Taking antidepressents for the first time tomorrow morning.

[Cesca1557]

Hi,

Im not really sure why im posting this but Im feeling really unsure about taking medication tomorrow. I have had depression for about 7 years, but at the beginning my mum thought i was too young (i was 12-13), and its only now that I have finally decided that I need something else to help as I cant seem to make myself happy on my own.
I am really hopefull for what the antidepressents will do, but I am also really worried. My father has bipolar, and I am really worried that by taking them, it could trigger it in me. I dont have bipolar my self, but due to the genetic predisposition to it and the increased chance of getting it as my dad has it, im really worried that this might be enough to set it off.
As much as I want to be happy, if it risked me going through what he has gone through and put us through over the years, I wouldnt do it.

Sorry, im not really sure what the point of this was, I think I just wanted to vent a little bit.

Cesca

[Guest_128]

Hey there,sorry just saw your post.

Im not a dr but there are a lot of people here that can give you some advice,guidance and also friendships with people going through very similar things.

We need to get to know you , What professionals have you seen, What's home life like,brothers,sisters or are you living away now? Sorry heaps of questions,would like to here back. I do think you need reassurance that it will be ok for you to try meds.

Dory

[Cesca1557]

Thanks Dory!

My doctor said that there is a slight chance that it might happen but theres no way to know until it happens so theres not much I can do about it apart from looking out for any signs or warnings. So im just going to have to hope nothing happens!
Thats fine! happy to answer all the questions.
I used to go to see a psychologist a lot when i was younger but haven't really been back for a while (a few years), however I booked an appointment with the same psycholgoist last week so Im hoping to make it more regular now!
I am still living at home, I go to a university that is a 20 minute walk from home so it seems crazy to move out when its so convenient (plus its also cheaper haha, dont think i can afford to live out of home for a while).
I have a brother who is a year older than me, we get on well most of the time but we do fight sometimes.
My dad moved out of home proabbly around 7 or so years ago, but he does live nearby so we still see him around once a month or so (hes much better than he has been, so we see him more frequently than we used to).

Would love to learn a little more about you!
thanks for taking the time out to reply

Cesca

[Guest_128]

You sound like a very .bright young woman

There is a lot of info on all different threads and I'm sure you would know how to get about. Join in ,say hi and give your comments. Heaps of go social threads to,

Me hello my name is Dorry because I am Dory. I often get in trouble cause I have a wicked sense of humour,you get used to it. I am 45 Married the marfia,son 28 girl 19 and girl 16.

i have bi polar have been taking meds for the last 6yrs for ADHD I recon some type of learning disabilities as well.

I will let the other guys know your about so they say hi.

Dory nice to meet you

[Pysis]

Hi cesca

welcome I'm glad you've reached out on here there are some really good people here.

i can understand your concerns and reservations about taking your medication but from what I understand the chances of antidepressants cuasing bi polar in people isn't very high, I'm on antidepressants myself and bi polar runs in my family but it hasn't cuased any problems in me, I do have family members that have developed bi polar but that is after they took hard drugs. Try not to worry to much about it there is a slight risk with evrery thing but it's not very likely.

So I guess I'll tell you a little about myself

im 18 I live at home and am studying and advanced certificate in zoo keeping at home through a correspondence university.

i have 2 younger brothers, ones 5 years younger than me and the others 8 years younger.

i have a lot of pets.

my dad has been very abusive over the years and I think that's the main cause of my depression.

and I've only been on here myself for a week or so.

again welcome, I'm always here to talk.

nath

[MsPurple]

