Anti depressants

[Wishiwas20again]

I'm struggling. I've got a post in the step parenting section at the moment about relations between my DP and I and the DCs.

I want to be able to stop the negative thought patterns in my head and worrying about what DP thinks of me and my DS. I can't seem to relax and just take things in my stride and it's massively affecting my relationship with DP

Will anti depressants help me? Could you tell me about the positives and negatives please?

[Menora]

Have you spoken to your DP?
Would it be better for your MH to talk to him and see if moving out or family rules/boundaries would be a better solution in the long term?

[Wishiwas20again]

Thanks Menora, we've spoken a lot about things. He tries to reassure me but it's like I can't change my mindset.
I've had lots of counselling in the past as well as EMDR. But this thought process of others judging me never goes away.

[FreshStart13]

If you have a good GP I'd start there. Could you be anxious? Antidepressants can help if it's something like anxiety driving the thoughts. For me antidepressants stop the thoughts, but they make them more manageable. But if it's trauma causing the thoughts I don't know if they'd have the same effect.

[Raidblunner]

Depending on what your GP describes you its irrelevant what your partner or children think about you taking antidepressants. You would be taking them for your well being and benefit and ultimately for theirs as well. That's the first thing to dispel and put out of the way.
If you are struggling then don't do it alone, there's absolutely no shame in taking antidepressants to help you through this stage and take the edge off. None of us are made perfect and the first part of getting better is to recognize this and get some help.
The positives will outweigh the negatives. The medication you take will help create the space you need to relax and take away the anxiety your feeling. At the same time its worth doing a little reading to help you combine ways of thinking and understanding why this is happening to you. One of the negatives is that it can take 2/3 weeks before you begin to notice any change. This period can be difficult but it's quite normal and they will kick in. Unless your suffering acute mental health issues I suspect you would be prescribed Citalopram which is a gentle antidepressant part of the SSRIs form of medication. The side effects if any are not that noticeable, your libido can take a bit of a hit and rarely mild headaches but overall they work really well in my opinion.

[Wishiwas20again]

I'm anxious all the time. I'm constantly listening out for the kids arguing and praying that my DS hasn't started it so that I don't have to feel the shame.

Ironically, they actually get along very well these days, I would say we're at the stage of normal sibling bickering but it hasn't always been that way though. There have been massive fall outs in the past and I've always had this feeling that its mine and my DS's fault and that we're being judged. No matter how much me and DP talk about it, I can't shake this feeling.

[Wishiwas20again]

Thank you Raid, that's helpful. I feel my anxiety is getting too much to cope with, and I need the space as you say.

[Wishiwas20again]

Does anyone know if the doctor will prescribe them during lockdown if they aren't running routine appointments?

[Raidblunner]

Definitely don't wait for it, phone 111 or your GP and get started on them. Another thing I forgot to mention in get the book CBT for Dummies its brilliant. Covers so much and you can open it anywhere and start reading. Lays it all out in a simple and practical way. I've been through it including being sectioned so I can understand where your at. Knowledge is powerful and is one of the important keys to getting well again.

[Wishiwas20again]

Thanks very much Raid

[chemicalworld]

I answered you on the other thread. They helped me hugely, I'm off them now and I was able to have therapy and antidepressants. They helped me and gave me the mental space to work through my issues. Speak to your gp.

[Wishiwas20again]

Thanks Chemicalworld, good to hear they helped. I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Hi OP,
I'm sorry to hear this.
I only have positive things to say about my experiences but I know this isn't always the case. When I've been really struggling I've always been prescribed Prozac/Fluoxetine and it's worked for me.
Admitting you are struggling is step one. Speaking to your GP step two. Think about talking therapy too.
Take care OP, things will get better

[TurkeyBasterHopeItWorks]

Oh yes and GP should hopefully be able to talk to you and prescribe over the phone.

[Quibblewibble]

I take fluoxetine for anxiety and it works for me, I still have the occasional bad day but it's maybe once a month or less. It takes a few weeks to work so if you do start taking something you need to give it a chance to work.

[NoMoreDickheads]

They're evidence based and proven to work- so please try them if you're committed to getting better. If the first thing they try you on doesn't work, see your doctor agan and they can up the dose or try you on a different one. There are dozens of different ones they can try.