3 replies to this topic

[orangish]

Could people here answer another question? Maybe Scott if he's still lurking around? So I have stress and anxiety and attention problems maybe tied to those two. Doctors treat attention problems purely from the biological standpoint though, and are thinking that by magic the right drug(s) will get me feeling and thinking straight. If I am a difficult case to be put on drugs, the doctors consider doing a reference eeg to see what drug my brainwaves indicate that I need. But can't psychological and residual stress contribute to imbalances? Can't those be changed with some sort of psychological treatment and lots of hard work? I'm a bit concerned because doctors either haphazardly prescribe drugs (been to one doctor who asked me which I thought was right for me to take) or venture putting me on neurontin without understanding my full history.

I transitioned from a parochial school that taught by rote to a competitive private school filled with people like those found on the OC (no hyperbole here). My parents led stressful lives which prevented them from easing the adjustment to different schools, of course perhaps some kids can do so on their own, and had engaged me in giving them advice about quite parental issues which I was too young to take action on. And they had their way of amping family time which was often dominated by these very discussions. To be brief.

Basically my attention issues are the inability to come to resolution and analysis and work in steps. They may have changed over time, become more severe not just because I couldn't keep up with the complication of tasks. I've had bad luck with doctors, this isn't just my own perception, but something I've compared with friends that have been seen by such specialists and psychiatrists. It may not be either or. But I'm not afraid of the long haul or hard real effort not given by biology, only I think by this point, there is research enough to indicate which direction I should head in. Could really use some advice. on possible treatments and maybe non-harmful self steps (supplements to augment the difficulty of embarking on this reversal of a former lifestyle and learning new ways of living) Thanks.

[ikaros]

You should consider cognitive behavioural theraphy, it's the best PSYCHOLOGICAL treatment option. Mostly it teaches you how to reinterpret your thoughts and change thinking patterns for the positive. It isn't a quick fix, but quite a long process, but once you get there, you'll find a better person. You might also look into some older traditions like buddhist mindfulness (there are number of books about it) which also aim to change one's perspectives on life (btw mindfulness has become quite a hot topic in modern psychology lately, as I read). Anyway neurotic behaviour is a very energy-consuming way to live, but the good news is that it can be reversed, just like teaching your dog new tricks, a psychologist can do the same...ok maybe not the best comparison, but you get the point.

[dimjimm]

Orangish: Doctors generally treat symptoms not problems, and they treat them the way they know how ... medically.

I agree with ikaros about possibly seeing a shrink. However, be open to the possibility that your issues may be on some level biological and that you must a) find situations where you are comfortable b) seek treatment, including pharmacological methods that while admittedly imperfect may be better than your condition.

Btw, when consulting with a doctor it’s in your best interest to know what you think is wrong with you and to have a clear opinion on how you might be treated. Doctors are only human, and their cases are generally much simpler than yours.

Finally, I understand that you’re not really the pill-popping type but IMO a low-dose, only-when-needed, combination of an amphetamine and a bezno might just be a short-term solution to your problems.

[brutale]

ikaros is right on target with his recommendation of CBT.

once you have done that for a while, you can assess various complementary strategies, including psychopharms. Taking good care of yourself physically (good diet, low sugar/starch, high omega 3 oils, multivitamin, exercise, adequate sleep, avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs) is always a good idea.