Feeling like nothing is working

Hey Trytorelax. I noticed Monash (I think it was) were doing some research on treatment resistant depression and were asking for volunteers a few months back. I realise the research would not have results as yet but check out the website for some updates or links.

On a more personal note, some meds just don't work for some people - I can attest to this! There's nothing more difficult than waiting for new meds to start helping, and having hope is the only thing you feel you have.

You're doing all the right things - is this one of those 'down' times or have you lost that spark in the things you enjoy, all the time?

@Yeti hey mate cheers for the reply, yeah I'm holding out hope . I've vertually lost interest in the hobbies that I did have . One of which was drinking with friends I have basically cut drinking out all together. Which I know I had to do. I have just been and got a referral to a psychiatrist, so just hoping he has some ideas for me 👍🏻

I reckon you've done the right thing. I didn't have a good experience with my GP and exploring suitable meds, but the Psychiatrist I eventually saw was on the money with her meds recommendation.

Please make sure you have friend/family support and professional support through the med change-over...it can be hell and sometimes worse than before the change. Some strategies I found useful:

1. Have counselor appointments set up in advance and throughout your change over

2. Have friends or family worded up - they may get a phone call with you blubbering on the other end!

3. Have your Lifeline (or similar) phone number stuck to the front of the fridge

4. Maintain your socialising and exercise when you can

Most importantly MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR STRATEGIES!...make that phone call when you're struggling. It's amazing how talking with someone can get you through the day/night.

And remember...things WILL be brighter and you will laugh again.

@Trytorelax Stay away from google doctor. It never helps. Google doctor thrives on our fears and provides endless worst case scenario diagnosis.

Five months is plenty of time to give your doctor an indication whether the medication you're on is working. Have they changed the dose at all over the 5 months? And have they tried different antidepressants? Did they refer you to a psychologist as well?

Generally, unless necessary, antidepressants are meant to be a short term solution. Ideally you'd use both antidepressants and the help of a psychologist to help get you through the darkness. The psychologist will be able to go through any persistent problems you have that you want to address and they can also teach you coping strategies to manage depression. These techniques will become valuable while you're taking antidepressants and as well as when you eventually go off them.

It's important to check in with your GP every so often to keep track of how you're coping while taking medication. Make the appointments ahead of time, when you're feeling healthy, and follow through with them. As I said, 5 months is plenty of time for your body to adjust to the medication. If things aren't improving, your GP needs to know so they can either adjust the dosage or trial different meds. 8-12 weeks is an ideal gauge for them to be able to see if the medication is effective or not. When I first started on antidepressant medication, I unfortunately worked my way through 5 different types before settling on the one I take now. It took a long time, but was well worth it because I'm in a much better headspace now than I was before medication. Having said that, even if you do find antidepressants that start kicking in, you still should check in with your GP (or psychologist if you have one) because eventually you may need to adjust the dosage. I've been on my current medication for almost 3 years, but have made an app to talk about upping the dose. Just hasn't been cutting it lately.

I'm really impressed you've been able to do so many positive things for yourself, especially since you're not feeling the effects of medication just yet. Keep doing what you're doing, honestly, you're kicking ass being able to get exercise and socialise and all that. Well done. Just make an app with your GP to talk about your concerns and see if they can get you in to a psychologist too. Psychologists--in my opinin--do all the work when it comes to dealing with/overcoming/managing depression. Antidepressants just help us get out of bed and give us enough motivation to want to do the work.

And another thing too, you can always jump on here to vent or talk about anything that's going on for you. Forums a great place to find that extra support

Just reaching out to you Trytorelax. Are you feeling bit better in the days since posting here? People do care and want you to be your best self. Please be kind to yourself and look towards that next psych appointment.

@Yeti thanks for checking in , iam just trying to keep busy. Walking, reading a self help book, getting stuff done in the yard and a bit of rest here and there. Was hard to get out of bed this morning but just been forcing myself to do get stuff done. I'll keep in touch

Make sure you look out at the yard at the end of the day and take in what you achieved! Always make time to celebrate your successes, not matter how small. You got out of the house!....bcause you knew this is good for you. This alone shows a lot of internal strength. [I wish I knew how to insert a fist pump here!]

And show yourself some compassion on the days that very little gets done. If a friend of yours was struggling and they said to you 'All I did was take a walk and rest up today, cause that's all I could manage'' would you think poorly of them? Probably not - you would commend them on looking after themselves on one of their not so good days. Try and remember this when you need to be compassionate to yourself.

@Yeti- I think this is a fist pump, so here you go ✊. Emojis work here if you can copy & paste them in from a site if they're not already on the device you're using. Hope that helps! 😊