25% of side effects from meds are just imagination.

[Jeff1943]

On Brit TV this evening there was an interesting report on psychological side effects from medications. A clinical test was carried out involving a group of people who were given a pill to take each day and told it could cause muscular pain as a side effect. At the end of the trial 25% of the group had stopped taking the tablet because of muscular pains. The only problem was that the pill they had been given was a placebo - a sugar pill - which had no active ingredients whatsoever.

Another test was carried out with a different group only they were given a 50mg Vitamin C tablet, they were told it was vitamin C and were warned about the small possibility of a side effect. Once again 25% reported the non-existent side effect and many stopped taking it.

I blame resistance to medications on the leaflets that come with psychoactive medications which list yards of every side effect imaginable (it's a way that pharmaceutical companies cover themselves legally).

Such is the power of auto-suggestion.

[Hidden]

Wow! I get that way with my anxiety. I freak out and build on it, ugh. Medications, not. Huh

[Jeff1943]

Maybe try sugar pills, they may bring relief from high anxiety?

[Ragdoll15 in reply to Jeff1943]

Must ask my doctor for some!

[Jeff1943 in reply to Ragdoll15]

Yes, sugar coated placebo pills guaranteed to cure anxiety in 25% of cases. If only.

[autumnthebrat2]

I wonder if it's like that with withdrawal. I'm on a FB group that is extremely conservative in tapering ad meds. I realize the importance of tapering slowly, but they buy scales and taper like 5 percent and take very long time to wean off. They are constantly warning people about withdrawal that can pop up after having an easy time coming off months earlier. Now I seem to be waiting for it

[Jeff1943 in reply to autumnthebrat2]

I think they are right, in the 1970s before the addictive nature of diazepam was recognised, I allowed myself 6 months to taper off off it. I think doctors don't realise the time needed to wean ourselves off medications that our bodies have become used to over (sometimes) years.

[rach1402]

Ooh interesting, which channel was it on? Maybe I can watch it on catch up. I remember learning about that when I was studying psychology and it's been useful to know. I've often kept that in mind when experiencing new symptoms and side effects. In addition to that, I also thought it was interesting that if you tell someone that a minor procedure or vaccination will be very painful, high pain levels are reported. If told beforehand that they won't feel a thing, or just a little scratch, then much lower pain levels or no pain is reported. The power of suggestion!

[Jeff1943 in reply to rach1402]

The report in question was on the One Show on BBC One tv on Monday 4th March.

[rach1402 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks, I'll see if I can get that on iPlayer

[TriggerPoint]

I TOTALLY Agree Jeff ! > I Mean Look At ALL The Pharma Ads Now On TV ?... When They Give The Possible Side Effects They've Already Planted A "Seed" Of Fear Of "That" Drug. I Mean, Let's Be Real Here.... If You Already Have An Anxiety Disorder & You Wanna Quit Smoking & Nothing's Worked. Then Here's A New Promising Drug To Help You Stop Smoking. But ? What Sticks In The Back Of Your Mind Is The Side Effects. Suicidal Thoughts & Possible Death !... If You Have A Anxiety Disorder, Who Needs That ?...Really ?... If A Doctor Offered You That Drug ? Most People Would Say "No Way" With Anxiety Disorders. [ even though it may never harm but help you ]... In FACT. It Would Most Likely Trigger Thoughts Of Suicide Due To The Fear Of Having The Thought !... & Make Panic Attacks More Intensive In The Fear Of Dying.

What Is Big Pharma Thinking With Those Ads ? & ALL The New Biologic Drugs They Advertise... Really ?.. Just Listen To The Side Effects !... You'd Think They Were Giving You AIDS To Clear Up A Rash ? To Make Toenails Clearer & Whiter ? At What Cost ? Lowering The Immune System ?... For Goodness Sake !... Cancer, Possible Kidney Failure, Massive Infections, Liver Damage, Suicidal Thoughts & Even Instant Death Ect.... "That" Is What's Gonna Stick In The Back Of The Mind....

I Don't Know About You... But Me ? "NO WAY" ! If I'm LIVING With A Rash I'm "Living". If I'm Living With Slightly Yellowed Toenails I'm "Living". There Is NO WAY It Can Do Anything But Shorten Your Lifespan When Your Immune System Is Lowered... [ it don't take a brain scientist to figure that out. it's common sense. ]... I'm Sorry But I Don't Find "Vanity" More Important Than Life Itself !... No Thanks...I'll Live With A Yellow Toenail....