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Lovelysmile Am I ready to stop?
  • replies: 3

How do I know if I am ready to stop taking my medication? Since June 2012 I have been taking anti-depressants, I went from 20mg to 150mg within months as I wanted to feel nothing but numbness. If I forget to take them in the morning as I'm in a rush ... View more

How do I know if I am ready to stop taking my medication? Since June 2012 I have been taking anti-depressants, I went from 20mg to 150mg within months as I wanted to feel nothing but numbness. If I forget to take them in the morning as I'm in a rush to get to work I start to feel really light headed and am sick for the whole day. i haven't been taking them for a year and I feel like that. I'm scared that if I don't try to stop taking them now that it would be too late in a few years time. Any advice would be appreciated,

toshy coming of antidepressents
  • replies: 3

Hi, My name is Chris, I am in my 3rd week coming of an antidepressant cold turkey, this has all been done under my Phyciatrist, the first 2 weeks were like a massive foggy mess,it was like i was suffering a permanent hang over, and then i thought i h... View more

Hi, My name is Chris, I am in my 3rd week coming of an antidepressant cold turkey, this has all been done under my Phyciatrist, the first 2 weeks were like a massive foggy mess,it was like i was suffering a permanent hang over, and then i thought i had conquered it, 3 days of feeling ok, only unfortunatly to take a dive on the 4th day,irritability, anxious, cant stop crying feel alone, and now people are saying maybe i should just go back on and wean slowly but i feel that i would only be going backwards then, so now i want to keep going and not go back on medication but i was wondering if anyone can tell me how long it took them to get through this phase, and how do they feel now? Thankyou for time, Christine

lostandconfused Just signed up. Any Suggestions on where to start?
  • replies: 4

Hi. I'm new to this and I just signed up today. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what to do? About myself: At the moment, I speak to a counsellor for depression and stress but lately I have felt like my current support systems are no ... View more

Hi. I'm new to this and I just signed up today. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what to do? About myself: At the moment, I speak to a counsellor for depression and stress but lately I have felt like my current support systems are no longer useful and the process of my recovery from depression is moving to slow and the brakes are being applied without my control. I constantly feel the need to self harm and am often suicidal almost all the time. Although at this point I have not attempted suicide, and I don't have active plans to do so, I feel as though my thread is getting shorter and my urges increase. HELP!

Anonymous What will the first GP visit consist of?
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have been dealing with depression for several years on my own but its finally become too much and I broke down infront of my boyfriend and told him how I felt. Now I am booked in to see a GP about it next week and I am terrified as to what they... View more

Hi, I have been dealing with depression for several years on my own but its finally become too much and I broke down infront of my boyfriend and told him how I felt. Now I am booked in to see a GP about it next week and I am terrified as to what they are going to ask me. I have kept this to myself for so long and am afraid that I can't do the interview or whatever it is without becoming emotional. Can someone who has been through the initial consultation with a GP explain to me what is going to happen/what theyre going to ask? Any info would be really appreciated.

Its_Jess Medication Yes or No
  • replies: 2

Hi Guys I have recently gone through a massive break up with my boyfriend which has started to play on old self confidence and depression problems I had before. I was broken up with completely out of the blue and only given the reason that he 'doesnt... View more

Hi Guys I have recently gone through a massive break up with my boyfriend which has started to play on old self confidence and depression problems I had before. I was broken up with completely out of the blue and only given the reason that he 'doesnt want a relationship.' Shortly after this he was involved in a horrific car accident with his best friend and a girl from his work and was air lifted to hospital. I was the last one to find out about this and was worried sick. He has now got out of hospital but is attended rehab most days as he has a lot of broken bones. I then found out he is now in a relationship with the girl who was in the car. it has only been a month and Im shocked and confused about it all I ended up going to the doctor as I am really concerned about my mental state and dont trust myself about being alone. The doctor wanted to admit me to hospital and gave me antidepressants to take I am worried about taking the medication and a few people have told me to take herbal medications first and see if they help. My doctor did not agree with this and now Im really confused as to what I should do. Does anyone have any suggestions, warnings or advice about taking pharmacy antidepressants?

sad_confused1 Change of Meds
  • replies: 1

I'm new to this and not sure about anything anymore or if anyone can help.... I was prescribed medication about 15 years ago for a mild case of depression and anxiety, what I now to believe was possibly the result of undiagnosed and untreated Post Na... View more

