Feeling really depressed

[Jozey17]

Hello my name is Josie and I am new to this. I have been going monthly to a therapist for 5+ years. I have been taking Sertraline 50MG for 11 months now. I feel like it was working well with stabilizing my moods. I went to a psychiatrist to get a diagnosis. All I got was borderline Bi-polar and possible PTSD from childhood trauma. This month has hit me hard and I have been extremely emotional. Contemplating on how to end my life but I try my hardest to surround myself around people I love and to keep moving forward. I do not want to lose and I also think I may need a change of prescription. I am lost. I feel like no one understands how I feel.

I will not let depression win! I am a fighter

[Tellmeaboutit]

Hi Josie, another cat person? Meow.

You may very well need a change in your prescription. I take an anti-depressant and still have seasonal variations (Nov and Dec used to suc). Sometimes I would just tell my doctor and he would adjust the dosage at certain times.

It's important to tell your doctor exactly how you're feeling. So many people with depression get in that mood of just living with it, putting on a happy face, not showing how they really feel. then they tell their doctor "um, OK I guess." If you say that you gonna get the same medicine. If you are still depressed, especially if occasionally severely depress, you must tell your doctor.

Don't wait for your next appointment. Call him right now. If he's not open go the ER if you need to, they will get ahold of your regular doctor soon enough, and keep you well until they do.

If you write back tell us what country you're in, and about how old you are. Makes it easier to give specific advice.

[Jozey17 in reply to Tellmeaboutit]

I am in United States. California to be more specific. I don’t know what is stopping me from making a call to the doctor. I know this is not normal. I have been saying this for a while that I think I may need a change in prescription or higher dosage.

[Tellmeaboutit in reply to Jozey17]

Hey I grew up in California.

Well it's before noon there so you should call him.

I DO know what's stopping you from calling because it's stopped me many times.

You're afraid of inconveniencing him/her. You're not sure your problem is serious/urgent enough to bother him with. You're worried about what anyone who knows you will think (receptionist/friends/parents/kids/babysitter/spouse/insurance) why did you go back so soon?

Any of that close?

Hopefully now that it's written down you can see how none of that is more important than getting this fixed pronto.

Call the doctor now.

Won't have to explain to the receptionist why you want to come now. Just say "I need to see him right away." or "I think I need my medications changed now." They've heard it before. They will understand. (I've done this - it's easy.)

Even if you get an appointment for tomorrow or Monday, just having that appointment made will settle your spirits.

Hey I gotta drop off for a bit but please right back and let me know how it goes. I'll be back on tonight.

[Jozey17 in reply to Tellmeaboutit]

So I did it. I made the call to my primary and made an appt for next week. The relief i felt once i got off the phone was incredible. I did tell the receptionist for a change in prescription or higher dosage and she made me feel at ease. That was one hurdle i was struggling to go over and I did it. Thank you. I think I needed that extra push.