Hoax Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Tonight I was looking at some of my ex's posts on a forum and I had a near panic attack. He doesn't care about me or think about me, and I know it's crazy of me to expect him to but it hurts so much. I'm going crazy. I'm so stressed and unhappy and I treat my family like crap, I constantly think about killing myself and I am literally plagued 24/7 by feelings of inadequacy (stupid, ugly, talentless, unfunny, friendless, hopeless, lazy, fat, going nowhere, destined for failure, alone, etc, etc). I am a vortex of negativity and I'm thinking of seeing a doctor and finding out about antidepressants - are any of you on them? What kind? Do they work? I want to ask about lithium specifically. Thanks to whoever can sympathise or offer advice/kind words. Bolded main point of this post.
keepontruckin Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Lithium isn't something that would normally be prescribed to most people... It has a very specific therapeutic dosage, and use, and blood level content is usually monitored because of this... 2
Author Hoax Posted September 4, 2013 Author Posted September 4, 2013 Lithium isn't something that would normally be prescribed to most people... It has a very specific therapeutic dosage, and use, and blood level content is usually monitored because of this... Oh really? I just think I probably have bipolar and I'd heard that it was prescribed. I'd like to hear from anyone on antidepressants of any kind though. I really wanted to avoid SSRIs because of all the side effects but it's gotten to the point where I'll try anything.
keepontruckin Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 And no, I am on no drugs... When my wife split, I asked my Doc for some Valium... She said she "didn't know me well enough to prescribe something like that":laugh: She offered me some generic antidepressant, which I told her to shove... Five months later, I am still alive and well...
keepontruckin Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Oh really? I just think I probably have bipolar and I'd heard that it was prescribed. I'd like to hear from anyone on antidepressants of any kind though. I really wanted to avoid SSRIs because of all the side effects but it's gotten to the point where I'll try anything. You may or may not be bipolar... I suppose that's for your Doctor to judge? If you are prescribed Lithium, it's serious, as Lithium has many undesirable side effects...
keepontruckin Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Seriously, you need blood tests and **** for Lithium... If you are looking for a "feel good" pill, Lithium ain't it...
mammasita Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Not every med is meant for every person. I definitely recommend speaking to a doc and working together to find something that will work for you. Don't assume based on what you've read on line or what has worked for someone you know that lithium is the end all be all answer and don't be discouraged if the first thing you take doesn't magically solve all of your problems. 1
Omei Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 I am on co-citalopram it's for depression I was on them for a long time before my breakup, I have been taking them for a year now they make me very sleepy at times, but they work cept when my bf broke up with me I stopped taking them because they made me MORE depressed, sometimes anti depressants increase thoughts of suicide.
DM42 Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Do you have a history of being depressed or are your feelings new and due to the breakup? I have a history of depression and am on antidepressants and they do help me. However, right now I would really like to not have to take a pill twice a day but if that is the biggest problem I have then it's not so bad. They do take a little bit of time to kick in so it's not a quick fix. I think you should go and talk to your doctor for the simple reason that you will feel better talking about it face to face with someone and that you are doing something about your feelings. It's a good start, I felt relieved when I talked to my doctor about it because I finally felt that depression was a burden and I came to a point where something had to change. I truly do believe with me it's something that I have always had and there wasn't one specific thing that caused it although I did have some bad experiences in my preteens with a sicko that doesn't need to be discussed but it's not hard to figure out. I'm going through a breakup now and I do get down about it but it's more of a sadness and not depression. There is a big difference between the two. I would also recommend staying away from alcohol, it is a depressant, and although it might make for a good time it will get you the next day. Also exercise as intensely as you can because that will really help. Eating well will also help, you can google for good foods and bad foods that help or hurt any depression. If you do end up going on antidepressants be prepared to commit to them for at least 6 months and if you want to go off them do it by very very slowly reducing the dosage (slower than what a doctor would advise) and gauge how you are feeling and if you feel depression is coming back then keep on them. Let me know how it goes or what route you take.
unexpectedlyhere Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Are you in therapy already? Speak to your doctor and seek therapy. Let the therapist know that you think you may have depression or bipolar disorder.
