Have you ever been on neuroleptics? What for and what is it like?!


Question: I have severe derealisation and they want to put me on neuroleptics but I am nervous about it and dont know whether neuroleptics is a wise choice. Im also worried about side-effects


Answers: I have severe derealisation and they want to put me on neuroleptics but I am nervous about it and dont know whether neuroleptics is a wise choice. Im also worried about side-effects

Unfortunately, neuroleptics are often ineffective for folks who experience dissociative phenomena such as derealization. In addition, many of even the modern-day anti-psychotics carry significant risk of long term side effects with long term use (e.g., tardive dyskenesia).

Unless the purpose of your treatment is to ameliorate psychotic features (e.g., delusions, hallucinations), I would be VERY hesitant to go this route. If this derealization is a manifesting as the result of a disorder in the psychotic spectrum, then by all means, DO consider neuroleptics (it could help quite a lot, and the risk is worth it).

If we're talking about an anti-depressant here, that's another story. Although it is very unlikely it would help with your derelaization issue, it can take a good whack at any co-occuring depression that might be aggrevating the derealization.

Unless you have co-morbid conditions which themselves require neuroleptic treatment, frankly, for dissociative disorders and dissociation-like phenomena, your best bet is psychotherapy.

Some therapists specialize in treating folks with dissociation related issues (e.g., depersonalization, derealization). Many of them work with trauma survivors. You may want to see if you can find someone in your neck of the woods who specializes in this area.

Best of luck to you in making this important decision,
~M~

p.s. It would be worth your while to learn a few, solid grounding techniques. You might be pleasantly surprised at just how effective they can be in combating depersonalization/derealization. I've provided a link below to help get you started:

http://www.mosaicminds.org/safe-ground-n...

I've been on several neuroleptics (risperdal, invega, zyprexa, abilify, seroquel) and I can say that all except seroquel has helped me. Unfortunately, with risperdal, invega, & zyprexa, the side effects (mostly heart palpitations) outweighed the benefit I was getting. Abilify though, did not give me such problems. Seorquel actually made me hallucinate believe it or not. So I would focus on getting on the right neuroleptic that will work for you. The best one to try first might be abilify because it's side effect profile is better than others. Just be aware that any neuroleptic can give you uncontrollable movements but there are 3 medications (cogentin, artane, benydril) that they can give you for that side effect, should it appear. Also with all the medications, except abilify, I advise taking it in the evening because they will make you drowsier. Abilify might actually "wake you up" a bit so take that one in the morning. Best of luck.





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories