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Trish_M Depression medications.
  • replies: 5

I have been taking a SNRI for about 8 weeks now. I started on a half dose and saw my GP after 3 weeks. At this point, my GP doubled the dose. Initially, I felt better but perhaps it was a placebo affect because honestly, after 8 weeks, I truely don't... View more

I have been taking a SNRI for about 8 weeks now. I started on a half dose and saw my GP after 3 weeks. At this point, my GP doubled the dose. Initially, I felt better but perhaps it was a placebo affect because honestly, after 8 weeks, I truely don't feel any different or better. What should I be able to expect from AD medication? After 8 weeks, I still feel very depressed, am teary most days, have withdrawn from social contact, sleep badly, am completely exhausted and feel leaden and joyless. Is this normal? Should I have noticed some improvement by now? Any suggestions?

Matilda22 Long time in therapy and still feel terrible
  • replies: 6

Hi all,I have been seeing a psychologist for over 4 years now having initially had a bad experience with a psych beforehand. I trust my psych completely and I feel we have a very good relationship however I continue to have ongoing anxiety and depres... View more

Hi all,I have been seeing a psychologist for over 4 years now having initially had a bad experience with a psych beforehand. I trust my psych completely and I feel we have a very good relationship however I continue to have ongoing anxiety and depression relating to many things, one being childhood sexual assault. I have being increasingly suicidal lately, which my psych knows about. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get out of this hole I'm in. I have previously tried meds but they left me feeling very sick so I ceased. No one around me knows how unwell I am, and I do not intend on exposing this to my family or friends. Has anyone else had the experience of being in therapy this long without feeling better? I'm sick of feeling so exhausted all the time . Any thoughts would be appreciatedMatilda beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

BeeGee Experiences with NaSSAs / tetracyclics or tricyclics?
  • replies: 5

I posted earlier that I was coming off my SNRI - I'm happy to report that I now feel like me again instead of an emotionless robot. I was reading a systematic review of studies comparing the efficacy and tolerability of a NaSSA (starts with "m") with... View more

I posted earlier that I was coming off my SNRI - I'm happy to report that I now feel like me again instead of an emotionless robot. I was reading a systematic review of studies comparing the efficacy and tolerability of a NaSSA (starts with "m") with SSRIs, SNRIs and TCAs this morning. According to this review it seems that there is a statistically significant improvement in "m" over SSRIs and SNRIs (although worse tolerability than SSRIs), and comparable efficacy and tolerability to TCAs. I've only been able to find one post on BB about NaSSAs by Girl_Anachronism, and she was not doing well at the time. Has anyone else tried NaSSAs and can share their experiences? I'm also interested in how people have found TCAs after unsuccessfully trying other first-line drugs? I know everyone can respond differently to any given drug, but it would be good to hear those experiences anyway.

wow_not_good Antidepressant experience was like flicking a switch within a few days...
  • replies: 2

Hi,My background is that I'm 30 and have just quit my job due to a lot of situational anxiety. I was looking forward to doing something more fullfilling. I then had a bombshell dropped on me the day I returned to the city from my rural healthcare job... View more

Hi,My background is that I'm 30 and have just quit my job due to a lot of situational anxiety. I was looking forward to doing something more fullfilling. I then had a bombshell dropped on me the day I returned to the city from my rural healthcare job. My boyfriend of 2 years dumped me. Sure I was distressed. I had even thought we needed to see a counsellor... I had not expected that sense of betrayal.Four days later, early in the morning, there was some loud noise from the street that woke me. Bam! Just like that my heart went into fright or flight mode! Moderate depression was the Psychiatrist's diagnosis a few days later. Nothing felt moderate about not being able to get out of bed for 3 days constantly shaking. The walls felt like they were closing in on me. I was a failure. There was no past, present or future. I was living at home with my parents and felt totally dependant on people I don't even really trust that much. I wasn't suicidal yet. But I've ideated it at times of depression in the past. The depression was quiet at bad as shaking, total loss of hope, blackness. I started antidepressants that Saturday of the "bang". I think it saved my life since by Tuesday afternoon it was like a switch was flicked. I read all of this stuff about antidepressants being hard to get off. I don't want to muck up my brain chemistry. It probably wasn't that great to start with if I was near catatonic state. Any experience to share? It's a little stressful looking at the implications of withdrawal. I can get through that right? I'm a resilient person! Just thought I'd check that it was the people that aren't interested in changing their wicked ways that basically became dependant? I realise where I went wrong & what was out of my control... I need to prioritise myself more. Grieving is going to be another challenge...Thanks!

Chimpy Medications
  • replies: 2

After being on ADs for well over 20 yrs now.....I have to say I honestly don't feel any better even though I have seen soooooo many doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists. They make me feel calmer as I also suffer from anxiety but the biggest problem ... View more

After being on ADs for well over 20 yrs now.....I have to say I honestly don't feel any better even though I have seen soooooo many doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists. They make me feel calmer as I also suffer from anxiety but the biggest problem is I feel soooooo tired all the time . Everything is an absolute effort which in turn makes me worse because I very rarely achieve anything but the normal everyday routine. I come off them and feel more alive, achieve more but then become anxious about things again and the brain gets a bit scrambled. I have been diagnosed with rapid Bi Polar where it was explained to me I have very rapid turnarounds......every 2 weeks I have a few days of manic where I can conquer anything then I come down for a week or so and then the mani returns. To be honest I have learnt to tell everyone exactly what they want to hear as its like....here we go again, same old questions, same old answers. I wonder at times if I really need medication or whether I can do trol this myself? The trouble is the onset of manic is quick as in the click of a finger!!

