Very overwelmed

[P0pcorn]

I am feeling very overwhelmed the last few weeks. I have only recently truly started talking to my therapist about what is going on. a 101 things have been diagnosed in the last couple of months, well not really but it feels like that many. I have been self medication to try and control emotions for a very long time and one of the goals is to stop the meds, but this is causing my anxiety levels to be through the roof. Any advice or someone that has gone through something similar.

Regards

[kc1895]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm glad you have started your first steps and joined us here. Is there a reason you want to stop your meds? What are you taking if you don't mind me asking.

[P0pcorn]

Hi

I am taking anything with codeine in. I am talking too much. It is working against my therapy goals and prescribed meds. My suicide risk is very high. The self medicating is fueling my avoidance of emotions and situations. I have been doing the self medications for a very long time, but it got worse in the last 7 months, to the point that I am endangering myself. My therapist is saying that is physiological, I do not belief in myself and can not cope with out the meds.

[Otherside]

Hey, and welcome.
You need to go to your GP and tell him your addicted to painkillers (I presume thats what your taking when you mean you're taking anything with codeine in?). You won't be able to come off them instantly, I don't think, you'll have to taper off slowly, your GP should be able to tell you how to do that. And did you mean your therapist is telling you it's psychological? Codeine/painkiller addiction is a real and accepted problem, and one which is more common than you might think. Codeine is an addicitive substance, it's not easy to come off of, even if it is psychological.

[P0pcorn]

Re - painkillers yes.
Re - And did you mean your therapist is telling you it's psychological? Yes. In my mind I can not handle my emotions with out the meds.
why are you saying "Codeine is an addicitive substance, it's not easy to come off of, even if it is psychological."?

[Otherside]

Re - painkillers yes.

Okay, then go to your GP or primary carer or whatever, and tell them you're addicted to painkillers. It's more common than you'd think, a lot of people who are addicted probably don't realize it's a problem because the painkillers are readily available over the counter. Over here, there's even an addiction warning on any codeine meds I buy from the pharmacy. You probably could try and come off it without help from your GP. I might be wrong, but I think I saw something once that said anti-depressants can help with the withdrawl symptoms.

Re - And did you mean your therapist is telling you it's psychological? Yes. In my mind I can not handle my emotions with out the meds.

I'm not anti-medication and even if I was, I wouldn't tell you to not take anything and deal with it yourself. You're scared to come off them and I get them, I'm scared to come off some of mine, and there's no way I could deal with my emotions without the medications I'm on. There's a lot of evidence towards the mental illness is caused by chemical imbalances theories, and that the medications somehow balance out the chemicals causing this.

why are you saying "Codeine is an addicitive substance, it's not easy to come off of, even if it is psychological."?

Codeine is an opiod, like heroin, morphine, methadone, although it is a lot weaker than those, and therefore, can be sold over-the-counter without a signed for prescription. As I said before, the packs of codeine painkillers I've got here all have an addiction warning on them, and don't encourage anymore than three days or so usage. It might not be easy to come off, it defiantly won't be if you come off it quickly. There will be some unpleasant withdrawl symptoms (although nothing like heroin/morphine withdrawl at all). Which is why I think you should go to a GP for help slowly stopping codeine, especially since you said you've been taking it for a while. They'll be able to help you come off the meds and help avoid withdrawl.

[P0pcorn]

I here what you are saying about the GP. It scares me so much to tell another person.

[Equinox]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience with PTSD, I am also diagnosed with PTSD and I know how much of an isolating disorder it can be which can make you feel alone and overwhelmed.
I agree with what Otherside said about needing medications to deal with the overwhelming feelings -emotions, anxiety, what not. Don't be ashamed to talk to a doctor or therapist about it, they are trained to treat PTSD and won't judge you for it. I would advise talking to a doctor or a specialist (psychiatrist) about it, the codeine you are self medicating with likely mimics some of the effects of the medications which are used to treat ptsd (my ex-gf used to self medicate her ptsd/bipolar with it too), though for the reasons already mentioned above by otherside it's not a good long term option, and furthermore the paracetamol content in OTC codeine pills can cause toxicity when used excessively, it is better to take a medication which is prescribed by your doctor specifically to treat ptsd, your doctor will likely be able to give you a schedule to taper off of the codeine and to add a proper medication if necessary.

[Ironman]

I here what you are saying about the GP. It scares me so much to tell another person.

That's the fear of being known - definitely understandable. You are fine here. In this case, there is nothing to be ashamed of. You know that there is something wrong and you want to correct it. You just stood up for yourself. That's a triumph in every sense of the word.

You might want to look into talking to your doctor about this issue and possibly tapering off of the painkillers as you increase a medication that can be monitored by a doctor. They can't judge you. At worst, they would refer you to someone who could help. There is no judgment; their first goal is to help you....bottom line.

[takethebiscuit]

As a therapist, I agree with the answers already given. There is no judgement. It's about making sure you are safe, well and that your well being is looked after. Talk to your doctor/therapist.

[Chieve]

I am feeling very overwhelmed the last few weeks. I have only recently truly started talking to my therapist about what is going on. a 101 things have been diagnosed in the last couple of months, well not really but it feels like that many. I have been self medication to try and control emotions for a very long time and one of the goals is to stop the meds, but this is causing my anxiety levels to be through the roof. Any advice or someone that has gone through something similar.

Regards

i havent gone through anything similar, but i would advice you to get off the meds. usually meds make things work and actually make you go backwards because you forget how to cope with anxiety and depend on the meds.

the only advice i can give is take baby steps...many baby steps...

[Misssy]

Hi !!

Sorry you are going through so much rough stuff right now.

Um, it sounds like you have to be patient with it. I agree with Cheive, trying to work on it a little bit at a time.

Take it easy on yourself if you can.

I wish I had better advice.