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Slark To medicate or not?
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I've had moderate depression for about 7 months now, and my doc, psychologist, family and friends are suggesting I go on medication. I've spent a great deal of effort eating healthy, unprocessed foods and exercising, and the last thing I... View more

Hi everyone, I've had moderate depression for about 7 months now, and my doc, psychologist, family and friends are suggesting I go on medication. I've spent a great deal of effort eating healthy, unprocessed foods and exercising, and the last thing I want is to fill my body full of chemicals. I would much rather try natural alternatives (but haven't tried any yet). My depression is getting better, I'm functioning, but there still feels a 'weight' on my mind, and I find it hard to get excited about things. I find myself still biased to the negative. I know I can and will get better, and I will eventually feel like the joker I used to. I'm just not sure I want to rock the boat with meds and the possible side effects, or if they're just what I need to really get me rolling on the road to full recovery. Does anyone else experience the same feelings? Can anyone offer their own experiences (good or bad) with meds? Has anyone gone natural? My gut is telling me I should go on them, but I'm dreading any side effects, coming off them, and the chemicals. Thanks for reading and your thoughts. Peace and love. Dan

Greyhound123 Stoping medication, what is a normal withdrawal? has anyone has scuccess?
  • replies: 7

I have been on SSRI's for OCD since i was about 15, and am currently 33. Although i am an anxious person, i have never been in a better position in my life now. i am more confident and generally happy, and don't get may OCD symptoms. About 9 months a... View more

I have been on SSRI's for OCD since i was about 15, and am currently 33. Although i am an anxious person, i have never been in a better position in my life now. i am more confident and generally happy, and don't get may OCD symptoms. About 9 months ago my wife convinced me I should stop taking my medication, i spoke with my psych and she had no issue with this, i tapered down and stopped. Then I had my in law's stay for a couple months (enough to drive anyone crazy I know!) and i went down hill so i started taking my medication again (though consultation with my psych). After they went home, we agreed to stop again and my psych supported this, that was 3 months ago, and although i have been a bit more anxious etc, there was no real issues.....until this week when i really went downhill for about 3 days, it is the worst i had felt in years. I don't really want to go back on to my medication yet, as i feel i have never lived my life as an unmediated adult, and indeed i have been worse at other points in my life when i was on medication. What I am not sure of is if this is normal to go down hill 3 months after stopping? is this the medication or is this what my life will be like in an unmediated state? Does anyone have any experience stopping medication after such a long time? or should i just resign myself to being medicated forever?

cassandra1988xx new to anxiety medication please help
  • replies: 3

Hi guys,I've had anxiety for quite a while but after not coping at work and it worsening I decided to discuss options with my doctor. I'm on my 5th day of taking medication and my anxiety has been worse and i feel sick. Does it get worse before it ge... View more

Hi guys,I've had anxiety for quite a while but after not coping at work and it worsening I decided to discuss options with my doctor. I'm on my 5th day of taking medication and my anxiety has been worse and i feel sick. Does it get worse before it gets better. I also feel foggy. I want to go back to the doctor tomorrow as this is just terrible. Please help

cassandra1988xx please help
  • replies: 8

I'm not sure if my last post went through. I started anti depressants 5 days ago and my anxiety is so extremely high. Does it get worse before it gets better?

I'm not sure if my last post went through. I started anti depressants 5 days ago and my anxiety is so extremely high. Does it get worse before it gets better?

sociallyawks Why do I have to go to a GP first?
  • replies: 2

Hi, From my research everything is telling me I am supposed to go to a GP first to tell them my concerns. My issue is I don't have a GP that I am comfortable with and they are always booked which makes seeing the doc a pain in the backside and usuall... View more

Hi, From my research everything is telling me I am supposed to go to a GP first to tell them my concerns. My issue is I don't have a GP that I am comfortable with and they are always booked which makes seeing the doc a pain in the backside and usually requires time off work. if I see one near work in the city they wont know any of my history. My question is why do I have to go to GP and tell them my story then to have to go and do it all again to a specialist? I already am hesitant talking to anyone but having to go and do it several times makes me not want to at all

jjac Doctor didn't help
  • replies: 4

I made a double appointment. He said i'd need to come back and see someone else for a mental health plan. I then asked for just a referral and no plan and i'd pay, he said "next time." but that he recommends a psychologist referral. But didn't give m... View more

I made a double appointment. He said i'd need to come back and see someone else for a mental health plan. I then asked for just a referral and no plan and i'd pay, he said "next time." but that he recommends a psychologist referral. But didn't give me one. He then charged me $110 when the usual rate is $93 for a longer appointment. I got a blood test, that he didn't even want to give me because they cost $60 (for the government, mind you) and they "don't like to give every second patient those tests." I tried but getting this guy blocking my path made me snap. I was rude and upset. My throat seized up and my voice started to go. He just said "ok. Calm down." Turns out he has been a doctor for six weeks. He needs a lot more training before he'll be of any use. I've struggled for years, after a decade on my own I decided it was time. The decided it wasn't. Now I have to take more time off work and book with someone else. No doctor at this office has discussed my mental health, does that mean they can all knock me back? What was I supposed to do?

