Posted by bonnie_ann on April 8, 2001, at 9:54:54
In reply to New and nervous, posted by NotJulie on April 7, 2001, at 23:33:12
> Hi - I'm glad I found this thread.
>
> I've just been prescribed Celexa to aid my situation-specific depression. I've had down times before, but this has been unbearable, so I picked up the phone and called a psychiatrist. (I am also in the market for a therapist) He said I was on the fence, but that prescribing an AD was a method of preventing further slips into depression in response to negative situations in the future. He likened it to wearing a path in the woods - once the path is there, it's easier to go down it again.
>
> In reading these postings, I'm getting nervous that I may become dependent on the drug. My intention is for it to help me out of my current largest-funk-of-my-entire-life-that's-preventing-me-from-seeing-the-forest-for-the-trees and then get OFF. From what I'm reading here, it seems that ADs are addictive.
>
> I've taken *one* 20mg pill so far, and I woke up at 5am this morning after 4 hours of sleep, extremely anxious. I've spent all day feeling "speedy", but not in a productive way, rather in a very anxious way. I had hot flashes last night and have had chills during the day.
>
> I called the psychiatrist's after-hours number this morning and he advised me to break the next pill in half a give it a few days to kick in. Another friend assured me that on day three she felt a lot better, with a better world outlook.
>
> I intend to take this stuff the prescribed 6-8 months, and then leave it behind. Is this realistic? I do not want to be making a lifestyle choice by starting to take this medication.You sound like me, except I was also anxious and panicky - I thought I was losing my mind. IME the anti-depressants are a tool. They help ease the discomfort of the symptoms (in most cases).
My first trial was fine, I got off and had to go right back on again. I hadn't learned anything- I didn't no how to deal with the symptoms when they returned. I highly recommend therapy CBT if you can find it and joining a self-help group, I know you've probably heard this a hundred times- you recovery is all up to you , there isn't a magic pill yet.
As far as taking medication forever - who cares, what's important is that you still can function.
Try reading Ed Bourne Anxiety/Panic workbook.
Good Luck,
Bonnie
poster:bonnie_ann
thread:3323
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010403/msgs/59100.html