Posted by Basia on March 2, 2008, at 15:34:14
In reply to Re: PSYCOSIS!!! ANXIETY!!! OCD!!! WHAT??? » 10derHeart, posted by AMY II on March 2, 2008, at 1:36:10
I have had some of the symptoms you described - including the anxiety, traces, black lines and slight oil slick 'auras' around people. This all started after I took acid and ecstacy when I was 18 and developed into flashbacks whenever I took anything remotely psychoactive like anti-depressants, etc (have been scared off any illicit drugs for years!). Sulpiride stopped it for many years but it has returned again now that I have switched to Seroquel. It's making me quite desperate although I am not delusional. It is all visual/perceptual distortion, as in a bad acid trip. In the UK, we call it post-hallucinogen perceptual disorder and it also includes these electrical rushes and shaking i get at the same time. At least that's what my psychiatrist initially diagnosed it as, after talking to the pharmacologist. It's quite rare, apparently. It's further complicated with me by having schizoaffective symptoms when off medication and I once had a manic episode years ago and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for a while.
I don't know how benzos react with you and I certainly wouldn't advocate their long-term use, but I find a bit of Lorazepam (Ativan) takes the edge of the visuals and the anxiety. It's important to wait until it's bad otherwise I find that if I take it regularly I just get used to it. A small dose of an AP that suits you also helps, although I know you're not keen on this.
I am so sorry you're having such a tough time of it and can empathise to some degree, although I can't imagine how hard it must be when you have children to rear too.
Best of luck :)
Lyn
poster:Basia
thread:815089
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080221/msgs/815752.html