Does medication really help?

[Gingerbread4]

I've struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember, at least a decade. I've always battled it alone and none of my close friends or family are aware and I'd like to keep it that way. I have reached out to various GPS over the years and tried a variety of counselling, which hasn't worked. I think I'm at an all time low right now and am struggling to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I've never tried medication before, I've always been put off by the idea but I'm not sure how else to drag myself out of this hole. Is there one that treats both depression and anxiety or would it need to be a cocktail? I'm breastfeeding at the moment and not sure I want to take anything whilst I am. Thanks.

There are antidepressants that are suitable to take whilst breastfeeding. Depending on your reactions to it there are ones that can treat both depression and anxiety. I am on Mirtazapine which should treat both but I find it doesn't help my anxiety. So I am also prescribed propranolol which manages the symptoms of anxiety. I am also still breastfeeding and my little one is 2.5 years with no I'll effects and I breastfed my eldest til 3 whilst medicated and he's nearly 6 and no ill effects.

The only thing Mirtazapine did for me is make me put on weight. This made me even more depressed, so I came off it.

My DH had terrible anxiety. The reason he got help in the end is because I made him fill in a depression questionnaire and he scored high.
He was put on Citalopram and it was a lifesaver.
I didn’t notice an improvement until about week 4, then he improved every week up to 6 months.
Please give medication a try, don’t be ashamed like my DH was.

Depression and anxiety can be a chemical in balance in the brain. If you had an imbalance elsewhere that was making you ill you would not hesitate to take medication to correct it, and is should be the same for mental health issues, alongside council ING. For me it has been a lifesaver, such a difference. There are some that treat both anxiety and depression, and that can be taken whilst breastfeeding. Bear in mind though that they can take a whole to work (a few weeks), and that different medication helps different people but currently the only way to find out what suits you is to try.

Depression and anxiety can be a chemical in balance in the brain

That's been debunked. It's junk science.

However, medication can be helpful to some people to make things more manageable. There are lots of options.

Yes, it really really helped me. I struggled on and off with depression for over 10 years, my whole adult life really, until early 30s I hit a really low patch and finally agreed to try antidepressants. I took citalopram for about 18 months, came off because I was trying to conceive. I felt as though it really reset me, gave me a bit of space and distance from my feelings in order to be able to look at them properly and work out why I was so unhappy. I was able to live in the moment for the first time ever really. I've never felt the need to go back on them.

Citalopram sorts out both anxiety and depression. If you had any other illness, you'd take medication. I would advise you to stop faffing about and take the meds.

God yes, when I went on medication it was as if someone turned on all the lights in my brain.

I'm terrified at the thought of ever having to come off it. I had to try a few different ones before I found my current one. Been on it for nearly 10 years and I feel close to normal.

I changed it temporarily to breastfeed (I think to sertraline) so some are ok.

@Tiersbeforebedtime I wasnt recommending the medication I am on I used mine as an example. I did state there are medications that are suitable while breastfeeding. If you took that I meant that was the only one I apologise.

Medication means I went from someone struggling to get through a day to someone who is now living life to the full.

I will likely be on it for life, as every time I've tried to come off it I've gone right back to square one.

Thanks all.
I think this is what worries me, that I'll never be able to come off them and if I do I'll be worse.
I know there shouldn't be a stigma and I shouldn't be ashamed, but I am, and I don't like to make a fuss or draw attention to myself. (unless it's through an anonymous chat 😂)
Do you think it's possible to take them without anyone ever knowing? What are the side effects like?

Most people are unaware I take them. Side effects aren't the same for all antidepressants nor does everyone who takes them suffer any side effects. Sometimes you may have to try different tablets if you get side effects from one I'd they are unmanageable or that type of antidepressant doesn't work for you.

It'd be something to discuss with your gp.

Yes. Medication helps immensely. I’m on anti-psychotics and will be the rest of my life. The stigma around medication is stupid, no one thinks twice about an asthmatic needing inhalers all their life why should another chronic health condition be treated differently just because it’s the brain malfunctioning instead of the lungs?

Hope you're doing OK op