I'm new to this and not sure about anything anymore or if anyone can help.... I was prescribed medication about 15 years ago for a mild case of depression and anxiety, what I now to believe was possibly the result of undiagnosed and untreated Post Natal Depression. Initally it helped but I was neither happy or sad, just a sense of nothing. I stopped taking it after a year or so and everything was ok for a while but then everything became all too hard and I was put back onto it. Again another year or so passed by and I still felt nothing so again I stopped the meds. A couple of years later there were some really awful events in my life and I crashed. I was precribled several different medications. Eventually things got better but not my depression and anxiety. I suffered the usual side effects, weight gain, low libido and found that I was becoming more and more withdrawn and tended to isolate myself from friends and family. Time passed and I continued with medication just accepting that this was my lot in life and that I would never truely be happy again. And whenever things get too much I get prescribed a different medicaition to help with anxiety (which is something I don't like to take unless absolutely necessary). A year or so ago I stupidly ran out of my meds and within a couple of days my whole world came crashing down and I was an emotional mess. I went back to the doctor and was told that I had done the wrong thing but it was a good thing as the one I was on was not the best drug to be on as it could be dangerous. I was then prescribed something different and things improved again but as before, suffered the usual side effects, more weight gain, low libido, and again not truely happy, just living day to day. I recently returned to my doctor as my weight has become a problem so he decided to change me to another medication as this was supposed to help me with loosing a little weight as well as treat my depression. Within a couple of days I was a mess, crying uncontrollably for no apparent reason, always tired, unable to sleep and at times I was totally irrational. The slightest thing would set me off and I would scream hysterically. Back to the doctor again and he doubled my dosage plus prescribed me something else. After a couple of weeks there was no improvement so back to the doctor again and I've now been prescribed a couple of medications I had some time ago. What am I asking ??? I don't know... I'm tired and just want to get better and be happy

Mallee57 The Correct Medication ?
  • replies: 3

hello everyone This is my first post here on beyondblue. I was diagnosed with Bipolar as well as a couple of other ailments. I have tried several medications including three different SNRI antidepressants and two different SSRI antidepressants etc...... View more

hello everyone This is my first post here on beyondblue. I was diagnosed with Bipolar as well as a couple of other ailments. I have tried several medications including three different SNRI antidepressants and two different SSRI antidepressants etc.... I went and visited my new Psychiatrist yesterday for the 2nd time and he suggested I try the following: 1) A mood stabiliser medication two times a day. In the morning and in the evening. This is to treat the Bipolar 2) A small dose of an antipsychotic medication often used in bipolar. This is to treat my sleeping problem. I had my first mood stabiliser yesterday about lunchtime and I felt O.K. with it except later on where I felt a slight kind of spaced out type feeling but nothing of concern. Then last night I had at around 6:30pm the antipsychotic tablet as the Psychiatrist said to take it about 4 hours before bedtime. Anyway at about 8:30pm I could not keep my eyes open and totally flaked it and woke up this morning at about 7:30 am. I did one time during the night go sluggishly once to the toilet. Anyway today I still have a tired sluggish feeling and I am slightly irritable and a bit touchy. I then went online a read some comments about both medications and the comments were a bit scary to say the least. The antipsychotic contributes greatly to weight gain and extreme feelings of tiredness and the mood stabiliser can cause depression and suicidal thoughts, and can cause liver problems etc.... I mean why do these specialists (Psychiatrists) prescribe medications which do these things to people? I really do not understand this at all. My Psychiatrist never asked me my medical history etc.... Yes, He did have some previous documents I gave him about my initial diagnosis about Bipolar and what medications I have tried but that's all. So now I am all freaked out and not knowing what to try (Medications) if any at all. Any advice would be welcome. Cheers, Mallee

Wants2smile Does medication help?
  • replies: 1

Hi im 24 and i have anxiety & depression. I grew up bullied most my school days. Both my parents worked hard so they were never really home. I delt with things by locking myself in my room and fakeing a smile the next day. I find my anxiety gets wors... View more

Hi im 24 and i have anxiety & depression. I grew up bullied most my school days. Both my parents worked hard so they were never really home. I delt with things by locking myself in my room and fakeing a smile the next day. I find my anxiety gets worse in public, i feel like im being judged or something bad is going to happen. At night i have trouble sleeping and have feelings that someone is going to break into my own. The last few weeks my anxiety has got worse were im house bound now. Going to the shops is a freak out and i cant handle it anymore. I seeking help about medication to help do they help or do more harm than good. I have a 2 yr old daughter that needs my full attention and i want to be able go outside with her and take her to the park. Please help i want to be happy

Bec05 What other help is out there for depression?
  • replies: 3

I've struggled with depression & PTSD for 8 years. I've seen several psychologists, psychiatrists and been in hospital twice. A new medication or conseller seems to help for a couple of months then i just seem to go back to the start again and feelin... View more

I've struggled with depression & PTSD for 8 years. I've seen several psychologists, psychiatrists and been in hospital twice. A new medication or conseller seems to help for a couple of months then i just seem to go back to the start again and feeling suicidal and not enjoying anything. I was recently told by a psychiatrist that conselling and medication don't work for me. I want to know what other help is there? What have others tried?

Sweetdreams Never ending binge eating
  • replies: 1

I've lost the plot and can't control my eating. I've always struggled with food, but never have been overweight as I've always been able to stay committed and a binge sesh has only every lasted a day or 2 before getting back on track. But since start... View more

I've lost the plot and can't control my eating. I've always struggled with food, but never have been overweight as I've always been able to stay committed and a binge sesh has only every lasted a day or 2 before getting back on track. But since started meds about 8 months ago I've gained a whopping 30 kg. and have spiralled into more self hate and emotional eating. Bingeing most days. Please help me- I don't know where to turn? Has anyone had similar problems and overcame them? thanks.