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Rosie49 Can TCAs make you feel worse
  • replies: 4

I have been on a low dose tricylclic AD for 16 days. My partner died suddenly 14 weeks ago. I know I am grieving, but 3 weeks ago I was in a dark place. Not sleeping, having panic attacks, hyperventilating and could not stop sobbing and went to my GP... View more

I have been on a low dose tricylclic AD for 16 days. My partner died suddenly 14 weeks ago. I know I am grieving, but 3 weeks ago I was in a dark place. Not sleeping, having panic attacks, hyperventilating and could not stop sobbing and went to my GP for the first time since my partner died (also my partners GP). He prescribed a low dose tricyclic AD. The first 10 or so days were ok. The panic subsided and my mood lifted a bit so that I was able to function. But the last few days my mood has slipped, and I'm finding it hard to fight back the tears, and worse when I'm out of the house. And some nights I don't sleep. I'm wondering if the ADs are not working for me, or should I give them a bit more time. I don't want to mask my grief, but I don't want to go back to how I was 3 weeks ago. If I go back to a doctor, it will be to one recommended here - one of them is close by. I was disappointfed with my GP. When I told him I was struggling with my partner's sudden death, he said to me, "still?" , like I should be moving on after 3 months, with my partner of 20 years gone in the blink of an eye and was unable to say goodbye to him. I think too I am getting myself worked up, as I have tentatively agreed to scatter his ashes in a week's time. I am feeling that it is going to be like his funeral all over again.

TemporarilyOutOfOrder I Hate Talking Therapies, Anyone Agree???
  • replies: 18

Hi everyone, I have seen various counselors and one psychologist before, I have a rather negative attitude towards seeing them myself from past results. I feel they just don't get me. I feel so stupid for revealing the ins and outs of my life only to... View more

Hi everyone, I have seen various counselors and one psychologist before, I have a rather negative attitude towards seeing them myself from past results. I feel they just don't get me. I feel so stupid for revealing the ins and outs of my life only to feel like they didn't help me. I have been told to keep trying til I find someone I click with but it is a huge emotional investment for me and I feel like it is hopeless. I have had anxiety for the past 7 or so years and undiagnosed depression for the past 12 months approx. I have not seen anyone about this suspected depression, have not even spoken to my family or partner about it yet. I dislike the idea of talking therapies and if the GP I will see about my depression suggests a psychologist I hope to try and give it a go again but will be very apprehensive. I have always said in the past that I want to avoid medication and try anything else first but am at the lowest point I have been yet, I have withdrawn from almost everyone and don't even want to make a phone call to sort out my pay issues, I really fear talking with people right now. I am wondering if medication might help me get out of this rut enough to start on the road to recovery. I want to know if there is anyone out there that is in a similar boat? What are your thoughts on NOT having talking therapy??

Shock Bad news today - not much anyone can do to help with my kind of depression
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I dont know why I am bothering writing this. I am officially defeated. Talking to a doctor in the mental health section of the hospital today they seem to think there is nothing more to be done. They have all agreed anti-depressants dont work... View more

Hi all, I dont know why I am bothering writing this. I am officially defeated. Talking to a doctor in the mental health section of the hospital today they seem to think there is nothing more to be done. They have all agreed anti-depressants dont work. The only thing they suggest is talking about it, which just doesnt get through to me. Welp, I dont have anything I can do now cept talk about it which doesnt really work for me. I guess, like any illness, you win some, you lose some. I guess I was unlucky enough to lose this time.

