I feel I am sliding back into depression again and don't know what to do!

[agatha190]

I suffered from depression for about a year and have just recently in the past 4 months started to feel properly back to myself. I have been feeling so positive and like a weight is lifted off my shoulders.

However, in the last week I have started to feel worse and worse. Physically I feel completely drained and have been sleeping too much, or not being able to sleep. Old symptoms of anxiety like difficulty breathing and chest pains have returned and I feel I have no enjoyment in things I usually love.

I just don't know what to do. I'm scared if I leave it until it is too bad then I will be stuck like that for another year. When I went to the doctors for my depression in the past they offered my antidepressants but I was too scared. I had a couple of counselling sessions right at the end of my depression when things were already improving. I feel embarrassed going back and like I'm not bad enough to qualify for counselling at the moment and don't know what to do.

What have other people found useful? I just really don't want to be back where I was 4 months ago? I have only just signed up to this site and so realise that this is just a plea for support without giving much back but I would appreciate any advice people that were suffering from depression have! Thanks

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Do not ever worry about them, be concerned for yourself. The fact that you do go and seek your GPs help, is good. You mention "I'm not bad enough to qualify etc" Chat to your GP first and see what he/she recommends, they may automatically put you forward so you may not need to ask?

[Suzie40]

Hey and welcome to the site. Don't feel that you have to be a kind Samaritan for 32 and a half days before you can ask for support. It's needing help and needing it quickly is the biggest reason most people join forums.

A lot of people, myself included, struggle with the idea of being reliant on tablets to feel better. They try the self help, the counselling, the CBT etc, only to discover that the hold their depression has on them is too tight to untangle.

Don't feel scared to give meds a try. They are not addictive. You will be able to stop taking them when you feel better.

When you're depressed it can be impossible to see the wood for the trees. Nothing makes sense and you can't rationalise your thoughts because it's your thoughts you're avoiding. For me, medication takes the need for making an effort to feel better away from me. And that's what suits me. Other people want to try without, and I respect that.

Don't ever feel embarrased about going back to the doctor. I've sat there on a Monday telling her to stop stuffing my head full of tablets and flounced out, only to return the next day in tears asking for her help! They see cases of depression every day, from all walks of life. They'll be pleased that you want their help to feel better.

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Hi and welcome,

The sooner you go to see your GP the easier it is to treat hun. You don't need to battle through it all by yourself again.

There's no need to be scared of anti depressants, they're not addictive and the newer ones have very few if any side effects.

I'm not saying that you can just go, get a prescription and feel instantly better...they do take up to a few weeks to kick in properly so the sooner you get help the better. It may also be the case that the first medication you're given wont suit you and you may have to spend a bit of time experimenting with different ones until you find one to suit you.

On the positive side, you could be one of the lucky ones who gets the right treatment first time and then you'll soon be feeling a lot better.

It's entirely up to you but I would encourage you to give it a try.

Good luck in getting it sorted,

Lorraine