Anti depressants, the fear of taking them and wondering how it's come to this.
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Anti depressants, the fear of taking them and wondering how it's come to this.
So I've mentioned in another thread I've been dealing with a lot of anxiety lately, dreading the long hot summer days, very irritable and praying for rain. Been doing everything I can to help myself, exercising a lot, journalling, talk therapy, yoga etc but still deal with lot of anxiety and fatigue.
So I bit the bullet and went to my doctor. Explained how I've been feeling over last couple months and the last event with the ex alcohlic where he hit me. She did a lot of questioning, some diagnostic test and in her opinion I am moderately severely depressed. I think I had a hunch anyway but was in denial.
She recommended talk therapy and didn't push anti depressants on me but wants me to consider taking low dose of one.
She was so empathetic and really tried to explain their benefits, that she would take them if needed, and how they have helped other patients. I told her I'd think about it.
I'm so resistant to them because of a negative experience years ago on them but I'm wondering will I try them on a small dose. I'm so angry at the ex alcoholic that it's come to this, some disaster! Am I right I wonder to feel resistant, have you reading this, taken or are currently taking them? I'm curious to hear your input.
There's a long Summer ahead, and all this trying to manage anxieties, exercise, positive thinking etc does tire me out so perhaps it's got to that point.
So I bit the bullet and went to my doctor. Explained how I've been feeling over last couple months and the last event with the ex alcohlic where he hit me. She did a lot of questioning, some diagnostic test and in her opinion I am moderately severely depressed. I think I had a hunch anyway but was in denial.
She recommended talk therapy and didn't push anti depressants on me but wants me to consider taking low dose of one.
She was so empathetic and really tried to explain their benefits, that she would take them if needed, and how they have helped other patients. I told her I'd think about it.
I'm so resistant to them because of a negative experience years ago on them but I'm wondering will I try them on a small dose. I'm so angry at the ex alcoholic that it's come to this, some disaster! Am I right I wonder to feel resistant, have you reading this, taken or are currently taking them? I'm curious to hear your input.
There's a long Summer ahead, and all this trying to manage anxieties, exercise, positive thinking etc does tire me out so perhaps it's got to that point.
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Join Date: Apr 2018
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Opening up this conversation with your doctor is a wonderful step in healing. Big kudos, Glenjo!!
There is no wrong answer. There are many paths to healing. If you take out the judgement of them, are you willing to try this method for two months?
Are you finding any relief from meditation, and if you are, what are your thoughts and instincts about this in regards to your own self-care after a good meditation?
My daughter is very intuitive about this with herself, and bad experiences with doctor and hospital prescriptions are part of what helped her become aware of this. Her body simply reacts differently to drugs.
Perhaps the prescription is exactly what you need right now.
Perhaps it's simply facing your fears and there are other methods of treatment that would work better for you. What was your experience last time?
There is no wrong answer. There are many paths to healing. If you take out the judgement of them, are you willing to try this method for two months?
Are you finding any relief from meditation, and if you are, what are your thoughts and instincts about this in regards to your own self-care after a good meditation?
My daughter is very intuitive about this with herself, and bad experiences with doctor and hospital prescriptions are part of what helped her become aware of this. Her body simply reacts differently to drugs.
Perhaps the prescription is exactly what you need right now.
Perhaps it's simply facing your fears and there are other methods of treatment that would work better for you. What was your experience last time?
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Join Date: Jul 2017
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Is your doctor a psychiatrist or a GP/PCP? Psychiatrists are trained to help figure out the medication that works for you, where as a GP does not. The days of "here's a prescription for Zoloft" are over.
Sometimes antidepressant meds can be a shortcut out of a black hole of depression, a kick start perhaps. It can also be helpful in talk therapy if the physical depression is somewhat addressed.
Sometimes antidepressant meds can be a shortcut out of a black hole of depression, a kick start perhaps. It can also be helpful in talk therapy if the physical depression is somewhat addressed.
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Join Date: Nov 2016
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I did take an SSRI, not surprisingly about 6 months after going NC with the narcissist (there was a lot of other stuff going on in my life at the time as well).
