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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just take the antidepressants

30 replies

TypicallyTopically · 29/03/2022 06:57

I've been on and off them for 15 years. I came off them a few months ago and I feel so rough. Rumination, low mood, anxiety off the scale. I'm just unhappy. Tried counselling but never found it much help. Most of my family have depression. I want to go back on the medication but I worry about the long term effects these medications are quite new and we never really know the long term effects.

OP posts:
HallucinatingHilda · 29/03/2022 07:14

Would you be happy saying which kind it is? It's probably still part of a very common family of drugs, it's very rare that a truly novel drug is created, especially in mental health!

I really would take them.

If you have a family history of depression, and you can recognise the signs in yourself, and they helped last time, why wouldn't you?

The ideal combination, if you have specific events or issues that need unpicking, is to take your medicine, so that you can then start therapy in a supported way. You can delve into the problems without tipping over the edge.

If you have a "chemical" or familial problem with mood, then there's less to discuss, but I know lots of people will still witter on about CBT etc.

Counselling is pointless. You need a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist.

Meanwhile, I have been taking an anti depressant for 25 years because it's just part of my make up, and so far so good.

If you have this kind of illness, it's like worrying about taking insulin. You're in for life. You probably have enough to beat yourself up about, just check this one off your list.

HallucinatingHilda · 29/03/2022 07:15

PS we may not know the long term impact, but we do know the long term impact of untreated depression. They are many and unpleasant.

OutlookStalking · 29/03/2022 07:16

Its tricky saying counselling us pointless as thats all most of us can access. Initally 6 weeks and now Im on a waiting list for 20 weeks counselling.

HallucinatingHilda · 29/03/2022 07:18

@OutlookStalking - sorry, I'm not saying it's pointless for you, I'm saying that if you've already needed medication for 15 years, and have a family history, 6 or 20 sessions is going to be dancing around the edges.

OutlookStalking · 29/03/2022 07:21

I agree in that respect its just almost impossible to get any further help. I go back to my dr every year or so asking for help . Years on I've finally got the counselling so really hoping it will help me somehow tbh!

BurntEnds · 29/03/2022 07:23

Counselling is pointless. if had depression on and off for years and find counselling helpful in tandem with the antidepressants.

HallucinatingHilda · 29/03/2022 07:25

@BurntEnds - not sure, are you agreeing or disagreeing? OP said it didn't seem to help and I can understand why.

@OutlookStalking - so after years of asking for help, you're only now getting access to counselling?! I'm so sorry.

BurntEnds · 29/03/2022 07:27

[quote HallucinatingHilda]@BurntEnds - not sure, are you agreeing or disagreeing? OP said it didn't seem to help and I can understand why.

@OutlookStalking - so after years of asking for help, you're only now getting access to counselling?! I'm so sorry.[/quote]
Sorry I should have said I've had depression on and off and find counselling helpful along with the antidepressants. I needed the antidepressants though.

ReeseWitherfork · 29/03/2022 07:29

@HallucinatingHilda

PS we may not know the long term impact, but we do know the long term impact of untreated depression. They are many and unpleasant.
This!

Don’t live your life like this if you don’t need to.

OutlookStalking · 29/03/2022 07:31

Yup I don't think its uncommon really. Tried various antidepresents over the years then refer to iapt, wait ages then get your free 6 sessions of basic cbt which is just a sticking plaster. Then do the same a couple of years later.

The whole service is just a sticking plaster of 6-8 weeks basic help . Unless you're at risk to self or other it seems. When I was in my 20s I had access to cmht but now the threshold is so high. Lots and lots of people are falling through the cracks I think.

ChiefInspectorParker · 29/03/2022 07:32

This reply has been withdrawn

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Iloveyourbracelet · 29/03/2022 07:32

Have you read something that's upset you or made you doubt the safety of the drugs? Or is it ancient talking?

OutlookStalking · 29/03/2022 07:33

I am genuinely hoping that longer term counseling can help. There is no way we can afford private psych help. I am really sad to be in my 40s and still struggling. I think it also isnt uncommon with trauma 😔.

Iloveyourbracelet · 29/03/2022 07:33

Anxiety not ancient.

