Hi, I’m undergoing treatment for PTSD and depression. I’m also having nightmares, and I am taking an antidepressant. It helps me lead a normal life, at least professionally. My trauma is of sexual kind, no antidepressant can get me out of that. My answer is yes: antidepressants will help with your symptoms. You’ll be much more functional as a human being. It will also make your sessions less painful because you’ll find it easier to deal with the emotions surrounding your trauma.
@rosetta Thank you! Can’t antidepressants replace therapy in milder cases? I was thinking if my symptoms (sleep problems, crying) decrease on antidepressants, I might feel inclined to cancel my EMDR sessions.
@abandoned This is a challenging question. Without knowing more about your story, I can’t judge. My history with meds is rocky. We had to replace my first antidepressant because it was making me numb. My pain decreased, but with it all other emotions were repressed, I could feel no satisfaction from small wins, nor could I let my emotions out, there were no emotions, just apathy. With my current antidepressant, only my negative thoughts are dulled, and I can work on healing my mind. But I certainly would not be able to do it without a therapist.
As far as I know, SSRIs may be used only as a temporary solution when dealing with trauma. They’ll give you time to learn the coping mechanisms, and then your therapist will suggest withdrawing the medication. Be prepared, choosing the right SSRI may be a long process of trial and error. Consult a psychiatrist about it, I don’t think your therapist can prescribe any medication.
I’m no expert, yet my firm belief is that if you can recover only with therapy or lifestyle changes, it's better in the long run. Meds are basically a prescribed addiction, you’ll depend on them to regulate your brain chemicals. In many cases, the patient’s condition requires medication, but bear in mind most of them have side effects.
Sleep is very important for mental health, which is why your therapist is trying to help you. I’m pretty sure they’ll prescribe you a very low dosage, probably less than 10mg. I recommend giving it a go. Antidepressants can really save you from nightmares and flashbacks and generally make you feel in control.
The antidepressants can help but you have to be careful of the side effects and it can cause other health problems too. So be cautious!
@Veena Choudhary So, medication works only when you take it, but it doesn't build up? Then I'll probably stick with EMDR for now. I don't see any benefit in taking antidepressants if, the moment I stop, my symptoms will be back. I want a long-term solution.
Hi,
With PTSD you can have insomnia, flashbacks, low self esteem and lot of painful or unpleasant emotions.
Short or long term psychotherapy and medications work well together. It is effective when both this treatments are being used together but this is best decided by your therapist after understanding your history.
when we take medication alone then we would avoid thoughts of trauma till we are taking the medication. We would feel good but once stopped then again problem will resurface as you have not addressed, faced those painful memories .
EMDR is a therapy which helps in reducing the symptoms of ptsd. it involves recalling the traumatic incidents in detail while making eye movements. Dozens of clinical trails show this technique is effective and can help a person faster in comparison to other therapies. EMDR will help you going to those places or situations visually until you are no longer distressed by them. It also reduces anxiety and distress over time. as you will get used to processing traumatic memories with new coping techniques during session it would become less exhausting and ease feelings of emotional tension. However some fatigue is common initially. it is mentally draining as well because it focuses inward on traumatic memories then forcing your eyes to track external movements and when you are new to this therapy focusing intensely on emotions for 90 min can be draining and tiring.
Medications probably wont get rid of your symptoms but they can make them less intense and more manageable. Psychological therapy is the best way to address the behind ptsd and also prevent it from returning.
Be patient with the treatment as it is will take some time to heal completely. you will feel at the end an encompassing sense of relief.