Anything Else

[Quivz]

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety several years ago (six maybe?). I had trouble maintaining employment. Its now been twelve years since i've been able to stay employed for more than a month. It has been six years since i was last employed at all. I have been through 4 therapists and 5 or 6 medications and i'm worse than when i started. I've lost the ability to care about anything. I have been unable to maintain my treatments for any other conditions. I cant meet centrelink requirements and cant be bothered even trying to do so. My only motivation to get better is so that i'm not a burden on my parents any longer and even that barely registers as an issue. It took me a year to get enough motivation to make a doctors appointment. But i now have one in two weeks time. What should i do at that appointment? Get another therapist to tell me about CBT and mindfulness even though it doesnt help me? Get another prescription that zonks me out and doesn't help with my motivation? I only made the appointment because its all i can think to do, but no treatment has had any effect so far. Is there something else i should be asking for?

[therising]

Hi Quivz

You sound so overwhelmingly frustrated which is completely understandable. The trial and error thing wears a bit thin over time, hey? I compare the search for the right medication in itself to be like a search for the Holy Grail (does it even exist).

Because we're all different, as far as our experiences go and our brain chemistry, it does become a bit of a hit and miss thing; what works for one person may not work for another regarding medication. One person my click with a particular psychiatrist, whereas another person won't. As you've discovered, it's about ticking the boxes as to what doesn't work also. The frustration in regard to going over the same ground is definitely an issue worth discussing at your appointment.

Personally, the last thing I ever expected to get me out of depression was group therapy but it did just that, got me out. The idea of talking about my issues among a group of strangers completely stressed me out. I resisted the idea until eventually being coaxed into it. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I'm not suggesting you go the same way, what I am saying is that your way forward may involve one of the last things you would expect to help you. In other words, don't give up hope no matter how disheartening the trial and error thing appears to be, you just haven't found your perfect match yet. And, yes, I had been down the multiple meds and counselling path before finding my perfect match.

My 15 year battle with depression left me wondering whether there was a light at the end of the tunnel, like folk kept suggesting. All I can say Quivz is for some of us it's not so much about focusing on the light - it's about thinking outside the square and finding just the right person to help us do this.

Take care

[SYork]

Hi Quivz,

I feel for you. I've had depression for at least 15 years and have also tried about 5 different medications. I totally understand that feeling of it all never ending.

As the cliche goes, just focus on one day at a time.

In your appointment I would ask for a MH Plan. If it was me, I would try another counsellor/psychologist, as I found that regularly talking to someone helped to release some of that pressure.

I'd also start tracking my mood, because I think that when we're feeling low we don't notice little changes and improvements, so it can feel like nothing ever changes. I used to note my mood in the afternoon, because I know mornings are hardest for me.

It's all yuck and I would not wish it on anyone. I will be thinking of you.

We are here for you, S.

[MsPurple]

HI Quivz and welcome.
I have anxiety as well as depression. I have been through a few therapists myself, mostly because of moving, and one I didn't click with (note takes me at least 3 sessions to feel comfortable enough to get a connection).
For me I found just chatting to them was helpful. I am not sure if I get CBT or not. I think it is also really important to be honest with your doctor. Tell them how you are feeling. Telling them if the side effects outweighs the benefits (but remember side effects happen before benefits I have found, so when I started my new and current medication I gave it at least 3 weeks before evaluating that).
SYork is right. I would get a mental health care plan. This allows you to see a psychologist and get some rebate back from medicare
I hope all the advise given was helpful 🙂 feel free to ask me any question