I'm worried that medication won't work

[d1106]

I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for the past 13 years. Up until now medication has always been extremely helpful and because of this I didn't feel the need to share my condition with anyone. So I have been on my own all these years. Over the past 5 to 6 weeks medication has not been as successful despite trying something new. Because of the way I feel now I've had no choice but to tell my immediate family. I really didn't know how they would react and feared they would think me weak. I could not have been more wrong. My family are supporting me without question which is a huge relief. No more hiding doctors appointments, medication and nice just to tell someone how I'm feeling.

I think a lot of

my depression and anxiety at the moment is stemming from a bit of a loss in confidence with the medication and the worry that no medication will work. Is this a normal thought?

Anyway I've started a new medication and hoping it will bring me back to normal so I can get on with life.

[Mares73]

Dear d1106 thank you for reaching out to us & Beyond Blue. It takes courage to do so. I hope to alleviate your concerns a little. In my experience I've been on at least 6 different antidepressants over a long period of time. Some were changed due to side effects but the majority of times it was because a medication I'd been on for several years started to lose effect. I was told this is quite common & requires a change of medication that generally has been very effective. One ceased to work after 2 years, another after 6 & now I'm on one I've been on for 7 so far. I know it can be unsettling but usually the adjustments are helpful. I'm also glad you have such a supportive family as many don't. I really hope this new medication alleviates your returning symptoms.  We are always here to listen & support you in any ways we can. I hope you will keep in touch & feel free to come here & share anything troubling you as that's what we are here for-because we care & want to support you. Look forward to positive news let's hope about this new medication-and remember like previous times-it may take a little while to work. Lve Mares x

[white knight]

Hi d,  welcome

I have a saying "worry is non productive".  Worry is a bag of rocks fed by unreal things.

Anxiety isnt helped by worry. Over thinking things and thinking unrealistic thoughts. You must stick to realistic thoughts.

So let the new medication take its course. Allow several weeks for it to kick in. Any issues with it, just see your GP and discuss it.

Finally. Remember that medication is very important but it should be assisted with other actions that help your anxiety overall.  Deep breathing and progressive muscle tensioning exercises are great for the long term. They worked for me.  My first 12 years of anxiety was with medication then those exercises worked so well I was able to go off them forever. The last 13 years since going off them has seen my anxiety dwindle to almost zero.

As for your mind apart from those two exercises that you can google, try to keep your thoughts realistic. Dont allow your mind to exaggerate.

take care

[d1106]

Thanks White Knight very helpful words. I will definitely google deep breathing and muscle tensioning exercises. But I guess what I really need to train myself to do is that realistic thinking you mention.

What are your thoughts on counselling or speaking to a psychologist?

Thanks Again

d1106

[Doolhof]

Hi d1106,

Thanks for sharing your story here. It is excellent too that you have been ale to share your depression and anxiety with your family. It is wonderful they are being supportive.

White Knight has given you some great advice. From my own experience, a medication I took for years seemed to have been working very well, then for some reason, it no longer worked the same, so my Dr. decided  to try something else. Like White Knight said, it can take a while for the new medication to work.

Also like White Knight wrote, medication is not the only way you can help yourself when you suffer from depression and anxiety, so I hope you do use Google and try out some of the self help ideas you will come across.

Don't be too hard on yourself. We all have bad days now and then and think life is getting really messy, then the next day can be all sunshine and roses.

You could try psychologist/psychiatrist/counsellors if you feel you would like to try one of those avenues. There are phone lines you can call, there is a number here at Beyond Blue you can call or you could use the Webchat choice. There certainly are a lot of options available for receiving help and assistance.

I also go to the library and look for books on dealing with depression. Some of them are very helpful, others I just take note of the parts that I think will help me.

I wish you all the best on your journey of discovery and recovery.

Cheers for now, From Mrs. Dools

[geoff]

dear d, well there has been great replies back to you, which you hopefully will take on board.

It's good that your family know, because that could be half the problem, but there are so many different types of antidepressants or other medication that not all suit the one person, it's a real hassle to have to go through half a dozen, but in the end it's worth it, so you have to persevere.

When anyone suffers from any type of depression, which anxiety is included in, it won't hurt to go and talk to a psychologist which your GP can organise 10 free visits through a medicare plan.

It's important to keep all of this under supervision, otherwise it can run away from you. Geoff.