Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Hi all - I feel so...I don't know what word to use to describe what I'm feeling. All I know is that I spoke with my friend today that gave me this outlook, and it confuses me. I mean I got into a "funk" during the holidays and went to the doctor, and she perscribed an AD (Celexa) which was ok, but the jaw clenching and headaches were unbearable. Now I'm on Prozac, and it's been almost 2 weeks, and honestly, I feel worse than I did before I talked to my doc. Can psychotherapy alone help one "out of the funk" without meds? I mean, I just feel worse being on the meds. I just feel I focus on things "negatively" more. I'm not feeling the benefits of it. Anyone else experience that?
deleted_user
Unfortunately, it's a crap shoot with AD meds. I know I've tried a couple that made me feel worst. As it was explained to me, there are dozens of meds and it sometimes takes a year or more to find the right "cocktail". Don't give up hope and remember the meds will only help, the keys for me are the therapy and positive thinking skills I learned in my intensive outpatient program. In fact, I went back a few weeks ago as the holidays were rough, especially being separated from my wife. Just keep on talking and think about positive things. Do enjoyable activities. Anything that takes your mind off your troubles. I've become quite adept at jigsaw puzzles, especially at 4:00 AM
deleted_user
It all depends. I have a chemical inbalance so i need my meds. If you only been on meds for 2 weeks that isn't enough time for it to work. give it a good 6 weeks.
deleted_user
With a serious depression, yes, you probably need meds. You have tried two meds that are very similar. Talk to your doctor about trying a medication from a different family of drugs.
deleted_user
I've been on 4 different meds. and nothing has worked so far. If I was you I would get threated. If you decide to go to therapy without meds then see how it helps, if not, then go on meds, but definitely keep trying because something has got to work.
deleted_user
I agree with honeybun, youve gotta give it several weeks to see if its workin. You usually will feel the negative side effects for the first couple of weeks and then they subside, so maybe thats why you feel bad. Therapy can help, it also just really depends on whether you are clinically depressed or not. If it has to do with your brain chemistry, usually medication is necessary. Just make sure you are not telling yourself that the meds won't work, because then that can really hurt your outlook.
butterflyxlife
For some people, medication is the answer, for others, it just takes learning how to view the positive and making positive changes in your life. Therapy didn't really work for me, what worked for me, was finding the right medication, and changing how I responded to things- changing what I found important to me- changing what I did during the day- volunteering, finding purpose and feeling important within myself have helped me the most-
deleted_user
I'm a firm believer in medications, ask your Doctor if you can take your medication at bedtime. That way you can sleep thou any side affects if that's whats going on. I'm in agreement that medication can take several weeks before you start feeling better, & sometimes you may need to try several other meds before finding the right one for you. Don't give up, better days are just around the corner...
starfish
Usually, with ongoing depression that does not go away, meds and therapy at the same time are most effective. There are 4 or 5 basic types of antid's and there are several different drugs of each type. Sometimes it takes some trial and error to find what works for you. Even a different drug of the same type may work, depending on why the first one didn't, so don't give up. You have already tried a couple in the SSRI (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitor) family, so maybe one from another family will work. SSRI's work by recycling the seratonin instead of letting your body absorb it and break it back down. Some of the newer AD's like Cymbalta work on seratonin and norepinephrine, so there is a double action. I just started taking Cymbalta, and so far nothing really bad has happened.
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