Lamotrigine and CAT advice
Hi everyone! 25, F here
I am currently under the 'right to choose' pathway in the UK for ADHD and Autism.
Today I had a hospital appointment with a psychiatrist who was, to put it simply, amazing. It felt like for the first time that I wasn't labelled 'depressed' or 'anxious'. Instead I was offered actual support and a plan moving forward.
The psychiatrist has suggested that he could prescribe me a low dose of Lamotrigine (used for Epilepsy and Bipolar) whilst I am currently awaiting my assessments. (I am currently abusing weed and have been for 4-5 years to cope. He would like me off of weed). He explained this is to stabilise my mood and suicide ideations whilst waiting for further help. He has also referred me to the CAT programme (cognitive Analytic therapy).
He has said he won't put me on anti - depressants and would never send me back to CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). He couldn't understand why they would have ever suggested that with the symptoms I present.
My questions are:
Has anyone else been offered or prescribed Lamotrigine before? How did you feel? Did you not like it? Did you swap to anything else?
Has anybody tried CATS? What was it like? Did it help? How are you now that you're no longer in the programme?
Any advice or information is very much appreciated. Whilst feeling support I also feel so alone in doing this all by myself. It's a lot of mental pressure to stay consistent and keep up with all of these appointments.
Thanks guys