What happens if meds and therapy aren’t enough?

[Shallysally]

So I’ve been back on escitilopram for 8/9 months now. Also having talking therapy.

The last 4 weeks I’ve felt low again, which is nothing new but what is new is the low motivation. It’s affecting my mood also. Showering, going out, cleaning the house, all affected. I feel constantly tired, and at the weekend all I want to do is sleep.

I’m managing to work still and enjoy the office days, work from home some of the time.

I know there is no magic wand. I’m going for a walk more often, and trying to eat well.

I’ll make a GP appointment, just wondering what the likely outcome of this will be. I’m on the max dose for my meds.

It might be a change of meds or referral to a psychiatrist/ psychologist/ mental health nurse to give more specialist support.

Have you already had therapy?

Yes I’m in therapy. I find it really helpful.
I do try and do the things that the therapist suggests, it’s difficult to be consistent, with life, work, teen.

I am working on that though.

Sometimes a second drug can be added to augment the first one. It can depend on your health and the medication type. Sometimes it's better than starting again with a new medication.

Thank you @Torvean. I’ve got a GP appointment tomorrow so I’ll ask about this.
I’m nervous about changing or adding medication due to side effects but I know I can’t carry on feeling like this.

Hope all goes well @Shallysally

Do you ‘enjoy’ your work? When I’m depressed I don’t enjoy anything.

Thank you @Torvean

I love what I do @HariboReckoning but when I’m feeling like this my motivation is so low.
I enjoy the more face to face aspect, I’m a social worker for adults. But the case load and level of paperwork is unmanageable.

Work are supportive but what can they actually do. We have other staff in the team of long term sick, I manage a lot of complex cases. My workload can’t really be reduced.

When my manager asks me what she can do to help take the pressure off I don’t know what to suggest. She doesn’t have a magic wand!

I felt like that on citalopram. Constantly fatigued. I've switched to sertraline and it's so much better for me.