AIBU to want to manage without drugs?

[ProfessorofDarkArts]

I’m currently signed off work with stress and anxiety, GP has prescribed Sertraline but I really don’t want to take it, mostly due to the side effects but also because I don’t believe the problems are in my head. I’ve had an incredibly stressful few years and I know I’ve just hit a point where it’s all got a bit too much. I want to get better by making positive changes not relying on drugs but the GP won’t support that. I’m due back at work soon and don’t feel at all ready to deal with it (a lot of the stress is work-related) but I don’t think they will sign me off for a longer period, they seem to just think drugs can fix what are actually genuine issues in my life. Am I really not helping myself by not wanting to take drugs? I know all the ‘you’d take aspirin for a headache’ stuff but I don’t think it’s the same.

Not completely discredited. Lost Connections and Stolen Focus were both well received.

Have you checked the NICE guidelines for the treatment recommendations? I’ve been on ADs a few times, successfully, but also used CBT to learn how to manage moods and emotions. I found most recently (it’s been years since I had an episode) that the guidelines have changed and they’re not meant to just push ADs on to you but offer other options too (such as Talking Therapies which tends to be CBT based, or other counselling) plus the behavioural stuff like being in a routine, sleep hygiene, eating, exercise.

Can you use your Employee Assistance Programme and/or self-refer to Talking therapies?

I refused ADs this time as I didn’t want to deal with the side effects and instead did counselling, plus reduced workload and getting work to deal with the things that were causing stress (counselling helped with this). Plus structured routine, concentrating on eating and sleeping plus spending time with friends/family. I’m feeling a lot better now.

Hi OP,

Thank you so much for starting this thread because I am in a very similar situation to you. I picked up my prescription for Sertraline at the weekend, but I haven't started yet.

I too am concerned about the side affects . Firstly because I'm a god awful sleeper and I don't want that to be made worse. And secondly, and perhaps unreasonably, I'm really worried it might have a negative impact on my hair. I know it's silly but I've just read too many posts on here / Reddit where people have described hair thinning and hair fall because of ADs. My hair isn't that great to begin with, at least I have it thankfully, I just mean it's really flat and fine and even a small reduction in quality would be noticeable and would knock my confidence.

I also am putting my rough patch down to life circumstances and being generally worried about the state of the country / world, Antisemitism (I have Jewish family members and many Jewish friends now leaving Britain), not happy in my job and pissed of with their work (woke) culture. Not a chemical imbalance. If it wasn't for my lovely toddler I think I'd just give up (not in that way, I mean I'd go and teach English abroad and drift around, which for an almost 40 year old it kind of lame).

DH got recently redeployed after nine months being signed off due to stress. It took ages for a solution to be found. Going back to his previous role was making him more stressed. If this redeployment doesn't work out either the clock will be ticking and he'll be given a time limit by his employer to find another suitable role or waved out the door in two year's time. Companies only seem to have so much patience...

I used setraline for around one year after a very rough part of my life. The GP said I didn't need them any longer than that. It didn't make much difference after that year except negatively affecting my sex life.

@WaterWisdom sorry to hear you’re in a similar boat. The side effects really do worry me - I’m anxious about being sick anyway and I can’t afford to put on weight. I hadn’t even heard about the hair loss!

I totally get what you mean about giving up - I don’t want to not be here either but after years of responsibility I’d love to just ditch all of it and paint or garden or cook. I know lots of people feel like that and I think it’s fairly natural which is another reason I’m resistant to meds.