Shock How can I accept my therapist and get over the feeling of being belittled?
  • replies: 3

Sorry BB, I am going to be brutally honest and say that I hate mental health practitioners. I havent always, but the more time I've spent with them the more I think all they offer is snake oil, placebos and, at best, a shoulder to cry on. I am aware ... View more

Sorry BB, I am going to be brutally honest and say that I hate mental health practitioners. I havent always, but the more time I've spent with them the more I think all they offer is snake oil, placebos and, at best, a shoulder to cry on. I am aware this is not a great attitude to have and want to change it. My GPs have run out of options for meds, so apparently the only way I can get better is talking about it. The biggest problem I have with them is that they make me feel like an idiot. For example, I will say something like: "I feel like I want to die". And they will almost, always say something like: "Well you came here, so you mustnt really feel like that!". To me, thats just smart arsery. Its that kind of attitude that makes me feel like a complete idiot. Like what I am saying is all false. I get really angry and defensive and usually arguments break out. The other thing is this thing about trust. They talk about getting to know you, and earning their trust, blah blah blah. Trust means nothing. You have to abide by patient confidentiality, so you cant tell anyone anyway. And dont try to be my friend. At the end of the session, your charging me an arm and a leg, so lets keep this relationship businesslike. Sorry guys, but I guess that illustrates my frustration to them. I am looking for tips to try and change this attitude. Any advice is appreciated!

Ruthwh How do I get the strength to stand up for myself instead of just saying nothing?
  • replies: 1

I have had major depression for 8 years, most days are bad but not always. I saw my GP last week and detailed how I was feeling mentally as well as physically. She told me I was experiencing anxiety. In my head I didn't agree with her, but yet I agre... View more

I have had major depression for 8 years, most days are bad but not always. I saw my GP last week and detailed how I was feeling mentally as well as physically. She told me I was experiencing anxiety. In my head I didn't agree with her, but yet I agreed with her as we talked. I am now so angry with myself for not having the guts to say I don't have anxiety but couldn't do it. I don't sleep at night, have absolutely no energy, no concentration and my memory is poor. I do have thoughts of hurting myself, but I know it will never come to anything. How do I get the strength to stand up for myself instead of just saying nothing? I have now thought of nothing else for at least a week and ready to cry anywhere and at anytime.

kfm82 Need some help from experienced peeps please.
  • replies: 4

Hi All, I am new both to here and to this depression thing. I was diagnosed with severe depression this past Sunday and just a little freaked out! But that's another story for another forum. I am now on meds and the side effects are quite brutal - pl... View more

Hi All, I am new both to here and to this depression thing. I was diagnosed with severe depression this past Sunday and just a little freaked out! But that's another story for another forum. I am now on meds and the side effects are quite brutal - please tell me that these go soon and I will actually start to feel better. I have lived the past few months or year or so putting up a brilliant façade, but now the cats out the bag so to speak, I am finding it difficult to keep it up for the benefit of work etc. So any experience on how long the good stuff takes to kick in and the nasty side effects to go would be most appreciated. Thanks.

longbob Meds are too expensive for me
  • replies: 1

I have just come out of hospital after having had an AD change over. The new ones seem to be working. I went to get a repeat script for them from the chemist today and the price was $65 for 2 weeks worth of meds! I am a pensioner, and on other meds, ... View more

I have just come out of hospital after having had an AD change over. The new ones seem to be working. I went to get a repeat script for them from the chemist today and the price was $65 for 2 weeks worth of meds! I am a pensioner, and on other meds, so I have other medical costs, and also enjoy having the occasional meal. Now I don't know what is going to happen. Mew meds are good, and I sure as hell don't want to go back into hospital. But the expense is unsustainable. The anxiety now is just refuelling my extreme depression again. How could I be put into this situation?

acacia Long term use of antidepressants
  • replies: 5

Hi there I am really interested in hearing about peoples' experiences with taking antidepressants for many years. I took various medications non-stop for 17 years. I weaned off in October/November and I have to say the experience was not pleasant! I ... View more

Hi there I am really interested in hearing about peoples' experiences with taking antidepressants for many years. I took various medications non-stop for 17 years. I weaned off in October/November and I have to say the experience was not pleasant! I cannot find any research on this - can you help? Thanks acaica

