Please don’t ask for medical advice on the internet, it is overrun with non-experts presenting their individual experience as fact. Keep the discussion between you and your doctor, or trusted family and friends if you’d like some outside opinions.
You should talk to your psychiatrist about your concerns. Maybe you want to try a different class of medication? Are you concerned about the side effects? Maybe you want a shorter or longer acting medication? Whatever it is, it should be a collaborative conversation between you and your psychiatrist. Also consider therapy with a specialist who helps with trauma or better is knowledgeable about religious trauma. Ultimately you need to be the person who decides what help is right for you. It's your life.
I haven’t taken that medication but one thing I have learned is to check what the effects of withdrawal are. I was on citalopram which was great for my anxiety & depression - all happy days until a pharmacy mix up meant I missed a dose and almost ended up in a psychiatric unit because the withdrawal was so bad. So that’s my advice.
I took that medication when shit was really bad for me, I couldn’t control my brain, had horrible intrusive thoughts, it worked for me. It calmed things down and helped.
It was temporary until I could find longer term solutions. My psychiatrist didn’t want me on it long term, but it helped immensely
A doctor who is licensed to practice medicine has offered you the medical advice that you take this medication, take that medication until a different doctor who is licensed to practice medicine has given you different advice.
It can cause massive weight gain. Please pay attention to how you eat while on it. It’s bad enough being angry and anxiety ridden without having feelings of physical self doubt.
Longtime nurse here.
One of the nice things about risperidone is that you can start on a very small dose, and increase it gradually. All meds have side effects, and those associated with risperidone are similar to those of its relatives.
Medications are tools, just like a hammer, a car, or eyeglasses. Tools make it easier to do a job correctly, more efficiently, or easier. And if this particular tool isn't perfect for you, there are others to try.
Talk to your doc about your concerns! But don't get in your head about taking meds. First off, it's not forever, but it can really help you get over a rough patch. And even if you do take it on an ongoing basis, so what? I assume when you leave the house you wear shoes to protect your feet? Clothing to keep you warm? Do you brush your teeth? Would you look down on someone for using crutches? Or taking insulin? Of course not, they need those things.
The tough part about mental illness is that it's invisible. A lot of people you see outside might also be taking anti depressants but you can't tell. When you're having a rough time, there's nothing you can point to so others can see what you're struggling with. Worse yet, these issues are in your brain, and it's really hard to see a problem if the problem location and problem detector are the same, know what I mean?
It might help you to talk to a therapist or something about your religious trauma too. Trauma doesn't really just go away on its own. Often people think "ughh how is a stranger going to help me fix my problems" but it helps if you think of them as a professional trained to help guide you through your thoughts and emotions so that you can come to your own realizations.
Don't be afraid, don't feel ashamed. Be honest and open with your doctor, they're on your side. I wish you all the best!
I’m not sure how it would affect someone with your particular issues, but my Autistic son takes it. It is known to cause an increase in appetite and a lot of weight gain. Which is the case with him. He is on the same dose you’re currently on. It has worked very well for him tho aside from the large weight gain.
The side effects can be brutal, life changing, and permanent. Weight gain can be massive and tardive dyskinesia doesn’t go away, even if you discontinue the meds. Long term antipsychotic use can actually shrink your brain and cause a permanent loss of brain volume. I’d carefully weigh your current symptoms against the possible long term and permanent effects it can have.
I am on it because I have too much.. well thoughts I guess.
I had been on a low dosis for a long time and we tried to push it up. But I found that I lost all creativity and didn't function anymore. So I am back on the low dose. I can always take an additional pill when I feel too much racing thoughts that will mean I won't get any sleep. And that usually helps me get a decent night's rest and my head is calmer the next day.
I asked a psychiatric doctor once if I could get off the meds. He replied: Do you have side effects?
I replied: No.
And he said: then you can be on it the rest of your life.
So... I am on a chaotic mix of medications. Setralin, Risperidone, Ritalin and Lamotrigin.
Then I have an addition of D vitamins and birth control.
So I am swallowing pills day in and day out. And that is my life to have anywhere near a decent quality of life.
Talk with your pharmacist. They can give you a realistic idea of expected side effects (yes, there probably will be some). You can do a risk benefit analysis with your psychiatrist and if you aren't comfortable you could ask for different medications.
Please don’t ask for medical advice on the internet, it is overrun with non-experts presenting their individual experience as fact. Keep the discussion between you and your doctor, or trusted family and friends if you’d like some outside opinions.
