Am I depressed? / Anti- Depression pills?

LegacyUser

Ive been denying this for a long time just because ive always associated depression with that real empty feeling in your chest.

I was reading up on it and noticed that this is not the only symptom.

I just to be mad on for a laugh, loved going out and having the crack with my friends. I started messing around with drugs and stuff. Haven't taken them now for over two years. My life is ****. My brain is fazed the whole time. I have no self esteem, can't hold a proper conversation with people, have bizarre and uncomfortable thoughts. Recently Ive completely socially withdrawn and im living at home again. Everything annoys me; everything is wrong. Im anxious et cetera, so I must be depressed, right???

Theres no way I would talk to my parents or anyone I know about this because I have nobody close to me at the moment. Im going to have to go to the doctor, what do I say to him though? Do you think he willl think im depressed? If he gives me tablets for depression, how long will they take to start working? What are the side effects? Will I get my self-esteem back easier if I go on them? Are they expensive? Do I need to go into the chemist to get them then?

Thanks.

Heyes

Id love to be able to answer all your questions for you, but alas the best person to talk to will be the doc, he/she will be able to talk to you and maybe make all your opinions clearer for you so that you have a better understanding and more positive out look.

Odysseus

I,m not trying to be funny here mate, the first port of call sholud be your GP, you can take it from there. If he thinks your depressed, apart from what meds he prescribes, ask he for a referral to a counselling or psychological service. The meds, if he thinks you need will help, but they only address the symptoms not the cause. So you need to take it from there. Best of luck with it.

Nightwish

Your GP will be the best person to discuss this with. He or she will know whats best for you medically. One thing that concerns me about your post, is your eagerness to take anti-depressants. As someone who has been on anti-depressants, they arent something you can just pop and everything will feel better. Again your GP will know what ones you'll need, if at all, and at what dosge. Dont expect them to make you feel better and cure you cos they dont.

Tar.Aldarion

What are their point then?
What did they do for you?
I was quite interested in them for a while.


you really should go to your GP and a psychiatrist OP.
Don't worry a lot of people feel like you at points in their life.

projectmayhem

whatswrong wrote:

Theres no way I would talk to my parents or anyone I know about this because I have nobody close to me at the moment. Im going to have to go to the doctor, what do I say to him though? Do you think he willl think im depressed? If he gives me tablets for depression, how long will they take to start working? What are the side effects? Will I get my self-esteem back easier if I go on them? Are they expensive? Do I need to go into the chemist to get them then?

i've been exactly where you are, and i'll echo exactly what everyone else here is saying, go visit your GP and talk it out with him/her. any questions about the medication you may receive varies because there are different drugs out there for depression, all of which will lead to different answers to your questions, so fire them at your GP.

it sounds incredibly cheesy, and hard to do given your circumstances, but find a friend, just one friend, who you can go talk to. just to rant. hell, even an internet friend on MSN to rant at would help.

Black Swan

Yes, see your GP as others have suggested. Depression takes many forms, not just the typical ones. But a longer term solution would be to develop some healthy relationships (non-druggies). What do you like to do? Hike? Sports? Creative writing? Whatever it is, think about pursuing it with others who enjoy it too. This might help break you out of the rut you seem to be in.

Ag marbh

Been there and going through it again at the moment. Was just at the doctor on Thursday and he has referred me back to the shrink but I refused the anti-depressants. While on anti-depressants I found that they made me numb to feelings rather than make me feel better to be honest. Doctors hand out anti-depressants way too easily and people should consider these as a last resort. You don't just take them and everything gets better but if they do work on you they will only give you the ability to be happy as in level out your serotonin levels but it's up to the individual to address whatever problems they have.

My main issues were anxiety related anyway so now i'm just going to take xanax(tranquiliser) when needed until I see the specialist. I would recommend doing some good things for yourself like excercise/gym to increase physical health which in turn will increase mental health and confidence.

I use drugs recreationally(e,coke,weed) but im cutting that out now because nothing will ever improve while taking them. You say you took drugs before and if you still do I think you should address that before reaching out for a GP to prescribe something. You can't fight drugs with drugs.

Odysseus

Ag marbh, be careful with the benzo's mate. Xanax is a highly addictive drug, and benzo withdrawal is a complex issue. So as you said,take only when needed.

junii

Def go to a GP mate.

