Medication Decision

[Guest_5608]

Hi There,

I have depression and anxiety. I have been seeing a psychologist for almost a year, this has been helpful. Although, almost everyday I just feel terrible, so worn out, emotional exhausted by people, hate being out in public by myself as I feel so self conscious and nervous, gained a bunch of weight recently after maintaining a health weight for 10+years, zero motivation and ambition anymore, jaded feeling, and trying to survive a toxic work environment so I can pay for short term medical expenses + weekly pyscholgist appointments.

I got recommended a SSRI by my GP, it's been sitting in my cupboard for months without me ever taking it. I think because of my Retail job I'm scared of navigating any potential side effects while working there, there will be little support for time off and we are chronically short staffed which just adds pressure.

Also, I heard insomnia is a common side effect of SSRIS? Worried about this is affecting my job and mental wellbeing.

I should mention my depression and anxiety pre-dates my current job. I just find the job much harder to cope with than I used too.

Any advise would mean the world 🙂

[Sophie_M]

  Hi Urkel!

Thank you for continuing to participate in the forum community! I hope you are continuing to get a lot out of your participation here!

Just wanted to remind you, that our members can't give anything that would constitute medical advice, including on medication, to each other. However, I can see that your concerns round health impacts are really powerful for you right now, and so I am certain that many of our community members will be able to discuss with you how they overcame some of their fear of treatment, and the anxieties around potential side-effects.

Please remember Urkel, it is important to discuss all of your concerns around treatment with you professionals, rather than avoid treatment. If your physician believes you are taking the prescribed course and nothing improves for you, they may be lead to fear you need a far strong medication - always keep your doctor / psychiatrist in the loop as to what is happening for you - anxiety is never punished, but miscommunication can cause issues.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you are really feeling overloaded by anxiety! call us on 1300 22 4636 or consider starting a webchat by clicking here.

Hang in there, Urkel. Please stay in touch!

Regards,

Sophie M.

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

Medication takes around 6 weeks to begin to work, then and only then will you have some indication of its positive effects and side effects.

IMO side effects should usually take a back seat to the benefits unless they are extreme.

I understand your issues with work however, in life they'll always be a reason to delay. They'll never be an ideal time.

Once into your routine of taking medications things will settle. You've been prescribed these because you need them, it isn't presumed you have the option not to take them. I suppose I'm saying - this is your health, it trumps everything.

TonyWK

[geoff]

Hello Urkel, side-effects may not happen with everyone and by searching the net on this SSRI it will mention all possible outcomes by taking it, but this doesn't mean you will have to cope with them.

The company that produces these AD's need to list everything for legal reasons and if your Gp has prescribed them for you to start on, then usually the dose is small just to get any or if you have side-effects.

If you mention any depression and or anxiety in a pre-interview this could harm you in being able to get this job, and any job I've had, this has been avoided.

Have a chat with your doctor about any repercussions that you may encounter.

Take care.

Geoff.

[Bob_22]

Hi Urkel,

Sorry to hear about your recent struggles but great to hear that you've taken active steps toward your treatment i.e. psychologist, speaking with your GP.

Making the first step to taking medication can be very difficult and is a big decision. I would strongly suggest you outline the concerns you listed (side effects, insomnia etc) with your GP. They are usually more than happy to talk you through the process of starting medication and how to cope with side effects. And if anything does crop up down the line, they are usually flexible in switching to something else that is better suited.

Its sometimes also worth getting a second opinion through your specialist if you have one. In my case, it is my psychiatrist who handles all my psychiatric medicine and I will occasionally get a second opinion from the referring GP. If you don't have a specialist/psychiatrist and feel like you might benefit from seeing one, you can always raise the possibility of a referral with your GP.

Hope that helps,

Bob

[Guest_5608]

Thanks TonyWK for your reply and information. I forgot to mention that I asked for the prescription, my GP and pyscholgist didn't advise me to take them, I guess that's why it's a hard decision to make and there is no black and white answer from them. I think I asked for them because I thought maybe I'm just someone who needs to be on them for my own sake.

[blondguy]

Hi Urkel

Thankyou for your thread topic regarding meds

It can sometimes be difficult when we are provided with a prescription where anxiety/depression has been diagnosed

TonyWK mentioned above 'You've been prescribed these because you need them, it isn't presumed you have the option not to take them' TonyWK is spot on here as a GP wouldnt prescribe meds without a diagnosis

Just from my own experience (my humble opinion) with anxiety/depression...If our symptoms begin to have a negative impact on our ability to function on a daily basis medication combined with regular counselling is essential for us to heal

any questions are always welcome Urkel. There are many gentle people that can be here for you

we are listening

my kind thoughts

Paul