GabiT Meditation / PMR
  • replies: 4

Hi I am having anger management issues and I will apply for some help from a professional soon. But I would like to ask whether anybody did Meditation or PMR and had positive results? Can you please share your experiences? Whenever I try meditation, ... View more

Hi I am having anger management issues and I will apply for some help from a professional soon. But I would like to ask whether anybody did Meditation or PMR and had positive results? Can you please share your experiences? Whenever I try meditation, I am not able to sit still. After 6-8 minutes, I became restless and impatient. Cheers GT

fadedreality Meds and Counselling
  • replies: 1

Hi all, This question is going to seem a little strange (or at least my head is saying it is but that really isn't any sign of anything) but here goes anyway. When a GP prescribes meds for Depression/Anxiety is counselling actually a requirement of g... View more

Hi all, This question is going to seem a little strange (or at least my head is saying it is but that really isn't any sign of anything) but here goes anyway. When a GP prescribes meds for Depression/Anxiety is counselling actually a requirement of getting meds or can you get the meds for starters and deal with talking further down the path? I am well aware (sometimes I think I am too smart for my own good) that the talking will have to happen but right this second, I just don't feel like I can deal with the talking. I guess for some background for strange questions, I have had mostly untreated depression for most of my life and I am now early 30s, although I did have some counselling in my pre-teens/early teens after the death of a relative. I did attempt to get help in my mid 20s but what can I say, stuff happened. This year anxiety has decided to come and play a bit too, due to health reasons which don't appear to be much of anything now I guess. My GP who I have pretty much gone too my entire life is actually a qualified psychiatrist as well, but I have trust issues (including with him with valid reasons though although he has proven trust worthy with my recent appointments, although, they had nothing exactly to do with mental health.) Unfortunately, for me he also treats my mother (as a GP and for her depression) and has treated other family members in the past, so he knows a lot about lots of things I guess. So I really just can't deal with the talking right this second as much as I actually really, really don't want meds, I just cannot keep going on in these same circles.

NightOwl Should I cut my losses or can I salvage 3 more appointments?
  • replies: 7

Let me first start by saying therapy is NOT what I ever expected it to be. Maybe I've watched too many movies! It's hard and I definitely wasn't prepared!! I started seeing a psychologist in January. I have 10 bulk billed appointments. The first 7 ha... View more

Let me first start by saying therapy is NOT what I ever expected it to be. Maybe I've watched too many movies! It's hard and I definitely wasn't prepared!! I started seeing a psychologist in January. I have 10 bulk billed appointments. The first 7 have unfortunately gone nowhere. I can't afford to continue with therapy on my own. I'm not clicking with her, I have failed miserably in opening up and it turns out she's not a mind reader. She gets hold of tiny trivial bits of information and she's like a dog with a bone, trying to make some sense out of it when it's really irrelevant to why I'm there. Can't blame her for that. Basically I think it's too late. The reason I've stuck with it is: a. She is literally THE ONLY psych in my area. And b. I'm holding onto that tiny bit of Hope that things may get easier and I'll be able to open up to her. But at this stage I don't think it's going to happen. I've tried writing things down, but I can't bring myself to give it to her. I have all the conversations in my head about the things I'm going to say but when I get in there I freeze up and can barely string a sentence together. Can I salvage anything from my last 3 appointments or have I blown it? I can't exactly start from the start now giving her the background insight into my life. I should have done that from day one. Lesson learnt. I feel like I'm wasting her time and she's also becoming frustrated. She just expects that I will have nothing to say now and the small talk or insights into how wonderful HER life is, is driving me nuts.

BeyondBroken Is there non in-house treatment programs?
  • replies: 1

Hi, I have seen multiple doctors, psychologists, psychiatrist, medications and more. I am a single parent so hospitalisation, retreats or other in-house treatments are not possible. Does anyone know of an organisation that does some intensive program... View more

Hi, I have seen multiple doctors, psychologists, psychiatrist, medications and more. I am a single parent so hospitalisation, retreats or other in-house treatments are not possible. Does anyone know of an organisation that does some intensive program but no in house?

Just_Lost Possible side effects from Medication, first time
  • replies: 3

Hey, I have just started medication for depression, low dose first week, then up the dose week after. I have only just been diagnosed and have never taken medication of this type ever. I have found I am practically useless, I could sleep all the time... View more

Hey, I have just started medication for depression, low dose first week, then up the dose week after. I have only just been diagnosed and have never taken medication of this type ever. I have found I am practically useless, I could sleep all the time ( I have a family , work etc )my body and head are so heavy that I feel just standing takes the most effort. I fall asleep at work all the time for no reason. Feeling nauseas and very light headed most of the day. I feel like I am not aware and on another planet right now...im wondering if it gets better? because I can not function in this state much longer. Any advise very much appreciated Just Lost.