LegacyUser

Ag marbh wrote:

Been there and going through it again at the moment. Was just at the doctor on Thursday and he has referred me back to the shrink but I refused the anti-depressants. While on anti-depressants I found that they made me numb to feelings rather than make me feel better to be honest. Doctors hand out anti-depressants way too easily and people should consider these as a last resort. You don't just take them and everything gets better but if they do work on you they will only give you the ability to be happy as in level out your serotonin levels but it's up to the individual to address whatever problems they have.

My main issues were anxiety related anyway so now i'm just going to take xanax(tranquiliser) when needed until I see the specialist. I would recommend doing some good things for yourself like excercise/gym to increase physical health which in turn will increase mental health and confidence.

I use drugs recreationally(e,coke,weed) but im cutting that out now because nothing will ever improve while taking them. You say you took drugs before and if you still do I think you should address that before reaching out for a GP to prescribe something. You can't fight drugs with drugs.

Ok, I will go to see my GP. I have already started takiing my own initiative in many ways but income isn't fantastic at the moment so its going to take 2 to 3 months for that to come together... That being starting a new hobby et certera et cetera.

God; I would be great to meet someone on MSN or whatever that I could talk this over with every noe and again but how the hell do I go about finding someone to listen... I haven't the time nor energy in the state im in at the moment to even think about trying to develop relationships.

Ag Marbh, thanks for letting me know the realitys of anti-depressants. It seems to me that one of the things that gets me down alot is a lack of feeling inside and emotion (its like as if im dead inside). Perhaps, if I took anti-depressants and they numbed my feeling it could make me worse.

Thing is you see, ive tried loads of other things books, hypnosis and none worked so im running out of ideas and of hope. I can see myself going down the suicidal route (ive been there before). I just need an answer and I thought maybe the answer was in anti-d's. Maybe, it is, I dunno but I will go to the GP.

Ag marbh, just so im sure how much do anti-d's cost and how much does the shrink cost?

Thanks.

theTinker

completely agree,
u sound like u are a depressed from ur post. Though if u see what u've described sum parts of ur life as, who wouldnt be a little? Depression doesnt have to be something big that draws on for years. I've seen it last about 3-4 months.
Go to ur local doc and explain it to him/her exactly what u said here or more.
Most likely he/she will give u sum meds, low dosage once a day most likely. They take about 2 weeks to notice changes but the fact u know it will be eaiser soon often makes u feel better in itself. I've done up to 4 years of them on/off .

The meds will help u along with feeling cr*p but depending on what has caused it in the first place. Usually depression is caused by external things that a counseller can help u with. Its rarely aanything u can even see urself. Though them "nasty" thoughts u are getting more likely pop up when certain triggers happen, loneliness, bad parts of a movie, things that hit close ot home if u get me. Ii would guess its this but if u messed up ur body chemistry a little and thats what has it feeling bad, the meds might be more than enough. You could just need them for a few months to "normalize" u for a while and let u get things sorted.

As far as withdrawal from anti depression drugs go, i didnt have any. Actually they gave me acid in my stomach while on them so im happy to get off them . Your doctor will ask u how are you finding coming off them and help u with them. But resonably u will start on low dosage so i wouldnt worry about it.

I'd see a counsellor before i would see a friend if u need to talk about heavy issues, knowing they cant tell anyone, and that they see this stuff all the time means u can be really honest and dont need to worry about what they think of u.

MistressPandora

Ag marbh wrote:

While on anti-depressants I found that they made me numb to feelings rather than make me feel better to be honest. Doctors hand out anti-depressants way too easily

And that's exactly why I went off anti-depressants in 2004. I went to my shrink saying that I was terrified to go to sleep because of the nightmares I was having for 2 weeks. So he prescribed sleeping pills. Didn't even try to talk to me about it and in the end I was hooked on sleeping pills and anti-depressants.
And I had to learn how to get over that addiction by myself.
Be careful whatswrong when it comes to situations like this, just be cautious.

Esel

OP, take your GP's advice about anti-depressant medication(s) - they are extremely beneficial to a lot of people. They can take up to eight weeks to 'kick-in', though, so if you go on them, be aware of this and don't be expecting a rapid improvement in mood. Also, you need to stay on this medication for a longish period after you feel better. AFAIK there is little or no addiction potential with anti-depressant medications.

