Scared of medication

Teenager_1997 · ‎02-10-2015

I've been having issues with depression and anxiety for a number of years now (5ish years) and spent three years talking to a psychologist and really haven't come out feeling better. I finished up seeing her right before I graduated from high school (she went to have a baby, so no real choice) and haven't been seeing anyone since then (October 2014). I went to the doctors a few months ago and got another referral to go back to her, but had kind of decided I didn't want to go anymore. It made me anxious and for some reason I just couldn't quite handle the idea of going.

So flash forward a few months and I went to the doctors today and was prescribed with medication to try and help. For some reason, the idea of taking the medication scares me. I can't pinpoint why, I don't think its side effects, I think it might be to do with the fact that I'm not really 'normal' and that medication seems to be the way to fix that. I'm not sure, it's just freaking me out a bit.....

But apart from that I have a few questions:

1. I'm scared? I don't know what to do about that or how to make myself feel better about that?

2. The doctor kept saying it would make me feel 'normal', how do I know what 'normal' is in order to communicate that the medication is working? (I have to go back in four weeks)

3. Is there anything I should be doing alongside the medication to 'help' it? Like things with diet/exercise that has helped people?

I'm pretty new to the idea of medicating this and am still coming to terms with it all, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance x

white knight · ‎03-10-2015

Hi Teenager, welcome here

Firstly you seem to be mature beyond your years. My guess is that this maturity has given you some insight. They say that those with insight are the lucky ones in that those without it are more unwell.

If we had a foot race of 8 people 4 of which had leg issues and we wanted those 4 to be up to speed with the other 4, we would supply them with prosthetic legs, physiotherapy and the like. Once "fixed" and with the right clothing if they finished races just behind the "normal" 4 the spectators would never notice.

This is the aim for medical staff and should be your aim also. That you are assisted in several ways to get up to speed towards normal so you can live your life the best you can. Mental issues are no different. Some of us need a helping hand- that's all. Once you accept this you will be much happier. Take the view that you get into a habit of taking your medication daily or twice daily and forget about it. Once stable and on the correct dose it will become second nature and you can get on with your life. Answers to your questions-

1/ Scared. Time will make you less concerned. Remember, there are many people far worse off than yourself. You might be, as I said, one of the lucky ones.

2/ "Normality" might not come in the short term. Just because you are returning to your doctor for a visit doesn't mean the medication will work fully during that time. Regular visits are needed to check up on you.

3/ Diet and exercise is important. See your doctor about that. Self help areas are good to like making life's choices. Reducing contact with negative people or toxic people, minimal alcohol, don't bow to peer group pressure, have hobbies and sport and read up a lot on your diagnosed conditions. This forum has many threads on the topics.

You can google a few threads I've written that might be of help.

"Topic: Depression, a ship on the high seas beyondblue"

"Topic: What life's like at the end of the tunnel beyondblue"

"Topic: 30 minutes can change your life beyondblue"

"Topic: When emotions take over logic beyondblue"

"Topic: depression - our ultimate goal beyondblue"

Take care. And don't worry too much. Worry produces nothing productively.

Tony WK

White_Rose · ‎03-10-2015

Dear Teenager

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. Glad you found your way here so that we can chat.

Medication can be a huge problem. I imagine you have never taken any medication with the exception of a course of antibiotics on occasions. So the thought that you will may be taking pills for a long time can be daunting. I am far older than you and I find taking pills daunting. Sometimes it's hard to figure out why you are hesitant about this. You say it's not the potential side effects, which is good. There are often uncomfortable side effects which put people off, but usually they are short lived.

Medication does appear to make you different to others. How many of your friends regularly take meds for any reason? Well just a minute, do any of your friends have diabetes, epilepsy, a vitamin deficiency, or a number of other medical conditions that require constant medication? Could be and you may not necessarily know about it.

Taking meds is quite normal these days.

So how do you know when you are "normal"? Well the "normal" scale is so long that you can sit anywhere without being out of place. What's normal for you? At the moment normal is feeling unwell but when you start feeling more joyful about life, more positive about life and most important, feel good about yourself, then you are getting well. That's normal.

You ask about supplementary actions. Eating well and exercising are always good. Exercise releases endorphins into your body which help you to feel good. So well-balanced meals and a brisk walk everyday are great. If you also want to work out in the gym, go for it.

I suggest you rethink having a chat to a psychologist. Go to someone different this time if you are hesitant about returning to the previous psych. You need to feel comfortable with your therapist and the first one you meet may not be the best fit.

Write in again.

Mary

romantic_thi3f · ‎05-10-2015

Hi Teenager_1997,

Thanks for reaching out.

Please know that it's totally okay to be freaking out about taking medication. Everything that you're worried about is totally normal, so hopefully we'll be able to give you the info and understanding that you need.

1. I'm scared? I don't know what to do about that or how to make myself feel better about that?

It's totally okay to feel scared. It's really common, not just for taking antidepressants/anti-anxiety but for any medication. Talking to your GP and Pharmacist can help a lot- because they can give you advice and a CMI (Medicine leaflet) which can explain what happens and what side effects you might expect. It can also help to talk to other people who have taken medication that have helped. Note that you may not experience any side effects, so please don't feel confronted from the list. There are also lots of other threads here about other people feeling scared, so sometimes hearing from people that are in the same boat as you can help - but also people who have taken the medication and have found that it helped them.

2. The doctor kept saying it would make me feel 'normal', how do I know what 'normal' is in order to communicate that the medication is working? (I have to go back in four weeks)

I really dislike the word 'normal' because I think there is no normal! It's hard to tell what is supposed to happen because I'm not sure of what you're taking. But as a guide, you might just find that things might be easier - making decisions might be less confronting, less crying, feeling more interested or curious about things, finding it easier to get out of bed in the morning. Of course this totally depends on where you are at now and whether the medication is right for you. Also medications take 4-6 weeks to get in your system (so to speak) so you may find that you have side effects in the beginning but that they subside by the end of the month.

3. Is there anything I should be doing alongside the medication to 'help' it? Like things with diet/exercise that has helped people?

Basic things like eating healthy, getting the right amount of sleep and exercising is definitely going to be helpful. If you are willing to find another psychologist then this can also help a lot - being able to talk about things with someone that you trust. If it's not a psychologist, maybe it's a support line, or Headspace, or just friends/family.

But above all - be kind to yourself.

Hope this helps, take care,

Vinny_96 · ‎05-10-2015

Hey, Teenager

I'm as young as you, and I know starting taking medication may be scary, but it's very helpful, and in some cases of depression the medication is more important than psychological help.

The most important thing you need to know to accept this is that depression is an illness like any other and you may need medication to get better. I take medication for 3 years and my life got so much better.

Antidepressants may take some weeks to start working, and you'll start feeling better, or "normal", and you will see it for yourself.

And like White Rose said, exercises are very helpful with medication, because when you exercise your brain releases endorphin, who makes you feel more happy and lively.

Write in again