Malakas Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 I am very sorry to say this but there is no magic pill to make all the problems vanish away.You have to really want to get better first,you know?Then you have to make little tiny steps to make that happen.Like first of all try to stop stalking your ex,that will help.Go to see a therapist.He can also give you a proper diagnosis and give you help and advice on what steps to follow.If he figures you are a bipolar then he perhaps can prescribe lithium but you will have to talk with him about all the options.It's good that you have reached here for help it's a great positive step,and you know what, a person who has found the inner power even in her darkest moments, to ask for help even from strangers in a forum has already done a step in the right direction.Don't despair ,get up from the couch and go see a therapist as soon as possible.everything can get better.
SincereOnlineGuy Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 I am a vortex of negativity and I'm thinking of seeing a doctor and finding out about antidepressants - are any of you on them? What kind? Do they work? I want to ask about lithium specifically. I hunted and hunted until I found a clue about your age, and it probably just isn't worth the risks of taking anti-depressants in young adulthood. It was but a handful of years ago that they changed the warning labels on anti-depressants to include: "may cause suicidality ... in young adults aged 18 to 24" Why take the risks of that??
almond Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Lithium is a mood stabiliser, and as another poster mentioned, it is not something to be taken lightly. If you are having frequent suicidal thoughts, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Working with a psychologist is a much better idea than jumping on meds - there is no medication that will "cure" this. You need to work through it. SSRIs/SNRIs are commonly prescribed. They come with their own set of risks and benefits, as do all drugs. Speak to your doctor about this, and also do your own research. Either way, you need to see a doctor. Depression is a lot more likely than bipolar - don't go diagnosing yourself, it is counterproductive. And stop looking at your ex's posts!! In fact, don't look at anything that has to do with him!
L1ght Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 Personally I would never consider taking medication that could control my emotions. I don't like the thought of it and I would hate to become reliant on a drug that would supposedly stop me from feeling sad.....I mean what happens when I stop taking the drugs that I have been relying on to stop me feeling depressed? You here so many stories about people who can't be happy without anti-depression meds and it always seems they get caught in some kind of cycle of over prescribing and even abuse of the drugs they take. So.......nah don't take them. Just ride the storm and eventually you will make it to the shore.
almond Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 ^ That is an overly simplistic way of looking at things. Way too general, and not quite accurate either. 3
L1ght Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 ^ That is an overly simplistic way of looking at things. Way too general, and not quite accurate either. You have your opinion and I have mine. I absolutely 100% disagree with you if that's ok with you? Personally sitting on my ass and feeling sorry for myself never got me anywhere but I will tell you where I always see results in my life when I start to tend towards patterns of "depression" and those results come from being productive in life. The best cures for depression are exercise, reading, studying, working, achieving goals, looking forward etc etc etc. Why take meds when you don't have to? We are designed to feel good about ourselves when we achieve success in life and there are many ways to do it. The natural reward systems built inside of us push depression away when we genuinely overcome challenges and become a Boss at something. So put in a more harsher tone my advice to someone would be to stop feeling so sorry for yourself, get off your ass, do something and work hard to achieve or sit on your ass with meds and rely on the meds to solve your problems for you. Its a no brainer for me...never have tried meds and never will.
