I've been on and off antidepressants for a long time. Have a few questions. And yes, I do have an appt with my doc tomorrow, but I want to ask you guys too.
When I go off them, I cry every day, several times a day, am extremely sensitive, no energy, constant negative attitude/ mood, can't enjoy anything and can't hold a job. I have tried CBT, psychologists, diet, exercise, sucking it up and hanging in there, and it is hell. The thing is, my life is close to perfect, I should not be depressed.
Questions:
Am I normal (with bad coping skills?) or do I have a depressive disorder?
If I have a depressive disorder, why? I even took a dna test which said I don't have the "depression gene". Have I been on antidepressants too long? Childhood issues? Did my mom drink while pregnant or something?
Should I go back on the meds (your opinion) or should I try toughing it out? (I have seen several psychologists who just blow me off and tell me there is nothing wrong with me)...
I want to go off the meds and be normal, but every attempt has been a failure. The last time I tried (recently) my family members all begged me to go back on them.
My opinion would be to go back on the anti-depressants. You can try to live up to your standard of being "normal" and not take anti-depressants. However, I don't think crying all the time, having no energy, being apathetic and being so depressed you're unable to work is normal either. I don't think taking anti-depressants makes you a weak or abnormal person. You've tried a variety of treatment methods and only medication has worked for you. I don't think this says anything bad about you. All it means is your brain functions better with anti-depressants than without.
I don't know if you'll find an answer as to why you suffer from depression, but I think it'll be much easier to do the searching when you're feeling healthy and like yourself as opposed to feeling miserable and apathetic.
I'm not familiar with a dna test for depression but I don't think the results are applicable to you. You know you suffer from depression and you know you function much better when you're taking anti-depressants.
The Following User Says Thank You to flamesabers For This Useful Post: coffeemom30 (04-25-2012)
If the "real" doctors are not interested in helping in the way you need, try an alternative, nutropath(??), chiropractic, etc...There is a difference between depression as a mental health issue, and depression as a physiologic response, you may be lacking vital nutrients.
Hope this helps, don't give up, be your own advocate!
The Following User Says Thank You to jasgorsky For This Useful Post: coffeemom30 (04-25-2012)
My opinion would be to go back on the anti-depressants. You can try to live up to your standard of being "normal" and not take anti-depressants. However, I don't think crying all the time, having no energy, being apathetic and being so depressed you're unable to work is normal either. I don't think taking anti-depressants makes you a weak or abnormal person. You've tried a variety of treatment methods and only medication has worked for you. I don't think this says anything bad about you. All it means is your brain functions better with anti-depressants than without.
I don't know if you'll find an answer as to why you suffer from depression, but I think it'll be much easier to do the searching when you're feeling healthy and like yourself as opposed to feeling miserable and apathetic.
I'm not familiar with a dna test for depression but I don't think the results are applicable to you. You know you suffer from depression and you know you function much better when you're taking anti-depressants.
Thanks, the test was "23andme", tells you how likely you are (genetically) to suffer from various conditions. I know it isn't the oracle or anything but I was surprised to see the result, since my parents always told me it is genetic (dad has depression as well).
Not sure what to do at the moment. I took a pill this morning for the placebo effect I guess... but not sure if I want to go back on them completely, yet.
They do work, they're great, but they make me sleepy and thin my hair.
