Anti Depressants Modern Life

[nailit]

Are anti depressants a modern day con?
Apart from myself I know many people who are prescribed these meds (inc friends who have committed suicide in the past).
Ive been on meds for over 3 years and am on the verge of binning them and to hell with the consequences. Been on meds has not solved any of the problems that led to me been on them in the first place....relationship breakup, unemployment, constantly been judged by my past, living on benefits when I know Im capable of more, etc.
I know about the serotonin angle but keeping things at bay will not prevent the dam from bursting, and its bursting now.

I cant stand the thought....or take another day....of thinking that the rest of my life will be spent watching Ant and Dec on a saturday night while worrying about the bills that will come on Monday morning!!!
And that maybe everything will be ok ONE day, because that day never arrives.

Sorry for the rant.

[Elina]

How are you nailit?

[ummmm]

I've never experienced depression so can't pretend to know how it feels.

I do know that antidepressants do work though.

I really feel that you're too hard on yourself sometimes. Most people in your situation would feel really negative feelings. There are people out there that won't judge you by your past, you just haven't met them yet.

I know it's a catch 22 situation. Living on benefits is not easy, despite what some people on here think! and you need money to get out there...even the price of a bus is expensive when you're on limited funds.

Talk to us nailit....talking is used as a form of therapy xx

Nailit....I used to run a business and many of our employees had dubious pasts. We didn't care so there's bound to be more with the same sort of attitude to us.

[nailit]

Thanks for all your support guys. I'm sorry, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself when I posted this last night. I'd drank my bill money (what a walley...) and ive got a really bad chest infection to boot. On top of that the mental health services want to discharge me from their services as they seem to think that now Im on meds and had a course of CBT that Im ok. Not that Im bothered if they did as they have been pretty useless...constantly changeing appointments at the last minute etc (thats when they can be bothered to actually give me an appointment)
Anneasquith, have just reread my posts from last night and have to apologize to you. My reply to you re drinking didnt come out as intended, I wasnt been sarcastic, I was trying to say that my state of mind wasnt caused by drink (although it obviously didnt help) Ive got a bee in my bonnet about blaming substance abuse for problems as Ive lost more than one friend in the past who have committed suicide because mental health services refused to listen to them and blamed their problems on drink rather than understanding that they were drinking to cope with their problems. I can get quiet vocal about it and when trying to get things across in type it can come across quiet different than intended, I apologize.
Thanks again all for your support.

[ummmm]

Nailit...I think you should use this site to sound off. Or email me or kylesmum xx

[nailit]

Thanks ummm. I just get a little despondent every now and then. x

[ummmm]

He is helping himself. He's talking to us.

[nailit]

I know naval, like I said I just get a bit despondent every now and then.

[nailit]

It doesnt help at the moment as I have a severe chest infection. I gave up smoking a couple of months ago and get this lol.

[kylesmum]

I emailed you last night nailit. Have a wee look when you get a minute .It's not always easy to put your frustration into words but I reckon you are doing a good job and should continue doing so..
you have a lot of friends here who opened up to you last night about their own personal experiences.Take care pal x

[nailit]

Thanks KM, will have a gander in a mo. Just going jump in the bath to freshen up a bit. Hope a bit of steam might ease my chest a bit....Im coughing for England.

[Elina]

Thanks for getting back nailit x

[anneasquith]

nailit, you have nothing to apologize to me for, as you see things at the moment your life/future is crap, I don't blame you for feeling that way. with luck some days may be better than others, maybe see gp re chest infection. take care .

[chrissa1]

I didn't contribute to your post last night, nailit but, read it with interest and concern.
If you've just given up smoking, this maybe the cause of your bad chest. I've heard a lot about this happening to reformed smokers.

I take anti-depressants and they are solely, in my opinion, the reason for my staying off the booze for 7 years now. I figure that's enough for me and so haven't quit the evil weed.

Keep strong and take care.

[ladyalex]

I don't think I can add much to what has already been said about antidepressants, nailit. Just wanted to say hang in there and please try giving up the booze and wacky baccy (don't know if you indulge or not so apologies if you don't) . They truly make things worse.
Hope your chest infection improves soon.
Good luck. :-))

[jd_1984]

Ok, I have some experience of this and for me, the positive lifestyle changes that I made were what saved me, not the medication. What the medication did do for me was make the stressful things in life a bit more bearable, which in turn allowed to me to start making changes for the better.
Medication is not a quick fix, it is also not something you should stay on indefinitely.
Have you tried counselling combined with medication?
Have you discussed changing the dosage of the medication or trying another medication all together?
Do you try to exercise regularly?
Can you speak to family and friends about this or are you isolated?
It does sound like you are in a bit of a crisis at the moment, the way you say you cant settle because of the inevitable "bills coming on monday". All I can say is you are not alone on this. We all find it hard to enjoy the moment we are in because of stress that is on the horizon, that is life I am afraid.
Time for a cliché - YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE. Easy to say and easy to preach but its bloody true, so try to make changes and get some enjoyment back in your life. Set reasonable goals, make achievable plans and take the medication in conjunction. If you find sitting in the house is stressful because the mind wanders - Get out the house, go for a walk, exercise, see family and friends. You know you are capable of more, that's a great start, so many people get depressed because of low self worth where as you know you can do better!
I think there is a degree of placebo effect with AD meds BUT mental health is still health, and pills will balance the chemicals in your brain.

[nailit]

Thanks for additional replies guys.
Dont feel to great at the mo but appriciate your imput and replies, thanks again.

[seekeerz]

Glad to see you posting nailit, hang in there mate, it will get better :))

[ladyalex]

Keep on keeping on, nailit.