Depression

Hey @Tarmac_6 ,

Thanks for sharing.

I hear your concerns, and I also hear that you've started taking medication.

For me, my anti depressants got me to a baseline that allowed me to engage in therapy. Before my anti depressants, I was too down to even get out of the house.

However, we are all different. Meds to therapy worked so so well for me so that I'm honestly on top of the world now... I guess it's good to speak to your doc about it?

You are certainly not alone.

I hope things improve for you @Tarmac_6

Thankyou @tyme. I guess I just have to give therapy a bit longer before I start to feel better.

For me, it took years of intensive therapy to get back to a baseline where I could function effectively @Tarmac_6 . And because I'm so well now, I never want to go back to where I was - so I'm always nipping things in the bud and working at my recovery.

What do you find helpful for self-care?

I guess I don’t do a lot of self care @tyme. I’m a pretty busy person atm as I am doing a dual degree at uni and work like 20 hours a week. I try to exercise most days, go out with my friends on the weekend and I study whenever I have free time. I know it sounds like a depressed person couldn’t do all that so it’s probably not that bad but I just still feel low everyday. If I have more free time I like to read and honestly just have time to be by myself.

@Tarmac_6 ooof...your words resonate with me.

I've recently started medication (a couple of days ago actually) for depression and anxiety symptoms and so far, it feels weird. My brain feels slower, like I'm having trouble with concentration. I have moments of nausea and my appetite is weird. Also, my anxiety has been interesting in that...I feel really fluttery in my chest I was told to stick it out, because most of those things will settle with time.

Starting medication has been interesting in that, I am anxious about taking it...I am taking it though.

I also find myself asking at times whether it gets easier, and whether I can actually do this because it's hard - opening up is hard, facing my fears and anxieties is hard, trying new strategies and learning new things is hard and overwhelming.

I don't like when I drop deep into the lows because...I'm afraid of them.

My approach involves putting one foot in front of the other, trying to take it slow and give it time, and reach out here for advice and support.

Hey @NightFury ,

I'm hearing you. I think I've shared in the past that is takes time with meds.

I acknowledge how scary this step may be for you and I know you are doing what you can to stay on top of things.

Sometimes, our anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms such as nausea, sweats, palpitations. If you are concerned, it's definitely important to speak to your doctor.

At this time, can you focus on some grounding techniques to get you through?

@tyme you have shared before and it's reassuring. Give it time and see what happens. My GP also mentioned that it wasn't an exact science and if these meds aren't doing what they should for me, then we figure it out and try again.

I've got some strategies to try from my counsellor yesterday. And have been putting them to use today throughout the day. Like having something in my hands, a fidget/anchor object, using taste, taking little moments in the classroom to check in with my own breath...

Hey @NightFury, I’ve been on mine for a couple of months and definitely noticed an initial increase in my anxiety. Things have gotten slightly easier for me though. It was hard for me to brush my teeth twice a day and do my laundry. Things like washing my hair felt like such an effort after doing everything I needed to do (uni and work etc.). It might seem small but this stuff has been easier. I’m hoping that it will continue to get better but I guess you understand the feeling of worrying it won’t. I think sometimes I have to remind myself that I’ve felt this before and I’ve gotten out of it. Anyway I hope both of us start to feel a lot better soon.

Thank you for sharing @Tarmac_6 @NightFury ,

I guess being able to share these experiences helps us all feel less alone.

It can be scary not knowing what you should or shouldn't feel like.

@Tarmac_6 , I actually went from med to med to med until I finally got one that worked. And I've stayed on it since even though my life is going so well. I dont' want to upset the apple cart. I've heard that when some people have gone off the med (because they felt so well), they relapsed. And when they tried to go back on the same med, it didn't work anymore.

I've been on this med for over 10 years, and really, things couldn't be better.

I really hope you see improvements soon. But if you don't, it's good to go back to your doc.

Thankyou @tyme, I’m glad there’s a chance it will get better.