Return to anti-depressants?

[linedancer16]

Need some opinions on what to do next! In Jan 2010 I was put on anti-depressants following the death of my Mum, and my son moving in with his girlfriend, leaving just me at home (I'm divorced). I was on Cipralex, first 10mg then reducing down to 5mg. After a few weeks, I felt fine again and was coping with being on my own very well. This continued all the rest of last year and by Jan of this year, I was only taking the 5mg two or three times a week. The doctor said I could then come off if I felt I could, so by the end of Feb, I had stopped altogether.All was well for a month but then at the beginning of last month -April-the symptoms began again and I'm feeling really low. Yesterday, I went to the doctor and he suggested I went back on to the 5mg Cipralex for 2/3 months and then see how I felt .Not sure I want to go back on the tablets as I dont want to be taking them all the time but wondered if anyone else has had this happen. Does there come a time when you dont need them at all? Will I eventually feel better if I dont go back on them?

[China Doll]

You'd probably need to address the issues that made you depressed or at the very least learn to spot your triggers for depression if it's no one thing but rather just something that seems to happen to you from time to time. I imagine a counsellor would be able to help with that, why don't you ask your GP to refer you to one so you can talk it through? There's often quite a long list so it may be a good idea if you are feeling very low to take the tablets as recommended by GP if you think you're going to feel much worse before you see someone. Or go private if you can afford it.

[anneasquith]

a psychologist i know. suggest reducing anti depressents should be an extremely slow process,.............. ie reduce medication by only 1 tab per week. may take a while, but prevents rebound , good luck.

[linedancer16]

Hi! What triggered it this time was a lovely weekend with my two sons and the feelings of being on my own again when they had gone back! Silly, I know! It may help to talk to some one. I'll have to ask at the doctors. Thanks.

[ummmm]

Feeling really low and being depressed are two different things. I felt really low...and I mean really low...after my Dad died. I knew what was wrong with me. It was called grief. So maybe you should see a bereavement counsellor. It took about 2 years before my partner started seeing the old me coming back....

[ummmm]

Are you lonely linedancer?

[linedancer16]

Maybe it is still linked to losing Mum as she had dementia on top of other things and it was extremely distressing and I wondered if we could have managed her care differently at the time (18 months ago). I miss having someone around the house as company, not as in a relationship, but thats not easy to put right. Is that being lonely? I've been divorced for many years and have always been quite happy until the boys left home. I have plenty of friends and keep busy but at the moment theres no enjoyment in any thing and I'm on the verge of tears a lot of the time. Anyway, I'm getting carried away here but its helped to put things down in writing! Thanks everyone!

[ummmm]

18 months is no time at all. Don't take this wrong...but especially if you perked yourself up with meds.

Friends can't completely fill the gap of loved ones....I wouldn't necessarily call it loneliness, but a form of it. It's completely understandable though. My OH could never live on his own....he needs company.