Taking meds when it's a situation you're struggling with, not a chemical imbalance....

[YourHandInMyHand]

So. I've been on sertraline, a low dose for a while. I'm anxious and depressed due to a situation regarding my child who has special needs.

In the past I've accepted meds eg due to PND, or being generally anxious. But at the moment I've been off meds for about a week, and the reason being I feel like I'm just dulling the results of a situation rather than dealing with the situation itself.

I hope that makes sense. A few people have suggested I go to the gp to UP my meds because the situation is tough. I just don't feel comfortable with that. They don't know I've come off them. And as I was only on 20mg I feel no less anxious or down than I did when I WAS taking them.

I have recently begun talking therapy and I feel that is helping me much more than the meds were, and wish I'd been brave enough to self refer for that sooner as I'm finding it very emotional but very helpful.

Just looking for people's thoughts really.

What you're saying makes a lot of sense. When people are suffering from true depression it doesn't have a 'reason.' They might have everything in the world but as you were saying a chemical imbalance can cause them to have low mood despite how good their life might be. You're anxious because of a worrying situation in your life. That's a normal human response. I'm currently dealing with pain and discomfort 24/7 and am still waiting to see a specialist after months and months. I'm depressed and have anxiety but that's because of my situation. Like you, taking psych drugs probably wouldn't help me. I'm sorry I can't offer a solution to your problem, wave a magic wand. I wish we all could :). Just know that you're not the only one in a tight spot who feels like they can't do anything about it. It might feel like that when you look around and see all the normal, happy people going about their daily lives but you're not alone. Go give your child a hug and just enjoy the little things, try not to worry about what might or might not happen. Everything will be ok ;) x

OP,

Yes, I get what you're saying and it makes sense.

No tablet is going to solve your issues, and you appear to have found something that will work for you.

Good luck for the future.

What is the situation though because I often think my anxiety is due to a real situation but when that situation is resolved I find a new one to worry about. It's taken me a really long time to accept that too.

Not saying you don't have a real situation by the way just thinking really.

your situation might be creating a chemical imbalance in itself - so maybe the meds could be useful in preserving your resilience and enabling you to manage and deal with your situation

is one way of looking at it

KOKO

The thing with 'antidepressants' is they work on the theory that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

The problem is, that theory has never been conclusively proven, and many studies claiming that they do help were funded by the pharmaceutical companies themselves!

I would never take them - the side effects are awful, and people who have been on them for years find it very difficult indeed to come off them.

You are being very sensible op!

Another way to look at it is that antidepressants can help you cope with a difficult situation. When I'm not feeling myself, anything not going to plan can throw me off balance. When I'm feeling well, I can cope. Antidepressants help me build resilience to cope with tough situations, even though they can't change the situation itself.

Hi OP
I also have a disabled child and lots of anxiety and fully understand where you're coming from.
I take 20mls of sertraline and I think it helps to dull the anxiety slightly - I still feel anxious but it doesn't seem to spiral as much.
My GP wasn't keen on trying medication as like you it's situational but as the situation isn't going to change I needed something to help a little.
I would keep going with the talking therapy and discuss with the GP that you've stopped the sertraline but keep it in mind on the future.
Almost all the parents of disabled children that I know take antidepressants- unfortunately the stresses take a big toal on mental health so just be aware and monitor you're own for signs of it going downhill. I found mindfulness and relaxation classes from our local hospice helpful and getting involved with social/support groups

@susannah, do you realise how judgemental and ignorant your comment is? Nobody wants to take any psych medication, but for some people it can be a life/death situation. I may have said something similar to you before having PND with DD2 and then developing bipiolar. I had no fucking idea of the terror that your own mind can bring.

Ive, do you mind me asking how you manage your BP. I am currently being assessed for it, much later in life but I did have PND when I was younger too. I have been given quetiapine but it has left me feeling very depressed. Sorry don't want to hijack the thread.

Toast, there is nothing judgemental (or ignorant) at all in my post.

I was simply pointing out the facts that antidepressants are based on a false , unproven view.

Obviously I realise that some people suffer greatly with mental health issues.

The OP was asking for people's thoughts, and those were mine.

I struggle too with what I guess is situational depression and anxiety, our eldest also had SEN. I've put off asking about meds as I know it's just due to this rather than an underlying chemical imbalance, but I have been struggling much more this year. I've had talk therapy and that helped with some of the anxiety but that's been about things going pear shaped, and they have indeed gone pear shaped no matter how much I've tried to head them off. I think I might have a chat with the GP again as I'm at the point of avoiding simple tasks and giving up volunteer work that I love.