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happyandre alternative medication
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I am a 56 year old male. Apart from slight bouts I now seem manage my depression. It took 4 yrs of seeing a great Psychologist and the use of some meds (X which I haven't taken for about 2 yrs). My problem is that I still suffer from anxiety ... View more

Hi all, I am a 56 year old male. Apart from slight bouts I now seem manage my depression. It took 4 yrs of seeing a great Psychologist and the use of some meds (X which I haven't taken for about 2 yrs). My problem is that I still suffer from anxiety and when it all gets a bit too much I medicate with either a half or quarter of a tablet of Y medication..sometimes if things are going realy bad I might take 2 tablets over say 3 days. Most times it is something situational that freaks me out and when the ball starts rolling I need something to slow it down..or a panic attack hits me and I can't talk myself back out of it...50 tablets lasts me say 12 months to me this is OK and my GP had no problem with this...he has been treating me for 15 yrs. My GP has gone and his replacement won't give me a script as he says he won't prescribe it....his choice I supose....although he can see my 15 yrs of history. He said I should go back on X...and that's a great drug...I had no panic attacks ..anxiety ..or depression when on it but the side effects...dead inside...loss of sexual function etc... Question is what other medication have you found good that could help me other then Y...something to take the edge off when the frieght train starts rolling ? Y is a short acting anti anxiety medication that helps relax when the edge of panic or anxiety comes along. Thanks in advance.

LeeC Ineffective medication
  • replies: 6

I experienced a major depressive episode in November last year. I was suicidal and basically a blubbering mess. I was almost hospitalised (waiting list meant I was no longer an emergency by the time they got back to me - I should have just rocked up!... View more

I experienced a major depressive episode in November last year. I was suicidal and basically a blubbering mess. I was almost hospitalised (waiting list meant I was no longer an emergency by the time they got back to me - I should have just rocked up!). Anyway, it was bad and I am still recovering now. I see a psychologist on a regular basis and my GP prescribed medication for me. I am on the highest dose and I don't think it is working. I still have suicidal ideation and experience extreme sadness, lethargy, withdrawal, and generally the black dog feelings. I saw a Psychiatrist to get an opinion on the medication - she misdiagnosed me as having Borderline Personality Disorder (after sitting with me for 40 minutes!) She recommended I stay on the medication. I don't think it is working and any improvement in my mood, I think has been from the ACT work I have been doing, but am yet to master. Have others experienced medication that doesn't work? What have you done about it?

Cazza123_ Antidepressant withdrawal
  • replies: 1

i have been taking an SNRI antidepressant for 3 years and before that I had been on two others; meaning i have been on meds since 2004. After taking 120 mg daily i am now down to 30 mg every 7- 10 days, but have to be honest i am struggling with extr... View more

i have been taking an SNRI antidepressant for 3 years and before that I had been on two others; meaning i have been on meds since 2004. After taking 120 mg daily i am now down to 30 mg every 7- 10 days, but have to be honest i am struggling with extreme irratibility and angry outbursts, lashing out at the ones who i know dont deserve it, i.e loved ones. I know as i am spewing my insults that i am being unfair but i cant seem to control it! Any one else experienced similar and can offer any advice?

achompy Have PSYCHOLOGIST helped?
  • replies: 8

I have several questions; have psychologists been able to remedy and depression? What treatments did they use? How long was the process to recovery? Have there been relapses? The reason I make this enquiry is because I have had depression all my life... View more

I have several questions; have psychologists been able to remedy and depression? What treatments did they use? How long was the process to recovery? Have there been relapses? The reason I make this enquiry is because I have had depression all my life, I am 50 years old and over the years have seen many, many psychologists and even the odd psychiatrist. All to no avail. I have been most earnest in applying and taking whatever treatments were recommended. It has been very disappointing and frustrating because for all my effort, time, and money spent over the years there is no permanent positive outcome for me. I am very disillusioned because of my experiences. Would like to know of others experiences. Thanks in advance.

LongHardRoad I have to wait 2 months to get help!
  • replies: 1

I went to the GP today to get help with my mood. I have been experiencing a lot of ups and downs - I get really depressed and can be in the depths of despair and not feel like doing anything but then the next day I can feel really positive and feel l... View more

I went to the GP today to get help with my mood. I have been experiencing a lot of ups and downs - I get really depressed and can be in the depths of despair and not feel like doing anything but then the next day I can feel really positive and feel like everything is going to work out. I have a strong family history of bipolar (parent, grandparent, great grandparent) so the doc referred me to a psychiatrist and doesn't want to put me on anything until I see him. She also wants me to see a psychologist but again wants to wait until I see the psychiatrist before I start that. But I can't get in for 2 months and honestly I don't want to wait that long to get answers and help. I have waited so long to reach out and I just want to feel better sooner rather than later. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks.

