Depressed.

hello_kitty

In september I went to my gp as I couldn't stop crying and felt so down, no will to go on etc etc. She put me on lexapro and recommended some counselling.
I'm a very private person and find it very difficult to "share" so I knew I would find it hard but after about 6 weeks I made an appointment and went along to see a psychologist.
It was terrible, I couldn't stop crying because I wanted to go home and then when I managed to cop myself on I just couldn't say why I'm so unhappy. She was very nice and patient and asked a few questions but it was pointless.
I've stopped taking the tablets and am just existing day to day. My life has no meaning, I don't know what to do and would appreciate any advice and recommendations.

Filan

Hi Kitty there is a very good support group called "Grow" where people meet weekly and share their problems. They could help you discover the root of your sadness...and you will also receive support from others who have experienced similar difficulties. I have been attending for the past 2 years and it can help many people a lot. I'm Limerick based but meetings are held throughout Ireland. Personally I'm not a fan of medication, treats symptoms not causes. The cause will remain. Any questions I'll certainly try to answer. Remember that every storm passes...it might last a long time, but when did any storm not stop eventually? Best wishes, Alan

littlesurfer

i'm just wondering why you stopped taking the medications??? I understand that lots of people believe that taking drugs doesn't help but depression effects people differently and sometimes they are just necessary! Excercise is a place to start with bringing up your mood naturally though.

Maybe you could try the counselling again....? its not going to be easy obviously.

However i have to say ive gone through so many boughts of low mood and depression and i find sites like this one really helpful....its good to talk to people who you can't see sometimes

b3t4

hello_kitty wrote:

It was terrible, I couldn't stop crying because I wanted to go home and then when I managed to cop myself on I just couldn't say why I'm so unhappy. She was very nice and patient and asked a few questions but it was pointless.

Op, that's perfectly ok. Cry as much as you want to. It wasn't pointless though. Crying can be a wonderful release. The next time and the next time after that you'll find it easier and easier to open up to the pyschologist. It's difficult to share now but down the road it will get easier I promise. This isn't an overnight thing mind. Just remember that there are no miracle cures for this one and it'll take time.

Be a little kinder to yourself, if you need to cry then cry, try not to bottle it up. Perhaps writing your feelings down and then discussing this or even giving it to your pychologist might help you to open up. While she's reading your work you could cry all you wanted and she would be able to ask more pertinent questions so as to help you.

I've stopped taking the tablets and am just existing day to day. My life has no meaning.

If the tablets helped originally please start taking them again. It'll help take the edge off. Anti-d's take a while to get into the system so give them time to take effect.

Of course your life has meaning. Try to think of one positive thing about your life a day and for the entire day remind yourself of it.

You don't know what to do right now as you are in a dark place. Take and seek all the help you can to lift the darkness a little. There is hope and you can come out of this.

Best of luck,
A.

Black Swan

When I was younger I felt depressed and without purpose. They prescribed meds and counselling. I did that and it didn't help me much. I was doing a little kickboxing, and for some reason (I am not sure about) I shifted to taekwondo. The master instructor was a grand teacher and took a special interest in me...started encouraging me to improve (not just in the sport, but also my diet, habits, attitude, physical fitness, etc.). It wasn't the complete answer, but it was a beginning for me to change. And I did. Something like this may not be for you... Then again, is there something you really enjoy doing? Can you join a group that enjoys it too? If you can let yourself get really involved, perhaps you might find purpose, along with some friends who would share your interest and encourage you? Just a thought...

Drift

If its something sporting you also get the added bonus of a little adrelin rush every time you play or every time you score. So if there is a sport you enjoy playing the combination of making new friends and doing something physically active might help. Just a suggestion.

hello_kitty

Thanks all for taking the time to read and reply...Your advice is greatly appreciated.
I know I'll have to force myself back to counselling but at least if I have the things written down it will be a bit easier to make some progress.

Odysseus

The main thing I would say to you is you need to give any type of therapy time, it is very understandable that you can't say why your unhappy, if you could you would'nt need therapy. It will take time to develope a therapeutic relationship. Would you consider also going back to your GP about starting back on your meds, some meds can take a while to start working, so you need to give them a chance. Best of luck with it.

hello_kitty

Here's a little update.. I'm back on the tablets since monday so hopefully they will start working as i'm really at my lowest point and find it very difficult to see a happy future for myself.
If anybody could recommend a counsellor/psychotherapist etc would you plse pm me the details. I'm reluctant to just pick one from golden pages. tks

seanieclarke

i always found that music cheered me up.

you WILL get through this and be much better for the experience