I don't want to take the meds.can I do this without them?

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I have read some of the posts on here and the leaflet contained within the sertraline tablets. I wasn't keen on taking them anyway but I have been trying to deal with my increasing anxiety and depression for a year or so and I am not doing very well.
But the side affects really worry me. I know lots of people just get common side affects but even those worry me, let alone the rare ones. I hate taking anything, especially things that will make me feel ill or interfere with my periods. Yeah, I guess that is what is worrying me. That and putting on weight. I am feeling miserable about my weight anyway so I don't want to make it worse.
I am just scared of how this would affect me. Maybe I will have another go at dealing with this myself. The doctor has put me on the list for cognitive behavioural therapy so maybe that will help. I only saw the doctor today as I just couldn't go before now. I reached my limit last Friday so had to ask for help finally.
Does anyone know whether cognitive behavioural therapy is good? I don't know anything about it.
Did anyone put on weight with sertraline? And did it give you irregular, painful periods? or any other side affects aside from sickness or tiredness?
Thank you, I don't have anyone in RL that I feel i can confide in. I keep swinging from wanting to manage myself, to taking the meds if it means it helps.

[WrongTrouser]

Private I think you have taken the right decision to start taking the ads. You are right, a few hours a day feeling ok is not enough. Everyone has the odd bad day but that should not be every day. It is a really positive step you have taken to get back to good health

Disappointing about the long wait for the cbt. However you may find once the meds start working that you are feeling much better and don't need the cbt so urgently. I still think its worth doing, even for someone who is feeling well, as the skills and insight you can learn are really helpful.

It's good that you've been able to talk to your OH too, that must be a weight off your mind.

[WrongTrouser]

Forgot to add - yes, according to the British National Formulary, sertraline is prescribed for OCD , so it should help with that.

[PinkCrystal]

Cbt enabled me to be able to take the tablets and not be so scared of the side effects. I can take any tablets now. Have not gained weigh on sertraline or had scary effects.

[WorknameJimEllis]

Oh brilliant news OP

So glad you found the courage. You deserve more than a couple of OK hours a day.

Remember there's HUNDREDS of types of AD available, so if this instant quite right. No big deal, just go back to the GP.

fwiw I did the online CBT and for me it was better than face to face. Not a poor second choice at all. I think being a MN user I was already of with the comfortable anonymity of online conversation. I bloody loved it. Hard as fuck in places but so, so beneficial. Give it a whirl.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I spoke to my doctor last night who said to take them in the morning and that it was ok to take it this morning despite taking the first one yesterday afternoon. So I shall be taking it in the morning from now on.
My head hasn't exploded so that's good! But I did feel quite light headed today, very tired and just a bit strange and shakey. But that's fine. After telling my oh I do feel a weight has lifted.
Thank you all for the support. Not sure what I would have done if I hadn't had this thread.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I am feeling a bit jittery and lonely.I can't seem to concentrate on anything.

[LittleMissUpset]

You've done the hardest part and taken the first one!

I put mine off for years and tried CBT and counseling. I started taking mine last September and while sertraline weren't for me I now take mirtazapine instead.

They certainly weren't a magic solution but I now see how bad I felt before! And while I can still have bad days and the odd bad week I can recover much quicker.

It will take time but well done

[WrongTrouser]

Hi Private It's been really hard for you first to pluck up the courage to speak to your Dr and even more so to start taking the ads. You have made such steps forward and it hasn't been easy.

I think its important to remember that the ads don't start to work for two weeks. So for the first two weeks, you are getting all the worry of taking them, are you going to get side effects? will they help? without any of the benefits.

And remember, any odd feelings you get might be side effects (in which case they will probably wear off) or they might just be your body's reaction to your worrying, like when you we're exercising. Try not to dwell on them too much. Do you have any things you like to do to relax and take your mind off your worrying? I'm knitting at the mo, not literally, I haven't got enough hands to type and knit.

It will be worth it and you will start to feel better soon. It's good you have us here to support you.

Take it easy. Don't worry if you can't concentrate if it's things you can put off for now. Try to find something to do that doesn't need concentration. Take care

[WrongTrouser]

Hope you are feeling ok OP

[annandale]

I hope they help you, they made a huge difference to me but they did take a week or two to get going.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I will keep taking them and I am seeing my doctor in 2 weeks to see how it's going. I think you are right. This increase in my anxiety is probably just a side effect and hopefully will disappear.
I will see what tomorrow brings. My heart is racing right now and sometimes to the pit of my stomach.
I watched this asmr video (never heard of it until yesterday) on you tube last night and it really relaxed me for sleep. I will try that again tonight.
Thank you for the messages.x

[WrongTrouser]

Video sounds good. Hope you have a good day tomorrow.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

Thanks wrongtrouser, you too.I have a few things on so hopefully that will distract me.x

[ihatethecold]

This thread has brought a lump to my throat.
to those of you needing support.

