Dr E Bachs Flower Essence Rescue Remedies

I'm taking a personal rescue remedy with the bach flowers at the moment.

Anyone ever tried them?

What are your thoughts?

Serenity
Rainbow

My thoughts are that 'alternative' remedies tend to work mostly on the placebo effect. If it's working for you, then awesome, stick with it, but don't stop taking any prescription medicines without consulting your physician (or psychiatrist, whichever applies).

Ta for replying.

Looking at the web site for Dr. Bachs' Flower Power, it looks to me like snake oil. In my book, any clinically proven 'alternative' therapy that works is no longer 'alternative', by definition, and any therapy that advertises itself as 'alternative' is really advertising itself as "untested, unproven and without scientific basis". Then again, the placebo effect is a well documented phenomenon, and a quick internet search doesn't turn up any lawsuits against Dr. Bachs, so if you feel like they're doing you good then continuing can't hurt and may well help.

I do note that while you talk about your GP giving you scripts for SSRIs, you don't mention an actual psychiatrist? This is a bit worrying, the average GP probably knows very little more psychiatric drugs than you do. Note that when you were admitted, they took you off the Pristiq that your GP is giving you. If you possibly can, I suggest seeing a qualified clinical psychologist who will be able to refer you to a psychiatrist if they believe that medication could help you.

The 'gold standard' treatment for BPD is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, which is a style of psychotherapy (ie. talking and mental/emotional exercises, not drugs). Some sources talk about using mood stabilisers at the start of therapy but they're a means to an end, not an ongoing treatment. Hopefully Ms. Alphabet will chime in here, she knows way more about DBT and current research into BPD than I do and will be able to answer any questions you have about it.

TatteredKnight wrote:In my book, any clinically proven 'alternative' therapy that works is no longer 'alternative', by definition, and any therapy that advertises itself as 'alternative' is really advertising itself as "untested, unproven and without scientific basis".

I'm not sure I agree, Tattered. Maybe the GPs are simply using a different definition of alternative than you. (Hee, hee, hee -- my bad, but God will forgive me and I so enjoy getting back at you.)

DowntownDC wrote:I'm not sure I agree, Tattered. Maybe the GPs are simply using a different definition of alternative than you. (Hee, hee, hee -- my bad, but God will forgive me and I so enjoy getting back at you.)

An... alternative definition, you might say?

the products look interesting. maybe i can use them too to relieve stress