too Anti or not too Anti.....

[Blackecho]

Hey ...

I have a lot of vertigo type feelings...sort of like the way your head goes when a plane is taking off....anyway...had it last year for a few months....anyway...told this is from anxiety. ...I put myself back on antidepressants (have had these before and they did the job with no side effects that I can remember)...been on them for the last three days and the vertigo/light headedness seems worse and always there....I am trying hard to just keep going on but sometimes easier just to sit on the couch all day. Luckily I have been on holidays for two weeks but go back to work and face 30 students on Monday which has me very concerned .  My questions..the medication claims to help with depression ....does it also help with my type of anxiety symptoms.......could this feeling be a side effect....and should I maybe stay off them until I talk to my psychologist....?  .I have totally lost interest in sex also and cant get aroused.......My GP has basically left it up to me ..........

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear Blackecho,

Side effect a plenty with any psych med.   Have you checked your ear canal as sometimes vertigo is more a balance prob / inner ear fluid ?

You should be AT YOUR WORST when you see a psychologist or psychiatrist.  This is the real you when sick and gives them the best observation of what's going on.  Sadly, most severe psych probs mean a patient will cancel the session which is a real shame as it might have been the most productive session ever.

Sex is sometimes increased when anxious or manic.   Maybe a lack of intimacy is a good thing if struggling and more depressed though.  Why force something so natural ?  Why put all those expectations on yourself ?  A caring partner would get it and maybe go sleep in the lounge.

30 students is a big ask.   Why do teachers have so many kids ?     Maybe you can take a few weeks stress leave ?    Balance the meds and counselling before all the school politics kicks in.  There are a bunch of reasons for having time off and I'm pretty sure your situation fits the bill.  HSC looming and all that.

I had a friend quit teaching a few years ago.  They were half way through taking an assembly where no one was really paying attention.  So they just said, "That's it, I'm out of here" and left the school.  Last time I heard she was running a florist.   So, beware the stresses.  You don't want to snap like that and end up dealing with old ladies that don't like the colour of your roses and want a discount because they didn't get the right parking space outside.  Keep it real.

Adios, David.

PS  I read Black gecko at first.  My bad.

[Blackecho]

Hey David...

Thanks for all that buddy.............had my ears totally sorted last year ....a myriad of tests ....but nothing showed.....some of the side effects of the antis seem to be settling but slight nausea....its just knowing which are side effects and which may be the anxiety symptoms......

Been back at school for a couple of days and dealing with that .....have a great Principal which helps............believe me had times where I thought of getting the hell out but ........................I think the best thing for me is to actually work....too much time on my hands gives me too much time to think.....therefore stress....and I am not into flowers at all lol...

again thanks ................all the best