Now, I truly was depressed, there is no question of that, would I have eventually pulled myself out of that over time? Maybe.
I had also suffered with anxiety for quite some time but had mostly overcome that, however I 100 percent didn't want to go back there. So I hightailed it to my GP and he did in fact offer me an SSRI, very low dose and also offered to refer me to a psychiatrist, which I declined.
I took the SSRI for a few years and actually had the dose upped after a month or so, when I felt it wasn't as effective as it should be, from the lowest to the next lowest. Later I went back down to the lower dose and found that wasn't working and went back to the higher dose again.
I don't regret it at all, in my opinion - for me, it was the wisest decision at the time and it did really help. Now, this particular drug agreed with me, no adverse reactions, just a little bit of a levelling of mood, that was a relief.
The downside, of course, is when you decide you would like to come off them. It can take a couple of weeks or months to taper off of many, the taper is worth the trouble (even if it means counting little balls out of the capsule!). There are, of course, some drugs that are not as hard to get off of and also temporary drug treatments to help if needed, so I don't want to put you off, just something to ask about if you do go that route.
Now, I truly was depressed, there is no question of that, would I have eventually pulled myself out of that over time? Maybe.
I had also suffered with anxiety for quite some time but had mostly overcome that, however I 100 percent didn't want to go back there. So I hightailed it to my GP and he did in fact offer me an SSRI, very low dose and also offered to refer me to a psychiatrist, which I declined.
I took the SSRI for a few years and actually had the dose upped after a month or so, when I felt it wasn't as effective as it should be, from the lowest to the next lowest. Later I went back down to the lower dose and found that wasn't working and went back to the higher dose again.
I don't regret it at all, in my opinion - for me, it was the wisest decision at the time and it did really help. Now, this particular drug agreed with me, no adverse reactions, just a little bit of a levelling of mood, that was a relief.
The downside, of course, is when you decide you would like to come off them. It can take a couple of weeks or months to taper off of many, the taper is worth the trouble (even if it means counting little balls out of the capsule!). There are, of course, some drugs that are not as hard to get off of and also temporary drug treatments to help if needed, so I don't want to put you off, just something to ask about if you do go that route.
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The key is that you’re talking to someone about your struggles. Great step. There is no shame in striving to feel better, looking for healthier emotions and working hard to overcome things. I’m not on anything now -but I’ve taken every anti-depressant available at various times... in conjunction with both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Both are very different.... as are the meds.... different for everyone. It’s trial & error... trying something & after numerous weeks, making an assessment with your psychiatrist. Just know, as with everything there can be side effects and FYI - if you suffer from headaches or migraines, many pills in this category can make things worse. But everyone is different! Do what’s best for you!
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I've been on Zoloft twice in my life for short courses. I did not have a problem when I took Zoloft and it did help. I did not have a problem coming back off of it.
The one interesting side effect were very vivid but mundane dreams. I dreamt things like going to put gas in my car...then I'd get in my care to go to work the next morning and be mad that I was on Empty, lol!
The one interesting side effect were very vivid but mundane dreams. I dreamt things like going to put gas in my car...then I'd get in my care to go to work the next morning and be mad that I was on Empty, lol!
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Originally Posted by LifeChangeNYC 
The key is that you’re talking to someone about your struggles. Great step. There is no shame in striving to feel better, looking for healthier emotions and working hard to overcome things. I’m not on anything now -but I’ve taken every anti-depressant available at various times... in conjunction with both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Both are very different.... as are the meds.... different for everyone. It’s trial & error... trying something & after numerous weeks, making an assessment with your psychiatrist. Just know, as with everything there can be side effects and FYI - if you suffer from headaches or migraines, many pills in this category can make things worse. But everyone is different! Do what’s best for you!
Anyway I even feel better for having chatted to her, it seems different when a doctor says you are depressed. As for the meds I'm undecided for now, it's more the anxiety I want help with, I don't feel depressed if that makes sense, it's all the anxiety stuff.
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Originally Posted by Seren
I've been on Zoloft twice in my life for short courses. I did not have a problem when I took Zoloft and it did help. I did not have a problem coming back off of it.
