I can extract side effects.

Chapter 518 Heart Disease Needs Heart Medicine

Haishi, No. 600 Wanping South Road, Mental Health Center.

In the consultation room, Dr. Lin was sitting upright, carefully looking at the young man across from him.

This is a man in his early twenties, with wrinkled clothes, disheveled hair, and drooping bangs, covering most of his forehead.

Since entering the house, he has been staring out the window in a daze, and will answer when he hears the words, but he always avoids direct eye contact.

Dr. Lin looked at the case in hand, frowned, and sighed insignificantly.

"Xiaojie, after taking sertraline and citalopram for two months, is there still no improvement?"

"Still afraid of strangers? Don't dare to answer the phone, feel anxious when you see text messages, get scared when you go out and meet people, and can't help but want to escape?"

"En." Xiaojie responded briefly, his eyes still not leaving the blue sky and white clouds outside the window.

"Is there any adverse reaction?" Dr. Lin smiled bitterly and continued to ask.

"Dizziness and nausea, erratic walking, trance, and slower and slower reactions, do these count?"

"Forget it." Dr. Lin nodded, tapped the keyboard quickly, and recorded it.

"Then shall I continue to eat?" Xiaojie secretly glanced at the doctor who was typing with his head down, and quickly turned his gaze back before the other party found out.

"Forget it, let's stop now. I prescribed venlafaxine for a month before, and I ate a box of sustained-release capsules and ten boxes of sustained-release tablets, but it didn't have much effect. It seems that these treatments for depression The medicines are still not working.”

Dr. Lin shook his head ponderously, and slowly spit out a sentence.

"Have you ever heard of social phobia?"

"I've heard of it." Xiaojie nodded hesitantly.

"This is not a hot word on the Internet, but a real disease."

Dr. Lin explained: "In the dictionary of psychology, it is a kind of phobia. Nervous people show fear and avoidance in social situations, feel that strangers are paying attention to themselves, and dare not look at others. Even eye contact creates intense fear."

"Then, then I think I may have social phobia." Xiaojie turned his head and thought for a while, heaved a sigh of relief, and forced a smile: "I always thought I was depressed."

"That's true. Most patients with social phobia also have symptoms of depression. The medical profession has always treated depression according to this, because there is no specific drug for social phobia."

Xiaojie was a little disappointed, and muttered to himself: "It turns out that I have a terminal illness for which there is no cure. It sounds more serious than depression."

The expression on his face suddenly became more depressed.

"You can't say that," Dr. Lin smiled, and continued: "The neurological principles of the two are completely different, and even the parts of the brain that work are different. The amygdala controls human fear, while social Phobias should be classified as an acquired fear."

"Congenital fear is like you will be afraid of heights when you see a cliff, acquired fear is similar to being afraid of electricity after an electric shock, and social phobia is also derived from your experience. When you get along with people and feel anxiety and fear, This fear memory will be rooted in the brain and continuously strengthened."

"When under certain conditions, such as dealing with people again, this subsided fear response will reappear, which is called fear memory reappearance, which stimulates the amygdala area of ​​the brain, leading to the emergence of various negative emotions, and even severe depression. depression."

"Treatment for this condition would either block the recall of the fear memory or eliminate the neural response that occurs when the fear is recalled."

"In layman's terms, if you want to cure it, you must either forget all the fear memories, or you can't feel the emotion of fear."

"Relying on antidepressants alone is not right for the symptoms at all. It can only be regarded as treating the head for headaches and treating feet for foot pains. It cannot solve the fundamental problem."

At the end of Dr. Lin's speech, he comforted him: "So I suggest that you should also undergo psychotherapy at the same time to relieve this anxiety. It may be better."

Xiaojie nodded numbly: "Okay, Doctor Lin, I'll listen to you."

"Can you tell me in detail, when did you first feel this anxiety and fear?"

Dr. Lin's gentle voice sounded, as soft as running water, calming down the last trace of nervousness in his heart.

Xiaojie withdrew his gaze and looked at the ceiling, his whole being immersed in memories.

"That may go back to my college days. At that time, I just entered college and felt like I was omnipotent. I joined many clubs, met many new friends, and suddenly expanded my social circle."

"However, the more parties I attend and the more friends I meet, the more awkward I feel."

