Should I ask for antidepressants?

[Mininana]

could do with some advice please.

for the past two years i’ve gone
through phases of feeling really low, tired and just generally feeling a bit rubbish. Put it down to lockdown, going back to work after maternity, general life stress.

this past year this has gotten worse, I feel like I don’t find joy in anything, I’m irritable, feel more anxious and just want the day to finish. I can do all normal day to day things, go to work, see friends and family etc but do it all with this feeling of emptiness.

I have also had a few panic attacks and recently haven’t been sleeping very well.

i have been putting it off but I think I should probably see my gp. I have been wondering whether I should ask for some antidepressants? Anyone with similar feeling and what has worked for you?

i’ve read a few posts about how Citalopram has helped a lot of people get i’ve this feeling of constants low. Are there many side effects?

my other concern is regarding ttc- I would like to have another baby maybe next year- if I do go any meds will this be an issue?

sorry for long post

Ask for blood tests first B12, iron, D3. Do not use supplements beforehand as this can give false b12 readings.

Look at your lifestyle also. Are you getting a little child free time daily, are you exercising enough, getting enough steps in, getting enough sleep? Are you talking about your feelings to others? Professionals, partners, friends, relatives?

Personally I would exhaust all these avenues first and then consider medication.

I'm sorry to hear how you're feeling OP. I'm very early in my AD journey and the worst side effects for me have been increased anxiety and I'm still waiting to come out the other side.

Read threads on Mumsnet about citalopram they are great to an idea of experiences taking it. I'm hoping I have the same success and relief as others.

Refer yourself for counselling and CBT but I know waiting lists can be long so if you can afford anything privately that might be an option. There's also local NHS charities that can help with access to CBT. I quite surprisingly got CBT really quickly from a local NHS organisation. But I do pay privately for counselling.

If you can't get any talking therapy or counselling quickly then AD can be a good way to start helping yourself beforehand whilst you're waiting.

With regards to taking ADs whilst pregnant, I think you can safely and lots of people do, but definitely a conversation for the GP to talk about it with a professional!

Id say first port of call is the GP. Even if you get the prescription, you will still be able to think about it some more before you take it. It's a really personal decision and there's no right or wrong! Whatever is better for you and your circumstances.