The one interesting side effect were very vivid but mundane dreams. I dreamt things like going to put gas in my car...then I'd get in my care to go to work the next morning and be mad that I was on Empty, lol!
The one interesting side effect were very vivid but mundane dreams. I dreamt things like going to put gas in my car...then I'd get in my care to go to work the next morning and be mad that I was on Empty, lol!
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Originally Posted by trailmix
I did take an SSRI, not surprisingly about 6 months after going NC with the narcissist (there was a lot of other stuff going on in my life at the time as well).
Now, I truly was depressed, there is no question of that, would I have eventually pulled myself out of that over time? Maybe.
I had also suffered with anxiety for quite some time but had mostly overcome that, however I 100 percent didn't want to go back there. So I hightailed it to my GP and he did in fact offer me an SSRI, very low dose and also offered to refer me to a psychiatrist, which I declined.
I took the SSRI for a few years and actually had the dose upped after a month or so, when I felt it wasn't as effective as it should be, from the lowest to the next lowest. Later I went back down to the lower dose and found that wasn't working and went back to the higher dose again.
I don't regret it at all, in my opinion - for me, it was the wisest decision at the time and it did really help. Now, this particular drug agreed with me, no adverse reactions, just a little bit of a levelling of mood, that was a relief.
The downside, of course, is when you decide you would like to come off them. It can take a couple of weeks or months to taper off of many, the taper is worth the trouble (even if it means counting little balls out of the capsule!). There are, of course, some drugs that are not as hard to get off of and also temporary drug treatments to help if needed, so I don't want to put you off, just something to ask about if you do go that route.
Now, I truly was depressed, there is no question of that, would I have eventually pulled myself out of that over time? Maybe.
I had also suffered with anxiety for quite some time but had mostly overcome that, however I 100 percent didn't want to go back there. So I hightailed it to my GP and he did in fact offer me an SSRI, very low dose and also offered to refer me to a psychiatrist, which I declined.
I took the SSRI for a few years and actually had the dose upped after a month or so, when I felt it wasn't as effective as it should be, from the lowest to the next lowest. Later I went back down to the lower dose and found that wasn't working and went back to the higher dose again.
I don't regret it at all, in my opinion - for me, it was the wisest decision at the time and it did really help. Now, this particular drug agreed with me, no adverse reactions, just a little bit of a levelling of mood, that was a relief.
The downside, of course, is when you decide you would like to come off them. It can take a couple of weeks or months to taper off of many, the taper is worth the trouble (even if it means counting little balls out of the capsule!). There are, of course, some drugs that are not as hard to get off of and also temporary drug treatments to help if needed, so I don't want to put you off, just something to ask about if you do go that route.
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Originally Posted by Glenjo99
So similar in that we have both been involved with narcissists. That's the annoying part for me, I almost feel like it's letting him win if I end up taking anti depressants. Silly really but how I feel.
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Originally Posted by SparkleKitty
It's only "letting him win" if you don't do whatever you can to put yourself in a better place, Glenjo. You give him way too much power with this statement.
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I do take them. I resisted for a long time. However, I take a low dose and I figure it's like anything else. If I have a headache, I take a Tylenol. If I had some other issue I would take medication for it to control it, and not let it control me.
There is no shame in doing whatever you need to do to take care of yourself both emotionally and physically.
There is no shame in doing whatever you need to do to take care of yourself both emotionally and physically.
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Originally Posted by Glenjo99
So similar in that we have both been involved with narcissists. That's the annoying part for me, I almost feel like it's letting him win if I end up taking anti depressants. Silly really but how I feel.
He wasn't the cause, he was the result.
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Originally Posted by trailmix
Personally I think I was already there to some degree before I ever met him (in fact i'm sure of it).
He wasn't the cause, he was the result.
He wasn't the cause, he was the result.
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Originally Posted by NYCDoglvr
I wouldn't be alive without psych meds and have no problems with them. But be sure to visit a psychiatrist because it pays to have an expert prescribe them.
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Originally Posted by hopeful4
I do take them. I resisted for a long time. However, I take a low dose and I figure it's like anything else. If I have a headache, I take a Tylenol. If I had some other issue I would take medication for it to control it, and not let it control me.
