Quote:
Originally Posted by scaredandconfused
Sorry to hear that you had such bad side effects, and that you weren't given any info on the drug you were taking. I am curious, where do you live? Here in Canada they have always given me information on any new meds I am taking. I recently started a medication for nightmares and the doctor and pharmacist let me know potential side effects and all that fun stuff.
I take an anti-depressant and can't honestly say 100% whether or not it's making a big difference. I feel better, but is that because of the AD, or another factor? I would like to think that it's helping, if even a bit. Fortunately it's free so that helps the decision making process a bit.
Honestly, things like exercise and socializing with others make a more noticeable difference (for me) than medication does. It may feel patronizing when your therapist encourages you to get outside daily, but it is a healthy thing to do if you are able.
If you are going through a severe depression though, I imagine during the hardest times you are probably laying down a lot, possibly sleeping the day away. You find it hard to do even the simplest tasks, everything is exhausting. So when you hear "just go outside, do some exercise, talk to a friend" it feels patronizing because it feels impossible to get out of bed, how are you supposed to go outside?  During those times, be especially kind and gentle with yourself. Celebrate small victories such as taking a shower, or eating something healthy.
During my worst depression ever in the hospital, I stopped eating and stayed in bed most of the time. ECT was the only thing to bring me out of that one. It was far more effective than any medication I've taken, and would recommend it as a LAST CASE SCENARIO treatment, simply because of the memory side effects. If there were no side effects from ECT, I'd probably be doing maintenance treatments to this day. Just something else to consider if things get so bad that nothing else helps.  |
Thanks. I am in the U.S. I don't know why they didn't discuss side effects. Maybe because family doctors dispense AD's like candy? And usually you get a pamphlet with the drug but I remember the pharmacist just told me that there was a possibility of suicidal ideation with teens so I didn't need to worry. Not true, anyway. After I researched it I found some adults to have this reaction to the drug I was given.
I have stopped day sleeping. I forced myself into a normal sleep schedule so that's good.
I suppose going out doesn't interest me because I have no money, and really it can be lonelier going out in a crowd when you are depressed.
Right now I am looking for a job. It seems insane to go from being in bed to going out and working but for me there will probably be no in-between.
In the U.S. I have a high deductible which means I have to pay for everything. ECT would be out of the question because of the cost as I am already in debt. I could no afford memory loss.
I don't know. I am severely depressed and at the same time the expectation is that I am supposed to go from this to be highly functioning. I can't afford therapy, hospitalization, ECT, drugs or any of it.
I am stuck.
And I am the only one who is going to get me out of this.
Also, I really hate where I live at the moment (not just my apt. but the city and state) so I kind of hate going outside because it reminds me of that. But I am certain that has to do with the depression.
I think I will try to establish getting out to walk at least twice a day to get unstuck. Thanks.