SincereOnlineGuy Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 (edited) ^ That is an overly simplistic way of looking at things. Way too general, and not quite accurate either. "Accuracy" has nothing to do with that entry. It is laced with common sense, and that is all that matters there. Most of the people taking drugs in this world are taking them as a means to offset the effects of earlier drugs they took***. That no matter whether the first drugs were last week or last millennium. (and no matter whether they were prescribed, or not prescribed by a doctor) (*** of course they, like you, remain unaware of that which is so obvious to the rest of us) Edited September 5, 2013 by SincereOnlineGuy 1
almond Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 (edited) You have your opinion and I have mine. I absolutely 100% disagree with you if that's ok with you? Personally sitting on my ass and feeling sorry for myself never got me anywhere but I will tell you where I always see results in my life when I start to tend towards patterns of "depression" and those results come from being productive in life. The best cures for depression are exercise, reading, studying, working, achieving goals, looking forward etc etc etc. Why take meds when you don't have to? We are designed to feel good about ourselves when we achieve success in life and there are many ways to do it. The natural reward systems built inside of us push depression away when we genuinely overcome challenges and become a Boss at something. So put in a more harsher tone my advice to someone would be to stop feeling so sorry for yourself, get off your ass, do something and work hard to achieve or sit on your ass with meds and rely on the meds to solve your problems for you. Its a no brainer for me...never have tried meds and never will. I do not disagree with the conclusion that you came to regarding your aversion to psychiatric medications, I do however, disagree with people coming to such conclusions based on the extremely limited amount of knowledge you clearly have in relation to said substances. I also disagree with telling someone that they should not take any medication, even if recommended by a qualified medical professional without adequate knowledge. Your statements were sweeping and general, and far from applicable in many circumstances. You have provided your personal experience in your post, and that's fine. I do not think that it is wise to apply this to others though, without considering their individual circumstances. You state that when you start to notice patterns that "tend toward depression," that not "sitting on your ass and feeling sorry for yourself" works for you. That is good, but of absolutely no help to the original poster, who states that she is experiencing frequent suicidal thoughts and behaviour disturbances. To go on and imply that not being lazy etc. is the way to go, and to advise against medication may be hurtful, and is incredibly irresponsible. Your "harsher" advice reeks of ignorance, and is somewhat offensive. Mental illness is not as simple and straightforward as you think. I suggest you do some more research before making any further statements to that effect - this sort of thing can be quite damaging to people in distress. You are also failing to take into account other psychiatric illness that does in fact require pharmacological intervention to alleviate symptoms. We do not know whether this is the case with the OP, so we should tread carefully. "Accuracy" has nothing to do with that entry. It is laced with common sense, and that is all that matters there. Most of the people taking drugs in this world are taking them as a means to offset the effects of earlier drugs they took. That no matter whether the first drugs were last week or last millennium. (and no matter whether they were prescribed, or not prescribed by a doctor) Accuracy certainly has a lot to do with this. That post demonstrated a complete and utter lack of knowledge of psychiatric medications, their safety profiles, their application and uses, etc. As I have stated, I do not disagree with the general avoidance of psychiatric medications (or perhaps, using them as a last resort), but I do disagree with coming to firm conclusions without any knowledge to support this. I especially disagree with providing advice to someone at risk (the OP) in relation to medical treatment if you have no idea what you're talking about. If you don't know anything about the medication, then your opinion against them really doesn't hold much weight. And please provide a source in relation to your last statement - I find this interesting and would like to read into it further. Thank you. Edited September 5, 2013 by almond 5