Lind779 Medication and anxiety. Your feedback
  • replies: 8

Hi guys, I have posted a few times on here and have appreciated the support. I have acknowledged to myself that I actually have anxiety. I couldnt really believe that all the nausea, heart pulpitations and loss of appetite over the last 3 months was ... View more

Hi guys, I have posted a few times on here and have appreciated the support. I have acknowledged to myself that I actually have anxiety. I couldnt really believe that all the nausea, heart pulpitations and loss of appetite over the last 3 months was all due to this. But... I witnessed myself the on and off switch in my head 2 days ago and thats when I realised it was. I was vomitting all morning - of course nothing was coming back up and then driving in the car with my husband talking about anxiety and then POW! No sickness, got hungry and no heart pulpitations. It was like the anxiety disappeared. Of courses this only lasted till the next day and back to feeling sick but I realised at that moment it was all anxiety. I've accepted the fact that I need help. My brain is stuck in a vicious loop that I cant get out of on my own. Started anti-depressants and just seen a psychologists. I've been on the anti-depressants for just under 2 weeks and still no change. Probably a little more anxious and nauseated since being on them. My question is, how long were you on meds before you started to feel better and how? I only want to hear the good stories as I dont think I could handle anything negative right now. I NEED HOPE. Thanks guys

Marcsa Psychologist Misunderstanding Adoption Concepts
  • replies: 20

Hi, I've stuck my toe in and out of the forums for the last couple of months, sometimes finding bits that are relevant to my situation. Lately I've come to realize that in the treatment of my depression and anxiety, the gulf between my psychologist a... View more

Hi, I've stuck my toe in and out of the forums for the last couple of months, sometimes finding bits that are relevant to my situation. Lately I've come to realize that in the treatment of my depression and anxiety, the gulf between my psychologist and myself is widening. I just don't think she 'gets' it. I feel really frustrated because i have invested quite some time in coming to this point. I am a late discovery Adoptee, which means I didn't find out that I was an Adopted Person until the age of 41. My Adoptive Mother died before I found out and the relationship between us was never great. I certainly feel betrayed and cheated by her. My Adoptive Father was the one who told me, but said it was not a topic he particularly wanted to discuss - so we never did. He died two years later and we had become progressively distant both after my Adoptive Mother had died and because of his relationship with another lady. Not only did my parents not tell me my entire life, just about everyone around me - of my parents generation and older - knew I was adopted. My Grandparents, my Godmother, parents friends. When I spoke to my Godmother , she said "We thought you knew". How can I talk and show i know about something when I never knew about it ?! Anyhow, I feel as if the above is relevant to my current issues with my son and the relationship between us. I feel as if (and my psychologist has pointed this out to me ) how I was parented, is how I have learned to parent my son. I guess I am shifting some of the blame, but I just think that there is something to be said for a child who was taken/removed/given up by their biological mother and given to parents who do not reflect back the same and anticipated nurturing of the biological mother. There are a lot of issues that come out of Adoption and i really think that my psychologist doesn't give them a place in our sessions. So ultimately , do I give up on this psychologist? Do I keep pushing this perspective, which I have (in a feeble way) ? If I find a new psychologist, will I start over, from the beginning, once again taking years to maybe get to this same point? Two of my girlfriends have suggested that I find a new psychologist, but I am reluctant. Because it's change, because it is another failure added to all the others strewn through my life. Thoughts appreciated.

Moonstruck Should I nip this in the bud - or is it OK?
  • replies: 12

I have posted before about my GP saying No to prescribing daytime meds for anxiety.(which can spiral into panic attacks) She does give me sleepers which I make last a long time and don't abuse. ( I don't want anti depressants as I am not depressed! I... View more

I have posted before about my GP saying No to prescribing daytime meds for anxiety.(which can spiral into panic attacks) She does give me sleepers which I make last a long time and don't abuse. ( I don't want anti depressants as I am not depressed! I have also seen the horrible effects of trying to go off them....and going through bad times trying to find "the right one".....No way will I take anti depressants!!! ) I used to use alcohol for the anxiety over many years but left me with severe health problems which means I cannot drink...have been off grog for over 3 years. I have begun "dipping into" my sleeper meds....just biting off a sliver really (doesn't that sound desperate) on some days.....when I feel really stressed, shaky or consumed with fear....e.g. during the afternoon, early evening etc....(then usually take my usual amt when ready for sleep later). My GP is not aware I have begun doing this. It's a better alternative than alcohol which means a death sentence if I start again.. my question is this: I find myself now feeling emotional and mental relief that the meds are there...during the day..if I need them....and tending to reach for a tiny piece of one on more frequent days......am I headed for trouble here? I feel frustrated that GPs don't take into account, that grog is so readily available to me....i could easily go back to having a bottle or cask in the cupboard or fridge and slowly kill myself.....but a daytime med is still denied me. Is it OK if I continue to take my "tiny sliver" on really bad days......It really helps...it helps me function capably without falling apart and collapsing with panic on my bedroom floor! Which is the greater evil? Would welcome your thoughts.....thanks....Moonstruck

JustTheDoctor Doc wants to wean me off my meds...I'm absolutely terrified.
  • replies: 4

I've had a long history of depression, since mid teens, but the doc was hesitant to prescribe me anything through that whole time, preferring to send me to a myriad of mental health professionals. It was horrible, and completely useless. She finally ... View more

I've had a long history of depression, since mid teens, but the doc was hesitant to prescribe me anything through that whole time, preferring to send me to a myriad of mental health professionals. It was horrible, and completely useless. She finally gave in and I've been taking anti-ds for a while now. She wants to start reducing my dosage until I'm off them. I'm so scared of not taking them -- I don't ever want to go back to living inside the fog... Is it wrong to just say that I don't want to stop taking them? At the start, I stopped taking them myself because I went through a 'I can manage this by myself without meds' stage...worst two weeks ever. I don't want to stop taking them again, I don't ever remember feeling this good when I wasn't on them. I don't actually remember much at all from the darkest times... Advice? Is this even something to worry about? I don't know what to do, and my sister (also a depression sufferer) says that the doc tried to do the same to her and it was awful.. I can't go back there...