This probably isn't good, is it?

[TheVisitor]

I've been not brilliant for a few months, not working, no routine, feeling a bit useless plus a couple of physical issues. I've been put on 10mg of Amitriptyline and am on my 3rd week. However, someone was a bit horrible to me yesterday and I've retreated to my cave. Have spent the last couple of days on the sofa, laptop on, blanket round me, and didn't get up till 11.45am, missing college today. Would you be of the same mind as me that I need a bit of a higher dose?

maybe ask your GP - you may have to wait a little bit longer to see if they will work.

I don't know about medication, not sure about that drug and its dose, but are you having other support as well ? A few sessions with a good counsellor could do wonders. Any chance you could do the old 'make yourself go out in the fresh air for a walk every day' as well. not underestimating how you feel but I have found that doing things like that do really help even if you do them in a stupor to start with. I found walking where there weren't people helped me best.xx

I'll be seeing the GP next week so will ask. Cjel, yes, I do need to force myself to get out. I did used to go the gym a few times a week, but due to a couple of injuries (bloody ageing body!) I can't do it now. I do miss that a lot.

Pain in the neck literally when body lets you down!!!!! Hope you can hang in there. Any chance you can get some counselling? Helped me on two fronts mentally and getting out of the house. Sounds like if you can go into your cave with someone being horrid you may not have the greatest self confidence? Feel like you could do with a hug!! I was told that when we have a great time we don't expect to feel that good foer ever but when we feel cra[p we can see no way out.REMEMBER It will always get better you won't feel like this for ever it WILL always pass.xxx

Thank you. I know it will pass and when my DH gets home he gives the BEST hugs ever, and is very understanding as he's been through it himself. I'll have a think about the counselling, maybe see if I can get some CBT. I have lost a lot of confidence since I've been out of work, I have to admit. Normally, someone being horrible like that would have got a right mouthful from me and put right in their place. Thanks for replying. xxx

No probs in replying it always made me feel better to have someone normalise it for me, helps limit it somehow. Definately go for the counselling, I would recomend a person centred cousellor. Nothing weird just good help!! CBT can be used at the same time if counsellor is trained in both. Wait might be ages if you go trough GP and sometimes they only offer six sessions which is hardly enough, if you are able go private, some agencies offer private but payment is by need basis so you don't pay full price. As you can tell I am big fan of counselling and haven't needed medication for 6 years despite some major life crises!!! Check your meds when you go to GP am not recomending you stop those I took them for years when I needed them!!xx

I think that dosage might be for the physical issues and not have much affect on your mood? I was prescribed that dosage for ongoing pain caused by a congenital deformity. It helped with that, although had no effect on my low mood/depression.

I recently went to a meditation session and although I decided not to go back because the bloke who ran it was a bit irritating I plan to go to a different one if I can, as it's definitely helpful to take a different perspective on things sometimes. Not sure if that's helpful advice, but something to think about if you can't get counselling or the like straight away.