What does it feel like to you when medication is working? OCD, anxiety, depression

[Charlotte95]

Hi guys,

i started SSRI's in late April this year. Went up in dosage two times since then. I still get bad OCD thoughts (mostly pure-O type) and my depression has gotten worse and worse. The thoughts have somewhat slowed down but I definitely still get them enough to disturb my life substantially. I don't really have any anxiety anymore and have been able to do things I haven't been able to before, such as housesitting alone.

What does it feel like for you when your medication is working?
Have you ever experienced a medication somewhat working and then switched and found one that totally worked?

[Doolhof]

Hi Charlotte,

Welcome to the community here. I am wondering if you have spoken openly with your Dr about how your medication is making you feel? It can be that different medications need to be trialled before one works well for some people.

I'm certainly not a professional at all, just another person who has been tried on various medications over the years, some working better than others.

Are there other strategies and things you can do to help with your depression?

Some psychologists recommend a healthy diet, walking, adding more enjoyable activities to your day, writing down what is not helpful, keeping a gratitude diary, meditation, mindfulness and so many other options.

I understand that when we are feeling depressed, it can be hard to put these activities into practise! They can help though.

It is my assumption that medication can work differently for everyone. What one person experiences can be so different for someone else.

Hope you find some answers. Cheers from Dools

[Autumn77]

Hi Charlotte,

I agree, it's getting your medication right for you. I found that my night meds made me feel depressed in the morning and couldn't shake it off till lunch time.

It made it very hard to be motivated for work.

I told my psychiatrist and was put on a different medication. Now I wake up feeling good!

Talk to your doctor's. I know it's hard. I struggle with opening up and having my voice heard. I could have been feeling a lot better a year prior Han thinking this was what I'm going to feel like for the rest of my life.

Good luck 👍

[geoff]

Hi Charlotte, and a warm welcome to the forums.

To answer your question 'Have you ever experienced a medication somewhat working and then switched and found one that totally worked', yes this has happened to me, however, an AD that helps you may still have side-effects that don't agree with you, even as though they are helping you with depression, but to find an AD that helps you and has no adverse side-effects is what we want.

Best wishes.

Geoff.