Antidepressants - I dont want to take them :(

JamJam30

Hello Everyone

I have been in a huge stress for a few months and I finally visited my GP today and he gave me 1 week off ( Work related stress ) and he gave me efexor xl 37.5 mg antidepressant...

I am really in stress due to my work maybe I am in depression but I really do not want to take antidepressants, I have read that they make you eat more and when you want to withdraw from the antidepressant you feel even worse , and I am not really feeling comfortable taking medicine and now it gives me another reason to stress.

Can I talk to my GP and If I say I do not want to take them will it cause me problems ? I really have low mood but I really do not think I want to be cured with antidepressants but I also dont want problems with my GP

What are my rights as a patient ?

angeline

You don't have to take the medication if you don't want to. Explain how you feel to your doctor. He/she will understand. Perhaps enquire about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or some type of talking therapy instead of taking medication. If that doesn't work and you still feel very low maybe you will re-evaluate your views on medication. 37.5mg is a very low dose of Effexor so it wouldn't be too hard coming off that dose.

doccy

Get a second opinion. The cause of your stress is linked to your work by the sounds of it, and while that stress continues no pill in the world is going to aleviate the underlying causes of your anxiety and stress. This in turn will lead to confusion, and depression.

Of course you can tell your doctor you do not wish to take anti depressants. At the very least he should recommend counselling as an alternative to medication. As the poster said above medication may be the correct course, but you have the right to try all methods.

Google this lady - Dr Claire Weekes. She gives information on the physical and psychological causes of anxiety, and understanding what happens during stress and anxiety takes a lot of the confusion away.

amdublin

I don't think anyone should be giving medical advice to this poster aside from their GP etc

amdublin

Ps. jamjam - I wish you the best and hope you feel better soon. I think you should go back to your GP and discuss your options

Brian?

I'm sorry but medical advice isn't allowed on the forum. I do sympathise with your plight and hope you get it sorted out.