Want to take a break from medication

[katiam]

Hi guys,

I'm a bit of a newbie here but been depressed and getting treatment for it for a good 16 years or so. Latest is a diagnosis of non-melancholic unipolar depression.

I have been on the anti-depressant medication rollercoaster - have tried around 12 or so different meds. I have a gp, counsellor and psych registrar Trying to sort me out at the moment.

Thing is, I want a break from medication. Going on and coming off them always severely mess with me (as I'm sure it does others) and so far I've not had much benefit from the meds I've taken.

When looking at my mood and my lowest points it has always been when trying or changing medication.

I want to be able to eat well and exercise moderately and I feel the antidepressants have made this impossible rather than easier to attain.

I'm sick of feeling like a zombie. I have no immune system.

the medical advice i have been provided is as expected "you need to take medication". If I don't want to take antidepressants ive been told to take an antipsychotic daily.. which means I'd be medicated. So frustrated.

But I feel like I should have a say, I HAVE tried meds, for a good few years- i did what i was told and no one paid attention to the fact thay they weren't working for or helping me- until I stumbled across an awesome gp who agreed.

I want to try something else for awhile.

Has anyone in a similar situation had any luck going without medication?

ECT has also been suggested I am seriously considering it, but it sounds a bit full on.. anyone have any feedback on that option?

Any tips or tricks on staying mentally well without medication?

[Jacko777]

Hi kaitiam,

Firstly, much love to ya, you are doing it tough and to your credit you keep persisting, those that persist are the ones that recover. It's fair enough that you want to find a drug free treatment that works, so you should try. Sounds like you should work through this with your 'awesome GP' tell them exactly what you are going to do and ask them how they can support you, between your GP and your counsellor you can try some new methods.

I was only on AD's for a short while, I found the side effects too strong and made more recovery through cognitive therapy, I suffered from mild depression.

Perhaps do a search on this site for ECT, there have been some good threads in the past. I had a friend who had a mental breakdown, suicidal, she had ECT and it virtually had her completely back to normal...talk to your GP.

To stay mentally well for me is a journey, I constantly have to pull myself up when I am focused on a negative and switch to focusing on the positive. Meditation has helped me immensely, to teach focus and to find calmness. Breathing exercises, yoga. I make sure that I am aware of the important things in my life and ensure that I am active in those things, I make sure that I spend time with my friends and family, volunteer for things I am passionate about, play music, go camping and touring, bike riding etc, set goals, make plans, take a small step today.

Jack

[katiam]

Thanks Jack, thanks for sharing what has helped you and also your friends experience with ECT.

I have also heard good things about it (ect) from people who have had it but the whole idea of it is a tad overwhelming. Might take some getting used to but Def an option for me...