Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
life without meds
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
life without meds
by chippy040, Oct 25, 2009 12:56PM
I have social anxiety disorder. I am 20 years old. I have worked with and through my anxiety all my life. I try to never let it stop me. I have had medication for probably at least six years now, most of the time on zoloft. I take 150mg of zoloft everyday. I still have off days but for the most part life is good.
Could I have a life like I do now without med? Will I ever stop feeling the pains from my anxiety. Can SAD just go away? My brother suffered from add but he is in highschool now, off all meds, and doing fine. Is it possible for a person with SAD to outgrow it like my brother did with add.
Could I have a life like I do now without med? Will I ever stop feeling the pains from my anxiety. Can SAD just go away? My brother suffered from add but he is in highschool now, off all meds, and doing fine. Is it possible for a person with SAD to outgrow it like my brother did with add.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 26, 2009 04:36PM
, Oct 26, 2009 04:36PMTo: chippy040
Yes, it is possible..you started as a young teenager and the medication helped you through that phase of your life...that does not mean you need it for this phase of your life, especially if you stay on top of the challenges in your life....medication is meant to be temporary in most cases...so ask your doctor re a trial weaning over a three week period when you feel you are ready for that...and if you want to do some personal growth and development work, check out the new site I am launching today that is designed for that purpose, and I believe will be especially useful for people who are ready to start focusing in on themselves. www.myvirtualshrink.com
Post Comment
I think many people would say they have recovered from anxiety. I'm not one of them.
Given the name I would expect it to go away during the longer summer months.
I think so for some people if it is treated effectively. For others I expect they still use their light boxes, etc. Some people avoid the winter months by traveling.
I don't know if this would affect people as much if their lives were working for them.
Just as an aside to those in the northern hemisphere. Take care over winter and watch for swine flu. Also for those accessing mental health services, etc you may like to consider how illness may affect you and your visits. Several weeks without therapy, etc can have a significant impact on our mental health.
I'm off to enjoy a run in this nice spring weather. Although it is suppose to rain later.
Take care all.