Are anti-depressants the only answer?

[idontlikehaggis]

I've been waiting ages for an appointment with mental health at my local hospital. Finally got one last week & found it a bit of an ordeal tbh going through my history. However put myself through it in the hope of a positive outcome & all they suggested was anti-depressants. I'm feeling disappointed because i could've got these from my GP weeks ago but chose not to. I had this idea they would suggest help with WHY i feel so down & not just a quick fix of ads. Am I expecting too much? Also I remember from years ago when I took ads just feeling totally numb & not wanting to get involved with anyone or anything. Don't think it's fair to my dh & dcs to take them if I'm going to feel like that again.

[idontlikehaggis]

Anyone on ad's with a positive outcome??

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

[idontlikehaggis]

Thanks christiana. I have been to the gym today, have been exercising & trying to get out every day & I must admit it does help. Not drinking much, the odd glass of wine but tbh I don't really feel like drinking. I've heard of CBT but don't know too much about it. My GP mentioned it & I thought mental health would suggest it - that's why I was surprised they only spoke about ad's. Am seeing my GP on Friday so will ask him then.
My friends don't know i'm feeling like this, only my dh knows. I feel kind of ashamed to admit it to anyone else.

[Thefearlessfreak]

I am surprised (& would be disappointed if I was you) to be offered only drugs from a mental health team. This is not good current practice at all. Do you know what profession the worker was?

They should discuss various options with you & if ADs are part of the treatment they should be offered in conjunction with something else - possibly CBT as this is the treatment for depression recommended by government guidelines I think at the moment.

Is it depression you are experiencing or something else?

ADs can be very effective & I have had a positive experience of taking them.

Do you have another appointment with the team?

[idontlikehaggis]

I think it is depression and also severe anxiety. CBT was mentioned but I would only be put on the waiting list for that after 6 months on ad's to see if they would 'cure me' first & apparently the waiting list is very long. I believe the doctor I saw was a clinical psychologist & I also saw her boss who was head of the adult mental health directorate. I have another appointment in a months time.

[noonki]

idon'tlikehaggis - I had a very similar situation with my hospital (in fact worse as they suggested lithium as 10 years previously I had had a manic episode )

anyhow, eventually I to ads for a short time and they really did help.

I then taught myself through trial and error ways to stop myself getting ill again for me the big things that helped were:

1. Talking, telling friends/dh if I was getting bad feelings, often once I have spoken I feel about ten times better. rang the samaritains once and they were fabulous, possibly even better than dh! (sorry dh)

2.looking after myselfNamely:

eating healthy food (less sugar)
drinking (less caffiene alcohol more water)
sleeping (early to bed early to rise, lie ins routine is good for me)
exercise (not a big fan but it makes a HUGE difference)
sorting out what ever is bugging me (bills/arguement with my mum/wprrying about work...just sort it instead of worrying about it)
Some form of alternative therapy (I love acupuncture, and reflexology or massage..only when I can afford it thou')

what never helps me;
late nights,
inactivity
poor diet
bottling up

but sometimes if you have got into a point of feeling really bad you need ads to help you out.

Please be aware that they can make you feel a lot worse before they make you better (for about 3 weeks) - I felt really suicidal (great side effect!) but as I knew why it was ok.

hope you feel better soon and sorry you had a shit time at the hospital.

Get your name down for counselling because CBT is something you can use for life

[idontlikehaggis]

Thanks noonki that's really helpful I do think I have got so low that maybe I should take the ad's for now but I really feel like this is a long term problem for me and so I need a long term solution which sounds like CBT would help me. Have tried to find a private therapist but doesn't seem like there are any where I live in deepest darkest Scotland. Unfortunately I can't just sort out what's bugging me as it has to do with alot of issues from my past, not really what's going on now & also having an SN child which gets me down. Sorry I just sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself now

[noonki]

I hope you didn't take my rambles to mean that all problems can be sorted, I know only to well they can't!

Poor you it is so rubbish feeling depressed.

You don't sorry for yourself at all. Don't atake tis the wrong way at all but it can also be really rubbish when you feel depressed for no good reason!

