Is this working?
I have been on antidepressants for a few months now and lately things don't feel quite right. I can't seem to figure out if my medication has stopped working for me or not. I just don't feel as if taking them makes a difference anymore.
I feel empty, like before. I feel alone, like before. I feel numb, like before. I feel down, just like before.
I have been having frequent breakdowns and feel constantly tired because of them. It's exhausting to think about hurting yourself so often and crying for hours.
I can't tell if i'm getting worse or if it's the pills.
You definitely need to see your doctor! S/he may need to adjust your dosage.
Pills or whatever the medication is won't really help you however they seem to be effective at the beginning, then they become useless and it's a biological concern. What will stay is your self motivation and help. Nothing worth it except being comforted and satisfied with who and how you are.
I know it may seems to be theoretical, but indeed yourself is your best medication ever in case you really want to heal.
@Hencebeingmine I know that. But at least they eased the physical symptoms at the time. Now I don't even have that anymore.
Trust me, i'm trying hard to help myself but it's not easy to fix a lifetime of depression. The pills made it easier for me to handle it all and now they're useless.
Hi discreet, you are doing very well with all the actions you are taking so please do go ahead and give yourself a well deserved pat on the back! Valentine offered a lot of advice that will be helpful. Very astute observation that the brand was changed! That might explain it. Another thought - have you changed anything else recently such as taking another medication or mineral for example? Tell the doctor about the return of your physical symptoms, switch of brand name etc. I had this happen and switched antidepressants but it could also be that you need a dose adjustment anc perhaps a return to the of the brand you used originally. The last option is add on therapy but all of this is up to the doctor, your diagnosis and his or her judgement. Let us know what happens. By the way I discovered a meditation website called Headspace.com and I just love it. Keep up the good work, you're getting there! Friend from Canada
@creativeLemon1361 Thank you :) I haven't been taking any other medication with this so there is no reason why the symptoms really should've worsened unless it's the pills losing effect. I thought that maybe I was just having some bad days but then the days turned into weeks so this is not a good sign.
I almost took myself to a walk in centre today because I'm having some pretty bad nausea and I believe it's a side effect as it started right after I took my pill for the day. I will get this fixed soon hopefully.
I find that I get irritated with meditation for some reason. I wish I didn't but I can't seem to focus with it.
Hi discreet, Good to hear from you! You mentioned that you almost went to the walk in clinic did to nausea. Perhaps you weren't feeling up to going and decided to rest? Hope you will be s little better tomorrow and decide to give it a try . Don't worry about not being partial to meditation. It's not everyone's cup of tea (no pun intended) and there are loads of other coping strategies to try. Sad feelings come from distressing thoughts and you can journal your thoughts do you are aware of them. Awareness is step number one. Then you challenge those thoughts to see if they are completely true. Because depression is like trying to see through a pair of foggy glasses, you will usually find that your distressing thoughts are not accurate. Keep questioning distressing thoughts and you will find it gives you some relief. For example, I used to say to myself, I can't do it! and I would be angry and upset with myself. When that thought pops up I now say What evidence do I have that I can't do it? How do I know that I can't do it? Is trying only once enough evidence that I can't go it? This rational approach settles the mind. I also use visualization - I picture my negative thoughts floating out the window or going into a box and the lid closes. I picture myself doing things I like to do. Hope this is of some help. Send us an update when you can. Friend from Canada
@creativeLemon1361 I just curled up and had a little rest before having to go to class. I didn't want to move but I went. I felt awful though. I could feel how badly my nausea wanted me to be sick and I was on the verge of tears for what felt like no reason. It wasn't pleasant.
I've been trying to be aware but when the very sad times come along I don't feel as if there is anything really going through my mind. I just get a really hollow feeling and feel like existing is too hard. It's difficult to pin down why these thoughts and feelings occur and what's going through my mind because I don't feel as if I know the answers myself. It's frustrating to feel so lost inside my own head.
You sound very good at keeping yourself positive and motivated. I'm trying to work on that :)
Thank you friend from Canada
Hi discrete
Bonus points for going to class when you didn't feel like it. You didn't let depression win so kudos again! It's not always easy but those who keep trying always succeed. And I really do mean always. Tomorrow is everyone's favourite day of the week, Friday! Any chance you might get to a clinic? It would be good to talk to a psychologist as well but doctor first. By the way is there anyone close like a parent or friend who could also help with support? If not, no problem, that's why we are here. The world really is a caring place, you just have to look,🌺 Talk to you soon! Friend from Canada
@creativeLemon1361 class is important so I don't want to miss it. I can't get into a habit of skipping when I don't feel like it, I need to keep going. I'll see how this day goes and if I feel the need to go to the clinic then I will. Hopefully I can just stay at home and not have to bother with that.
