dazednconfuzed

I've always avoided antidepressants, because I've heard some horror stories about withdrawal and I certainly wouldn't want to be on them forever. I've been severely depressed for a very long time - living with the A - and sometimes feel as though I've developed Manic Depression (can you suddenly develop it?). It's just that I have these insane mood swings where I go from 'accepting my situation' to horrible tantrums where I'm so angry I can't stand another day, and then back again ...

I KNOW this is situational anxiety from living with the A - walking on eggshells for so long and not feeling well enough to make some important decisions.

Can anyone tell me if depression medication has helped them, which ones in particular that helped, etc.? I don't want to do it, but am starting to believe that I'll never get out of this situation without feeling emotionally well enough to start the process.

Thanks!

historyteach

Hi, dazed,

From living with my addict son and my gambling ex husband, I too went into a situational depression. It was brought about by the constant stress I was living with. And it sounds like the same thing with you.

Situational depression can indeed be helped with antidepressants. And if it's stress induced, you can get anti anxiety meds. Either one, or both can be helpful. Not all of the anti depressants cause withdrawals. Talk to the doctor about your concerns. S/he can prescribe something that doesn't have strong withdrawal factors.

But, before going for medications, have you tried talking to a therapist? There are many types of therapies that may be helpful. CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy is known to be very helpful in cases like yours.

I wish you luck, and hope to hear from you as to how it's going.

Shalom!

MissFixit

Dazed,

I agree with Anvil.

I don't think we can dole out medical advice on this forum (I am certainly NOt a doctor). However, I have been in a situational depression for the past 4 months.

To combat this I attend al anon, read al anon and self help books, see a therapist for talk therapy and in late December started to see a "doctor" for medicine. I was unable to get out of bed for the first 8-10 weeks before taking the medicine as I felt incapacitated and totally in shock. Medicine has helped me and I will not be on them forever, just until this situation gets out of my system and I am at peace with things regarding the A. Working on it....

As Anvil suggested, talk with your doctor about how you are feeling, your situation and when you began feeling this way. That is what I did and she prescibed meds.

Miss

justtired

I have to add that getting exercise is soooo helpful. Works the anxiety right out of you. It's a natural stress reliever that makes you feel good and lets that anxiety out of your system. I can't tell you how much this helps.

cyclelady

Dazed - THis is just my experience -

I went to the doc a couple of years ago for shoulder pain and I couldnt sleep. He diagnosed me with situational depression and prescribed low dose Paxil. I took those for about 8 months or so and slowly got off of them....

Now I started to get the same issue here in the last 6 months or so when it is really bad at home and I went back to the doctor and he prescribed me Lexpro. I began taking these and felt horrible. I took myself off the medication (not wise thing to do, but I did) and I began working out and it does make a HUGE difference in my outlook and anxiety levels. I do get irritated occiassionally but NOTHING like it had been. People at work have even said - wow you look different, it must be the color of your shirt that really brings the color to your face, lol...

Take care of you...