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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on February 17, 2007, at 12:36:20
Since I saw her in November I am more depressed. I think it's more due to losing my job than chemical reactions in my brain. It's like I want to tell her, look I know you're a psychopharmacologist and I'm here for a meds eval, but don't bother with the depression because it's situational, not chemical. Let's just talk about anxiety and sensory defensiveness, okay?
She'll be happy that I'm acknowledging sensory defensiveness, but I know I need to tell her I'm depressed. I know she'll recommend a new med, which I won't think will help, too. Darn this depression stuff.
Poet
Posted by peddidle on February 17, 2007, at 14:17:04
In reply to Dr. Clueless Appointment on Monday, posted by Poet on February 17, 2007, at 12:36:20
I agree, you do need to tell her about the depression, but be sure to tell her that you think it's situational. It happens...I get situational depression every now and then on top of the usual dysthymia, too. If she recommends a new med, you have every right to tell her that you want to try to work it out with therapy first. She shouldn't force meds on you.
> Darn this depression stuff.
**Darn right! :P
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 9:45:21
In reply to Dr. Clueless Appointment on Monday, posted by Poet on February 17, 2007, at 12:36:20
I'm in the same situation. My therapist agrees, and doesn't think that a medication change is called for, although my employer would like me to take a bit more meds if it means being more productive. My actual conversation went something like this:
"Do you think it's all that psychiatric medication that's causing you a problem?"
"I'm not on much medication right now."
"Do you think you need to be?"
And just maybe he might be right. The trigger might be situational, but the situation might be triggering my brain into old well known paths. Or maybe he's wrong and I need to make changes in my life, not my medication.
I really don't know the answer, so I let my natural dislike of medication sway me.
Good luck tomorrow.
Posted by notfred on February 18, 2007, at 15:59:27
In reply to Dr. Clueless Appointment on Monday, posted by Poet on February 17, 2007, at 12:36:20
Given that you seem to have a low opinion of this person (Dr. Clueless) and you do not want meds why are you going to a person who treats mental illness with meds ?
Posted by Poet on February 18, 2007, at 18:13:04
In reply to Re: Dr. Clueless Appointment on Monday, posted by peddidle on February 17, 2007, at 14:17:04
Hi Pediddle,
I am definitely going to tell her that I think my increased depression is situational and why. I'll post what she says.
Poet
Posted by Poet on February 18, 2007, at 18:15:13
In reply to Re: Dr. Clueless Appointment on Monday » Poet, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2007, at 9:45:21
Hi Dinah,
I didn't think that the situation might be triggering my brain into old well known paths. So then maybe meds would help? I don't know, I'll let you know what she says tomorrow.
Poet
Posted by Poet on February 18, 2007, at 18:20:24
In reply to Re: Dr. Clueless Appointment on Monday, posted by notfred on February 18, 2007, at 15:59:27
Hi Notfred,
It's meds for my current level of depression that I don't think will help. The meds she prescribes for anxiety and insomnia do help, so I do need to see her for meds for some of what ails me. I could be very wrong about a new AD not helping, my negative thinking brain is even more negative these days, so who knows.
The nickname, Dr. Clueless goes back to when she thought I might have Asperger's Syndrome, which she now agrees I do not. I suppose I could change it to Dr. Gotaclue, but Dr. Clueless comes easier when I type.
Poet
Posted by Poet on February 19, 2007, at 13:24:18
In reply to Dr. Clueless Appointment on Monday, posted by Poet on February 17, 2007, at 12:36:20
She asked me if I was sure my depression was situational, and when I said I am certain about it she said to call her if I start feeling more depressed. She also said it's okay for me to go down to 37.5 Effexor XR every other day for one month, then off it completely for two weeks and then see her again (in six weeks.)
We talked more about anxiety and sensory defensiveness than depression. She told me to wear ear plugs to filter out the sounds that get to me. I don't think that'll work in class as I won't be able to hear the instructor, but maybe during in class tests. I take clonazepam before class as it is to get me through it. She said my social anxiety is linked to my sensory defensiveness, that makes total sense (pun intended.)
Poet
Posted by muffled on February 25, 2007, at 0:22:18
In reply to It Went Okay, posted by Poet on February 19, 2007, at 13:24:18
((Poet))
Mebbe try diff ear plugs. Like mebbe just rolled up kleenex. Might reduce level of sound w/o eliminating too much.
Or get a tape recorder and tape lectures to get what you missed w/the earplugs in.
Is it visual too? Mebbe wear tinted glasses as well. The ones w/sides would reduce input from the sides too.
