To be annoyed that taking SSRIs for the rest of my life is the only option?

[Snowtigerss]

Just that really. I don't want to be on SSRIs for the rest of my life but my brain doesn't work properly without them. After 3 months without them, I'm a wreck.

Are there really no alternatives?

Counselling, dietary changes and exercise are all more effective than SSRIs in treating depression

Have you tried St. John's wort?

Good idea Sami London. unfortunately I've lost the energy to exercise as often as I was before, which seems silly as that's exactly what will help.

I haven't tried st John's wort yet alwaysfuckingtired, sound like it might be worth a try, thanks.

I understand what you are saying.
I'm in the same position. Currently also in therapy, which is helpful. But doesn't stop the completely debilitating depression.
I'm currently also changing my meds as each one only works for so long.
But, you know what, at least there is something. Something to keep us going, wash, eat, clean, socialise. Have some sort of life.
There are worse things than taking medication every day

FFS @saminlondon Have you ever been depressed?

Sometimes you need the SSRIs to get you to the point where you can do all of the other things.

I've been on mine for 2 years and don't mind, but I don't have any side effects.

How long have you been on them OP?

Counselling dietary changes and exercise may not be as effective for all patients or all kinds of depression.
Any specific reason why you are reluctant to stay on SSRIs, OP? Are the side effects hard to take?

I will have to be on them for life too. I'm just glad they exist as I'd be dead otherwise. I have just changed (2 weeks ago) from citalopram to sertraline and the dosage will be reviewed in the New Year and I hope it will be increased as I have a very poor quality of life at the moment.
I don't exercise either. I just fester really.

Don't try St Johns Wort if you are on the pill and not wanting another child. Ask me how I know...

If you had diabetes and were on insulin for life it would be shit and you wouldn't want it but you'd do it.

If you had your spleen removed through illness or accident and were on antibiotics for life it would be shit and you wouldn't want it but you'd do it.

Your mental health is no less important. If a chemical imbalance is making you and yours suffer and you can take something to alleviate it, take it!

Not for everybody; for some people with depression, anti-depressant medication is the best thing.

How long had you been on them OP - and how long did you take to withdraw?
It can take a while (as in a few months) for everything to ‘settle’ after coming years of AD’s.

You could try good quality fish oils, low sugar diet, reduced caffeine etc (particularly if anxiety plays a part) but if you find that things just too difficult without them then don’t be down on yourself for taking ADs.

@Snowtigerss this is my exact dilemma. It is not fun. I feel for you. I've been (mostly) on them for 20 years.
@Saminlondon I'm afraid the empirical evidence does not back up your sweeping statement. I really wish it did, but it's akin to telling people with T1 diabetes that if only they'd lose weight and exercise more, they could give up the insulin.

There are other things, but they might be less suitable (MAOIs, tricyclics etc). Keep talking to your GP, or ask for a referral to a psychiatrist if you think that might help. I second the advice about exercise: it works really well for most people (including me). If you've been off SSRIs for a few months and you need them, you might find that a lowish dose gives you enough improvement that you can add in some exercise and avoid increasing the dose. Also, if you're prone to weight gain on SSRIs it's worth trying to find one that's more weight neutral for you, because that can definitely have an effect on your energy levels and ability to exercise.

Sorry, that was a bunch of advice. But I think some sympathy is necessary too . I hope you feel better soon.

Definitely mrstommybanks, I'm glad you're finding ones that work for you, they really can be a big help.

I've been on and off them for about 17 years now wrennarsworthy, with the last lot being around 3 years with a switch in-between. I'm glad you don't have any side effects with them, they really can be a huge help.

I think that unfortunately that is the case for me earlymodernparent. I have side effects when I take antidepressants which isn't helped by other medication that I take for allergies. My GP tells me to take antidepressants and allergy medication every day but I end up feeling like a zombie.

