Posted by Charm on June 10, 2004, at 11:40:47
In reply to PLEASE READ!!, posted by pretty_paints on June 10, 2004, at 9:50:48
> Hiya guys, wondering if any of you can help...
>
> I live in the UK and suffer from major depression, anxiety and mild OCD. In January I had a kind of break down, had to leave Uni and ever since, Iv been at home. Iv tried Prozac, but that didnt do enough, so now I'm on Efexor. I was on 75mg for a month and then 150mg for nearly two. My GP refered me to a mental health clinic a while back, it took a long time to all go through though, and then I had to be interviewed and blah blah, but finally today I got to see a psychiatrist. She was really nice and I was in there for nearly an hour and a half. She seemed to have no problem at all with increasing the dose, 225mg for one month and then up to 300mg if I still am not feeling right. And then maybe add something to it after that, if needed. This surprised me as my GP seemed wary of going over 150mg.
>
> Aaanyway, the point of this email is that the pyschiatrist said that I had a really clear biological illness, basically brain misfunction if you like. Theres nothing obvious in my past which could have caused all this really. Happy childhood etc. However the last few years have been miserable, and then the stresses of starting Uni and everything pushed me to breaking point. I am having pyschotherapy though as I know that there are still quite a few issues that need to be resolved (well, I think, I dont feel like I *know* anything for sure right now!).
>
> HOWEVER the thing that really worries me is that because its biological, it means I'm prone to the depression returning in the future. I'm so upset, I can't believe this. I feel like I only just survived THIS episode. No way could I go through all that again. The only people who have really stuck by me and been wonderful are my parents, and its been a huge stress for them I'm sure. In terms of my friends, they either didnt understand it, or they didnt want to know, or they wanted to help but couldnt. Oh I dunno, I just feel like Iv lost so many people through having this depression. You push everyone away dont you, when really you need people more than ever. And I think that only those people who love you unconditionally stick around...
>
> So now I'm just really worried. Im not in a relationship right now, but I cant imagine myself ever being in one now because I just cant believe that anyone would put up with me and stick around if I had another episode. What if my parents arnt around next time to help?
>
> And in terms of the meds, what if I come off them after 6 months, wont I just go back to being depressed again? What if I get depressed at another point, but this time the meds dont work at all and I end up forever depressed??!! Argh its so hard. I cant think. Should I stay on the meds continually?? What does that do? Or is it better to keep coming off and going back on?
>
> I feel so worried. Has anyone been in my situation? What did u do, in terms of meds? The psychiatrist said it probably wouldnt be like that, coz I'd recognise symptoms and learn to live with it... :o( I'm worried that I wont... And also, why did it come around at about age 18? Is that normal?
>
> Help! I have no clue about these things anymore! I used to, but now I realise that I dont :o(
>
> Thanks anyone xxxxxx
Hi Pretty Paints!Chances are that after finding a regeim of psych meds that work for you any lapses that you have back to a depressed state won't be as bad as before you started medication. Taking meds for the rest of your life isn't such a bad thing, especially when compared to all the suffering that depression causes. It's also good news that you have a doctor now who is willing to aggressively treat your condition. Under treatment is a common problem and keeps so many of us from getting the improvement we need.
Please wait till you've had a chance to stabilize with your new medications before making a rash decision regarding relationships. My husband just takes my "downs" in stride and doesn't under or over-react to them. I think once your meds kick in and you have more confidence you'll want to start creating/maintining relationships again.
On your GP, my guess is that your general practitioner was just uncomfortable with his knowledge of psychiatric medications hence his hesitency to increase your dose.
Good Luck, gal!
Charm
poster:Charm
thread:355369
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040608/msgs/355409.html