[Elana05]

I have had the diagnosis of depression for about four years but things haven't been this bad in a long time. I have been hesitating going on antidepressants. I did try them once, only for a few weeks, and I had several panic attacks so instead I went back to being maxed out on St. John's Wort. These days therapy alone isn't doing the trick to end the physical feelings of depression. Today I literally ran to the phone to call the psychopharm. my therapist gave me. I can't take it anymore. I know it is probably due to some triggers in my relationship and otherwise as well as my usual awful PMS symptoms. But I will take all of the side-effects the pharmaceuticals throw at me to just stop feeling this way.

[googley]

(((((((((((((Elana))))))))))))))



I hope you find something that works for you.

[crazyman28]

Hi,

I've been on one medication or the other for years and still haven't found the one that I want to stick with. Although I believe my problem is bigger than depression, the medication that I have been on has helped me immensely. I was in the middle of a deep depression until I was diagnosed and given medication. I now able to better handle the depression. If you find that one medication doesn't work then tell you doctor and you can try another. It may take awhile to find the right medication for you but in the end I think that you will be feeling a lot better. With therapy and medication you can recover from depression!

Best of luck,

Crazyman28

[Can't Stop Crying]

Finding the right med combo can be tough, but if you are struggling this much, meds might help you cope. I know there are conflicting views on medication, but I can honestly tell you that meds saved my life

Elana,

You mentioned that you had a trigger from your relationship. Are you in therapy? I found that the therapy has helped more so than the meds in the long run. The therapy has enabled me to wean off the meds, not that I won't go back on in the future, I may but with therapy I have found that I am better able to manage my feelings and not get stuck in that suicidal depression.

love and hugs,
Tara

[Elana05]

(((Thanks everyone.)))
I am a very visual person, so lately I have been imagining my depression as a bar (like in a bar graph). Half of the bar goes to "thought patterns" and the other half goes to the "physical part of depression." I am working very hard to change my "thought patterns" by going to therapy twice a week as well as doing 12 step programs and reading the literature. I am maxed out on that half.
The other half, I have been "managing" with St. John's Wort and exercise for almost 2 years. But it's just not doing the trick anymore. I'm trying to push through but the physical sensations are so uncomfortable: racing thoughts, heaviness in the chest, lump in the throat, empty feeling. I just wish there was a little something to alleviate the more physical symptoms of depression, while I work on the roots and causes...