There is no shame in doing whatever you need to do to take care of yourself both emotionally and physically.
There is no shame in doing whatever you need to do to take care of yourself both emotionally and physically.
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Originally Posted by MindfulMan
Is your doctor a psychiatrist or a GP/PCP? Psychiatrists are trained to help figure out the medication that works for you, where as a GP does not. The days of "here's a prescription for Zoloft" are over.
Sometimes antidepressant meds can be a shortcut out of a black hole of depression, a kick start perhaps. It can also be helpful in talk therapy if the physical depression is somewhat addressed.
Sometimes antidepressant meds can be a shortcut out of a black hole of depression, a kick start perhaps. It can also be helpful in talk therapy if the physical depression is somewhat addressed.
Where I live we have pretty limited mental health care. We have a few psychiatrist but most of the private ones only take commercial insurance and even with the right insurance it is still hard to get seen. The group that is for Medicaid has very limited availability so it is hard to get seen.
I think there is a time and a place for seeing a specialist, absolutely. But to say that no PCP should treat depression is a little absurd.
As far as the OP is concerned, meds can be very helpful but especially if you have had a lot going on that is the cause or really contributing to your depression/anxiety talk therapy is often a better first step and then re eval if you need meds. Or if you feel like you want to try meds you should still do talk therapy. Meds won’t help you work through your past experiences. And even if therapists can not prescribe meds they usually have pretty good feeling for whether or not you could benefit from meds. It sounds like you trust your doc. There is no right or wrong answer here. Some people want to try meds right away and some people want to try therapy first and others will want to do both. Unless your PCP is worried about a more complicated mental health issue I think you should be able to trust her if you chose to try meds.
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Originally Posted by Sleepyhollo
Not sure what you mean by that’s? Because I don’t think those days are over at all. Most PCPs can at least start someone on a med for anxiety or depression and see how they do. And yes sometimes it is trial and error and something may work well for one person and not another but a psychiatrist will often do the same. Now if you are worried about bipolar or something more than « just » depression or anxiety I agree it would be best to see a psychiatrist. I would like to argue that there are not enough shrinks to go around if we sent every person with anxiety or depression to see a specialist.
Where I live we have pretty limited mental health care. We have a few psychiatrist but most of the private ones only take commercial insurance and even with the right insurance it is still hard to get seen. The group that is for Medicaid has very limited availability so it is hard to get seen.
I think there is a time and a place for seeing a specialist, absolutely. But to say that no PCP should treat depression is a little absurd.
As far as the OP is concerned, meds can be very helpful but especially if you have had a lot going on that is the cause or really contributing to your depression/anxiety talk therapy is often a better first step and then re eval if you need meds. Or if you feel like you want to try meds you should still do talk therapy. Meds won’t help you work through your past experiences. And even if therapists can not prescribe meds they usually have pretty good feeling for whether or not you could benefit from meds. It sounds like you trust your doc. There is no right or wrong answer here. Some people want to try meds right away and some people want to try therapy first and others will want to do both. Unless your PCP is worried about a more complicated mental health issue I think you should be able to trust her if you chose to try meds.
Where I live we have pretty limited mental health care. We have a few psychiatrist but most of the private ones only take commercial insurance and even with the right insurance it is still hard to get seen. The group that is for Medicaid has very limited availability so it is hard to get seen.
I think there is a time and a place for seeing a specialist, absolutely. But to say that no PCP should treat depression is a little absurd.
As far as the OP is concerned, meds can be very helpful but especially if you have had a lot going on that is the cause or really contributing to your depression/anxiety talk therapy is often a better first step and then re eval if you need meds. Or if you feel like you want to try meds you should still do talk therapy. Meds won’t help you work through your past experiences. And even if therapists can not prescribe meds they usually have pretty good feeling for whether or not you could benefit from meds. It sounds like you trust your doc. There is no right or wrong answer here. Some people want to try meds right away and some people want to try therapy first and others will want to do both. Unless your PCP is worried about a more complicated mental health issue I think you should be able to trust her if you chose to try meds.
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