Antidepressants

[PeppaPrick]

I was prescribed ADs by my gp 2 weeks ago but have not even been to the pharmacy to collect it yet, I can't function enough to leave my bed never mind the house. I just can't see how ADs are going to fix the damage of being depressed for the last 20+ years. It has ruined my life to the point I don't have one; never had a single friend to date, no family, no relationships, no kids, no job; it's been 2+ years since I've seen or spoken to another human (apart from gp) if I died today it would be a long time before anyone noticed. I've spent so much time in isolation that I can't imagine a pill can change me into a normal functioning person, I don't even know what that is.

Is ADs the answer? Before my gp suggested meds I didn't want to end up on drugs but I just sat at the end of the phone in mostly silence and zoned out while he spoke about them and then just agreed to the prescription because I didn't know how to say no or to say what I want, I'm not sure I even know what I want. I left that call feeling really frustrated and despondent, as it's taken me years to even try getting help, but then guilty that I've wasted GPs time/resources and maybe I should just leave it but then what? I really don't know where I go from here, I sometimes wish I had the guts to call it a day.

I’m so sorry that you are struggling. Without AD I wouldn’t get out of bed and out one foot in front of the other. Please go and get the prescription, once you’ve started them you will feel able to deal with things better and can start trying to get real help for your depression. I’ve been suicidal. It’s a very lonely place being in the bottom of a deep, dark hole you can’t see any way out of. AD make things bearable enough so that you can start to see things improving. Please speak to your GP again so they can refer for some sort of counselling to help you. I hope things improve for you soon.

There are some links on here for help
www.mumsnet.com/webguide/mental-health

Hello Peppa I'm sorry you have been battling depression for so long. It's so tough I know but please do give your medication a chance.

I have had depression and anxiety for 25 years and have had 4 major episodes where I was prescribed AD's. It is not an understatement to say they have saved my life, and allowed me to function and feel happy, calm and 'normal'. I am now staying on them for the forseable future as my GP has said that's what some people need to do. Without them I always end up back in a terrible state.

In my experrence they do take 3 to 4 weeks to even start to make a difference and there may be some weird side effects (depending what you are taking) so you will need to be very patient and give them time. Once they do kick in though they can make a huge difference.

I have just started taking them again for the first time in over 20 years. I had a break down in 1996 , took them then , eventually managed to come off them but after another break down which came on about a month ago I have started taking them again. I didn’t really want to start taking them again but my husband who has suffered from depression all of his life said “ if you had a chest infection or uti and were prescribed antibiotics you’d take them wouldn’t you?” And the answer is yes I would. So I’m back on them. It’s the old saying “ Nothing changes if nothing changes”