Advice

[rasogommato]

So, I have been in the forum for a little while now and I stated a while back that I was going to see a Psychiatrist about my problem. I did, and this is what went down. I walked in, and explained my problem, emetophobia, etc...and how I get panic attacks, have trouble sleeping, etc...and after about 25 minutes the doctor says that what I have in addition to a specific phobia is OCD. He continues to say that he is going to start me on Zoloft. this came as a bit of a surprise to me, but I listened...he then informed me that possible (and somewhat likely) side effects are nausea (???) and certain sexual side effects, like impotence and inability to acheive orgasm. Well, I am emetophobic so the nausea thing threw me for a loop - but I am also just recently married and thus, sexual side effects dont sound all that great either. He did write me a script for Phenergen and said that if I needed it he would write me one for viagra or cialis. I find all of this disturbing. I want help, not to be all doped up on drugs.....I tend to think that we live in an overmedicated society to begin with and I feel like doctors just write prescriptions for whatever the coolest pharmaceutical salesman is pushing this month??? or am I wrong??? will zoloft help me????? It has been about a week now, and every morning I look at the bottle but I have yet to take one. and more and more people at work are getting the SV.....and I am freeking out! what should I do?????

[crimgoddess]

<<<I tend to think that we live in an overmedicated society to begin with and I feel like doctors just write prescriptions for whatever the coolest pharmaceutical salesman is pushing this month??? or am I wrong??? will zoloft help me????? It has been about a week now, and every morning I look at the bottle but I have yet to take one. and more and more people at work are getting the SV.....and I am freeking out! what should I do????? >>>


I tend to agree with you. I think that too many psychiatrists (not ALL mind you) are quick to push pharmaceuticals, which I think is a major problem in today's society. Something wrong? Okay, this wonder drug will fix ya up! Oh, that has side effects? Well, these other drugs should fix that! Where does it end?


I think drugs should be used only after other options have been exhausted- especially due to the addictive nature of many of them. It KILLS me when I hear that someone gets the courage to go into a doctor to try and get help for their problem, and the first thing out they do is push a drug. The thing is, unless you are willing to do the work, drugs are by no means a solution to this phobia.


I know I'll probably get blasted, because sometimes I think I'm the only person on this board that feels this way- but whatever, I'm a big girl. I'm not saying that drugs should *never* be used, or that people who do use them are somehow bad or inadequate- I just think that by and large, western society is overprescribed and overmedicated. That it is WAY too easy to get your hands on psych meds, even if you may not want/need them.


Raso- I'm not going to tell you what to do, because every situation is different. BUT, I will tell you what I would do- if my doctor decided only after a half hour that drugs were the best option for me, and didn't mention any other types of treatment, I would either find a new doctor, or tell him that I wanted to explore non-drug options. I'm shopping around for a therapist in my region now, and I'm going to make it explicitly clear that I am not looking for a precription- I'm looking to beat this phobia.


But like I said- that is what I would do- this is a personal decision, and everyone has to come to resolution on their own.


Good Luck


*amber*

[rasogommato]

I 100% agree...I already have a follow up appt scheduled for Feb 1 - I am going to call today and let him know that I have decided not to begin the Zoloft until after my appt, at which point I would like to discuss non-medicinal methods for treating my problem. Thanks for the support!!!

[SimplyMe]

I agree w/ both of you (no blasting here) I mean I don't think Tom Cruise is right that drugs are absolutely unnecessary but they are WAAAYYYY too overly prescribed!


Have you considered seeing a psychologist rather than a psychiatrist? Maybe try some CBT or something first? I had a doctor try to get me on Zoloft too, (took it once, not a great thing for me personally) then I found someone who specialized in anxiety disorders and learned coping skills. She didn't get the emet but when the anxiety is lowered it makes it more bearable. Anyhow, good luck and never feel bad about sticking up for yourself, it's YOUR body!