CBT can be really good for getting over stuff in your past as well as for finding ways to deal with dealing with present day problems.

Do you get any support for your child? Or are there few services where you are?

[noonki]

I also meant to say that I've been told that the modern ads are far better than they used to be.

I am on a low dose at the mo. (for ME not depression) and have absolutley no side effects.

[JumpingDizzy]

I suffered from PAs and went on citalopram which helped a lot. I recently came off them and am having anxiety symptoms but am trying to cope without ADs.

I would be disappointed too. They should've offered you CBT surely? I really feel for you waiting for an appointment to be told that.

I just ordered CBT for dummies (sounds awful title but highly rated)from amazon as it's supposed to help with anxiety?

[idontlikehaggis]

I think that's my problem I'm trying to cope without ads because in my mind there's a stigma attached to them - ie I'm an unfit mother if I cant cope without them. That's stupid I know but that's how I see it. Anyway have resolved to give them a try as I can't seem to lift myself & everyone around me is suffering now too Don't get much support with ds which doesnt help. I was wondering about the self help stuff, might have to resort to that if no joy with gp on Friday

[christiana]

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[rantothehills]

think noonki talks so much sense, v good suggestions there, imho. Exercise is the best by such a long way for me, ADs no good whatsoever.

[JumpingDizzy]

yes noonki is right. I have started walking more and cycling. Went on 5 mile cycle today and feel much better. Do you like any exercise? I don't usually as get bored easily but like walking and cycling so I know I'm more likely to keep it up.

Please don't feel stigmatised. I bet a lot of doctors take ads. If you need them to lift you for a while or even longer term then take them.

[yumsta]

Hello all!
thank heavens I have found this thread!!!
Am 6 weeks pregnant & have come off 20mg citalopram cold turkey...
Any advice as to alternative emotional help while pregnant? am going for shiatsu (spelling?) on friday which i do highly recommend...but wondering if there are any safe natural supplements?

Ok, here's a brief overview of my mental history:

• had a rather crap meltdown of the depressive variety (Nov-Dec 2006)
• went for 6 weeks counselling at GP while antidepressants kicked in (Jan 2007)
• came off the pills as 'thought' i was pregnant (March 2007)
• was 'fine' as took nutritional & homeopathic advice
• had a another episode Aug 2007
• started psychoanalysis in Oct 2007
• struggled thru armed with analysis only for 2008 (basically my life 'stood still' last year
• back on citalopram Dec08 as 08 was soo hard & i cldnt do it without a lift anymore (was depressed again, not as bad but nad enough not to be bothered with natural remedies)
• 2009: year has been fantastic due to analysis & life-changing discoveries...althou citalopram did also help

I HIGHLY recommed anaylsis, it seems to be the only way to get to the bottom of issues...i dont trust pills [hmmm], they are a mask, but yes, do have their uses..but not long term...

Also, alternatives are fab, going to try quantum therapy next month..will let you know how it goes

I'm here if anyone needs an ear/shoulder/ as I've struggled to cope with the 'stigma' of having a mental health issue, tried various avenues for help & know what its like

Stay strong ppl, stand proud & look after yourselves

[JumpingDizzy]

Well done yumsta and congratulations.

I was just wondering about the shiatsu, is it ok in the first trimester? Did you ask your dr?

I had an anxiety attack on Tuesday whilst taking ds2 to an appointment. We were early so played in the local park for 10 minutes. Running around and playing made the attack disappear

Does anyone else get the tightness in their chest and it feels like you have a bowling ball in your stomach? That's my main symptom now. I thought it was sinister until I noticed the pattern.

[christiana]

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[yumsta]

Shiatsu does not involve touch (heavy touch) so fine...

jumpingdizzy - i'd go with breathing techniques...let me know if u know more info...

big love x

[JumpingDizzy]

So not just me then christiana, it's awful isn't it? I've not been too bad the last few days thank goodness.

thanks yumsta I've tried breathing techniques but think I must be doing something wrong?

How are you doing idontnlikehaggis?