Some help with coping with depression please?

Question

I was first prescribed effexor 12 years ago for post natal depression. My father in law died the week before our son was born - his first granchild. I was on it for 18 months and then again 6 years later during a period of real stress at work. That was a year. Then again 3.5 years later for 3 years when my mother in law was diagnosed with cancer and I lost 3 family members and 3 friends in 12 months. I nursed my MIL and finally lost her 2 years ago within 10 hours of losing my dog. I was on effexor - gradually reducing until 1 month ago - when it all went wrong. GP stopped the Effexor and put me on prozac, 20 mg. For the last month I have had really ups and really bads downs, anger in quite explosive bursts - I always had the awful sweats and for the last year unbearably itchy upper arms. Now I am beginning to wonder if I will ever get better - and if I do will it always be with pills - and is that a bad thing?
Your opinions and experiences might help me feel normal again.

I've tried counselling - 3 different times - it didn't work - I am interested in the meditation aspect though.

Just knowing that so many other people have the same "feelings" and I'm not really crazy helps

I'm going to choose the best answer - but each answer here gave me information and hope - thank you to everyone who took the time to care about someone else.

Answer 1

www.guyfinley.com, completely changed the direction of my life. Buy his books. Read them, they'll change your outlook. Vernon Howard, his books might be even better.

Jonathan Haidt (a psychologist), the book called "Happiness Hypothesis". He mentions three different methods of turning your life around into happiness. 1)Meditation, 2)Positive Cognitive Therapy (look it up, seriously, this is probably the main one that changed my life around). And unfortunately third he mentioned Prozac, but he said with meditation (which has scientifically proven positive psychological results such as higher self-esteem, more trust of others, and overall better feelings), and cognitive therapy should be enough.

Before I stumbled onto this stuff, I was living in an insecure, dark, threatening cloud, and I was never happy (If I was it was short lived), but now, although it hasn't happened overnight, I've become a lot more happy, and I love life and its experiences way more, and its getting better by the day. Trust me here.

Email me if you got any questions, I was once there before.

Flowers, even when completely withered up and dry, as long as they are not dead, will come back to bloom beautifully if given the right conditions. These are the right conditions.

Answer 2

You might have to convince your doctor to place you back on the Effexor. They switched me to lamictal after being on effe. for several months and I noticed it didn't work at all. I'm back on the effexor and my mood has improved. It sounds like you haven't had time to grieve or recover from grieving over your loved ones. Maybe you need some time away from work and therapy. As for staying on the medication, if you have a chemical imbalance you may have to take the medication to keep your moods stable. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. It is like taking blood pressure medications-you don't like to but if you don't take them you end up in worse shape. I have finally given up on trying to do it on my own without the meds. I can't tell you that you won't have any bad days, you'll still have those but they'll be easier to cope with.
Another thing, make sure that you are being treated and appropriately diagnosed by a psychiatrist, they know what medications or combinations of medications work best for the symptoms you are having, more so than a general practitioner. I was misdiagnosed and that's why antidepressants like prozac, zoloft and paxil didn't work for me.

Answer 3

Seems like you might want to talk to another doctor, one who hasn't been with you through your history....it doesn't seem like your GP has done much at all to help you. Get a second or even a third opinion before trying new prescriptions. Depression is exhausting so to boost energy I would suggest exercise and sunlight. You'll sleep well at night after working out which will help you get through the next day and sunlight seems to help me when I'm feeling down. You might want to consider a psychiatrist or counselor as well, some people feel they help, others not at all...it depends on the person. Good luck and keep smiling!

Answer 4

First of all, I would talk to your Gp about the symptoms you described. As far as depression goes, sometimes it's a chemical imbalance caused by external factors and sometimes there is no tangible reason for the imbalance. Sometimes depression can be a genetic thing.

I would try counseling. They can help you find out the root of your depression. Also, there is a book that might help ( The Feeling Good Handbook) and exercise boosts your serotonin. Another thing that might help is light therapy.

Answer 5

I suggest you listen to some spirtual discources .
One such would be
http://www.live365.com/stations/ishayoga

Also listen to people like OSHO , it helps to get a better perspective of life . Its not Hinduistic or anything , infact these people are just Spiritual Gurus with no bias towards any religion caste or creed .
Their ideas are pretty helpful for ur personal enhancement as well ..

Also try to meditate , think into urself ...All these helps relieve unwanted stress . I used to have a feeling of 100 Kg on my head and I thought thats the end of it , I am having something serious ...depression ... but after I pratcised meditation /yoga and read some good spiritual stuffs , now I feel better . I just hpe to continue practising .
Good Luck

Answer 6

I complained about troubles coping with work, and my doctor prescribed me effexor. I guess I was on it a year or so. I went off it of my own volition. Those effects you are suffering now might be side effects of your Prozac. You might find improvements come by themselves, but pills will help you probably. It is fine if you need medication to help you be normal.

Answer 7

Don't be afraid to use the pills to stabilize yourself, but never be far from your physician or therapist. Some people just cope better than others. You may never get off of any kind of drug at all but you should be able to find a better level of coping. Quality of life is very important. I'm sorry for all of your losses. As for feeling normal, I'm not sure that really exists except in the movies.

Answer 8

hi, i was prescribed citalopram about 10 years ago which is ok if taking pils is ok but you tend to get really flat stages, niether high nor low. the only thing i can say that might help is dont give up hope. if you are unhappy with your prescription ask your gp for a different one, if you are unhappy with your gp, replace him/her too ! you are in charge...!!... living by taking meds isnt a bad thing, ive been on other medication since 1975.

Answer 9

aww babes you do have some bad luck
Just try and think to yourself that if you are that 'down' the only way is up.
Sometimes couselling can help depression, Please dont confuse depression with grieving we are all allowed to grieve
remember too that when your job stresses you out IT IS ONLY A JOB you can and must walk away from it when 5.30 comes and dont take the stress of the job home with you you need to forget all the work related probs as you walk out the work place
Good Luck in your improvement may it be swift and prolonged

Answer 10

I know how you feel, my dad has depression and it IS very hard. Just pray to God, but if your not a Christian, don`t be afraid to ask for medication. It does help. Ask your Doctor. You may want to try therapy also. Rely on your loved ones for mental support. Just remember that not everybody hates you. Life CAN and WILL get better. Keep trying!!!! :)