Do Anti-Depressants help?

[mummy2aaron]

Just that really, sick of feeling low and down, not sure if I need them but the HV has mentioned them a couple of times. Life's a struggle but then it is for so many other people. What do you think, have they helped any of you?

[Blossomhill]

M2A ~ absolutely a life line for me.

I couldn't cope without mine, they keep me on an evenish keel.

I have to say I know lots of mum's with children with sn that take them, most of them infact

I would say give it a go! xx

[mummy2aaron]

Thanks BH i am fed up of being snappy and tired all the time - where has the fun me gone?

[Blossomhill]

Awww M2A ~ it's so hard isn't it? I promise that even thought AD's can't take your problems away they make things easier to deal with

[mummy2aaron]

Hmm a bit like Gas and Air when having a baby then lol.

[anniebear]

I have somehow coped the last 5 years without them, don't know how, but I really think I should be on them also as I don't think coped is really the right word, maybe more 'I'm still here'!

Don't know what is holding me back, think I am worried about any side effects and what if they don't make me feel better

Sorry no help to you at all!!!!!!!!!

[mummy2aaron]

Anniebear you have been of help, I too feel like I am just about coping but I want to 'live' again iyswim.

[anniebear]

exactly!

everything seems too much, you are always snapping and yelling, narky, just not happy

The little things you enjoy seem to always have upset alongside them

for me it is seeing Ellie do something and we are like "Wow, brilliant" But then we see Grace doing what Ellie should be doing which makes me sad again!

and then you could cry at anything........

[mummy2aaron]

That's just it, perhaps I should see the Doctor.

[lourobert]

Hello M2A,

I went on ad's a few months after my sons dx and they helped get me through just made things more bearable you know. I didnt like the thought of them at first but i knew how bad life was getting and I couldnt be happy for my dear little boy....but then I just stopped taking them, BIG MISTAKE. Ive actually made the decision to see the doctor this week as im finding that i not coping and the tears are becoming more frequent again, I ended up in tears on the childrens ward yesterday as a little boy came up to me who was my ds's age, it was just too much na dI couldnt hold it back...!

I guess they arnt for everybody but I feel they helped me find my feet and I wont be in such a hurry to come off of them this time.

[luckylady74]

hi mum2aaron, i took ad twice in my 20's when my father died in an accident and when i was in an appalling work situation. same symptons of crying lots and not being able to function beyond a very basic level. they had a big impact ,no side effects and i couldn't have done without them, but i only took them for under a year each time because the doctor was very much these are only short term. i think they gave me the space to breathe and allow me to look at what i needed to change in my life in order to make myself happier - i did a course of cognitive behavioural therapy [nhs] and that helped too.
i think since my ds1's dx i have thrown myself into getting help, sorting school, going on courses, making sure sibs get attention and so on and every time i'm sad i eat a lot - usually when i meet an nt 4 yrold for any length of time - so i've put on lots of weight and im sure that i won't escape feeling really down at some point - just still too manic at the moment!
i think i've just vented rather than helped -sorry!

[Dingle]

Feel the same here I am afraid. What has happened to enjoyment, light earted fun, and not thinking of playing with the kiddies as a huge overpowering chore!!

I went to my Doctors before Xmas actually.
His reaction made me even worse.
I had had bloood tests earlier in the year as I constantly felt so tired and drained- his response was- your bloods are all OK- you must be fine.
Our HV/keyworker mentioned counselling- his answer was that it didn't take the issues away and he couldn't see the point of it.
I asked about methods/ways to cope- he replied- well people with Down Syndrome haven't got very good life expectancies anyway. He didn't want to prescribe anything and suggested I start going swimming instead!!!

LOL- have to laugh- if not I would cry my eyes out - I HATE swimming too!

So months later, I am still fighting the LEA, still struggling to cope with the day to day stress of a child with SN, and still feeling constantly tired and ratty. I am really aware of what impact it is having on the whole family.

I started thinking about looking into healthy, alternative methods, but I just don't have the time at the moment.

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

But don't you have to be clinically depressed to have need of anti depressants? I am also an a mother of a very high maintenance SN child; I am stressed, knackered (in fact chronically sleep derprived for 6 years) and have phases of not being able to recongnise myself as the old fun loving me.. but I assumed I am just responding to my situation and coping as best I can. Does that make me depressed and in need of anti-depressants I wonder?

[Dingle]

Well I wouldn't tell myself I was depressed either- just thoroughly exhausted, drained, stressed, angry with the constant fighting for support.........but depressed???? But how far does it have to go before you let yourself go down that road?

[mummy2aaron]

Well guys, lots to think about, very glad for all the input. Thanks.

[Jimjams2]

Agree with fio. I've been seeing a homeopath who also happens to be an excellent counsellor every now and then for a few years. I go when it all feels too much.

I'm also having a short (once a month for 6 months) series of sessions with a counsellor who is a specialist in helping parents with a child with an ASD. She's great because she really understands the ASD issues. For example she said that over the years she's met many people with children like ds1 who have to sit and watch every other child (seemingly) progress except their own. And because of her ASD experience she was able to explain why that was, and why that happens, and also things that can be done to help it (and also deal with it realistically). That was a great help by itself.

I've never taken AD's so can't really comment. I tend to avoid taking anything though (although having said that I rather enjoyed morphine in hospital after ds3 ), so I think the stress of taking something would make them less than helpful for me iyswim.

[Blossomhill]

Dingle ~ I am so and at the comments your gp made. Poor you, that is not the attitude you need

[mummy2aaron]

I was prescribed ad's a few years ago after a particularly traumatic time of my life. I stopped taking them after a week as I donlt like taking tablets anyway. I have seen a homeopath for several of my childrens problems over the years and it never crossed my mind to go myslef. Thanks for that Jimjams.

[Dingle]

How much does that cost roughly please- it's it awful when you have to consider the pennies over yours and you families well being! If it were SALT for Amelia- I wouldn't think twice- we'd find the money!

[Jimjams2]

My homeopath is 40 for an hour (although I have a horrible knack of completely forgetting to pay her- she's become a friend so I think i'm hainv a nice chat ) I only go a few times a year though.

The counselling I'm getting now costs a lot more, but is part of a package of other services.

[sphil]

I took a low dose of ADs for about a year (gradually winding them down) when we were in the horrible pre-dx 'in limbo' stage. I was staying up late every night reading anything and everything about ASD on the net and was generally in a very anxious state. The dr wasn't sure about giving me Ads (because she thought I was responding to my situation rather than truely depressed I think) and also gave me a 'do at home' CBT course, which was quite helpful. I also started seeing a counsellor and still see her now. I think the combination of all these things helped - but the counselling was the best. It sounds naff, but she helps me see the positive in stuff at the same time as providing a genuinely empathetic ear for all the crap.

[Dingle]

Whats CBT please?

[Dingle]

Thanks Fio...... haven't a clue what that is....off to google!