advice please!

[tashi]

The thought of maybe having to take anti depressants is very scary. Ive always thought once you take them if you stop you will just fall back into the way you were before . Please share your insight.  Is it worth it does it work please any advice is very much appreciated xx tash

[helpmeplease]

Hi Tash,

Yes it is a scary time when advised to take anti depresants. most of us on here are in the same boat. As for if they work.... well it might take a bit of trial to get the right one for you but once you do then yes they work. As for life after anti depressants sorry i cant be of any help as i am not strong enough on my own without them.

[Neil_1]

Hi Tash

Welcome and great that you’ve been able to come on here. 

I’m a little in the same boat as ‘helpmeplease’ in that I’ve been on my meds for a long time now … and I can’t see any time soon for when I’ll be able to be free of them.  I know that’s exactly what you didn’t want to hear, but I’m just giving you my experience in this.  I have had a number of different ones over the time, but am quite happy with the ones that I have now.

With regard to coming off them … that will be something that only you and your GP (or psychiatrist – as it’s my psychiatrist who monitors and adjusts (if needed) my meds) can work out at a time that you feel able too.

Are you able to share whether you’ve been to your GP yet, or is it just in the very early stages and you’ve thought that you might need anti-depressants.  But please Tash, there’s absolutely no stigma attached to taking them.  They’re out there to be taken for a real important reason.  For the health, safety and welfare of everyone who needs them.

I do believe though, that if you’re at a stage where you’d be able to come off them (again with guidance from your prescribing authority) you could then go back to living a normal happy life and not fall back into the depths again.  That’s just a belief I have and thought I’d share.

I hope this helped a little and hope you’re able to come back and chat soon

Cheers

Neil

[Mares73]

Hi Tash, I've been on anti-depressants for years now. But I do remember my initial fear & apprehension at taking them. I think deep down my real fear was closely related to the stigma that can sometimes be attached to them. What helped me was when my Dr said if you had asthma or diabetes or any medical condition you wouldn't hesitate to take medication to help you get better-so antidepressants are no different-they are just another type of medication you take for an illness. And no one has to know you take them if you don't want to discuss it. It's your private issue & your own personal illness. I believe they do help. One thing I will say honestly-without meaning to cause you any offence-is that if you are experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety-the sooner you start them the better. They usually take several weeks to feel the full benefit so I'd suggest you start them sooner rather than later. As for coming off them-that's something no one can answer at this stage. Like any illness it's hard to predict how long you take them. But if you can-try not to worry about the future & coming off them. The most important thing right now is getting support at the stage you are at right now. There's no harm in giving them a go. I hope you can & that each day progressively you will be on an easier journey & not be so affected by the awful symptoms of depression & anxiety. Good luck & if you can (and want to) it would be great to hear how your going over the next few weeks. Take care, Mary x (Mares73)

[tashi]

Thank you all for the advice and knowledge.  I suppose I will cross that bridge when I come to it  ive only just started counseling after suffering quietly fron depression for years. So who knows whats next . Being positive x 

[guest75]

hi tashi

i have been suffering from the symptoms of depression for years and was always too "proud" (for lack of a better word) to seek help (ie medication and psychologist).

it ended up costing me my family, all because i was too damn proud to seek help even though my partner was telling me i needed it

i am now on anti depressants, and seeing a psychologist and it is definitely helping, i just hope i regain the trust of my partner and get my family back now that i am getting better

if you feel you need them, dont be apprehensive, they will help you (just my 2c)

[tashi]

Hmm I know the feeling Mattyj. My partner nearly left me because I refused to help myself and I was miserable all the time. I didnt realise how upset I had made him. But I also feel as though he doesn't understand just how hard it all is. Not quite sure how to explain it. I hope things are looking up for you. X 

[geoff]

dear Tashi, this is a very common but important query, about taking antidepressants, and especially if your not a person to administer medicine on a regular basis it all seems to be scary.

Once you are over the denial stage and realise that you need medical help for your depression and many of us have gone through the same, myself included, then we have to understand that these ADs are for a reason, just like the asthma pump, or a headache pill, then it's a good idea to start on them.

You may go through some with bad side-effects but eventually there will one that suits you, and does it's job.

The future is unknown for yourself, as you may only need them for a short period, but with myself I know that I will on them for good, as they also help ( a little ) with my OCD, because if I miss taking them for 2 days then my world comes crashing down, but that's me where it may not happen to you.

Give them ago, but please remember when you are beginning to feel better, then this doesn't necessarily mean that you can go off them, because your feeling better because of the AD. L Geoff. x

[Keir]

Hi, Tash

Congratulations! You have achieved what so few in our society manage to achieve. You have recognised your depression and sought professional support. It took me decades and a destroyed marriage before I did the same, so you're quids ahead of me and so many others.

I would urge you not to be fearful of the medication. I remember wanting to hug my psychiatrist when he wrote me my first prescription. Those meds gave me the breathing space I so desperately needed to better understand my condition and develop the tools and techniques I would need to eventually lead a life without medication. 

It took me years, Tash, but I - like so many others - finally managed to leave meds (and alcohol) behind me. I won't say it was easy. In fact it was difficult. Bloody difficult - and still is. But the meds were critical to my survival. They were as crutches are to someone with a broken leg. They help and support you, but take a little bit of getting used to.

Yours in survival - Keir

[tashi]

Thanks geoff. Thats what im worried of.im on a wait list to see a counselor im hoping that will help but im starting to doubt myself a little bit with how horrible ive been feeling the last few weeks. I do have a little hope left x t