My parents don't even know about my life long struggle with depression and I know they won't support me if I told them. I have a few friends who I trust but I never want to burden them with my stuff.
Thank you for the kindness and support :)
Happy Friday Discrete!
Youve got the right attitude about school! What are you studying? I stiudied Biology which I love. You will be surprised if you tell one of your closest friends how you are feeling. They're going to want to help most likely. Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? Maybe being outside to look at the fall colours? Keeping busy by planning things is a help. Friend from Canada
@creativeLemon1361 I'm studying Film and Media. It's great. I know my friends want to help me but it'll just burden them to try. I'm not even sure they know how to help me. A friend of mine is coming down here for a concert so we'll be doing a bit of shopping together before she has to go. Other than that I just plan to work on my assignments (which I have no motivation for what-so-ever). I also plan to just watch movies. It's a nice distraction
Hi Discrete, Film and media sounds fascinating and cool to me. I can't say that Biology people are too cool haha. Concerts, shopping and movies sounds good to me! I'm going to get some fresh air this weekend. I read that in Japan where there isn't much green space, people have come up with something called Forest therapy. Nature it seems us good for the soul. I will also be reading in French as I live in Quebec and I'm trying to be more bilingual. Toddles for now. Friend from Canada
@creativeLemon1361 I want to spend more time taking walks in parks but I just don't have the motivation to make the journey to my favourite park. Hopefully I'll get plenty of fresh air this weekend :)
Maybe try an exercise regimen? I've heard that it's "the most effective and underrated anti-depressant." Not verbatim but that was the gist of the phrase. I always feel better when I'm properly nourished and exercise. It just takes a bit of effort :/
I strongly suggest speaking to whoever prescribed the medications you're taking about what you're experiencing. Often times medications will need to be changed several times before you find the one(s) that work well for you. You may even need to switch brands at times in order to find the right fit. It can be frustrating and sometimes a lengthy process, but, you went on medication for a reason. Don't settle until you find something that works well for you.
I also recommend incorporating other things to help you along this journey other than just medication. Medication by itself can help, definitely, but sometimes it simply isn't enough on its own. This is where therapy can be very beneficial. Not only therapy, but things like exercise, meditation, plenty of sunshine, journaling, and many other healthy forms of releases can also help.
But first and foremost, I recommend speaking to your doctor as soon as you can. :) Good luck! Hope this helped!
@ValentineLove thank you so much for your input :) I will definitely bring this up when I see my doctor as it is something that's causing me and my friends concern.
Now I'm wondering if maybe the different brand I was given is making me have this effect. The first brand was pretty good but then the next time I got my prescription filled I was given something different. I also read that feeling positive results instantly is actually a bad sign so now I'm a little concerned over how quickly they took effect when I first started taking them.
I have been trying harder to get out more. Taking walks seems to be helpful (not that I don't walk enough already because I do). Journaling is hard for me to an extent, it gets my thoughts out on paper but then I can't stop looking over it and for some reason I don't want to destroy it either. I've been trying to get more involved in things I used to be interested in and found joy in but I can't say it has been easy as of late. I guess I just have to keep taking baby steps, it's better than nothing.
@discreetAcres6234 Perhaps you can speak to your doctor about other things you could be doing to help alongside the medication. :) He/She may have some ideas and based on your feedback, can help you find something that works for you.
Small steps are still steps! Remember the tunnel analogy. You're making progress and moving forward even when your surroundings haven't seem to have changed. You'll get there!
@ValentineLove I will do that :)
I'm making small steps in my every day life and pretty huge ones in therapy. I'm told I should be proud of myself. I wouldn't say that I'm proud but I'm pretty content with what I have been learning about myself
@discreetAcres6234 I'm glad to hear that!
I, too, have a lot of trouble with feeling pride or seeing my accomplishments. They're often overshadowed by what I have yet to achieve or things I failed to do. So please know you are not alone in this feeling. We'll be proud of ourselves in time. Until then, we'll just keep walking! :)
