How i feel

Dylan121121 · ‎28-11-2016

Right now i feel good I've had a few beers and my medication is probably working i hope i feel like this for a while. But from experience this good feeling i get even without alcohol only seems to last one hour around twice a day. I'm always thinking could be about what medication to take, whether to use drugs, work, girlfriend, living conditions etc my life is fine i just tend to think alot.

SubduedBlues · ‎29-11-2016

Dylan121121

Welcome to the BB forums. Mixing meds and alcohol is not a good idea. Alcohol often has adverse interactions with various medications; meaning that the meds end up doing something other than they were supposed to do.

Which meds are best decided by your doc, as they have a good understanding of which works with what ailment. Google can provide some ideas, but there is more to matching meds to people than ticking off the symptoms. Also you can ask your chemist about non-prescription meds that may be able to help.

It's okay to think a lot, but if you ever feel like you might need to act on some of the darker thoughts, please ring the BB hotline on 1300 224 636

Stick around, read other threads and post every now and then. It'll be good to know how things are going for you.

SB

White_Rose · ‎29-11-2016

Hello Dylan

Welcome to Beyond Blue. From your post it sounds as though you have very mixed feelings about medication. I presume you have been prescribed an antidepressant. Is this right? The unfortunate aspect of taking ADs is that your doctor cannot always predict which meds are going to suit you. Many folk are happy with the first AD they are prescribed. Others, such as me, try many different ADs because some do not have an effect on me or have huge adverse side effects. It's a real pain the rear end because you need to stay on a medication for several months to determine its effectiveness. So the process can be lengthy.

In fact I tried so many my doctor finally prescribed an AD from a completely different group of AD meds. And it works for me. Yeeaay! How long have you been taking this AD? As I said, it can take up to several months to decide how effective it is. May I suggest you keep a note about when you feel good, and by that I mean the time of day, and how long it lasts. Add the time you take your medication and see if there is any correlation. When you have collected some data take your research to your doctor and discuss it.

Subdued Blues has commented that medication and alcohol do not mix. One very good reason to stop the alcohol is because it reduces the effect of the AD. You may feel better for a while but the net result to you is negative. You need to let your brain idle in neutral while the meds do their job, instead of adding short term substances like alcohol muddy the waters. Try it and see. Add the observations to the list of side effects you are going to compile (I hope).

Thinking and over thinking are classic depression symptoms. Thinking about your life is what we all do, but constantly rerunning the tape leaves you stranded in the past. It's OK to look and then move on. Find activities that you enjoy, or used to enjoy, and try them out again. Can I ask how old you are. For some reason I get the feeling you are about 20. Am I correct?

A suggestion I ften make to newbies on BB is to browse through the literature that is available on BB. Start by using the blue drop down menus on the blue tabs at the top of the page. You can download the information or send for hard copies. It may give you something different to think about or make your thoughts more logical. I hope you give all this a try.

Love to hear from you again.

Mary

Dylan121121 · ‎10-12-2016

Yes i was on an ad for a year then decided to stop taking it then got very worried and panicy about decisions ive made or have to make. where i got a new job which ticked all the boxes but i get home and im in tears like have i made the right decision i was freaking out. Yes i am 23 and have alot to learn i just want to enjoy life again stop thinking fit in and see my friends live a normal life. I have a minor embarrassing phobia called paruresis which is a urinating stage fright issue that i sometimes let get in my way doing things. i also struggle to make conversation at work and with friends.

White_Rose · ‎10-12-2016

Hello Dylan

Taking antidepressants can be difficult. I was adamant that I could manage without them and struggled for a while. Then I gave in reluctantly and started to take them. As I said above, I tried many ADs without success and that reinforced my idea they were not necessary or useful.I think there is a place for AD but the subject has received such bad press that many people refuse to take them. Others feel ashamed of taking AD and this was one of my problems. I felt it branded me as useless, unable to cope with life and a general loser. It's not true and taking meds can have a good effect on your life. Why not try again?

We often look at other people and envy their apparent good fortune and happiness in living the life they do. Sadly this is not always true. We all struggle to some extent and very few people can admit they have problems. I don't believe there is such a thing as a normal life because we all have so many variations.

Have you considered talking to a counsellor? Your GP can help to put you in touch with someone, or you can find someone yourself. If you look for yourself try the following options. Relationships Australia and Anglicare both have good counsellors. Not sure of costs but I understand they do not charge in some cases or only a very small amount.

Have a look at the Kids Helpline web page. www.kidshelpline.com.au They have a 24/7 phone line, 1800 55 1800. They take people up age 25. Their web page is divided into sections depending on age. There is also the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Headspace. www.headspace.org.au Again browse the site. Also their 24/7 phone line 1800 650 890. Again they help people up to age 25.

So there are a number people to talk to, people who have the skills and abilities to talk with young people. Have a look at these options and perhaps make an appointment to talk to someone or simply phone. I think you will get some great help. Beyond Blue have a youth section called The Desk,

https://www.thedesk.org.au/login?login

You can also look at Mindspot, https://mindspot.org.au/ They run online courses you may like to try as well as other activities.

I hope this information will be helpful. Let me know how you get on if this is OK with you.

Mary