"I also persuaded myself that it might be good to try a few more times, but no matter how many times I try, I still feel very uncomfortable, and I just want to escape from this situation as soon as possible."

"Then did this happen to you before you went to college?"

He frowned, thought about it carefully for a moment, and said, "Yes, in fact, this kind of situation didn't just happen out of thin air during college. I have always been like this since I was a child."

"I have been introverted since I was a child, and I don't like to meet strangers, but my parents always said that I was wrong, forcing me to blend in with the crowd, and wanted me to be more outgoing."

"They have always asked me a lot, and I have fulfilled them one by one. I am good at studying, honest, sensible, and obedient. But they are still dissatisfied. They think that I am too introverted, and I will definitely not be able to enjoy it in society."

"I have worked very hard to change myself. When I saw my aunts and uncles on the road, I would greet them warmly. When I saw my classmates playing, I would join in even if I wasn't interested. It really makes me anxious."

"Even though I hate myself like that, I still force myself to pretend to be cheerful. This makes my parents happy, my relatives praise me, and it makes me feel that everything is worth it."

"When I went to college, because I lived in a dormitory, I couldn't be social, otherwise it would be weird."

"I thought that as long as I worked hard, I would change and become what I want to be, but some things are not what I want."

"Gradually, I became more and more anxious and nervous, and I couldn't bear the crowds. I always felt that others were too noisy, and I would be depressed when I went out. Only when I was alone would I get a little peace."

"I thought I was suffering from depression, and in order to overcome this inner restlessness, I tried a lot of different things."

"Not only did I read a lot of books on psychology, but I also went to see a psychiatrist to express my feelings."

"Took an EEG, tried cognitive behavioral therapy, even tried hypnotherapy."

"Tried several different hospitals, but the results were not satisfactory."

"It happened to coincide with the graduation season, because I was busy looking for a job, this matter was left alone."

"I thought maybe it would be better when I was working, because some people said that I was too idle, and I wouldn't think about these things when I was busy."

"Later, I found a 996 job. I thought that as long as I was so busy that I didn't even have time to sleep, I wouldn't have to deal with people anymore."

"However, leaders and colleagues are more difficult to get along with than classmates. I feel that they have great malice against me and beat me every day. No matter what I do, I can't satisfy them."

"So, I started to be afraid of going to work. When I thought about facing them every day, my anxiety became more serious, and I felt like I would rather die."

"I began to deny myself, and all kinds of negative emotions came one after another. Apart from work, I just curled up in the rented house and fell asleep."

"In this way, after a year, I finally couldn't take it anymore and quit this job."

"I never imagined that after I resigned, my situation became more and more serious. Not only did I lose contact with everyone around me, I even suffered so much that I wanted to end my life and reincarnate, but I was so timid that I didn't even have the courage to commit suicide. "

"Later, I decided to survive first, so I went to see a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with depression."

"After taking the medicine, it seems to be better. At least I don't have so many negative emotions, I don't hate myself anymore, and I can sleep well."

"But these drugs always have various side effects, which make me very uncomfortable. I take the medicine intermittently. I know this is wrong, but there is no way. Otherwise, my body will become worse and worse."

"No matter what, although I don't want to commit suicide anymore and have less negative emotions, I'm still afraid of dealing with people."

Xiaojie said desperately: "Don't talk about finding a job like this, I can't even go downstairs to buy food, I don't even want to answer the phone to order takeaway, my phone is always in airplane mode, and I only dare to turn it on late at night , will this be the case in my life?"

"Take your time, you have done a good job. In fact, there are many young people like you now. With the continuous development of society, many people can stay at home and don't need to deal with the outside world." Dr. Lin patiently Said, trying to ease his emotions.

"I am an introverted person, but I am not cheerful. Is this okay? Why must I be forced to be cheerful and lively, wearing a mask to deal with people every day?"

"Why do you have to say hello when you see people on the road, why do you have to have a good relationship with your classmates, why do you have to flatter your boss, why do you have to speak tactfully?"

"Can't I be myself? Can't I say something and keep silent?"

"I really hate the words introvert and extrovert. Why should everyone be labeled and classified so simply."

Xiaojie seemed to have opened the valve to release the flood, expressing his innermost feelings to his heart's content.

When all the emotions in his heart were vented, his anxiety seemed to be relieved to a certain extent.

After finishing all the words, Xiaojie looked at Dr. Lin with a grateful look: "Thank you, Dr. Lin."

