Starting ADs during psychotherapy - good or bad idea?

[Lottapianos]

I've been seeing a psychotherapist weekly for 2 years due to emotional abuse issues in childhood and previous violent relationship. It's helping overall but is more painful than I could ever have imagined. I go through periods of feeling overwhelmed by daily life - scared, lonely, isolated, confused. And I feel deeply deeply unhappy almost all the time

I'm sick of feeling like this, I just want to stop feeling so much for a while. I want a period of stability. My psychotherapist is on holiday for 3 weeks so cant' discuss with her.

I'm tempted to phone the GP today and book an appointment to ask for either ADs or betablockers but I'm also scared of going on meds. I know they will not solve any underlying problems for me but I want some breathing space for a short while. I was on venlafaxine about 12 years ago, no other ADs since then.

All advice gratefully received - thanks

Are you in a relationship now? Do you have someone to support you or are you alone?

Bonsoir, I do have a DP and he's great but I worry about burdening him too much. I do talk to him when I'm feeling down but only with a lot of encouragement. I had a long chat and cry with him last night - I told him that I feel like a total mess and he reassured me that I'm not but I'm finding myself such bloody hard work right now, I can't imagine he's not feeling the same!

My best mate just had a baby so I feel I cant' talk to her about any of this, especially since lots of my feelings are to do with my family and parenthood in general. Feeling very alone overall

I think you need to try to separate out and dissociate your past (that you are dealing with in psychotherapy) from your daily life and, crucially, your future projects with your family. If possible, you and your DP need to work on building your joint future and doing positive things together (with lots of love and affection). Does that make sense? We all have scars from the past and we all have to learn to live with them and know that they will resurface throughout our lives, and a conscious attempt to put them in a contained area and to move forward regardless is a good skill to learn (but needs practice).

It does make sense Bonsoir, thank you. I completely agree about DP and I working together and putting our relationship first - something I have been guilty of neglecting in the past. As I say, psychotherapy is helping with developing stronger boundaries and putting my own needs first, but I am just overwhelmed by feelings at the moment and I need a break, I want to switch them off, which is why I was thinking of ADs (reluctantly).

Hi Lotta

I know how you're feeling. Psychotherapy does tend to open a whole can of worms and often it gets harder before it gets better. You are very courageous to try to sort things out. But imho, it is a good way forward. I had two really difficult periods when in psychotherapy. The first time I just put my head down and tried to get through without ads. The second time was a much bigger crash and I didn't have much choice. But once I was on them, they were great, and helped me live daily life. I am still on them as just starting to consistently feel better. But they gave me the ability to face the depression and anxiety. Think of them as a crutch, like when you break your leg. You use the crutch till you're mended, and no longer need it.

ps they also help you deal with very difficult emotions, by facing them and not running away. x

Thanks luckywinner. Did your therapist have any problems with you being on ADs?

By the way, I just phoned my GP surgery and they have no available appointments until next fricking Thursday. That's not really a service at all, is it? I want to murder people who book appointments and then don't turn up, or people who book appointments because they have a sniffle.

No idea what to do now........

My therapist actually suggested it. I remember the first time I went away in such a panic because I thought she thought I was falling apart, and that idea was terrifying. The second time they saved my life (literally).

I am now in a very good place. But I still remember those horrible dark days very clearly and I really know how you must be feeling. I promise you, it DOES get better, but it's not overnight, and may get harder before it gets better. What worked for me was psychotherapy, ads, psychiatrist and lastly cbt counselling. I still take my ads and regularly use cbt methods to get me through tricky days.

Re your doctor, call them back and ask for an emergency appointment. If you can't face doing it yourself can someone do it for you? Tell the receptionist why you need it. It is horrible having to be tough when all you want to do is lie under the duvet.

Don't feel like you are wasting their time, and stuff the receptionist. Weigh up which feels worse, upsetting the receptionist or waiting till next Thursday. Once you get to the doctor be as honest as you can bear to be. You are going through some tricky times and need to be as unbritish/polite as you can.

Virtual holding your hand here.

Thank you so much for your thoughts luckywinner. I feel a bit calmer today because work is taking my mind off my thoughts, but I feel I really need to do something to manage my deeper feelings in the short term. I will phone the GP surgery early tomorrow morning and try to get an urgent appointment.

Let me know how you get on. Take someone else with you if it helps. And there is no shame in ads. Just think of them as another piece of support.

I am having psychotherapy and am on anti-depressants it has not been an issue.