Malakas Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 You have your opinion and I have mine. I absolutely 100% disagree with you if that's ok with you? Personally sitting on my ass and feeling sorry for myself never got me anywhere but I will tell you where I always see results in my life when I start to tend towards patterns of "depression" and those results come from being productive in life. The best cures for depression are exercise, reading, studying, working, achieving goals, looking forward etc etc etc. Why take meds when you don't have to? We are designed to feel good about ourselves when we achieve success in life and there are many ways to do it. The natural reward systems built inside of us push depression away when we genuinely overcome challenges and become a Boss at something. So put in a more harsher tone my advice to someone would be to stop feeling so sorry for yourself, get off your ass, do something and work hard to achieve or sit on your ass with meds and rely on the meds to solve your problems for you. Its a no brainer for me...never have tried meds and never will. you should replace depression in your post with sadness or having the blues.A diagnosed clinical or chronic depression isn't something that is cured with reading,exercising or "getting off your ass".It is a common mistake nowadays when someone doesn't feel well to say "i'm depressed".Well real doctor diagnosed depression affects the chemistry of the brain.It is paralysing it is utter despair.You say : "We are designed to feel good about ourselves when we achieve success in life and there are many ways to do it.The natural reward systems built inside of us push depression away when we genuinely overcome challenges and become a Boss at something. " Well guess what?People with clinical depression have malfunctioning "natural reward system",whatever that supposed to be.When you feel absolutely nothing then even the concept of reward and success in itself loses its meaning.Simply nothing matters.That's why these people are in need of pharamaceutical assistance.It could make the difference between life and death.Would you really DARE to patronise, like you do now,someone who could be a clinically depressed person who even in the back of his mind possibly-can you risk it?- contemplates suicide or self harm ,that drugs are for those who "don;t get off their ass" ?You make it sound that depressed people are weaker and in fact it's behaviour EXACTLY likes yours that makes the stigma of depression worse when all you can say to someone who asks for help grasping at last straws is "get off your ass".The more I think of your response the more offended I get,because it is attitude like yours that is actually dangerous.Have you any idea how many clinically depressed or extreme bipolar people refuse to come forward ask for help and take their meds because of attitudes like yours?And that not only extends their suffering but risks their actual lives. And I don't know how exacty you do it in USA,but in my country in Europe it is standard practice to give the meds WITH continuing to see a psychologist or psychiatrist. 2
Malakas Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 "Accuracy" has nothing to do with that entry. It is laced with common sense, and that is all that matters there. Most of the people taking drugs in this world are taking them as a means to offset the effects of earlier drugs they took***. That no matter whether the first drugs were last week or last millennium. (and no matter whether they were prescribed, or not prescribed by a doctor) (*** of course they, like you, remain unaware of that which is so obvious to the rest of us) Common sense ?When this common sense you talk about is dangerous is offensive and more than anything is unscientific and ignorant then I'm sorry it has nothing to do with the word "sense". 2
L1ght Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 (edited) I'm sticking to my guns on this one. You guys assume that I personally have never been to a very very dark place in my lifetime, that I have never thought that life was not worth living, that I was never so emotionally unstable that it affected everything in my life and made me into the biggest loser on the planet. You saying the OP has more emotions and feelings than I do? You saying that I could never possibly feel what the OP has been feeling? WRONG! Oh yes I have been down that deep dark road too thank you very much. Taking meds never even crossed my mind because I knew deep down that the psychological and emotional trauma I was suffering was something that I had to work through on my own and guess what? I did. I came through the other side even though I had been to the deepest and darkest pits of despair. Screws meds! If people want to change they have to want it enough that they will get up and do something.....if they don't then they are just cheating themselves. Meds are a cop out and they delay personal progression dealing with our own issues. I'm stronger than I've ever been and I did it all on my own. If I can then anybody can. P.S. my cousin is on meds, she is obese and makes excuses for everything. I see a reflection of who I used to be when I look at her. Totally in denial and too afraid to take responsibility for her own life and do something to make a change. That's what people that are depressed do. They make excuses and wallow in sadness instead of taking action Edited September 5, 2013 by L1ght
