Posted by Arrianna on September 1, 2003, at 16:40:06
In reply to is this a life-long disease? , posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 15:35:22
> I've been depressed/anxious for over five years--on meds for almost 2. Since starting meds I'll have periods of feeling pretty good but these are always followed by times of feeling worse than Ive every felt before. Each time I up my dose or change my meds and again feel better for a few months until another wave of this depression hits me again.
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> Does anybody get "cured" of their biochemical depression? Mental illness definitely runs in my family--but does that mean Im going to have to be periodically practically debilitated with depression, social anxiety, all the dispair for the rest of my life?
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> Have others experienced this periodic relapse? And has anyone stopped meds or found one med that worked for them for more than six months in a row? I dont know if I just need to get used to this or if I should take more meds or what!! Please help.
> marip
> ps. i am in psychotherapy and it helps me deal but cant take the edge off the depression and all its aweful symptoms.Hi Marip. Sounds like you've been through alot. I don't know if I have any helpful answers for you since I am not a professional. But, I recently asked my pdoc the same question.
What she told me is that everyone is different. Although the med may work for a time, it may at some time "seem" to lose it's effectiveness, not because of "poop out" or that it's not working anymore, but because of perhaps a situation in one's life that may cause the depression or anxiety to flare up.
I also asked her if I stopped taking my AD if I could expect to have my anxiety, etc. to come back. Again what she told me is that everyone is different. For some, it may come back right away, and then, if it's necessary, they may want to go back on a AD. For others, she said one could be "fine" for 3 years and then it'll come back or not.
So, I guess from what she said, it's different for everyone, so you just need to do what's best and feels right for you.
Hope this helps in some way. Hang in there and I wish that all works out for you. The rollercoaster ride on Lexapro has smoothed out for me so far.
Arrianna
poster:Arrianna
thread:256155
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030828/msgs/256167.html