self introduction

[sadnesspart2]

Hi people's,

I thought i would introduce my self,I'm a 47 year old father of 2 who has been living on and off with depression and anxiety for 20 years.

A death in my family started my depression all those years ago, i was medicated for 2 years then i stopped, I was ok for about 5 years then the dark creature retured and leave several times and i managed to fight him off .

Around the middle of last year My father was taken to hospital and later moved into a nursing home and my old dark creature returned but this time i couldn't fight him off.

My doctor put me back on the medication but the side effects were twice as bad as the last time i took it (10 years ago) so i stopped taking it thinking i could fight off the monster but now i don't have the strength.

I have made another doctor's appointment but i think i need to try a different medication, the side effects were headaches and no motivation and energy and brain zaps.

I'm sorry this is a long post.

Thanks for taking the time to read it.

[uncut_gems]

Hi sadnesspart2,

Welcome to the forums! Thank you for sharing your story and introducing yourself a bit. It sounds like you have a lot of experience managing your own mental health, and are well-equipped for whatever gets thrown at you.

Making the doctor's appointment sounds like the right call. Be sure to be forward with your doctor about your experiences with side effects. Unfortunately few advances have been made in antidepressant medication in the last decade, EXCEPT in the field of side-effect reduction. It's possible the right drug for you is out there if you're interested in pursuing that!

If you feel that family issues are especially deeply tied to your mental health, and the aging of your parent(s) is stirring up some powerful emotions, it might be good to seek out a counselor or practitioner who specializes in these things. It doesn't necessarily have to be an analyst, but someone who is interested in taking seriously the content of your thoughts, memories, and anxieties about family.

Warmly,

Gems