This time, he was finally able to look directly into Dr. Lin's eyes without avoiding his gaze. Although it only lasted for three seconds, it was a rare improvement.

"You've done a good job, that's what you have to do, be yourself first, and then slowly try to deal with others in the way you want."

Dr. Lin praised: "Remember one thing, don't care too much about other people's opinions, okay?"

"Yeah." Xiaojie nodded confusedly.

Although he doesn't quite understand what it means to deal with people in his own way, but he knows that what Dr. Lin said is right.

Over the years, he has seen at least 10 doctors. Most of the so-called psychiatrists are very perfunctory to him. They just ask about his condition briefly and prescribe medicine immediately.

Only Dr. Lin would listen to him carefully for half an hour, no matter what he said, he would encourage him without a trace of impatience.

Here, he felt the attention and understanding he had never had before.

He doesn't need to wear a mask anymore, and he doesn't need to care about the other party's thoughts. He can focus on the depths of his heart and consider his own feelings first.

"Today is a good start. From now on, you will come once a week on time, and I will change your medicine. Although the effect is not as good, there are no adverse reactions. This way, medicine and psychotherapy should be carried out at the same time, and the condition should be relieved."

Doctor Lin nodded with a smile, and quickly prescribed the medicine.

Seeing that his patient's condition has improved, even with a slight improvement, he will feel happy and feel a sense of accomplishment.

In this way, Xiaojie gradually got used to psychotherapy and tried hard to return to normal.

Two weeks later, he came to the consultation room again.

This time, after asking about the symptoms, Dr. Lin did not immediately prescribe the medicine routinely, but said with a smile on his face.

"Xiaojie, I have some good news for you."

"Remember two weeks ago, I told you that there is currently no symptomatic drug for social phobia in the medical world?"

"Hehe, not long after I said this, I was slapped in the face."

"Sanqing Group developed a drug against social terror last year, which has entered Phase III clinical trials this year."

"Are you interested in participating in the drug trial?"

Xiaojie was stunned for a moment, and then said pleasantly: "Really? That's great."

However, he immediately became anxious when he thought of facing many doctors, nurses, and other patients.

So he asked cautiously: "However, how long will this clinical trial take?"

Dr. Lin mused: "Generally, drugs for the central nervous system have a long treatment cycle, long response time, and long follow-up time, so the entire clinical trial cycle will increase significantly."

"For other drugs such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, such a long treatment cycle is not required, and clinical trials will be shortened accordingly."

"Like other new drug trials, volunteers only need to stay in the hospital for a week or two, but the course of psychotropic drugs generally lasts for more than two months."

"More than two months." When Xiaojie heard that it had been so long, he immediately retreated.

Dr. Lin comforted: "Don't worry, the drug testing and examination are free, and you will feel bored after a long time at home. You can come to the hospital for a while and meet other patients who are as fearful as you. They are just like you. They are both young and should be able to find some common language."

"Of course, if you think the time is too long, it's up to you."

"I'm just giving you a treatment suggestion. As for whether to participate or not, it's up to you."

Seeing that Dr. Lin's attitude was gentle and not tough, Xiaojie no longer hesitated, and nodded in agreement.

On the same day, after he signed, he immediately underwent a physical examination and officially started the drug test.

The clinical trials of psychotropic drugs took a long time, so he did not stay in the hospital all the time.

Instead, stay for a few days, go home after making sure there are no adverse reactions, and then come back for a review after a while.

Every two weeks, he returns with all the remaining pills from the cycle, and measures and records some basic indicators, such as body temperature, weight and blood pressure.

Every four weeks, physiological indicators are tested. In addition to the above-mentioned data that is usually measured, several more blood tests, ECG and other tests are also required.

For each re-examination, the doctor will compare a test diagnosis and treatment form to inquire about the specific progress of the disease, as well as the physical and psychological state of the past two weeks, to judge whether the disease has improved or worsened.

Because taking medicine is not only related to his own condition, but also has more scientific research value, so during this period, he has to record every time he takes medicine.

When you miss a dose, and whether you have taken other prescription or over-the-counter drugs in the middle, you must record them one by one, and any behavior that will affect the results of clinical trials cannot be ignored.

Although tedious, it was worth it, because as time went by, Xiaojie found that his condition was really getting better.

(End of this chapter)