Can it be this easy?

[Pete66]

So, after spending 2020 in a dark hole, and the beginning of 2021 slightly brighter, I decided to finally see a doctor
She made me fill out a questionnaire, after which she prescribed me a low dosage of an antidepressant

Now I am not saying I am cured, or that I am dancing with butterfly's, but darn, it feels like a lot of cotton wool has been removed from my head, and i can think so much more clearly

Can recovery really be this easy?

[quirkywords]

Pete thanks for starting this thread.

I am so glad you saw a doctor and feel better after taking anti depressants.

I will try to answer your question can recovery really be this easy?

Personally I see recovery as a journey not a destination. Some people have one episode of depression but others have recurring bouts of depression.
As well as the medication has your gp mentioned meditation or mindfulness or other strategies to help you.?
while you feel well, you could read up on ways to help stay well .

Doing regular exercise, having a healthy diet and reducing stress can all help.

Thanks again for your thread.

[Croix]

Dear Pete66~

As you said, you did not have a good time the last couple of years, with diabetes and the radical complications it brought on. I also remember you saying your GP did not meet what you needed.

I hope now you are mobile and able to get back to some sort of occupation.

I guess you must have found a new and better GP who has managed to give you the right dose of the right medication to offset your depression. so at the moment for you , yes it is that easy.

I've found the right meds too, though it was a long path to get there. Even with them sometimes adjustments are necessary as the conditions in my life change, but overall they are now just a part of life, and not something I need to dwell on - I hope it will be the same for you.

Croix

[mocha delight]

Hi pete66 I wish I could tell you it’s that easy I truly do but unfortunately I can’t I’m sorry. I’ve not been officially diagnosed with anything yet but my psychologist has casually mentioned to me that I have depression (clinical depression), general anxiety and social anxiety as well but who knows what else. I started on what my gp said was a entry level dosage of the antidepressants I’m on (she upped it to the common dosage that’s the normal prescribed dosage) but I’ve been on these antidepressants since the week before covid 19 was first mentioned + that same week I lost my grandma a few days beforehand & been up & down ever since then.

[Pete66]

@Croix
found a new GP, still not great,
due to CV19 restrictions , I was not able to drive until January, and that made a huge difference
Still cannot wear a prosthetic limb, and no pill will help there

now just a little frustrated at myself for waiting to tackle the depression, I have wasted so many years

[Croix]

Dear Pete66~

Being able to drive really does open things up, and there is little that is worse than being cooped up unable to go the palces you need, or even the ones you just want for a change and relaxation.

OK so no prosthetic -yet. Are there possibilities for the future? While a pill might not help maybe changes to the financial requirements or the design themselves may help. My first wife had severe problems related to her diabetes and I realize it is not a straightforward matter.

GP's who are really good can be hard to find, there seems so little stability, you find a good one and they move on, my current one is ok, but I'm unsure how long it will last.

I don't really think those years were wasted. You learned an awful lot about living in those times, perhaps the adversity of depression you had now makes you able to cope with the diabetes and it's difficulties better, other difficulties too.

I've found that the millstone of depression and my other afflictions has been turned around, while I'm by no means 'cured' I am at the stage of having insight into myself, abilities and turn my hard times to other's advantage.

The at least partial success with depression may spur you on in other areas

Croix

[Pete66]

Yes, I have wasted my life
if i had gone and seen a doctor, gotten help sooner, I would have been in a better position in life

but no, I had to be a big tough male, mental illness is for the weak, never talk about it to family

and now that I am taking care of it, my time is limited (due to other medical issues), 10 more years
Life sucks, and I am a sucker