Antipsychotics with no psychosis

[PurpleLovecats]

Does anyone take antipsychotics for anxiety or similar?

Do they help with the symptoms or the diagnosis

I take them alongside an antidepressant. It's the only combination which has kept my depression at bay.

Which one do you take?

Antipsychotics work for different things at different dosages

DF was on low dose Haloperidol as part of his palliative care drug mix, not prescribed for psychosis. It’s commonly used to control the nausea caused by opiates (although I suspect it does also stop palliative patients from being too anxious)

Really I've been on them years bpd. I think i was on them before I was even diagnosed. I am also on a mood stabiliser and antidepressant and I randomly have benzos when needed

I take Olanzapine which was prescribed when I was an inpatient suffering from severe anorexia, but no psychosis. I continue to take a small dose, although I'm currently lowering it a little as my cholesterol is high. The psychiatrist is happy for me to stay on the low dose, as long as I feel it's helping.

Yes it can be very normal to use various drugs for different purposes.

I think if the person has been through many many other medications without success then they may do. The side effects are often pretty unpleasant.

I know they're not only prescribed for people who are literally currently in acute psychosis. They are sometimes used for severe bipolar, schizophrenia etc.

That’s just my understanding. I don’t work in the field. I presume there will always be exceptions to the usual rules. I believe NICE guidelines are usually followed but will also be deviated from by individual clinicians, who have the right to prescribe “off label” if they feel they have good reason.

I am not sure how these different conditions are diagnosed, as symptoms seem to overlap considerably but treatment sometimes differs notably.

Thanks everyone. It’s been interesting to hear your thoughts. All I know is that the only way I’ll survive is with this medication. It’s horrendous.

I think if you feel your.disgnosis isn’t correct then that has to be the place to start. Would your GP help you get a second opinion? Can you afford to get a review done privately?

I was on Olanzapine and before that Ariprerezole (sp?) but I don’t think I did have psychosis, just severe anxiety and insomnia. Maybe other symptoms but I forget them now. I’m now off both. Still on Fluoxetine for low mood.

Nope. GP says they cannot get involved. No money for private.

I did when I had PND. No psychotic symptoms but as an adjunct to the anti depressants

Yes, aripiprazole for anxiety and depression. In conjunction with escitalopram and also lorazepam as prn.

Have you tried Pals? Saying you need support to request a second assessment from another CMHT?

I suppose a difficulty you could have is if a lot of patients diagnosed with personality disorders refuse to accept the diagnosis. It would be hard for a system to differentiate between an illness symptom and a legitimate concern about misdiagnosis. I would try Pals next in the situation you describe. Most of psychiatric diagnosis is through clinical observation so the system should allow for patients to ask for a diagnosis to be redone independently.

Yes, currently going through PALS.

Yes my DD is prescribed 100mg of quitiapine (sp) for anxiety, low mood, negative repetive thoughts. She also takes flurexotine. Its workwd well for her. Not perfect still ups and downs but defintely makes a positive difference to her MH.
It does make her very hungry though and she has put on weight.

I take 200mg of Lamotrigine and 200mg of Sertraline.

I’m actually feeling so angry about this. I’ve felt for a long time that the latest psych was gaslighting me and I’m fuming I’m being denied something that worked.