Malakas Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 I'm sticking to my guns on this one. You guys assume that I personally have never been to a very very dark place in my lifetime, that I have never thought that life was not worth living, that I was never so emotionally unstable that it affected everything in my life and made me into the biggest loser on the planet. You saying the OP has more emotions and feelings than I do? You saying that I could never possibly feel what the OP has been feeling? WRONG! Oh yes I have been down that deep dark road too thank you very much. Taking meds never even crossed my mind because I knew deep down that the psychological and emotional trauma I was suffering was something that I had to work through on my own and guess what? I did. I came through the other side even though I had been to the deepest and darkest pits of despair. Screws meds! If people want to change they have to want it enough that they will get up and do something.....if they don't then they are just cheating themselves. Meds are a cop out and they delay personal progression dealing with our own issues. I'm stronger than I've ever been and I did it all on my own. If I can then anybody can. P.S. my cousin is on meds, she is obese and makes excuses for everything. I see a reflection of who I used to be when I look at her. Totally in denial and too afraid to take responsibility for her own life and do something to make a change. That's what people who are depressed do. They make excuses and wallow in sadness instead of taking action I'm sorry I find it hard to believe that someone who has experienced a clinical depression would be so critical and patronising to people asking for assistance.Even looking for possible pharmaceutical choices is a bright sign of the first step of recovery.Anyway,congrats of going out of your dark phase-whatever that exactly was- and I hope you keep it up.It was your personal choice not to take meds but don't you judge others who do.Afterall is you word against a whole field of health professionals and modern medicine.You still fail to see how risky is to advocate against pharmaceutical assistance to someone who you have absolutely no idea of how critical is their condition.And that makes your posts here dangerous and even offensive. 2
almond Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 (edited) Stigma against mental illness remains rampant. It is a sad fact, and not one that is likely to change any time soon. L1ght - you can stick to your guns all you like, but the facts remain. You are rambling now, and while I am happy that you managed to find your way out of your hole, this does not excuse your incredibly ignorant statements towards those that are more ill than you were. Some may not need crutches for a sprained ankle, but to mock someone that uses them for a broken leg is just ridiculous. Until you can come back with something more than "screw this, screw that, I did this, I did that," then your posts are basically worthless. Debate with logic and fact, not ignorance and anecdotes. "Screw meds" is a ridiculous statement on so many levels - I don't need to say more than that. You really have no idea what you're talking about. I really hope that one day you educate yourself and drop the ill-informed judgement, as it is not unlikely that someone close to you will suffer from mental illness at some point. Attitudes such as the one you are currently clinging to are very damaging. You could really hurt someone you love. It doesn't matter though - I have come across people like you many times in both my professional and personal life, and I have since learned that some people just refuse to see sense. Ignorance is generally deeply ingrained. My posts were intended to benefit others, not to change your mind. I really do find it funny (and a bit odd) that people can be so passionate about a topic on a forum, quite happy to argue and such, but not passionate enough to even do a cursory read on it! Lol. Edited September 5, 2013 by almond Please excuse any grammatical errors - I am super sleep deprived at the moment. 3
almond Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 That's what people that are depressed do. They make excuses and wallow in sadness instead of taking action Lol, I just saw this edit. Thanks for adding this - you have just proven my point a lot better than I ever could have
L1ght Posted September 5, 2013 Posted September 5, 2013 I'm sorry I find it hard to believe that someone who has experienced a clinical depression would be so critical and patronising to people asking for assistance.Even looking for possible pharmaceutical choices is a bright sign of the first step of recovery.Anyway,congrats of going out of your dark phase-whatever that exactly was- and I hope you keep it up.It was your personal choice not to take meds but don't you judge others who do.Afterall is you word against a whole field of health professionals and modern medicine.You still fail to see how risky is to advocate against pharmaceutical assistance to someone who you have absolutely no idea of how critical is their condition.And that makes your posts here dangerous and even offensive. You sound like a doctor who makes a profit from the pharmaceutical industry to me. Lol. FYI Im not criticising the people who suffer from depression. Im criticising people like you who say that meds are the answer. Oh and whos belittling who here? My "dark phase-whatever" is obviously not serious enough for you to take me seriously. Screw you is my response to that. Yes I really did suffer from the deepest depression that I guess you call clinical depression. Wow even thinking back to those times now is eerie....its been a while since I looked back. Believe me pal, I was a gone as anybody who gives up on live could be......but I chose not to give up. That's the key
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