Need some tips

I've suffered from anxiety since childhood and depression since high school. I started taking meds when I was 25 and have never felt like they helped out much but I keep on taking them. I'm now in my 40's, married with 3 kids. I'd like to find out if anyone else has suffered for so long, even while taking meds?

My mood is all over the place any given week. Some days I have severe anxiety, others, deeply depressed, others pretty normal. During the normal days I work extra hard to undo the damage from the anxiety/depressed days. I just never know what to expect, and I think that causes the most anxiety.

Does anyone else have these mood swings within a one week period for such a long period of time? Is this typical? My pdoc thinks I'm nuts because one day I'm the verge of a breaking down, and a week later, I say everything is going pretty well.

Thanks everyone.

Hello and welcome to PC! I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I am in my 40's also and have had anxiety and depression since my teens. I, however, have responded well to meds. I do still have issues with depression and anxiety on meds, but they are more managable and less frequent.

I'm curious, have you ever been in therapy? I found therapy to be just as important, if not moreso, as meds to help me feel better. And I'm a bit concerned that you say your pdoc thinks you are nuts. If your meds aren't working have you tried different ones? Maybe that would help?

As for your questions about typical, I really think there is no typical in mental illness. We are all different. I think it is not unusual for some people to have dramatic mood swings even on medication, especially if it is not the right type of medication.

I'm glad you are here and hope to keep hearing from you on these threads!

Thanks for your reply. I've never tried therapy. I saw a counselor who taught me some breathing exercises to relax and told me to keep a diary of my emotions, but it hasn't helped much. What kind a therapy has helped you? What does it consist of? Psychologist or MFT? I really don't know where to start.

Hi ~ Have you had the dosage adjusted on your meds? Many times the dosage just isn't right, and we have to "play around" with it (the doctor has to do this of course). Usually it has to be increased after we've been on it awhile as the doctor usually starts pretty low to see how we react to it.

I have a feeling your dosage just isn't right. Talk with your doctor and tell him what you've told us -- and you think the dosage needs to be increased. You can't keep liviing like this cause what's the point of being on these meds if they don't work at all?? It's ridiculous!

I wish you the very best. Please let us know what happens, will you? God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

Thanks so much Lee. For 15 years I was taking Effexor. This last year my pdoc switched me to 60mg Cymbalta b/c Effexor "pooped out". I haven't been off meds completely for over 15 years and don't know what to expect if I ever tried. Maybe I should try, although I'm sure the pdoc will recommend against it.

If it hasn't worked for 15 years, time to try something new. Maybe a new med, maybe no meds. Personally, I don't ever see meds as the answer.

But go see a therapist, apparently therapy + meds is like twice as effective as just one or the other.

You don't have to listen to your Pdoc, especially if they don't seem sensitive to you. Ask them questions, pry until you find the answers. If they can't answer, they're not trying hard enough to help you.

If you go into therapy, make sure you let the intake person know exactly what kind of experience you'd like, ask what people normally get from it, just ask all the questions on your mind.

If you do decide to stop your meds, definitely do it WITH the doctor's assistance...(I say this because I stopped cold turkey after 8 years WITHOUT a doctor because I felt they weren't working, and without going into detail, I wouldn't recommend it.) But if you want to be OFF the meds, and the particular Pdoc you are going to won't help you, FIND another one! (if you can, I know that can be a chore...)

I am not on meds now, still, as I am afraid to start back up since stopping the way I did messed me up...but I too have my weeks/days like that. It's like a weird cycle. Anyway, When I find myself depressed, I will look up stupid things on YouTube, or funny pictures on the internet. I watch America's Funniest Home Videos, sometimes, that helps because it is so silly and dumb things going on that it makes me laugh...

Writing has helped me, but not journaling, really, I like to write poetry, which helps.
I don't really know what kind of therapy I go to, it's individual and we talk, so I guess talk therapy? I hope some of these suggestions helps?

(the games forum here helps me distract too...)

Yes I suffer with the same, maybe not to such a high level as you.
And I refuse anti depressants as they make me feel worse.

When I had really bad panic attacks and anxiety, I tried hypnotherapy this helped me to relax and build confidence, it didn't cure them but gave me motivation to get up and get out there. And eventually they stopped.
Now with the mood swings and depression. My depression is not as dark as it was back in January but the mood swings are in full force.
I find the gym really helps its hard to get into when your feelin low but it's amazingly surprising how good your mood is when you leave.
And a lot of doctors and therapists recommend this kind of therapy.
I hope this helps some what.
((Hugs))

There are times when my mood swings like crazy. You're not alone. I've been on various meds for over 20 years now. I still get depressed but its not as bad with meds as without.

Have you heard of mindfulness training? Google Jon Kabat Zinn. Or pick up 'mindful way through depression'. If meds don't work maybe this will. Look for the 'three minute breathing space'. It's pretty simple to try