Anti-depressant Help

[Sianm]

Hey,

I'm really struggling with my depression at the moment. I got into a state a couple of weeks ago where I was hysterically crying & actually had thoughts of self-harming (something I used to do 10yrs ago to inflict pain). I managed to stop myself from doing anything, but it's scared me how bad I got from one simple disagreement.

When I first went to the doctor about all this, she put it down as a phobia, sent me to a therapist & also prescribed me with anti-depressants for anxiety. I decided to see how I got on with therapy on its own first.

Obviously it's turned out to be PTSD & depression & with everything bubbling up I feel really depressed all the time, constantly crying & not coping with normal days.

I'm just wondering if it'd be worth me going back to the doctor to get anti-depressants to help me? Does anyone else take them along side therapy?

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Hi Sianm,

Medication can help you. Which medication though is up to your bodies chemistry. For some people aneixty medication works better then anti-depressant and then some people take both while other people take a whole cocktail of different pills.

But the main point of medication is to help get your stable enough for and during therapy. For me, I wasn't able to get much out of therapy because I was just a mess. Once on medication I am able to use my therapy sessions to there full advantage.

Do some research and ask questions. It's your choice.

Kind regards.

 

[The Albatross]

I'm the flip side, I do not take prescription medication for PTSD. I wanted to learn how to cope, though I did go on one med for a year. It gave me a base point and I went toe to toe with myself for the rest. Therapy and coping skills in conjunction with a perhaps temporary med may be best. It wasn't easier for me, but I am satisfied with the path I took. Not all though do well without meds.

 

[piratelady]

I went/am going the same route as Albatross. I am going Med-Free. I agree that some people need the meds to get through this, and there is nothing wrong with that. I read a pamphlet once stating that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be as effective as anti-depressants.

As Ayesha said, if you decide to take medications, different meds affect people differently. What works best for one, may not be great for another. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find a medication that works well for you.

I wish you well!

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Sianm,

I should have said this too- that in my case I also have Bipolar Disorder in addiction to PTSD. Along with some pretty bad social anxiety. So it also a good idea to be very honest with your doctor's about your symptoms because at first I wasn't and that really hurt my recovery.

Either way it is your choice. Anxiety and depression is no fun.

 

[healthbuilder]

Hello Sianm,

I think regular exercises and joining in some groups protects you from depression. Exercise is the best work out for protecting the people from depression.:)

 

[Tony amith]

Want to get out of depression? Try and do the things which you like, start doing them. It will help you to divert your mind. Try out yoga and meditation. If you want to go for some treatment then try out naturopathy, it will heal you in a natural way and there are no side effects.

 

[BloomInWinter]

I tried for decades doing it myself.

I finally started getting better once I agreed to try meds and see what happens. I'm feeling better emotionally, with a lot of DBT, CBT, and EMDR.

I dislike being on meds but I am going with what works. Someday, I hope I won't need them.