OP, my thyroid doesn’t work and I’m on thyroxine for life. I’m delighted that it does the trick and keeps me healthy. I don’t look for “alternatives” or try to come off it after a few months!
There is nothing different about mental health problems- if you need treatment then you need treatment.
If the SSRI is keeping you well, why would you want to stop it and risk your depression relapsing?

Exactly as @nannypinks has said if it was something physical or that could seen you wouldn’t think twice.
Nobody wants to take medication but unfortunately if that’s what helps. I’ve had OCD for around 15years an I can tell you now no form of exercise, cbt, counselling, diet will ever fully help me. But these things along side a low does of ssris more or less help me live ocd free.

YABU

I’ve been on anti depressants for over a decade and will most likely be on them for life. I’m ok with that because without them I have no life.

But many medical conditions necessitate drugs for life. My brain doesn’t work properly, so I take drugs to help it work normally. Just like I would if it was my kidneys or heart or lungs.

There are things you can do to wean down or off SSRIs. And for many people it is a temporary treatment. But for many others it will be lifelong because diet and exercise can only do so much, and you need to be in a state of mind where you are able to do those things.

I can totally understand why you're sick of it, that's a long time.

I hope you find a balance InsomniacAnonymous and Lineofbeauty, thanks, it's good to know I'm not the only one in this situation.

Thanks Nannypinks and NorfolkRattle , that's a good way of looking at it, and thanks for the tip, we really do not want any more little ones!

Thanks dahliaaa, unfortunately I have a bad reaction to fish oils which doesn't help. I have been off them for 3 months, so to might be a question of waiting for things to 'settle' or try a lower dose. Thanks for the alternative suggedtions.

Thanks for the advice CardsforKittens, it would be great to find a balance, perhaps I can try a lower dose and see if that helps.

It sounds like you might need another switch Snowtigerss
I've lost count of the different meds I've had.
Switching if it's own little he'll I know. I'm currently transitioning from mitazipine to Venlafaxine. Mitazipine was a waste of a year, I'm hoping venlafaxine gives me a chance to live again.
I had many stable years on Fluoxetine, but they just stopped working.
I just desperately want to be the well me again.
In your situation I would ask my GP for a referral to a mental health team. GPS are amazing but MHT are experts.
I really hope you find a way forward.

I will be on them & mood altering drugs for life too, but fuck it. If they keep me alive then I am fine with it. No one shames people for taking painkillers for chronic pain, so why should SSRI's be treated any differently?

Change your mindset to see how they benefit you, rather than the downsides. It helped me come to terms with it.

Oh, and those who suggest exercise, mindfulness & CBT can fucking do one. Pseudo bullshit band-aids that solve nothing except shift the blame onto the person that is suffering.

@Lineofbeauty - you're wrong
The empirical data back up my assertion and your analogy with diabetes is nonsense

Thanks pearlgrey, babdoc, tintwat and closeriam2fine, perhaps it's really just a case of looking at things differently and being thankful that there is a way to manage the illness.

On the medication everything seems a bit numb, bit the alternative in my case is not pleasant and it's better to be here and healthy than not here at all.

It is great that there are ootions available that can help manage depression and anxiety.

@Snowtigerss I would never suggest holding off from taking meds if you know it's got back to that point, 100% follow your head on that one

However I had discontinuation symptoms for 5 months (not solidly, anxiety built up and some were quite sneaky and just appeared) after SSRIs BUT things have gotten better now. I think it's a huge issue that the NHS etc dismiss how hard it is to get off.

I found a positive effect from CBD oil (legal - bought it in a health food shop!) and Vitamin D spray ... Amongst other things like therapy, being really aware of the fact I was still experiencing withdrawal effects and getting proper sleep.

Sorry if you're talking about rebound / returning symptoms rather than discontinuation.

Also @saminlondon talking absolute shite. Just trying to imagine exercising that chapter of my life away

Thanks WrenNatsworthy, I'm glad yours are working well

I really hope you find one that works mrstommybanks, it must be really tough having to work with trial and error like that