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Something’s not right

Why isn’t anything working?

Why isn’t anything working?

Hi all, first time poster here.

I’m 35 and have struggled with depression since I was about 6 (when I started going to school - I hated it and just started to feel miserable everyday). As time has progressed this feeling has gotten worse and worse.

At 15 I started seeing a counsellor, and at 18 I started antidepressants.

Over the years since then I think I would have seen about 20 different different counsellors/psychologists and tried about 12 different kinds of antidepressants. I’ve also tried treatments for anxiety and ADD as well.

Not one thing has made any difference to my mood.

The therapy at best is cathartic, but it’s like we’re talking different languages. what they say never makes sense to me.

The medication doesn’t do anything aside from make me a little dizzy at times.

Of course I’ve tried other things like changing my diet, exercise, meditation and yoga. But there’s no difference.

Seeing as nothing seems to work and things just keep getting worse and worse, what can I do?

3 replies

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In response to: Why isn’t anything working?

Re: Why isn’t anything working?

That makes me so sad and frustrated for you @Jlol 😞

I don’t have any answers for you but have you tried a psychiatrist? There are so many disorders out there and so many different types of treatment that you could possibly look into? I’m sure the right psychiatrist may have some more ideas.

In the meantime, do you like to write? You could do a mind map of helpful things that have been useful over the years that make you feel good. And then you could do a mind map of things in the future that could help: different types of medication, different types of therapy, different experiences, dwelling on contentment, speaking kindly to yourself. Of course, if you have a mood disorder and anxiety and add, these need to be treated.

Maybe also work out if your depression is circumstance-based (you said you hated school) or if it is to do with an underlying mental illness. I guess if it’s been going on for that long, it could be both?

Hope that helps a little 🙂

Take care.

In response to: Why isn’t anything working?

Re: Why isn’t anything working?

Hmmmm your story is making me want to break out the "outside the box" kit. You may have been asked this before, but if the standard prescribed things aren't affecting difference, then what does?

There's one thing that you've described that seems something to go on. You mention a feeling of catharsis but a remaining feeling of language barriers. I can kind of relate.

Sometimes I'm not sure whether my primary purpose of therapy (or any any communication) is to be accepted or to be understood. Generally people need acceptance and understanding but in life there tends to be too many trade-offs between the those two things.

You're making me think that knowing our "bugs" is a river. The ocean itself is knowing ourselves and being more fully known by our others.

I love that you're asking hard questions. Best way to find solid answers.

In response to: Why isn’t anything working?

Re: Why isn’t anything working?

Hi there,

I totally get what you're saying.

I've only taken anti-depressants for like 2 months and I stopped because of the side effects. I decided to look into alternative options (supplements) and I eventually settled to herbal medicine (still trial and error which herbs work or not). I probably have an undiagnosed condition since childhood that just exploded some years ago that ended me taking meds (last resort).

I had a long self-talk and really pondered what was important for me, what goals do I have and why I do want to get better? I looked for so many answers and settled with the idea that I need to clean up my system (detox and fasting) and it made a difference for me. This is not suitable for everyone and I'm just sharing what works for me after so many trial and errors.

Mental health is a combination of many aspects, just because you have taken a prescribed meds, it doesn't mean it will work for you. You have to consider the health of other vital organs: liver, spleen, kidneys etc. You yourself is made of different systems that needs to be in balance (this is not hoo-hoo talk, if your liver is unhealthy, you will have other issues that can affect your mental health).

With therapy, it's going to be hard to find the one that will make a difference. I think at the end of the day, it is only you who can trigger this difference anyway. What I noticed with the therapists I dealt with is they lack the capacity to explain what was happening to me (traumatic symptoms?) and understanding the process was the single most valuable aspect that made difference with my condition. At that time, I just wanted to understand why I was reacting that way (trauma-related reactions), are they normal reactions?

It's sad to see that we have become too reliant on medications. It's one thing out of so many aspects and I believe this is not something that is discussed usually (<15 minutes with your GP will not cover this).

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