I think my son, Darrell, who is challenged with a mental disorder, needs to change or adjust medications. My long-term aim is to continue to search for spiritual and physical solutions that will result in complete healing. In the meantime, I am tapping into every available resource I feel will help my son. Likes to feel safe While attending a NAMI class, some of the students talked about the need to change or adjust medications often because the body is continually chemically changing. This seems doable, but in our home, this is a difficult hurdle. It feels safer to Darrell to keep taking the same medications he is comfortable with. Change makes him feel nervous and he, like most human beings, longs to feel safe. Anxiety medications I had the thought if he needs to adjust medications, we ought to try a medication that also helps with anxiety. He has taken a couple of anti-anxiety medications in the past but they are very addictive and are not recommended for long-term use. Since Darrell is a former certified personal trainer and very conscientious about health, he does not want to risk staying on a medication longer that is recommended so he chose to stop taking anti-anxiety medicine even though it helped him with social anxiety. While studying medications in NAMI class, I noticed a medication called Celexa (Generic name- Citalopram), an anti-depressant, that also helps with anxiety without becoming addictive. I noticed this was the only non-addictive anti-anxiety drug on the NAMI medication list. Approaching Darrell I pondered about how to approach Darrell concerning changing or altering medications. I showed him a written description of Celexa’s non-addictive and anti-anxiety properties, and I was pleasingly surprised he didn’t challenge or fight the idea to alter medications. Advocate I then approached Darrell about becoming his advocate at his psychiatrist appointments (I feel that I should be there to make sure correct information is presented to the psychiatrist) and again to my surprise, Darrell agreed. In the past, he has been strongly opposed to me going to his appointments because it makes him feel like a little boy who has to have his mommy. After I explained to him that everyone in my NAMI class was an advocate for a loved one to make sure important points were not overlooked at doctor appointments, he understood and accepted my invitation. Alter Medications Darrell did a great job telling the doctor why he wanted to switch to Celexa. The doctor agreed to his proposal and said it was actually his “first choice” anti-depressant. As the doctor was filling out the prescription, he mentioned the adverse side effects of the drug. This scared Darrell and he told the doctor he changed his mind and decided against taking the new drug. I was disappointed and had to remind myself I cannot control situations such as this. Moving forward with the hope that I will continue to have the strength to cope with this challenge.
