Treatments and therapies - Beyond Blue Forums

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.

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?

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

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

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

NEWBIE - Have just come off meds and doent know if what I am experiencing is normal or not?

replies: 4

Hi, I am new to the forums and wanted to get some feedback from fellow sufferers. I have just come of an antidepressant after being on it for about 10 years. I was on a low maintenance dose for the last few years and finally felt I was strong enough ... View more

Hi, I am new to the forums and wanted to get some feedback from fellow sufferers. I have just come of an antidepressant after being on it for about 10 years. I was on a low maintenance dose for the last few years and finally felt I was strong enough to come off it all together. I have a family history of depression and anxiety on both my Maternal and Paternal side, but was only diagnosed when I had major breakdown after the birth of my first child. Once I got well I could see that basically since I was a teen I had been experiencing depression on and off, but didnt know it. In fact the post-natal breakdown was not my first, but as I never shared with anyone what was going on in my head no-one knew about it. Anyway, I ceased my meds nearly 3 weeks ago - weaned off as per the doctors instructions - and now I am having periods of great sorrow or great anger for little or no reason. I am wondering if this is like a period of stabilisation and it is a normal part of not having the chemicals helping to keep me level? We just came back from a holiday about a week ago and since then it seems to have come on quite badly. I thought it might be post holiday blues, but am really nervous that I might be relapsing. I am scared also that having been on the meds for so long, Ive forgotten what "normal" feels like. All I know is that I am not happy at the moment.

Meds and withdrawal

replies: 2

I think BeyondBlue are a fantastic organization. I have finally registered, partly because I was seeking some advice from others re meds and withdrawals. However I noticed that the Forums do not allow any mention of these topics. Where can I seek hel... View more

I think BeyondBlue are a fantastic organization. I have finally registered, partly because I was seeking some advice from others re meds and withdrawals. However I noticed that the Forums do not allow any mention of these topics. Where can I seek help? My doc is vague and I want some answers. The sun still comes up every morning

AD's with controlled release capsule: HUGE differnce experienced if taken with or without food

replies: 1

HI Just want to share my experience with AD's. I am on an SNRI and taking it for 6 month now. My drug is a capsule and enteric coated so that it is supposed to pop open in the small intestines and not in stomach. Apparently taken with or wihout food ... View more

HI Just want to share my experience with AD's. I am on an SNRI and taking it for 6 month now. My drug is a capsule and enteric coated so that it is supposed to pop open in the small intestines and not in stomach. Apparently taken with or wihout food doesn't affect the med. Well I had massive problems with nausea and abdominal pain etc. Had no idea why,.went to doc had tests etc pp. noone found what's wrong.I decided it must be all in m y head then..... However I did a bit research and found that those capsules CAN open up earlier if taken with food. They can then metabolise into toxins which create nausea etc. pp. Well I decided to be a guinea pig and took my med BEFORE breaky with heaps of water instead if WITH breaky. guess what: the nausea is gone. the tummy ache too PLUS the med seems to work much better, I feel more positive and more grounded than before. Just my 50 cents. There is so much doctors don't know or don't tell you. Thank god for research. Be your own doc. Im so releaved I found the solution to my nausea. Food here I come! Happy beetle

how to talk

replies: 5

I can write away and tell you all my darkest secrets that not many people know (1person) but I am at the point in my life at this crisis where in order to get better I must talk. But when the psychologists come around or I go see them I laugh and mak... View more

I can write away and tell you all my darkest secrets that not many people know (1person) but I am at the point in my life at this crisis where in order to get better I must talk. But when the psychologists come around or I go see them I laugh and make my problems seem comical and menial. But really all I want to do is start from the beginning but that is not the here and now so that is not what is asked of you . Your asked what brought you here today and it maybe an arguement that made you feel worthless( cause thats what the other person called you and you believe them even though they are an arse) or an array of built up emotions . But honestly I am here because I had a childhood that was yuk. I feel very at ease on here . I feel I can detach myself from my life and talk/write in a clinical manner about my childhood but to do it in person is an impossible task but I am yearning to do. How do you start such a talk

Tapering off anti depressants...

replies: 5

I have been on anti depressants for 5yrs now and for the past 2months I have tried tapering down and eventually off. I'm not sure if this is a question or somewhere for me to 'talk' about it. I guess I'm interested to see if anyone else is/has experi... View more

I have been on anti depressants for 5yrs now and for the past 2months I have tried tapering down and eventually off. I'm not sure if this is a question or somewhere for me to 'talk' about it. I guess I'm interested to see if anyone else is/has experienced this. AD's did wonders for my mental health, it saved me. But I'm at a point in my life where I want to stand on my own two feet. Ever since tapering off though I have really bad days where I'm tunnel visioned and can't seem to pick myself up. I'm always on the verge of crying and my anxiety is crazy! I feel like my depression is back and that's my biggest fear. I don't know what feelings are real or what is just in my head as my mind adjusts to new seratonin levels. Do I continue with the reduction? Or give up and keep taking my meds for the rest of my life. I'm on a high dosage and the side effects are so bad I'm at a loss!!!!

Treatments, health professionals and therapies

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Need some help from experienced peeps please.

replies: 4

Meds are too expensive for me

replies: 1