New here and to anti D's.

[Gingernutcookie]

I've been depressed and anxious for as long as I can remember but I've never really sought out help until now. My memory in general is very patchy.

I have been to the odd councilor but nothing long term. I've recently started teaching and the job has really brought things to a head. I called the department of educations free councilor the other morning because I felt like I wasn't coping and wasn't sure how to turn up to work.

They managed to calm me down and recommended going to a GP to get on a mental health plan. I have done so and was prescribed anti depressants. They really seemed to work immediately but its been a week now and the old feelings are coming back. I've spent this weekend sleeping and in bed, avoiding and worrying about the work piling up on my desk. I'm wondering if the week of feeling more on top of things was a placebo effect or the results of finally being open about how I was feeling.

The GP said that if the dose I wasn't on stopped being effective then I could just decide myself to increase it. I'm worried about the long term effects/dependency? of increasing my dose.

[PamelaR]

Hi Gingernutcookie and warm welcome to Beyond Blue

It's really pleasing to hear you've been to your GP and are on a mental health plan. Anti depressants are meant to be part of the overall scheme to help with your mental health. I'm not a health professional, though I do know from experience that the medication generally takes 4-6 weeks to kick in. Your experience during the first week may be as you think - that it's because you've started to open up about what's happening. So I would give it time before increasing the medication. Also, talk with your doctor about the long term / dependency effects of the medication you've been prescribed.

Have you had a look at any of the other forums? E.g. under the Caring for myself and others category? There is the Treatments, Health Professionals and Therapies where you may find others who have written about similar situations. Also, have you done any searches on our website? You can do this by using the search field at the top of the page and enter keywords e.g. antidepressant.

You are doing all the good things. Worry is so hard to manage at times. I know only too well. But once things have calmed down for you in the coming weeks, you can start planning your ongoing mental health management.

Having times like you are experiencing now is not unusual, even when one has a plan in place. I've just been through a month or more of worry and severe anxiety. Generally, I'm okay, but somethng sparked this off and once it was dealt with, I'm back to my 'normal' mental health.

Hope some of this helps you Gingernutcookie. Keep reaching out if and when you want to.

Kind regards

PamelaR