If you GP diagnoses depression, you should ask about the possibility of getting a referral to your local HSE psychiatric clinic - the service there (including prescribed medication) is free. You should also join the Drug Payment Scheme, whereby you will only ever have to pay a max of €85 (I think) per month for prescription medication in the pharmacist. This limit is per family, so if you qualify through living at home, and if any other family members are on prescribed medication, you might end up paying little or nothing.

[edit] 1 Spelling. 2. Your pharmacist will have info on the DPS scheme. 3. Keep in touch through this thread.

Ag marbh

Odysseus wrote:

Ag marbh, be careful with the benzo's mate. Xanax is a highly addictive drug, and benzo withdrawal is a complex issue. So as you said,take only when needed.

I agree with this. I've had slight withdrawal symptoms from them before. Given to a client to take when needed is fine as far as im concerned it's only when prescribed daily you really have to think if there an alternative to this?

Ag marbh

whatswrong wrote:

Ok, I will go to see my GP. I have already started takiing my own initiative in many ways but income isn't fantastic at the moment so its going to take 2 to 3 months for that to come together... That being starting a new hobby et certera et cetera.

God; I would be great to meet someone on MSN or whatever that I could talk this over with every noe and again but how the hell do I go about finding someone to listen... I haven't the time nor energy in the state im in at the moment to even think about trying to develop relationships.

Ag Marbh, thanks for letting me know the realitys of anti-depressants. It seems to me that one of the things that gets me down alot is a lack of feeling inside and emotion (its like as if im dead inside). Perhaps, if I took anti-depressants and they numbed my feeling it could make me worse.

Thing is you see, ive tried loads of other things books, hypnosis and none worked so im running out of ideas and of hope. I can see myself going down the suicidal route (ive been there before). I just need an answer and I thought maybe the answer was in anti-d's. Maybe, it is, I dunno but I will go to the GP.

Ag marbh, just so im sure how much do anti-d's cost and how much does the shrink cost?

Thanks.

You can add me to your msn if you want. Setup a registered a/c and pm me then I can add you.

It's hard to give an accurate figure on how much they cost because that would depend on the dosage the doctor gives you. Mine were actually free because I was going through the health board rather than seeing someone privately. Your doctor would have the ability to arrange this too. The only time I paid for my medication was when my GP prescribed something for my while I waited for my appointment.

If you didn't get a referral and just took GP prescriptions the costs would be 40-50 euro per month.

Santa Claus

Ag marbh wrote:

While on anti-depressants I found that they made me numb to feelings rather than make me feel better to be honest.

As others have said you hit the nail on the head there.

Anti-depressants are like a mute button for your feelings. You don't experience any deep lows but at the same time you don't experience any highs....everything is just "meh" !

Nevyn

That is reason for them they stop you from doing yourself self harm or those arround you they are a desperate measure and the side effects are horrendus and the withdrawl as you come off them.

And you do have to come off them to deal with what the issues are.
Basically they are a life bouy when you are drowning and if you can still swim a little then I suggest you get the help you need to learn to cope and again control in your life and deal with the issues rather then looking for a pill for you ills.
Antidepressants should be a last resort imho.

Ag marbh

Thaedydal wrote:

That is reason for them they stop you from doing yourself self harm or those arround you they are a desperate measure and the side effects are horrendus and the withdrawl as you come off them.

I wouldn't go quite to that extreme. Not all people experience numbness or horrendous withdrawals. It's dependant on the dosage, type of anti-depressant and method of withdrawing from them.

For example seroxat have a very short half life within the body where as cipramil/prozac have quite a long one. Sometimes if you even miss one days dose of seroxat for whatever reason, you will feel a bit miserable.

Esel

Thaedydal wrote:

That is reason for them they stop you from doing yourself self harm or those arround you they are a desperate measure and the side effects are horrendus and the withdrawl as you come off them.

And you do have to come off them to deal with what the issues are.
Basically they are a life bouy when you are drowning and if you can still swim a little then I suggest you get the help you need to learn to cope and again control in your life and deal with the issues rather then looking for a pill for you ills.
Antidepressants should be a last resort imho.

Sorry, but from my experience, this post is very inaccurate and negative. Which AD has 'horrendous' side-effects? What are these side-effects? Any withdrawal symptoms are easily managed by tapering off under doctor's advice.

OP, let us know how you get on with your GP. If you are going for counselling, be sure to go to a genuine professional recommended by someone you know and trust. There are a lot of semi-quack counsellors out there, who may be OK for relatively minor life issues. Depression, if you are diagnosed with it, is not a minor issue.