I need urgent and comprehensive advice on tranquillisers and anti-depressants. If you have any experience of these please help me.

[SpirallingOutOfControl]

I have never taken anti-depressants or tranquillisers, except natural herbal ones. even when I had PND and wanted to kill myself and my DC, planned it in detail, I didn't go to the GP as I was bfeeding and didnt want to take anything.

This afternoon after a horrible 2 days with the DC I made the decision to make an appointment with my GP and ask for help.

I am becoming violent and vicious towards the DC and if I don't find a way to stop now I don't know what will happen.

I just want to be at peace. Just want to be able to be the good mum I know I am underneath the rage and ceaseless irritation I feel.

I don't want to take something that will turn me into a zombie or an addict, I'm very afraid of becoming dependant, I'm a very independant person who, outwardly at least, seems to cope, maybe that's why.

Can you please advise me on which are the commonest tranquillisers or anti-depressants and how they work/ the effect they have.

I want something that will allow me to function normally but will take the edge off, make me calm and relaxed instead of a monster at boiling point, all day every day.

Thankyou.

P.S. If tranquillisers are milder than I think they would suit me better as I don't think I am actually depressed at the moment, just have tendencies that way...

I don't think anyone will be able to give you the comprehensive advice you want on here. You have done the best thing possible and booked to see your GP.

Don't worry about 'taking something' - explain your worries to the GP.

Millions of people do it - most are like you; you would not suspect. Good luck with the GP and feeling better x

A lot of people breastfeed whilst taking antidepressants.

The dose of many AD's can be controlled so you can start on a low dose and see how you get on.

You've done the most important thing, the hardest bit, in taking that first step and booking the appointment.

Good luck

Peas - thanks. Was hoping for the names of the most common tranquillisers so I can check them out before going to the GP.

I'm just afraid of taking something, I don't take medicins if i can avoid it, not even aspirin.

Tiger - am not bfeeding any more. Gave up recently, DC2 is nearly 2.

Thanks for your support

Here is a link to a 52 page booklet from MIND on antidepressants.
The information section of their website is a mine of reliable information on mental health.

HTH

I don't know much about tranquillisers as ime they aren't prescribed as frequently as AD's, perhaps because they address a symptom rather than the root cause.

Common AD's include

Citalopram
Prozac/fluoxetine
Efexor/venlafaxine

if you fancy a google

I took escitalopram, similar to citalopram, for about three years. I found it immensely helpful and am now drug free.

I find it helpful to see it like a plaster - you have a chemical imbalance which needs to be corrected and the only way you can do that is to take the pills.

Tranquilsers and antidepressants are two totaly different types of drugs that treat different things and work in different ways.

You needs to talk to your GP about which of the two is more approriate to you, and the medical problems that you have.

If you have PND they will not be looking at tranquilisers for you, but anti depressants. people are not turned into zombies on ADs.

Once you know what you are going to take, post again

Don't start googling stuff right left and centre, because you will end up worrying about stuff which may not even be prescribed for you

donk - thanks will have a look.

tigerfeet - i think the root cause in my case is a lot to do with being on my own with the DC all day (i do have a dp but he is at work 7 days a week) , having no family near, other long-term stresses on the practical and emotional front... what i need is to break the cycle and have a rest from feeling stressed so i can practise being different, iyswim.

I dont think i have full on depression, i know what that is like from when i had PND.

So, tranquillisers rather than anti-depressants, is probably what i need.

will google your list
Thanks

MB - thanks, you are right, will just google a little tiny bit ok?

Sounds like mad rage,anger,loss of control rather than depression.

I wish you well.Have felt similar writing IN CONTROL in condensation on the door of our shower,I obviously wasnt.

Hope you can get some time for yourself some how