Is Medication the Answer?

[Melancholy Yogini]

Today is an awful day; I don't feel good. I feel sad, alone, lost and that no one understands me. The rational part of my brain knows that is not true, but that doesn't take away my feelings. So today, like so many, I am going through the motions and just functioning. I have been strong enough to get out of bed, make myself presentable, put on my metaphorical mask and arrived at work.

I have been surfing my depression/anxiety wave for most of my adult life; I am 48, and I have always refused medication. Pre-Covid, I really thought I was finally getting it together. At age 38, I made many lifestyle changes and began my journey as a yoga and pilates teacher. In August 2019, I was making inquiries and buying equipment to open my own studio. Thankfully I had not resigned from my day job, which I have maintained throughout the pandemic, but not only was the dream of opening a studio squashed, I stopped teaching. Initially, I did this to help my fellow yogi's where teaching was their only source of income, and I still had my day job, but then time just went by, and now we are nearly 2-yrs on and I feel that the dream I had is no longer. I know a couple of small studio owners that needed to close their businesses and I don't ever want to be one of them.

This, I believe, is the main reason I now feel so lost and sad; I don't know where to go from here. I have all of the training and tools and use everything I know and more, but nothing seems to work anymore. I have spoken to my doctor, and I will ring him again today, but before I do I wanted advice and thoughts on medication; the for and against. The other thing I need to be mindful of is my age, I am at that point where I am peri-menopausal, so it is hard to distinguish if my feelings are due to hormones or my 30 plus years of depression, or is it all mixed up together.

Thank you for your thoughts x

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Melancholy Yogini,

I am in my mid 60s and take both anxiety and depression medication....They are not miracle cures. for me it takes the edge of both of these mh issues I have...The meds also seem to help my PTSD....I think...

Medication works differently for each individual, and it might take a few different ones until the psychiatrist finds the best one suitable for you...It took 4 different ones until my Psychiatrist found the right one for me....and I haven’t looked back since...I still go down at times, but not as deep as I would without medication....It’s a choice that only you can make...some people have side effects when they first start on them...I didn’t have any.....Meds effect people differently....

I would try to keep your dream alive about opening up a studio...COVID has caused so much heartache for many people ...but in my heart I do believe that eventually our scientists and professionals will get on top of it....Things will go back to normal, businesses will open again and hopefully some new businesses will surface....like the studio you dream to open...Please try really hard to keep that beautiful dream of your alive...Maybe it might take longer then you wanted it to...to be able to open a studio...It’s never too late lovely lady to make your dream a reality....

Maybe, if you feel up to it...talk to your Dr. honestly about how you have been feeling, the emotions you’re feeling and about your thoughts...maybe ask your Dr. about a mental health care plan...Where professional mh specialists can help you....Your symptoms could be hormonal as well as feeling depressed...all mixed up together...Speaking to your Dr. hopefully will help you....to start your way towards wellness...

My kindest thoughts lovely Melancholy Yogini...with my care and support...Please talk here when you feel up to it..

Grandy...

[Melancholy Yogini]

Thank you so much Grandy for your wonderfully encouraging reply; perhaps one day opening a studio may come about. The rational part of brain says I should start small and at least start teaching again, if I think too far ahead then I become overwhelmed and sadness falls upon me.

You are right, medication is a personal choice and I am still unsure if this is the way for me to go, I just wanted to hear what others have experienced, good and/or bad. Thank you for sharing your experience, that was very kind of you. One of my concerns is the addictive nature of some medications.

I grew up in a household that was full of drugs, alcohol and violence and I have always vowed to not be a part of that world. I have never smoked, or taken any sort of party or hard drug, and my alcohol consumption has been minimal. Seeing the negative side affects of addictive substances makes me question if there is another way to make me feel better.

Thank you again for your thoughts x

[Ggrand]

Dear Melancholy Yogini,

I’m sorry that you went through that growing up..and I can understand you being cautious when meds are involved..

I am not what meds are addictive or if any are for mental health...I really believe that Drs..will explain all about the meds they offer you...and if you ask if they are addictive they will reply honestly....Well they should...

I think everyone taking any prescribed meds should first find out all they can about it...and take only as directed by the Dr., and have regular follow up visits...

I hope others will call in to this thread and share their experiences on how they feel/felt on medication for their mental health.....Although we can’t really go into great details here...

Have you considered speaking to a naturopath to see what they have to offer you?...

Kind thoughts lovely Melancholy..

Grandy..

[Petal22]

Hi Melanchoy,

Im sorry you are feeling this way….. I understand it’s difficult…..

I had severe anxiety OCD, my gp put me on a antidepressant to help me to manage my anxiety I’m grateful that we have medication the people in the oldern days weren’t so lucky.

I also did an 8 week therapy for my OCD……

I believe medication and therapy go hand in hand.

I understand that you don’t have OCD but I believe if your anxiety is high then you may want to discuss options with your gp if it’s going to improve your life…..

[geoff]

Hello Melancholy Yogini, and can I join the ladies above me in offering you a warm welcome.

I'm sorry that your dream has not come to fruition, although I do apologise for replying to your thread as half of it doesn't involve me and perhaps I shouldn't be commenting back to you, however, I would like to say that your doctor will understand the stage of life you are going through and then adjust any medication accordingly.

As your alcohol consumption has only been minimal is a benefit to you and separates you from the way you were brought up and whether you decide to start medication would only be on a small dose, and if no problems arise then it will be increased, but if you don't try taking them, then you won't know the outcome.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

Hi MY,

I took several types of psychotropic meds and never benefited. I'm mostly not interested in medication to help my personal distress, however, in an emergency, I am okay to take as recommended by someone I trust very well, and see regularly. Meds need to be monitored, and when I took from my GP who I saw every six months, he neglected to do so, ideally ,eds should be taken under referral from oe,one u know, trust, and cancheck in with.

My experience has been to use medication as a last resort, in support of a good treating team, and in low doses. I think there are legitimate,ate concerns as some do have side affects.

[Melancholy Yogini]

Thank you Sleepy21, your advice was very honest and I agree that medication should be a last resort. I apologise for the delay as I was not able to reply last week.

I am still undecided but I will take on as much information as possible before making such a big decision.

[Melancholy Yogini]

Hi Geoff. Thank you so much for replying and offering kind words. I am so grateful for all messages I receive whether there is a little or a lot of relevance. I do apologise for the delay in my response, it appears I had some technical issues last week and I was not able to post.

[Melancholy Yogini]

Thank you Petal22 for your reply. You are right when you say that older generations were not so lucky when it comes to the options of therapy and medication like we do have today. I am grateful to have a choice.