How do you know when it's time to go back on ADs and when you should ride the low period out?

[AboardtheFUCKINGAxiom]

Just trying to gauge what other people think really.

Feeling a bit low ATM, but understandable considering my splitting up with ex, I know I made the right choice, but am feeling like my mood is slowing dipping and get a tiny bit lower each day.

How do you know when to go back on ADs and when to just carry on?

Even when I have gone onto ADs in the past I have been funstioning in terms of getting up, working etc, as it was a case of having to for DS and finances, but find I get very low, can't sleep, can't look after myself well, etc.

Any thoughts welcome.

I'm not sure I'm the best person to answer as I'm resigned to being on ADs permanently.

However.....when I wasn't in that frame of mind and was off my ADs, I knew it was time to go back when I started withdrawing from family/friends, couldn't be bothered to shower daily (normally feel disgusting if I don't), and started being snappy and tearful. Also when small tasks seemed monumental and I just couldn't force myself to do them (simple stuff like making a phone call).

After 16+ years on and off, I'm happy with my decision not to stop them ever again. I've had that downward spiral far too many times, and now I have a DS to look after--just can't afford to let myself have a bad depressive episode again.

hmmm.... I am currently physically forcing myself to do those things

Maybe I should give myself a time frame where if I am not feeling better I will go to GP for ADs. Does that sound wise?

Everyone is different. If you've managed to push through a period like this before, then yeah, I'd say giving yourself a time frame might be helpful. The only danger there is beating yourself up if you decide you can't manage without the ADs. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and really quite commendable if you can recognise the early warning signs of depression in yourself. Took me YEARS to be able to do it.

I feel for you, I really do. I had a really bad episode of depression in the midst of my divorce. Had to be signed off work, could barely force myself to move or get out of bed most of the time. I did get help eventually, but I left it too late. I should have gone sooner.

To me it sounds like you are already struggling quite a bit--you have to ask yourself, how bad does it have to get before I can justify needing help?

I had a major wobble back in August, and got very low. I've been on and off and on and off ADs for the last 12 years,noticed all the warning signs and made a doctors appointment.

I was starting college full-time in September and juggling single motherhood, and thought I'd get myself back on ADs, ready for when I hit the peak of work load and my world was on the brink of tumbling!.

However, the doctor appointment was over 3 weeks away and by the time it came round I realised that I didn't really want to go back on ADs, and the doctor happily talked me out of it too.

Looking back, the delay in appointment was a blessing, as I really want to try very hard not to go back on ADs, and the gap gave me time to readjust and think about what was best.

Probably wishful thinking, but at the moment life couldn't be better, and I want it to stay like this

Thats my little story.

Like Yankn said though, only you know what the best thing to do is.

We shouldn't be ashamed of what we are and what we suffer from.

Maybe we could form a little army to fight the stigma!

And also well done on recognising signs, its a good thing to be abke to do - catch it before it spirals.