Advise Needed For A Struggling Schizo Posted: 03-12-08 14:35pm
Hi, firstly sorry for my poor English..
I have been treated with schizophrenia
since 2003, right now i would consider
myself quite normal (only hearing voices
when trying to get some sleep most of the
time). I've been prescribed with Risperdal
since 2 years ago and that has helped with
my conditions a lot. But I have serious
social anxiety issue. Next week, I will
start a new job (I was a student but due
to financial problems I had to defer)
working in a bookstore. The last job i had
(3 years ago) only lasted 3 weeks due to
this anxiety. I'm still traumatized by the
whole experience but i have to work now to
support myself and my mother. I just met
my doctor today and she prescribed me with
Xanax but it is on 'when-needed' basis. I
mean i should only take them when the
anxiety kicks in. I really depend on this
job and hope to be able to work for a long
time. Is there anyone that had gone thru
the same experience and could you share
any tips or advise ?. Really need the
moral support and motivation right now.
thanks.
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antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 852 Location: IL
Thanks: 40
Thanked:15
Posted: 03-13-08 12:18pm
The xanax should help with the anxiety.
You can use the xanax prior to
experiencing anxiety to keep it under
control. If you know that you get anxious
the first day of work you could take the
xanax before the anxiety sets in. Xanax
can cause some people to become drowsy.
This effect will lessen as you use the
medication. Another medication that is
used for panic attacks is paxil. You could
inquire with your doctor is this
medication is an option for you. This
medication would be taken daily and the
xanax would be used for occasions that the
anxiety reaches levels that are
unmanageable.
Have you been to therapy to try to manage
your anxiety? This can help your learn
coping techniques to calm yourself. Just
something to consider.
I don't know that this has been that
helpful. I don't experience panic attacks
but I am a nurse and know what meds are
used to treat them. All the best.
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Muchuk
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 2
Posted: 03-13-08 22:10pm
thanks for the reply antigone..
i haven't been on professional therapy yet
but i've learned to become 'normal' and
deal with my social anxiety disorder
thanks to my girlfriend. She teaches me a
lot and understands me when i'm becoming
rather difficult in some social
situations..
yes, i do feel out of focus and drowsy
when i take xanax. i guess i must only use
it when things gets too overwhelming for
me, but i wont use it on my first day of
work. i just don't want to be sleepy and
lose focus on such an important
day!haha..i think its the combination of
risperdal and xanax that causes this
daytime sleepiness/drowsiness.
as for panic attacks, i usually need a
cigarette or two to be calm and composed
myself..
thanks again for the reply antigone..
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Galaxy
Supporter
Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 512 Location: U.K,
Thanks: 5
Thanked:0
Posted: 03-22-08 19:29pm
Well, I used to suffer from panic attacks
- sometimes three or four a day - and the
worst aspect of them, for me, was the fear
of my heart going so fast that it would
stop, as well as, of course, the feeling
of going mad.
A friend of mine gave me a little tip
which still works for me to this day,
twenty years later: close your eyes and
gently press with one fingertip on each
eyeball whilst holding your breath for a
few seconds. Feel a little bit of tension
building up in your throat, then release
it. Apparently it interrupts the vagus
nerve or something which is what can cause
those frightening palpitations. Another
thing which works for me is firmly
squeezing my upper lip between thumb and
forefinger, just under the middle of the
nose. Apparently that also regulates the
heart beat. Whether or not they work at
all, on sound scientific principles, is
another matter, but I think that even just
having the security of knowing you have
things under control is a great medicine!
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