Hi Cesca and thanks for posting. Your mental health history sounds similar to mine. I struggled with anxiety when I was around 12-13 (ocd type) and I was officially diagnosed with GAD at 22 but probably have had it most of my life (I think I still have aspects of ocd but not a full blown thing, like I obsess over movies for a long period of time then it passes). I also have a strong family history of bipolar. My grandma had it, my mum, my aunty and my brother. I was super nervous I would get it. I wasn't told about the risk taking my antidepressants would have (I was young so my parents may have). But what I can reassure you is that a dr code is "first do no harm" if the risk was high then they would not do it. They also always weight the risk vs benefits and side effects vs benefits up. They wouldn't prescribe it if they didn't think it was necessary. For me on my antidepressants I have had no problems with it in terms of mania (I still do not have bipolar). It can also be hard to tell if the antidepressants would have been the definate cause or something else like a life trigger (e.g. losing a job). Yes for some people with bipolar taking a certain type of antidepressant can increase risk of mania, however they still had bipolar (I think this is right)

I hope that offers you some reassurance. You will be ok. It will become easier over time. Trust in your doctor and in yourself

MP

[KMTE]

Hi I have anxiety, ocd and depression and I was so anxious about taking anti depressants and possible side effects and reactions it took a long time for me to actually start. I'm on day 7 now and the first week was a bit rough with heightened anxiety nervousness headache and insomnia but I was told to hang in there because it does get better! I really hope it does for me and for you. Would be happy to share our progress and journey if you were comfortable responding and having a chat! 🙂

[Cesca1557]

Dory - Thanks so much! The last week or two has been crazy at uni, but I have my last exam tomorrow so after that I will have more time to explore the forums a bit more!
Nice to meet you too, thanks for sharing a bit about your life! I hope you have had a nice week and you are doing well.
Did you and your kids take your husband out for fathers day today? My dad doesnt believe in fathers day, he thinks its another day where organisations make more money so we never really do anything for it anymore!

Pysis - Hi nath, thanks for the reassurance! I think my anxieties about it went into overdrive and I thought about the worst case scenario when I really shouldn't have.
The university course sounds so exciting, how much longer do you have to go until you receive the certificate?
What type of pets do you have? I would love to have a dog but my brother has hayfever so I will have to wait until I move out of home, but for now I sometimes take my neighbours dog out for walks.
So sorry to hear about your dad! It can be so difficult when someone who is supposed to to look after you and love you more than anything hurts you more than anyone possibly could. I hope you've managed to separate yourself from him a bit!
Hope you found the forums helpful, ive only been on here for about a week myself
Thanks so much, same here 🙂

Cesca

[Cesca1557]

MsPurple - Im that it took so long for them to officially diagnose you, it can be hard to deal with all the symptoms when you dont actually know what is happening but i'm happy that now its better than it was!
Thanks for your reassurance! I didn't actually know anyone who has a family history of bipolar (until I came on here and met some lovely people. including you!) so all i could go off is what my doctor told me. But its very comforting to hear people with a history say that taking antidepressants didn't trigger it in them! Yes this does offer some reassurance, thanks again!
Day two this morning and feeling very hopefull
Cesca

KMTE - Glad to hear you did end up taking them and have kept taking them despite the side effects! Im only on day two, so I got a bit of nausea yesterday but thats really all so far. Yes i really hope it does get better for you, and for me when the side effects do start to kick in! Got to keep thinking that in the long run, the benefits will be worth a few rough weeks. Id love to share my progress and journey with you, and am here for a chat anytime
Cesca

[Pysis]

Hi Cesca

i do that same thing sometimes and once I calm down I realise that it isn't very likely that the worst case is going to happen.

um I've got three years to complete my course but I'm hoping to have it done sometime next year, My advanced certificate is made up of other certificates if that makes sense so I've got a certificate in zoo keeping, animal phycology, animal health and vertebrate zoology and I've got 4 more certificates to get before I get my advanced certificate and if I wanted to I could keep going and get a associate diploma.

ive got lots of pets, I've got 2 geese,2 turkeys, 6 ducks, 1 horse, 2 goats, 3 dogs, 12 birds and 2 cats. Hopefully one day you will get a dog of your own.

unfortunately I still live my dad and I don't think I'll be able to leave any time soon I've got to look after my little brothers. It's really hard I, really not doing very well at the moment with Father's Day today.

Yeah the forums have been good it's nice to not feel so alone all the time, I hope they have helped you a bit.

thanks

nath