't help me, or they make me feel worse. The drug I responded best to is the muscle relaxant baclofen. I was taking it for muscle spasms in my back, and was shocked when it eliminated my depression and anxiety. However, after one week, it started to cause terrible insomnia, so I had to discontinue it. Baclofen increases striatal dopamine levels, and this is probably why it made me feel so good, and why it caused insomnia.
The treatment I've responded best to, long-term, is neurofeedback. This was especially helpful for my anxiety and irritability.
Posted by Hugh on December 22, 2015, at 12:55:55
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Hugh, posted by Horse on December 20, 2015, at 17:27:26
I haven't tried it. Until recently, the closest tank to me was 300 miles away. But now there's one just a few miles away.
The flotation tank experience described in the ABC News piece I posted sounds a lot like a neurofeedback alpha-theta session. During these I relived lots of childhood memories I hadn't thought of in years. It was very vivid, very peaceful.
Posted by Chris O on December 22, 2015, at 21:14:22
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Chris O, posted by Hugh on December 22, 2015, at 12:48:09
I think I mixed you up with another babbler I was dialoguing with during my Brintellix trial. Sorry about that, Hugh.
I just read the Wikipedia article on baclofen. Interesting drug. The accompanying link related to the French cardiologist who studied the drug to treat alcohol addiction is interesting as well. I am completely unfamiliar with this drug. Sorry it wasn't a long term option for you.
Glad neurofeedback works for you. It's nice to be able to treat our mental health issues without side-effect filled pharmaceuticals, at least in my opinion, it is. I hope that continues to work for you. I don't think I've ever done a serious trial of neurofeedback, though I think it's something I dabbled with at one point in my thirty plus years of trying to treatment my anxiety and depression.
Anyway, hope the holidays treat you well, man. Hang in there.
Chris
Posted by elanor roosevelt on January 17, 2016, at 20:12:31
In reply to Re: How flotation tanks treat anxiety, depression » Horse, posted by Hugh on December 22, 2015, at 12:55:55
I've had two experiences with float tanks. The first was delightful. The sensory deprivation was heavenly.
Entered the second experience high anxiety and the sensory deprivation was not what i needed had to leave before my anxieties sucked up all the air.
Sensory distractions can be a good thing when you are anxious.
This is the end of the thread.
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