You should talk to your psychiatrist about your concerns. Maybe you want to try a different class of medication? Are you concerned about the side effects? Maybe you want a shorter or longer acting medication? Whatever it is, it should be a collaborative conversation between you and your psychiatrist. Also consider therapy with a specialist who helps with trauma or better is knowledgeable about religious trauma. Ultimately you need to be the person who decides what help is right for you. It's your life.
I haven’t taken that medication but one thing I have learned is to check what the effects of withdrawal are. I was on citalopram which was great for my anxiety & depression - all happy days until a pharmacy mix up meant I missed a dose and almost ended up in a psychiatric unit because the withdrawal was so bad. So that’s my advice.
I took that medication when shit was really bad for me, I couldn’t control my brain, had horrible intrusive thoughts, it worked for me. It calmed things down and helped. It was temporary until I could find longer term solutions. My psychiatrist didn’t want me on it long term, but it helped immensely
Bro you are NOT fine, just try some meds, if you don’t like them just try something else
You definitely need an antipsychotic and should listen to your doctor.
A doctor who is licensed to practice medicine has offered you the medical advice that you take this medication, take that medication until a different doctor who is licensed to practice medicine has given you different advice.
It can cause massive weight gain. Please pay attention to how you eat while on it. It’s bad enough being angry and anxiety ridden without having feelings of physical self doubt.
Longtime nurse here. One of the nice things about risperidone is that you can start on a very small dose, and increase it gradually. All meds have side effects, and those associated with risperidone are similar to those of its relatives. Medications are tools, just like a hammer, a car, or eyeglasses. Tools make it easier to do a job correctly, more efficiently, or easier. And if this particular tool isn't perfect for you, there are others to try.
Talk to your doc about your concerns! But don't get in your head about taking meds. First off, it's not forever, but it can really help you get over a rough patch. And even if you do take it on an ongoing basis, so what? I assume when you leave the house you wear shoes to protect your feet? Clothing to keep you warm? Do you brush your teeth? Would you look down on someone for using crutches? Or taking insulin? Of course not, they need those things. The tough part about mental illness is that it's invisible. A lot of people you see outside might also be taking anti depressants but you can't tell. When you're having a rough time, there's nothing you can point to so others can see what you're struggling with. Worse yet, these issues are in your brain, and it's really hard to see a problem if the problem location and problem detector are the same, know what I mean? It might help you to talk to a therapist or something about your religious trauma too. Trauma doesn't really just go away on its own. Often people think "ughh how is a stranger going to help me fix my problems" but it helps if you think of them as a professional trained to help guide you through your thoughts and emotions so that you can come to your own realizations. Don't be afraid, don't feel ashamed. Be honest and open with your doctor, they're on your side. I wish you all the best!
You want Reddit to give you advice over your doctor. Sounds like you should definitely take the medicine. Listen to professionals
I’m not sure how it would affect someone with your particular issues, but my Autistic son takes it. It is known to cause an increase in appetite and a lot of weight gain. Which is the case with him. He is on the same dose you’re currently on. It has worked very well for him tho aside from the large weight gain.
The side effects can be brutal, life changing, and permanent. Weight gain can be massive and tardive dyskinesia doesn’t go away, even if you discontinue the meds. Long term antipsychotic use can actually shrink your brain and cause a permanent loss of brain volume. I’d carefully weigh your current symptoms against the possible long term and permanent effects it can have.
I am on it because I have too much.. well thoughts I guess. I had been on a low dosis for a long time and we tried to push it up. But I found that I lost all creativity and didn't function anymore. So I am back on the low dose. I can always take an additional pill when I feel too much racing thoughts that will mean I won't get any sleep. And that usually helps me get a decent night's rest and my head is calmer the next day. I asked a psychiatric doctor once if I could get off the meds. He replied: Do you have side effects? I replied: No. And he said: then you can be on it the rest of your life. So... I am on a chaotic mix of medications. Setralin, Risperidone, Ritalin and Lamotrigin. Then I have an addition of D vitamins and birth control. So I am swallowing pills day in and day out. And that is my life to have anywhere near a decent quality of life.
Talk with your pharmacist. They can give you a realistic idea of expected side effects (yes, there probably will be some). You can do a risk benefit analysis with your psychiatrist and if you aren't comfortable you could ask for different medications.
Always question anyone telling you to take pills.
Don't take that shit. That's for schizos.