Major Depression

Does anyone else suffer from major depression? I have fought it for years and was on medication for a long time. I decided to see if life was good without the meds and I find mylsef deteriorating day by day. I have been off the meds for about three months and I find nothing good about life. I have a great job, no baggage, lots of friends, can wear a size 14 (okay, I would like to be in a 10, but it looks like I am a 14 from here on out) and no reason to be depressed, so I do not believe it's situation depression. I am talking to a shrink this week to see if he thinks it's a good idea that I go back on the SSRI's. I cry all the time, every day, I can't make myself do anything. I am moving in two weeks and I haven't even started to pack The only time I find life tolerable is when I am not alone. Even talking to someone at work about work stuff makes me happier and as soon as I am back at my desk all alone I fall apart again. What a mess. -=db=-

Oh honey..... you suffer from a chemical imbalance. Go back on the meds. There is no shame in needing a little help (from meds) to get you back on your feet. I have been on Paxil since WAY before it became "trendy". Lol. Hang in there. We're all in the same boat, just some of us need different life preservers. Hugs. Kathy

I was having a hard time feeling anything when I was on the meds and felt like I wanted to feel something. Now I feel something, depression. I hate feeling so awful all the time. I hope I can find a happy medium where I don't have suicidal ideation yet I can still feel something some of the time. -=db=-

you need to see a doctor who specializes in medication management for depression, not your PCP. Please do yourself the favor of getting appropriate help. If the med you were on was flattening out your emotions it may not have been the right med or the right dose for YOU. there are 3 major neurotransmitters that affect mood and an imblance of any of them can cause dperession. Different antidepressants affect different neurotransmitters in different ways. there are many other classes of antidepressants than just SSRI's. A skilled psychiatrist can evaluate your symptoms and prescribe and anti depressant that may be better for you. It also requires close follow up. a PCP may just prescribe and "see ya next year". A good psychiatrist is going to be seeing you at least monthly initially to evaluate your symptoms and relief, until you are stable on your meds and then may see you less frequently. they will evaluate you for side effects such as flattened emotions, altered appetite, sleep, energy level etc. thisis as important as if you were diabetic and needed insulin. HUGS from another depression survivor who finally is getting it right thru the help of a skilled and campassionate shrink.

I totally agree with Kathy, and couldn't have said it better. Get yourself help, ASAP. There is no shame in needing help, I've been down the depression road, and believe me I wasn't living without meds. Hugs, Dana

Now you know... you need the chemical help. It was good to see if you still needed the meds. Looks like you do. Honestly, no shame in that. Please go back on the meds and get yourself to a better place. You have so much good going for you. Be well, Kathy

I suffer from it too and try it without meds every now and then. If I had diabetes there would be no shame in taking meds to correct an imbalance. Too bad there is still the stigma attached to SSRIs. I think life is too short to spend it feeling bad when I could take something and feel a whole lot better and have a better life. Good luck. Cyndee

Hi db: I tried to go without my antidepressants and found out just like you that I needed them. I was also told that depression is one of the few things that is not helped by this surgery. A chemical imbalance is not something that goes away either so just be happy that there is something that can help you through it. I am not ashamed that i take the medication that helps me be normal. In my opinion there is nothing darker and more alone than depression and gosh take the medication to help you make it through the dark lonely corridors of depression. Hugs, melanie

I thought things might be okay without the meds. I was off them for a while last summer and I was fine. Now I feel like I am in a spiral going downhill. -=db=-

There are soooo many antidepressants out there that you (and your DR) may need to "play" around with different ones. I am on Paxil...but I tried Welbutran and went into fits of rage! Not a good thing. My Dr upped my Paxil amount and now I am back to "my" normal. Again, I cannpt stress enough: THIS IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF! Hang in there! Kath