To just take lifelong antidepressants

[StripeyandConfused]

Been on them on and off since 19. I'm currently without them and I feel awful. It's like I cant cope without them

I’ve been on about 10 years now and have no intention of coming off dh has Parkinson’s, i have have arthritis bad eyes but I can live with that painful gyne stomach days thank god for ibuprofen and paracetamol.

@emilyfrost - surely you acknowledge that some people are depressed long term because their brains don't produce sufficient seratonin or dopamine? Your comments are like saying to a type 1 diabetic, 'Lose weight and don't eat sugar.' It cures type 2 but type 1s would die from following that advice without insulin injections.

Mental illness is no more one-size-fits-all than physical illness.

Brain chemistry is not a always enough. If taking them everyday keeps a smile on your face. Please do it. Life is short and you deserve happiness

@emilyfrostmily
I am pleased for you . You clearly have no idea about what goes on in some peoples head.

I've been on various AD's since I was in my early 20s. Been on Citalopram 20mg for about 10 years now, mine is for anxiety rather than depression. Also take betablockers (propranolol), for anxiety.

Apart from the weight gain, I'm not at all concerned about being on them longterm.

I've had CBT which helped, but not enough to make me come off the tablets.

Don’t think that you’re a life long user
You don’t know how things may change in the future

You are currently on them with no immediate plans to change that situation. That is how to think of it.

Regular medication is the mainstay of managing depression if lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient. My consultant said that some form of talking therapy in addition to drugs reduces the chance of relapse further. I started off with a combination treatment of two antidepressants and once I was feeling better I started psychotherapy (not on the NHS unfortunately but a good investment). Over time my depression has improved a lot and I have been able to reduce down to one antidepressant drug, then reduce the dose of that. If you can access multiple approaches...drugs, ...talking treatments, you can at least consider reducing the medication dose in consultation with your doctor, which will reduce any side effects. I hope this is helpful. Sending best wishes.

Just wanted to ask @StripeyandConfused - do you have anyone you trust who could look after your child for an hour or so, either to allow you to pursue a talking treatment or even just to give you a little break with time to yourself? As a single parent you are allowed to bubble with another family through the lockdown for support.

I have my parents. I have applied for counselling through work aswell. My ex works shifts and is all about himself so contact or spare time is dictated by him annoyingly

I've got the prozac diarrhoea now lol

That’s good. I hope you can carve out some time for you

Did anyone get diarrhoea with prozac??

Same here, too. I'd never cope without antidepressants. Before taking them I was in and out of psychiatric hospitals. I'm autistic as well so a bit more complicated. The way I see it, it doesn't matter if you feel well.

Did anyone get diarrhoea with prozac??
Yes but I did on Steraline too on/off for the first 4 weeks. I looked pregnant with bloating all settled out after 4 weeks.

If you've felt this way since you had your child, and you have PCOS and PMDD, could it all be hormone related? Is there any possibility your GP would refer you to a hormone specialist?
(hormone imbalances often treated with antidepressants in hte UK, so definitely not suggesting you don't take them).

@CoronaCurls

I fully intend to be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. Why would I stop taking something that dramatically improves my quality of life?

I've never understood the 'I don't like taking tablets' brigade - my BIL was like this but once he was diagnosed with a potentially pre-cancerous stomach problem he couldn't swallow the tablets fast enough.

I see depression as a potentially terminal illness so why not treat it?

Sorry terminal or not some do not like having to medicate daily. Let alone be subjected to noisy pharmacists or asked in front of others are you on medication to which I say No. To having to swallow my tablets reminding me of my illness So yes some hate taking them for many reasons.

@StripeyandConfused

Did anyone get diarrhoea with prozac??

I don't think I do - but as I have lymphocytic colitis, which causes diarrhoea, it's hard to tell if I get any more with the prozac. I do get heartburn, if I don't take it with a lot of water, though.

Did @emilyfrost ever come back and accept that her experience of depression is not universal, and doesn't qualify her to comment on everyone's experience of depression? Did she apologise for implying that those of us who do believe we will need antidepressants for life are just lazy - unwilling to put in the work to get better - and that she is morally superior to us?