OutlookStalking · 29/03/2022 07:35

But yes to OP can you go back to the Dr about the medication? What are you on? If being on it helped and being off it is tricky and dr is happy for you to be on it go for it!
Sometimes I find it takes a while to adjust to being off (or on) medication. And counselling I believe will work best while you're stable so being on meds may help that.

comealongponds · 29/03/2022 07:35

Take them. If you had a long lasting physical illness you would take medication long term, mental illness is the same. For some people it’s short term and/or situational. For others it’s lifelong.

I’ve been on various antidepressants for 15 years, almost all my adult life. I genuinely believe my current one saved my life. It also got me to a state where I could actually engage in CBT (although I haven’t found counselling or CBT helpful in the long term)

Donkeywonk · 29/03/2022 08:13

If its helps you manage & enjoy your life then I'd not worry to much about continuing treatment. It's easy to be concerned about potential risks of taking medication but also have to consider the risks when your mental health is poor which can impact every facet of your life, especially as can result in an early death.

I spent years on antidepressants for depression/anxiety, had CBT & various counseling short-term, it's since had longer-term I've benefited. There's been a few helpful GPs over the years but on whole vary from uninterested to blaming me for not getting better.

I saw a private psychiatrist who suggested different medication and that I should consider getting assessed for Autism . I have since been diagnosed with ADHD and they also agreed likely ASD (although it's a longer waiting list for assessment).

Original poster
TypicallyTopically · 29/03/2022 08:30

I'm due to start nhs counseling this Friday. I had some via work but it was shite. I was on escitaloprám 20mg that seemed good but I was worried about being on them long term. I was off them for 2 years when ttc and pregnant and I honestly thought I was going to keel over

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 29/03/2022 08:52

It sounds like you need them, tbh. If you’re unhappy and depressed without them, just keep taking them. And be honest with your doctor too.

OutlookStalking · 29/03/2022 08:56

So was coming off them agreed with the Dr or have you just tried yourself?

Coming off yourself is never a brilliant idea tbh.

If it was agreed with your dr can you go back to them?

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 29/03/2022 09:07

Some people need to be on them permanently due to a genetic propensity for depression and/or anxiety.

HallucinatingHilda · 29/03/2022 09:34

Ok, well let me so you right there. Escitalopram is just a minimally different to citalopram (they say escitalopram has less side effects but let's not pretend it wasn't too keep something under patent for longer!).

Citalopram has been around since 1998, and a GP grabbed a box out of his drawer 2 years later, a pharna rep sample, and I have taken that, and then escitalopram ever since. So more then 20 years. I had to take something else whilst I was pg, and also came off it a couple of times.

So I feel even more strongly that you need to try and work through the idea that you're "unsure" it's a good idea.

It's like having your baby vaccinated. Even if you realise they're essential, and a very good idea, the small voice in side your head reminds you of stuff you've seen. " ooh, don't take drugs! I'd never take antidepressants! My friend took them and ended up in hospital! It's a chemical strait jacket!".

If you hadn't taken them before I wouldn't be saying it quite this brutally, but take the tablets, and get on with trying to have a nicer life. Seriously, SO many other things to fret about FlowersCake.

flashbac · 29/03/2022 09:42

Can I just say that IAPT is more suited to short term situational depression. At the end I told them it hasn't worked so the therapist referred me for psychological therapy. If you can afford it please get more tailored support.

If your whole family has it that doesn't necessarily mean it's genetic. You can become depressed by association.

And I thought the whole "depression is a chemical imbalance" thing has been debunked?

Arucanafeather · 29/03/2022 09:43

Not mental health related directly but I take 2 omeprozole a day as I have stomach ulcers - likely caused by long term mild anxiety, as I didn’t have the bacteria that is usually the cause. There are side affects to taking this medication and a friend told me recently she was advised to never be on omeprazole for more than 3 months at a time. For me the benefits of taking my Medication outweigh any risks of taking it. Your brain is an organ in your body the same way my stomach is in mine. So, if the medication demonstrably helps your body (and your doctor has clearly deemed that the benefits outweigh the risks for you as an individual is they’ve prescribed this medication for you) I would say yes, definitely take it.

TabithaTittlemouse · 29/03/2022 09:45

If you had a physical health condition you would take medication to keep you well. It’s no different.

My medication keeps me alive.