Mebbe I got this sensory thing wrong though.
Hope stuff goes OK for you.
Posted by Poet on February 25, 2007, at 17:42:12
In reply to Re: It Went Okay, posted by muffled on February 25, 2007, at 0:22:18
Hi Muffled,
Actually you've got the sensory thing right. Bright lights do drive me crazy, problem is my closeup vision is getting so weak that I can't read without those drug store reading glasses and that's in normal classroom light. Outside I wear sunglasses, even when it's cloudy.
Maybe cotton in my ears? I'll try kleenex, too. I am really beginning to think I'm totally crazy.
Poet
Posted by muffled on February 25, 2007, at 23:34:18
In reply to Re: It Went Okay » muffled, posted by Poet on February 25, 2007, at 17:42:12
> Hi Muffled,
>
> Actually you've got the sensory thing right. Bright lights do drive me crazy, problem is my closeup vision is getting so weak that I can't read without those drug store reading glasses and that's in normal classroom light. Outside I wear sunglasses, even when it's cloudy.
>
> Maybe cotton in my ears? I'll try kleenex, too. I am really beginning to think I'm totally crazy.
>
> Poet* I don't think you crazy Poet.
My daughter when she were little baby, I'd take her to the mall, and she'd stare up at all the lights etc from the stroller as I walked around trying to keep my sanity. Later in eve, she'd scream and scream and scream, NOTHING could soothe her. I'd peel all her clothes off wondering if she'd been bitten or stung. Her screaming was SO intense. And this was second baby, so I used to screaming.I could NOT understand it. Then when it was hubbys turn w/her (we took turns cuz it was SO hard to take) he happened to hold her tight against him, turned off all lights, the door was closed, and he just gently bounced a bit on the end of the bed. SHE STOPPED! Oh God you have no idea WHAT a releif it was! I finally realized that she had been totally overstimulated by the sights/sounds of the mall, and it came out a t night when she was tired.
In our family we call it sensory overload.
My son, if he is overstimulated in the day will have night terrors.He is also sensitive to smells, and bodily sensations. I am doing my best to help him learn ways to cope and calm himself. I still fear he may have struggles in life, but at least I am aware of it. Without support I think he would likely be a very messed up person and suffer far more than need be. But w/suport I think he will be OK.(hope so)
I remember my neice just having to have her socks absolutely perfect in her shoes or she would have a major fit.
I HATE crowded stores.
So in our family, we seem to have a tendancy for some sensory defensiveness. Fortunately its not too bad, and we seem to have been able to adapt to it (I hope) to some extent, one way or another...
So I do not think its weird at all.
I just feel for you cuz this present day world is SO full of sensory overload. It really is.
Sigh.
Mebbe you need to live in the bush or the desert or something?!
Take care Poet
Posted by scratchpad on February 26, 2007, at 7:13:35
In reply to Re: It Went Okay » muffled, posted by Poet on February 25, 2007, at 17:42:12
> Hi Muffled,
>
> Actually you've got the sensory thing right. Bright lights do drive me crazy, problem is my closeup vision is getting so weak that I can't read without those drug store reading glasses and that's in normal classroom light. Outside I wear sunglasses, even when it's cloudy.
>Did you know you can get tinted reading glasses, too? Also, an optician can apply tint to existing lenses. (That's a tip from a Floridian!)
Posted by Poet on February 26, 2007, at 14:42:38
In reply to Re: It Went Okay » Poet, posted by muffled on February 25, 2007, at 23:34:18
Hi Muffled,
Your kids have a very smart mom, that you figured out why your kids reacted to sounds, smells, etc. Smells get to me, too. I went to Goodwill last week to look for a cheap table, and even with scented lotion under my nose had to leave as quick as I could. I think it's the dry cleaning chemicals they use on the clothes, the smell just makes me sick. I'm not going back, I'll pay full price at a different store.
In my baby pictures I am usually crying or looking angry. I'm certain it was sensory overload, but in the late 1950s (oh, my God am I old) I was just a screaming baby. Probably drove my parents nuts, which is only fair, because they certainly have driven me nuts.
Thanks for understanding what life is like for me, it helps me alot.
Poet
Posted by Poet on February 26, 2007, at 14:46:13
In reply to Re: It Went Okay » Poet, posted by scratchpad on February 26, 2007, at 7:13:35
Hi Scratchpad,
I'll remember that when I finally break down and get prescription reading glasses. Sigh, another challenge, cough, of getting old.
Poet
This is the end of the thread.
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