Would like a sedative from psychiatrist

[ontheup23]

Hi I am about to have an appointment with my psychiatrist using the term loosely as I've just met them twice
My mental health has been the pits for the last twelve months
I successfully had a misdiagnosis for bipolar amended on my records last year with the psychiatrist who was very kind and understanding
I never disputed I haven't got perfect mental health but it's pretty clear that it's not bipolar that is impacting me

For years I've wondered all types of things am I a narcissist, autistic, toxic or horrible etc

My child is on the pathway for an adhd diagnosis and by studying adhd which I didn't know anything about I have come to realise that this is likely the same condition I have too
I fit it quite text book, childhood and upwards and the patterns are the same

I've become extremely skinny and don't eat but not for body image issues. I have recently started mitrazapine and it is really really helping me, doctor has just increased the dose too.

I have unbearable panic attacks and I am very socially anxious which is pretty new in the last year, probably coming from v low self esteem and self worth. I am really angry at myself for not managing my life better and I take so so so much soothing to try to calm down. It's not sustainable for so many reasons.

I use Propanalol and it does help with my physical symptoms but I just sit there full of hate and venom thinking I am a disgusting person, I am very compassionate but I don't think I would be able to tolerate someone like me if they were a friend

I help all my friends in their terrible times but I don't think even I could cope with me when I am sad, because I just catastrophize a lot of stuff and even when I'm told it's ok and not to worry I fully can't break the cycle

Just about to have a meeting and I would like something like lorazepam for panic attacks because they are excruciating

How do I ask for this? I don't want to be shamed for it but think it would benefit me a lot whilst I get my life back on track

Fully aware that an adhd diagnosis may not be what I am going to get and this isn't my asssesment that is years off but I want to ask for some thing to help me in the interim whilst I titrate up on mitrazapine

Has anyone done this how did you ask?

Meeting in a couple of mins

Thank you

I wouldn’t ask for a specific medication but explain your symptoms and your aims.

I would just explain about the panic attacks and you can't cope with them and could they prescribe you something for when they happen. It's the only way to do it, just ask

Also I would say the intensity of it is recent if you do buy for them because they’re supposed to be for short term use

Thats where I was some years ago and the thing that saved my sanity was a short course of sedatives, and Venlafaxine. I was resistant to taking anti depressants, and the first two I tried gave me side effects. But I agree with TestingTestingWonTooFree - just go and describe your symptoms, tell them you aren't coping with the panic attacks and need help. They usually don't take kindly to being asked for a specific med ime.

Explain your symptoms don’t ask for a certain medication. I’ve been on antidepressants, mood stabilisers and antipsychotics. It takes a while to get used to the medication.

This is illegal

I think this is dangerous advice. Diazepam and xanax are very addictive and you need to have them prescribed and reviewed face to face. Those online sites don't give a flying fuck if you become addicted, all they're interested in is £££. Your mental health is much more important than that.

@BodyKeepingScore its legal, it’s an online doctor service

Maybe people are different but I’ve been on and off benzos for 17 years and never got addicted. You just need to not abuse it/ stick to the recommended dose and use sparingly

I work in a mental health trust. Please do not suggest people to buy medication from the internet, this is a risk factor we must always escalate and is dangerous. You don't know what your buying and you don't know how medication can react to other medications your on, this is why medication like anti depressants or anti anxiety medication should always be prescribed by a gp or a psychiatrist. Lots of medication for mental health can react dangerously together, I've seen cases of serotonin syndrome for example from people taking too many anti depressants than prescribed. Especially please do not buy benzos over the internet, some of which aren't even routinely prescribed here in the uk for being highly addictive. The guidelines don't even recommend the use of benzodiazepines now for anxiety apart from in a very short dose, 5 days maybe.
Op you'll have been seen now but they're much more likely to go down the mood stabiliser route but often not until you have tried a few anti depressants. Good luck

I have lorazepam to use as required. It does help a tiny bit. I would just ask if I was you. These days people come having done some googling and often suggest meds they think might help
I am a retired nurse so have always done this. Psychiatrists vary as do all medics and I have had two lovely ones and one complete horror who I walked away from after one appointment.
Hopefully yours is nice

I endorse the comments from others concerned about the post from @Annaishere

I reported it and I'm extremely disappointed that MNHQ has seen fit to let it stand.

I don’t know why you reported it. I’m just suggesting private healthcare as the nhs can be rubbish

And some people really do need these drugs to function

Anyway I hope your appointment went well OP

I don't think you can actually have a diagnosis removed? I was diagnosed with bipolar II a decade ago.

Haven't taken medication for years with medical approval, work full time, mortgage - stable, boring life.

I still need to disclose it for insurance since it's in my medical records - just switched to remission.

As for diazepam - I wouldn't. Tried it after the sudden death of a family member. It makes you feel awful the day after - a full on downer.

If you have bipolar it can also cause mania.

Bipolar II is mostly episodes of depression and episodes of anxiety / ruminating.

Sorry you are going through this OP. I know how debilitating panic attacks can be.

I ended up being hospitalised with mine, where I was actually put on Lorazepam while I was adjusting to SSRI Sertraline and I frankly I couldn't have been without it. It saved my life.

You will hear lots of horror stories about how you should avoid it/only use it for a few weeks because it's very addictive. But I took 1.5mg daily for five months, never increased and tapered off (VERY slowly) without experiencing ANY withdrawals at all. So it can be done. And I would take it again in a heartbeat.

When you're in the grip of a panic attack, nothing comes close. I deffo think you can - and should - ask for this specifically.

Oh yes... the NHS made my situation worse. If it was for private healthcare I would have died.

Not benzos it doesn't. Work instantly.

SSRIs on the other hand... took me exactly FIVE months to level on Sertraline and the start-up symptoms were frankly horrific. Which NO ONE tells you about. Why is that I wonder?

Lorazepam worked instantly and no side effects whatever.

OP it will be difficult to get lorazepam for this. The treatment is generally
psychology and/or SSRIs.

Lorazepam kind of works ‘too’ well and makes people feel great and works quickly. Hence the risk of dependence.

I do think they have their place in panic disorder but it might be a struggle to get it.

This is what the NICE guidelines say. Just to manage your expectations. Good luck.

‘Pharmacological interventions
General1.4.21 Benzodiazepines are associated with a less good outcome in the long term and should not be prescribed for the treatment of individuals with panic disorder.’

The Maudsley guidelines say the same.

Sorry just seen your appt was hours ago.

Hey just to clarify I don't have it,
It was a misdiagnosis and misunderstanding
It said potential by the psychiatrist and dr recorded that I did
I was seen by the same psychiatrist who apologised and said she was just starting at the time

I have been seen and got some amazing advice and support, I did ask about sedatives but I decided against after talking with her about them

I'm going to go for a combination of an anti depressant and the mirtazapine which is Saving my ass right now it is a complete god send

Have also been soothed and explained sometimes we just get very depressed and not to study ourselves looking for a cause

I really appreciate the advice about the private px, I use private health care a lot of the time and self pay. The NHS is on its knees and I was on hold for over 6 hours to the crisis team just trying to get anti depressants, god forbid I was actively suicidal I would have just ended my life at that point if that were the case

A thoroughly degrading process to go through

Thank you so much for these gentle words and your courage to share

It's the things like this that keep me just coping. Honestly it really is. Thank you xx