ConstantFight - self-harm question

[ConstantFight]

Hi,

In 2005, I started with Prozac and Klonopin (2 months) (reactions: increased OCD, started self-harm, suicidality increased, hospitalizations for od, a bit bipolar) 

Then my doctor added Abilify (and I believe he added a stabilizer),

switched me to Effexor unsuccessfully for 1 month (reactions: more suicidality, panic, etc.)

then I went to high dose Lithium for 7 +months (reactions: heavy weight gain, anhedonia)

 

Afterwards, in 2006, I chose to travel the holistic route. I was briefly on another antipsychotic and sedative 4 years ago that left me with brain zaps (and possible motor tics) after withdrawal.

 

Has anyone noticed a start in self-harm (& suicidality) after Prozac or another med?? I know others have reported incr. in OCD. 

If so, have you figured out a successful way to treat the self-harm and reverse the effects ??

Does anyone know about theories on how Prozac changes the brain, or as to why this occurs? 

Does anyone know of reports of motor tics starting after a sedative or other med?

 

It has been ten years and some of my symptoms have gotten really bad and I can't figure out how to shake them. 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am struggling,

Thanks,

ConstantFight

[AliG]

 Hi C.F ,

 

Welcome.  You will receive a lot of help and  support here.  So that your questions can be answered accurately , could you please fill in your drug history signature.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Some of the symptoms you have experienced are side effects of the drugs.  Have you tapered off any of the drugs you have been on ?  Are you wanting to taper off them ?  If you can fill in your signature, that will be a good start to answering some of your questions.

 

Ali

[nz11]

Welcome Constantfight,

 

You are not alone.

1) Has anyone noticed a start in self-harm (& suicidality) after Prozac or another med??

2) If so, have you figured out a successful way to treat the self-harm and reverse the effects ??

3) Does anyone know about theories on how Prozac changes the brain, or as to why this occurs? 

4) Does anyone know of reports of motor tics starting after a sedative or other med?

 

Are you able to get these books from the library;

Deadly medicines and organised crime by p Gotzsche pg 202-204, for 1)

 

Pharmageddon by D Healy pg 214-215 for 1)

Basically: In the prozac drug trials Lilly had 6 suicides in the drug cohort and none in the placebo. However they took a suicide that occured before the trial and dumped it into the placebo group and so with a push of the statistical button the active drug cohort suicides vanish and become statistically insignificant this means that when you complain to your doc about becoming suicidal on prozac your doc will blame you and not the drug. This is because your doc will follow the science which means your issue is not statistically significant the science does not support your adverse event -suicide!

When it came to prozac for Lilly scientific misconduct through miscoding meant the difference between billions or bust.

Lilly has committed fraud. Virapen was involved in this criminal offence and then turned whistleblower, Gotzsche explains it, but you can also check it out here:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7110-a-must-watch-john-virapen-gives-inside-info-on-pharma/

 

Psychiatric drug withdrawal by  P Breggin The whole book is an eye opener. chapter 4 pg 44-45 and chapter 3 on chronic brain impairment. - 4)

 

Anatomy of an epidemic by R Whitaker - all of the above. ie 1) , 3), 4)

 

For 2) You might find useful Ann Blake Traceys CD 'Help i cant get off my antidepressants ' she doesnt really tell how to get off them but she does go into depth in stuff on things that help in recovery. it can be downloaded here

http://grizzom.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/help-i-cant-get-off-my-antidepressant.html

 

for 2)  check out this link on symptoms and self care

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/

 

In terms of 3) i think no one even the drug makers dont know what they are doing to peoples brains...they are causing a massive down regulation of everything basically oh they call these drugs fancy marketing names like ssris to give the impression they are selective but as Healy says there is nothing selective about them at all!

The self harm you are referring to is a side effect of the drug and/or drug withdrawal. My understanding is it is part of what is called akathisia .Often triggered by a too fast taper. Doctors are notoriously erroneous in blaming the patient when it is in fact the drug .

In time the side effects may recede but it may take many years. In the mean time we are all learning to self -soothe.

 

With all the drug switches and cold turkeys? your cns has been left very sensitized and in chaos.

 

Heres a great explanation on what has happened to the brain;

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1160-brain-remodeling/

 

Sorry you are in this difficult place. You have done well to now be 4 years drug free, right? (as Alig mentioned be great to put up a drug sig)

Hang in there.

So glad you found sa ...wow four years drug free you are leading the pack!

 

P.s  Reading these books is very humiliating but informative...and not for the faint hearted.

[JanCarol]

G'day Constant - 

 

Yes.  I have personally witnessed people "learning" to self-harm by 2 factors:

1.  The extreme restlessness caused by the drug (2 of my personal friends started self harm after Effexor added)  Any change in drugs will increase your withdrawal symptoms and side effects, making you look "crazier" than you really are.

2.  The culture in the hospitals, where patients teach SH as a coping technique.

 

I would firmly request that you post no graphic descriptions of your self harm.

 

Even though your self harm is drug induced, I strongly recommend "Bodily Harm" a book by Wendy Lader.  She runs an inpatient program called SAFE (Self Abuse Finally Ends) - she doesn't look at diagnosis, only techniques for self care, connection, and getting better.  I helped one friend through the SAFE program, and have had SAFE contracts with other friends who have suffered from self harm.

 

You can connect with others in the community here:  http://www.selfinjury.com/

 

All of my personal friends have "outgrown" or developed beyond the need to self harm.

 

The first step is to learn to sit with your feelings.  Feelings may be uncomfortable, but they cannot kill you.  Like a drug, self-harm damps down the feelings as a coping mechanism.  It is not necessary.

 

Please, complete your signature, so that we can address your current drugging, to see if there is anything we can do to help.  By filling out your signature, we can see a short version of your story wherever you post, and understand better where you are coming from:

 

How to complete your Signature

 

Complete your Signature from Phone or Tablet

 

Welcome to SA!  You will find a compassionate, understanding and supportive community here - and tons of information to help you in your healing journey.

[keepinghope]

Yes I started self-harming a month or 2 after going on Prozac for mild depression and anxiety. At the time I just thought it was proof I was crazy and needed the medication. Now I'm slowly coming to the realisation that Prozac sent me wacko.

 

I haven't self harmed for 7 years now, for whatever reason I just felt I didn't need to anymore. But I'm left unable to wear short sleeves at work or in social situations because I can't yet deal with the looks or comments. It's something I need to learn to deal with because summers get pretty hot when you're in long sleeves all the time