Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly I would like to suggest that you have a read of "Discussing Medication" in the box at the top of the page on this site.

We are not allowed to mention the name of medications here but we can discuss the medications in general.

I am certainly not a medical professional at all, so don't take my word as being correct for all people all the time.

This is a place to share your concerns, thoughts and feelings towards anti depressant medications.

I'd like to start of my suggesting:

- Always talk to your Dr or person who is indicating anti depressants are advisable

-Ask the chemist for an information sheet relating to the medication. Don't be concerned by all the side effects that are listed, you may experience none of them! They are listed as a requirement I presume.

-If you have any concerns ask the Dr or the chemist

- Some medications may take a while to be effective. Discuss this with your Dr

- What works for one person may not work the same for you, it could be more effective or less helpful.

-Don't stop taking your medication without the Drs advice

- Try to take the medication at the same time each day or as required.

- Some people do not believe that medication is required, if your Dr has suggested it, I would follow their advice

- Medication is just one step to assisting yourself, exercise, a healthy diet, water, sleep and doing pleasant things each day helps as well.

This thread is open for anyone to make a comment or to share.

Some of you may be knew to the experience of taking anti depressants and may have all kinds of questions.

Once again I am certainly not an expert so what I have written are just suggestions.

Cheers to you all from Dools

[Guest_2496]

Hi Dools

Narrative therapy sounds interesting - can you explain a bit about it?

Also I read in the grateful thread about your volunteering interview - hope that went well. Time I jumped back in too.

[Doolhof]

Hi Annie,

I live in a semi remote region, gaining access to mental health help is not always easy. I was connected to a hospital that has the facility to hook up to a mental health centre in the city via teleconference.

I sit in a room talking to a Narrative Therapist on the screen. This lady asks me questions and encourages me to tell my story, then helps me with questions to see the wider picture of what is happening and steers me into seeing the good and positive.

It is a bit like psychology, but there does not seem to be any instruction on using CBT or other strategies like a psychologist might suggest.

There is some interesting information about Narrative Therapy on the internet. I guess the therapists all conduct themselves slightly differently.

I've also had issues with running away from psychologists so this is an alternative for me. I ran away from my Dr one day and he actually followed me, sat in the car park with me and encouraged me to return to his office.

The volunteer Co-Ordinator is very happy to have me there it seems, so I will be starting next week. I already have my police clearances.

An extra day of doing something positive and worthwhile will combine with the medication to help me feel better about myself and help with my depression.

Cheers to you and All from Dools

[Chloe90]

Hi Dools,

still don’t know how I coped in the past probably by the help of medication ://

i have been put on a cancellation list and ringing daily to double check but nothing has come up yet!

i had a telephone psychologist appointment over the phone tonight. She seemed to think it might be my medication & the GP should know more about it. So I’m just confused and upset and feel like I’m going around in circles.

Im really trying to remain positive and think of the goods things and it could be worse but I don’t feel any sort of happiness which hurts me to type! I’ve always been a super happy upbeat person but can’t see the brighter side at the moment.

I have one more day of work this week and then I can hide away in my room.

Hope your week is going well.

[Guest_2496]

Hi Dools

Yes it does sound like the sessions with the psychologist I see.

Cracked me up the thought of you running away from the dr. I know it’s not funny...but I’d love to run away from them too sometimes 😊.

[Chick_in_a_guernsey]

Righto, back to the GP today and after a very uncomfortable conversation (my psych had given him a heads up to some things I hadn't felt comfortable sharing with him), he slid a script across the table and indicated that I needed to try this.

Is it just my imagination or are half the possible side effects of an ssri the type of symptoms you may be trying to avoid in the first place?!?!?!

[blondguy]

Hi Chick in a guernsey!....and thankyou Dools for the great thread too!

I had the same reaction when I read the side effects of SSRI's 23 years ago...I understand the 'hesitation' factor you had when you read them

The side effects are lengthy yet are also stated as a 'disclaimer' for the pharmaceutical company. I have been working with people in corporate for over 35 years....If memory serves....my SSRI...was released in the mid 1990's and I still havent met one person that has had a reaction to them. Your GP would not have prescribed them to you if she/he had any doubts about the effectiveness or side effects of the SSRI concerned

I was prescribed SSRI's for anxiety in the mid 1990's (my 30's) and I was very anti meds.

They reduced (my) anxiety by approx 70% and saved my personal life.....my career and increased my performance levels at work too. I was in human resources and product development.

Of course frequent counseling was involved as meds are never a fix all

If you have any doubts re the SSRI's....call your GP for any reassurance 🙂

Great to have you on the forums Chick in a guernsey

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Chick_in_a_guernsey]

Hi Paul,

Thank you so much for your reply. Very valuable insight. I know I still have a LOT to work through with my psych and having recently engaged with a GP is just another layer to the treatment process.

I am well aware of the stigma surrounding mental illness, specifically PTSD. Getting to the point of trying these meds still strikes me as an indication of weakness and failure on my part. An inability to cope with or manage the aftermath of a career that I lived, breathed and loved for a number of years. It hurts deeply and despite trying to convince myself otherwise, the negative sentiments are there.

Perhaps in a few days I can bring more positive news to this thread......

[geoff]

Hi Chick in a guernsey, when we read the side-effects of any medication as we're curious, we expect that they will obviously happen to us, so if one slight problem happens, we then run with it and believe it's making us worse than we really are, but we forget that these medications are to make us better so we can get on with everyday life, but only think about the present time and not long term.

You need to keep appointments with your doctor where you can talk about whether the symptoms have improved and if there are any side-effects, but don't naturally presume that you are going to have the side-effects listed on Dr. Google, remember they have to list all side-effects for legal reasons.

If you need to take AD's this is definitely not a sign of any weakness or failure, so is taking a panadol a sign of being at any fault of yours, no you're in pain, so it's naturally accepted, and the same may happen with AD's.

Sometimes it's what your doctor wants you to do, rather than what your spouse says, unless it's affecting your sexual functions.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Doolhof]

Hi annie,

Only one medical person has followed me when I ran out. Maybe it is part of that whole "flight, fight or freeze" process.

I don't really recommend it as it doesn't achieve much! Especially not when I have driven over 150 kilometres for the appointment then I freak out and dash through the door!

Hopefully I will be able to stay long enough to make it worth while next time!

Cheers from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Chick in a guernsey,

As the Dr has prescribed the medication for you, he will be aware of any possible side effects and hopefully he discussed those possibilities with you.

Yes, the list can look daunting, if you do have any concerns, please talk to your Dr or even the Chemist where you purchased the medication, they maybe able to offer suggestions while you wait for a Drs appointment.

I suppose some people can "develop" some of the symptoms just because they a have read about them, and for other people they can be real side effects.

You can be aware of how you are feeling, monitor your progress and have open communication with your Dr.

Wishing you all the best, cheers from Dools