Great answers from Sunny and Davit! I'm going to be out of a job if this keeps up! Just kidding, of course. The experiences of other members are invaluable and it's great to have people willing to share them.
Since you asked for more.. A doctor told me of a patient who went on an SSRI, who described her change like tuning in a radio station when it's not quite on the right number. Of course, not everyone needs medication, but for those who do, I like to think of it as getting them back to centre. It' like getting the foundation right so the next part you build is stable. Then the CBT is the next logical step.
Some medications need dosing adjustments, so that means it takes longer to be effective. Sounds like yours is helping already, which is great and not uncommon. Soon enough, you will be wanting to get back to the program to do the activities and readings, to start re-wiring your brain for a great future!!
Thank you for your detailed explination. I really appreciate you taking the time to post your experiences. It is staring to become a bit more clear to me...
Thank you for taking the time to repsond. I appreciate it. I am just wondering what member's experiences are as sometimes I find that they have more insight than an therapist/doctor. Yesterday, I started to feel better and I have to say, I started to feel like myself again. I didn't feel anxious about taking the subway or flying. I havn't felt that way in a very long time. I wasn't sure if it was the SSRI's so I was posing the question to all of you...
I'm going to just echo sunny and Ashley. No sense me just repeating sunny, and I agree with Ashley, it would be good to have a therapist explain it and a doctor decide if anxiety is interfering with your knowledge absorption enough to justify the SSRI. Only a doctor can tell you that. Taking medication to help you do the program is a perfectly rational thing to do if it helps.
Hi Queens06: For me, quite a few yrs. ago when I took Paxil, it allowed me to be relaxed enough so that I could clear my mind of anxiety/panic thoughts. Then I could study the CBT program (I took a course out of town) and retain the information and be able to go out and do exposures - still using the relaxation coping techniques when needed. That's how I did it. As I did more exposures and was successful, my confidence levels rose and therefore, so did my self-esteem. I could go out and do things just like everyone else. I didn't turn beet red when I spoke with someone because of shyness.
Now, if I had just taken the SSRI and hadn't studied and practiced the CBT, later down the road when coming off Paxil, I might just have been right back where I started because I wouldn't have addressed any of my personal issues/problems/perceptions. I wouldn't have learned how to change negative thoughts to positive thoughts. I wouldn't have learned about what negative core beliefs shaped me as I was growing up, or even those that I encountered in later years. I wouldn't have learned how to better communicate and ask for what I needed. May not have gotten it, but at least I was able to ask and felt good about it.
You asked how did it feel like when it started to work. It didn't feel like anything in particular as it was gradual, except I noticed myself becoming calmer and not so agitated, able to sleep better.
I was wondering if anyone can offer some clarrification/insight with respect to CBT and SSRI's. How does taking an SSRI help with CBT? Does taking an SSRI help with your exposures/thoughts? What does it feel like when the SSRI works/takes effect? I have to admit, I have been doing some sections of the program, but not faithfully. If you have time and if you can offer any insight with respect to your experiences please post!
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Just kidding, of course. The experiences of other members are invaluable and it's great to have people willing to share them.