ThousandMiles Weight Gain
  • replies: 5

Hey again, Is anyone else having problems with food as a result of depression + the treatment of it? The medication that I'm on apparently causes weight-gain in many patients, and I think that is the case with me. At the same time, the depression is ... View more

Hey again, Is anyone else having problems with food as a result of depression + the treatment of it? The medication that I'm on apparently causes weight-gain in many patients, and I think that is the case with me. At the same time, the depression is increasing my appetite and making me extremely tired 24/7, so it's really hard to exercise. I wouldn't say I self-medicate with food, exactly, but sometimes I find comfort in it, and most of the time I am just constantly hungry. I won't say what my weight is now, all I'll say is that I have gained 8kg in only a few months, and though I am still in the "healthy weight range", I am near the top of it. And I am scared that I will become overweight again, as I used to be when I was younger. I also suffer from mild BDD, so I find myself very preoccupied with my weight yet I feel like I cannot do much about it I am trying to exercise for at least 20 minutes every day, and to eat healthier foods + less food, but I feel that I'm only motivated some days. My parents also don't support me wanting to lose weight (they think I look fine and that I should be focusing on my mental health and my education right now), so it's hard to eat less when they give me such big portions. And if they've given me that much food, I still want to eat it, because I'm hungry and it's nice :'D It's not that I have no self-control, my self-control just isn't that great the moment. So, any similar experiences? Or advice? This weight gain is making me feel even more depressed

Rosa-eve Finally started medication and went to a psychologist and feel worse than ever!
  • replies: 4

So....after trying to deal with depression and anxiety for along time now without any help, I finally started taking some medication a few days ago. I do realise it takes a while to have any effect. At the moment I find it hard to believe taking a pi... View more

So....after trying to deal with depression and anxiety for along time now without any help, I finally started taking some medication a few days ago. I do realise it takes a while to have any effect. At the moment I find it hard to believe taking a pill will make me feel better. But that is probally because I just can't even imagine feeling better at this point. I think I'm just hoping it will take the edge off the anxiety if nothing else. What has made me feel worse is seeing the psychologist. I know it has been said before that you might not find someone who works for you straight away and to not give up. Try and find someone who does. Today really made me feel like giving up. It took a hell of a lot for me to actually go and see someone. I have never talked about the things that have happened in my life. And not entirely sure how seeing a psychologist will help. Not sure what I expect to happen. Mabey I just ended up seeing the wrong person. She wasn't who I was refered to. The doctor talked me into seeing someone and refered me to someone who he said was very good. But when I rang for an appointment I was told he was booked out untill the end of May. But I could see someone else this week. I'm thinking that mabey she was so easy to get an appointment with because she isn't that good. I was bulk billed at least. But am amazed that it would have cost $150 for pretty much nothing. Other than to make me walk out feeling like there was just no point in talking to anyone. The letter from the doctor that I gave her said that I was severely depressed. It said how I had a history of abuse. etc. So she asked a couple of questions, one about where I work. I said how I needed to find another job as I'm not getting enough work to keep me going. She asked if I was looking for something else. I said I had previously but I don't have the energy to put into finding another job here, when what I really want to do is move back to Canberra. So, her advise was to look on all homes for places to rent and apply for jobs. End of story. That was it. Would I like to make another appointment to see her another time. So I have mentioned suicide to her (that's how I feel, but no I wont do that to my son) she has something in front of her telling her I have severe depression and a whole lot more. And for $150 all I get is "do I have the internet so I can look up places to rent" To Neil and all the other wonderfull people here who offer advice....... you are all worth a fortune. You offer so much more help, understanding and care than what I got today. So, should I try again and wait to see the psychologist the doctor recomended? Does it help if you talk to someone who is good at what they do? I've always been so reluctant to ever talk to anyone. There has been a couple of times in life that I have tried to explain to people how I feel. But trying to tell anyone who doesn't understand depression just makes it worse. It feels to me like drowning. You have your hand up hoping for someone to pull you out and instead they look at you and push you under. Sorry for any rambling! And thanks, from Rosa