Marg61 I don't know what I have done wrong..........
  • replies: 3

Today is my birthday and instead of celebrating, I have one hell of headache and I am feeling like crap. I've just been to see a new doctor at the same medical centre I've been going to for a couple of years (so she had access to all my notes). After... View more

Today is my birthday and instead of celebrating, I have one hell of headache and I am feeling like crap. I've just been to see a new doctor at the same medical centre I've been going to for a couple of years (so she had access to all my notes). After explaining to her the reason for my visit - I cant stop crying all the time, I'm feeling anxious and stressed all the time, generally not coping with life in general, and whether these feelings are being made worse by hormonal changes. I also explained the reason for coming off the antidepressant medication I was previously taking (it was agreed by myself and a previous doctor who is no longer at the clinic it was time to 'ween' myself off). All I've been offered was the same medication I was on previously, go for a walk and come back and see me in 3 weeks if I'm still feeling sad. Because I sat with my head bowed (trying to hide my frustration and increasing anger), she then decided I may like to see a Psychologist - yes, I was also on a mental health plan (didn't she read my notes????). The other suggestion was go for a walk each day, which I do... Hormonal issues not addressed. What is it with doctors? I found 2 really good doctors at this clinic (both have left because they were only registrars on 12 month contracts) and now I get lumbered with this disinterested doctor. I feel as though I am banging my head against a brick wall. I went to the doctor's for some help and advice and came out feeling as though I had been shafted. Maybe I was expecting too much. Perhaps more of a 'this is what we can do together' attitude, I'm sick of fighting this on my own. It is just so hard. I know I don't want to be taking pills all the time........ Am I expecting too much?

kelly Nightshift and Meds
  • replies: 6

New here! I started taking an SSRI, 2 and a half weeks ago, and I have to go back to work, on nightshift. I wonder what others do, as far as timing their dose. Currently, I still suffer a few side effects, including nausea, and a swimming feeling in ... View more

New here! I started taking an SSRI, 2 and a half weeks ago, and I have to go back to work, on nightshift. I wonder what others do, as far as timing their dose. Currently, I still suffer a few side effects, including nausea, and a swimming feeling in my head, which would be totally unhelpful in my position. I only suffer the side effects for a couple of hours after the dose, so I usually take it at bedtime. I was thinking of taking the previous days dose a couple of hours early and take the next days dose late in the morning before I have a rest, to get ready for the shift. The leaflet doesn't say much, just that I shouldn't take it again within 12 hours. I am feeling a lot better. Not perfect, but functional again, which is nice.

adnileeram HI Im new
  • replies: 2

I was reading through some of the posts and was shocked to realise that people who suffer depression hate themselves. I have suffered a traumatic childhood and have suffered from self hatred all my life. I do suffer from depression and have been diag... View more

I was reading through some of the posts and was shocked to realise that people who suffer depression hate themselves. I have suffered a traumatic childhood and have suffered from self hatred all my life. I do suffer from depression and have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I'm taking medication but only the smallest possible dose as I cant deal with the side effects. It is helping a little with my depression but the self hatred is a s strong as ever and is so crippling to my life. Is this a sign of depression and that possibly I'm not taking enough medication to help it? thank you for this forum....

Bulletin_Board_Archive I want to help myself to STOP Hidding from the world &feeling Depressed,Anxious&Alone
  • replies: 8

Originally posted by: Maggie May on 23 October 2012Lost ¬ sure where to start? Looking for advice on steps i can begin to take to get myself get back on lifes track? I know i need to seek out help from others around me& get some support. I've written... View more

Originally posted by: Maggie May on 23 October 2012Lost ¬ sure where to start? Looking for advice on steps i can begin to take to get myself get back on lifes track? I know i need to seek out help from others around me& get some support. I've written a list of things I should do like, NO.1: go visit my doctor to get back on track with my medication again NO.2: get back in contact with my psychologist &resume regular sessions NO.3: reconnect with my close friends &my family, (my support network) they have been a big part of helping me to overcome similar episodes that Ive had throughout my past NO.4: Go Outside! I need to get up from bed &get out of my room &get some sunlight! -go 4 a walk or whatever? this is maybe the easiest task listed so far, but yet for me, in my current state of mind, this is the hardest thing to do, everyday I fight the same negative thoughts in my head almost obsessively around in circles until I become both mentally exhausted, physically drained, from feeling overwhelmed &above all SELF DEFEATED by my own anxiety. guilt& depression I cant understand why i let myself stay imprisoned in my room by myself all day too afraid to live life? Instead i just keep letting the days pass me by without following through on anything i plan to do that might help me help myself? I have got myself back on my feet in the past when I've been down &out but i feel I've burned all my bridges im having trouble coping with my current black hole ive let myslf fall in but im too deep now to escape from the anxiety& i cant muster up the courage to face the world& break down the barriers of my self isolation? Please if anyone feels they have any suggestions i would greatly appreciate any&all thoughts, I often wonder if Im the only person that thinks &feels such things? or Are their other people going through a stage in life such as this too? all i know for sure is that I want my life back I want to live again! enjoy life, be happy,travel around& experience as much as possible ! somewhere in my heart i truly believe we all should try our best to live everyday of our life to the absolute fullest coz after all any day- even this day- could be the last? love &hope &a big thanks to alll who take time to read this it means alot to me to share my troubles &struggles and have a place to vent by just writing it down simply voicing my insecurities &fears out loud, ITS A START 4ME thank you ...... Im Feeling a little BETTER ALREADY....... Sincerely Maggie May

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,