Administrator Altostrata Posted June 16, 2011 Administrator Share Posted June 16, 2011 (edited) Discussing common symptoms, here are some topics that may answer your questions. Click on the links and add to these topics if you wish. Please also use site search or Google search on this site for other topics about drugs, tests, supplements, symptoms. Also see What is withdrawal syndrome? What is happening in your brain? Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, diet _______________________________________ DEALING WITH DOCTORS How to talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal? What to expect? How good are naturopaths and other alternative practitioners? _______________________________________ DIFFERENTIATING FROM RELAPSE Withdrawal or relapse? Or something else? Bona Fide Emotional Pain or Clinical Depression? Are ANY Psychiatric Conditions Real? Delayed onset of withdrawal symptoms _______________________________________ DIAGNOSIS OF WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS Papers on diagnosis of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist Dysautonomia (autonomic dysregulation) _______________________________________ PATTERNS OF HEALING The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization Are We There Yet? How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take? "Is it always going to be like this?" The importance of recognizing you're feeling good Creating a new self after withdrawal Protracted Withdrawal or PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome) Progress! What withdrawal symptoms have gone away for you? Withdrawal dialogues & encouragement _______________________________________ ELECTRICAL SENSATIONS Brain Zaps: What, When and Why?? Paresthesia: Pins & Needles, Numbness, Tingling, Burning Sensations aka Neuropathy Instant relief for tingling in extremeties Burning skin _______________________________________ DEMOTIVATION & EMOTIONAL ANESTHESIA Derealization or Depersonalization Overwhelmed, demotivated, apathetic? Cannot get going on interest or action Apathy, anhedonia, emotional numbness, emotional anesthesia Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms Journaling / Journalling / Writing therapy / Therapeutic Writing Withdrawal dialogues and encouragement "Is it always going to be like this?" The importance of recognizing you're feeling good "Forest bathing" reduces cortisol, aids mood, immune system _______________________________________ UNUSUAL AND OVERPOWERING EMOTIONS The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization Neuro-emotions Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms Easing your way into meditation for a stressed-out nervous system Music for self-care: calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep Ways to cope with daily anxiety Dealing With Emotional Spirals Shame, guilt, regret, and self-criticism Health anxiety, hypochondria, and obsession with symptoms Deep emotional pain and crying spells, spontaneous weeping Sudden fear, terror, panic, or anxiety from withdrawal Coping with irritation, anger and rage For those who are feeling desperate or suicidal _______________________________________ SLEEP PROBLEMS What is the sleep cycle? Waking with panic or anxiety -- managing the morning cortisol spike Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep White noise devices for sleep Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime Strange sensations while falling asleep -- surges, zaps, jerks Hypnic / hypnagogic jerks when falling asleep Nightmare While Awake? Sleep Paralysis, Hypnogogic Hallucinations, etc. Light boxes/light therapy for depression and sleep disorders Update on milk peptides for sleep: Our friend Lactium again Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker L-arginine for sleep Glycine for sleep? L-ornithine for sleep Taurine (L-taurine amino acid) for sleep L-Theanine for anxiety, insomnia 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) and tryptophan Sleep and amino poop out -- rotate aminos Valerian root _______________________________________ REDUCING CORTISOL, THE ANXIETY HORMONE Waking with panic or anxiety -- managing the morning cortisol spike Gianna Kali's toolbox for coping with withdrawal syndrome Best CBT techniques for anxiety and/or depression? "Forest bathing" reduces cortisol, aids mood, immune system More about how light stimulation affects our body clocks _______________________________________ HYPERSENSITIVITIES OR KINDLING Post-withdrawal nervous system hypersensitivity or kindling Hypersensitivity to drugs, foods, and supplements? Increased sensitivity to light, noise, sound, exercise etc Inactivity may make sympathetic nervous system hypersensitive... Light-sensitive? Try blocking out blue light Computer Program Adjusts Blue Light to Time of Day Increased sensitivity to emotional content: TV, violent movies, music, conversations. skin photosensitivity: a listed side effect Light flashes made me sick? Multiple Chemical Sensitivity vs hypersensitized nervous system _______________________________________ BODY ACHES AND PHYSICAL PAIN Body aches Non-drug techniques for dealing with body pain Non-drug techniques to ease chronic pain Facial tics, jaw, tongue muscle tension and pain, bruxism, teeth clenching, TMJ Tension, pain, twitches, excruciating spasms in muscles and joints Paresthesia: Pins & Needles, Numbness, Tingling, Burning Sensations aka Neuropathy _______________________________________ POST-SSRI SEXUAL PROBLEMS Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD) Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) _______________________________________ OTHER WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS Dizziness, vertigo, light-headedness, rocking or swaying sensations What to do for dizziness , queasiness, nausea Severe lightheadedness and fainting breathlessness anyone? Body Temperature Dysregulation: fever, chills, shivering,.. Tinnitus -- What does all that noise mean? Head noise and other symptoms in the head Migraines, Headaches, Neck Ache and Head Pressure Akathisia vs restlessness, anxiety, agitation Blog: My Akathisia Experience by akathisiainfo Weighted blankets & bed tents for restlessness, akathisia, insomnia, and anxiety tremors, shaking, body vibration, internal trembling Tardive dyskinesia or involuntary movements Irregular heartbeats, palpitations, tachycardia, bradycardia _______________________________________ FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND NON-IRRITATING DIETS Eating as an activating factor Elimination or exclusion diets for reactions to food (food intolerance) Histamine intolerance SCD/GAPS/Paleo Diets Cut down on sugar to improve mental health Make your own Kombucha! Alcohol craving on SSRIs Probiotics and gut health Gluten and depression Gut health influences emotions, thinking _______________________________________ ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery? Protracted withdrawal or Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) -- How long does it last? Serotonin Syndrome or Serotonin Toxicity Drugs and Kidney Issues Tardive dyskinesia or involuntary movements Tongue symptoms of antipsychotics Edited March 10 by Altostrata updated 1 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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