I feel like you op. I've had to deal with so many awful family events over the past year. Some still ongoing and I know I'm struggling.
I've been signed off work for a month and if I'm not getting better after the break then I also have to really consider AD.
They scare me too. 😔
I can't tell my DH that my MH assessment came back as high for depression.
He's so supportive but the family events have also affected him. He's so strong.

People ask me how I'm still standing sometimes but I have to be ok to get my family through the bad times.

I hope you are ok today op. Well done for everything.

Are you going out for a walk today? Can you ask your dp to go with you?

I'm taking my dogs out soon.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

My day has been ok, it was quite busy. Saw my best friend and told her too. I won't tell anyone else.

I was jittery and a bit nauseous but I know it won't last long.

I have a job application form that I was considering. I just get so stressed out and anxious filling in the form.there are usually tears and sleep loss. If I was lucky enough to get an interview I don't know what I would do.I wouldn't be able do it. I just think that with the way I am feeling at the moment I should not apply this time. Though it is an ideal job for me. On the other hand my confidence is quite low so part of me thinks I can do it and part of me thinks that of course I can't do it.
Maybe I should get myself together a bit and hope another opportunity comes up later in the year.

Ihatethecold, sorry you are having a tough time. I hope you had a good day.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

When I told my friend I just said the doctor had prescribed ad's for anxiety and depression. I didn't really go into details. She did ask a few questions like what triggered it but I don't really know. I don't know. Does something have to trigger it? I don't know much about it, I just know how I feel.
My heart is racing again, it's a horrid feeling. I know it is probably a side effect that will go within a week or two.

[WrongTrouser]

It's good that you've talked to your best friend. I don't think we really know what causes depression and anxiety. I'm sure there is a genetic predisposition but then events, stress, health etc can play a part too.

If I was you, and you really like the sound of the job, I would just do the best application you can at the moment (perhaps set yourself a time limit on how long you spend on it). You can always withdraw if you get an interview and don't feel up to it, but you might be feeling better by then. Your confidence will be a bit rubbish at the moment but once you are feeling better, I'm sure it will come back.

On the other hand if you really don't feel you can tackle the form, something else will come up. Do you enjoy your current job?

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

Wrongtrousers, you are right I could turn the interview down if I am not up to it. I will have a look at the form. Thing is, since my depression and anxiety got worse I did less and less volunteering over the last 7 months, as I didn't feel up to it, which was where I was getting experience so I could do it paid.
I do enjoy my current job. It is just extremely part time which on the one hand is bad as I would like to feel more useful and earn more but on the other hand I don't know if I could handle more hours. I can manage the short daily hours I have where I can go back and recharge in my safe place, but all day out around people....I don't know, I might struggle.
I think I will try to fill in the form as best as I can and hope for the best.

[WrongTrouser]

That sounds a good plan. Fill in the form, keep your options open and see how you are feeling if you are offered an interview.

[Wolfiefan]

You could even fill in the form as practice and to prove to yourself you can do it. You don't even have to hand it in!
Depression doesn't have to be triggered.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

I have had my first good day in a long time. I haven't felt nauseous and only a little jittery and anxious, tiredness only set in from 5pm so that is great.
I do feel better for talking to the doctor, oh and my friend.
I woke early again, at 4.30am. I think it's the tablets but then again I haven't slept properly for a while now so maybe not.

[WrongTrouser]

Great to hear you've had a good day 🙂 Hope you get a decent night's sleep.

[Privateandconfidentialplease]

Hi wrongtrouser, not such a good day today. Woke at 4.40ish and was jittery first thing, then just felt a bit strange most the day. Nauseous and knackered. After school pick up I had a lie down for half an hour as dc2 was at a friend's and dc1 was playing computer games.
How are you today?

[WrongTrouser]

Hi Private I'm fine, thanks Took the dog out to the forest early evening which was nice. Sorry to hear you've not had such a good day as yesterday. Not nice to feel jittery first thing in the morning. It is early days with the ads though - don't give up. What did you decide about the job application?

[WrongTrouser]

Hope you have a better day today Private