How should I ask for a specific AD combination?
There's an antidepressant combination that I really think would be a good idea for me to try. Afte researching and learning that one worked with the neurotransmitters for serotonin and the other for dopamine, and remembering how each had affected me separately in the past, I'm curious about trying them together. Both had reduced some symptoms of depression but not all. I'm just anxious about asking outright because I feel like I would appear arrogant or maybe even like an addict, even though they're nonaddictive antidepressants.
@LovesickLoli
I think you've put it pretty well here. State what each did for you and you can mention you know one works with the serotonin system and the other with dopamine. Do you have a good relationship with your doctor? Depending on your relationship you might want to think a little bit about how you do the final ask. Here are a few possibilities:
"Do you think it's reasonable for me to take both?"
"Is it possible that I try using the two together?"
"What are your thoughts on me using both of them?"
"I would like to try taking both."
@LovesickLoli
@LovesickLoli I think you've presented good reasons. A doctor may have reasons for wanting to take a differnet course, but if they're good at their job, they'll at least listen, take your perspective on board, and if they don't feel it's the best course of action, explain why. You said it yourself, you're not seeking addictive drugs, you're seeking what you think is the best treatment.
I'd recommend keeping in mind that there may be a legit medical reason to not do this (I am not a doctor), but you can definitely ask.
@LovesickLoli
Psychiatrists are usually interested in what has helped you in the past, or if you have not had success with certain medicines, what the problems were. Obviously they can't let you self-prescribe but if you say something like "I read that medicine x and medicine y work well in combination, and I have gotten moderate but not complete relief on each of them when I tried them separately, do you think trying them again together might be worthwhile for me?" a good psychiatrist shouldn't have a problem with the question whether they agree it's a good idea or not.