Think I need to go back on to antidepressants

[Goandplay]

That's it really.

I have that impending doom feeling, I lay awake all night worrying that my children are going to get seriously sick or worse, I can't sleep, my emotions are very close to the surface - I feel like I am feeling everyone else's negative emotions with them if that makes sense and lastly as I am typing this my chest is feeling tight.

I am finding the world irritating.

I took them with PND. Been off for about 2 years.

[NolongerAnxiousCarer]

I have found that going back on ADs as soon as I feel myself slipping means I've never got as low as that first time. You know the warning signs, get yourself back to your GP so they can help you.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

Yep, sounds like you could do with them. It's good you've recognised the signs. I agree with NolongerAnxious if you go back on them shortly after noticing yourself slipping down you don't get as low as the you potentially could. Good luck

[Goandplay]

Thank you.

I'm sad :( This is it for life on and off, on and off?

[picklemepopcorn]

I think you get better at the protective strategies with age. Also, some stages of life are more stressful than others. My dad's very sick at the moment, so I am heading off to the GP for help.

[NolongerAnxiousCarer]

It's not necessarily for life, as pickle says sometimes we can learn other strategies to help. And if you do need them again its nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes we need some help from meds. Some people are diabetic and need insulin to control their blood sugars, others need antidepressants to help with their brain chemistry.

[ScarlettDarling]

op what does it matter if you are on and off these drugs for life? Or even if you are just ON these drugs for the rest of your life?

If they make you feel better and able to cope, what's the problem?

Go to the gp, get your medication and feel better soon

[Rinkydinkypink]

I'm not saying they won't help but have you put in place other stuff as well?

I'm always trying to manage my head but find increasing physical exercise (running 25 mins) eat good nutritional food. Spend your time surrounded by things that make you feel better etc.

I don't underestimate the power of mental health down turns but I know from my own experience it can sometimes be helped without meds

[picklemepopcorn]

The thing is rinky, while I totally agree, sometimes all the strategies are actually too tiring to keep up. So I've managed it for years with minimal help through lifestyle and thought discipline. But I'm knackered right now. All out of puff to persuade myself that a nice salad is just what I need when I'm actually craving a family size bag of crisps. Too tired to convince myself that I'll be fine once I have a shower and get out into the world, and of course the postman doesn't hate me.

So that is why I am heading off to the GP.

[NolongerAnxiousCarer]

Things like meditation, mindfulness, exercise and diet can really help, but they are not always enough on their own.

[Goandplay]

I am stuck between sitting knowing what i should be doing and then berating myself for not doing those things. Never actually doing them.

[Goandplay]

I want hand over responsibility for a while. I feel sorry for my children that I am not whole.

[StarTastic]

I feel the same at the moment, I took them for post natal and it's been at least 2 years since I last took them. I'm irritated by everyone and everything at the minute, don't want to face the world, dragging myself through everyday but nothing terrible has happened. I think it's just life's stresses get too much sometimes.

However I don't think that's it forever on/off ad's. And I don't think it's that way for you either. Think about it, when things are good you think in a totally different way. People who are depressed do tend to see things negatively, it's the nature of it.

I'm glad you can identify the feelings now before it gets out of control. That's the positive we can take from previous bouts of depression. I know my first experience of depression went untreated for longer than it should have because I couldn't ask for help it had gone too far.

Go and have a chat with the gp and see how you feel

[picklemepopcorn]

Knowing what you should be doing and not doing it... That sounds familiar! It takes a level of self care I can't quite manage, most of the time. In fact, it's probably part of my early warning system when those things are getting hard to do. My diet slips, I don't look after my nails, showering becomes an effort I begrudge, I stop going to choir...

You are not alone.

[Annmarsh]

Husband has been dead two years now. Went on antidepressants for a year and half. Been off them a good six months now. Feel like I may slowly be slipping back to that dark lonely place crying and constantly thinking about him.dont want to back track but feel tired and fat. Think I will phone docs tomorrow

[picklemepopcorn]

Good idea Ann. No point battling against it if you don't need to, be kind to yourself.

[Annmarsh]

I know feel a bit of a let down though as if oh here we go again. Dreading telling my kids though . Think they will not be impressed