Anxiety and Depression on birth control, stopped yesterday and now it's even worse.

[Laura221]

I'm a 20 year-old uni student.

I've been on the pill since I was 14, due to painful periods. Around that time, I developed OCD. 1 year before, my parents divorced, so it may have something to do about it, but it's still around the same time as I started birth control. I changed pills due to migraines (at that age, I didn't really know much about OCD so thought it was 'normal') but the OCD stayed.

I took that new pill for about 4 years (deso 20). I got very angry a lot and was a jealous mess, but again, didn't make the link.

Exactly one year ago (after being on that pill for about 3 years), I started having panic attacks during the summer holidays, out of nowhere. My heart started racing and that was it. I couldn't eat for weeks. It was horrible. I started seeing a counselor and it got slightly better, but it still lingered.

I slowly became depressed (also thinking about suicide), and the OCD got worse. I thought that maybe the pill could be a contributing factor, so I switched to the Nuvaring. Again, didn't get better.

I am depressed and anxious throughout the whole month, but right before my period, it's the worse.

The doctor ran some tests, and they saw that I have a lot of Sex Hormone Binding Globuline, but said that couldn't contribute to it.

Anyway a week ago, I took my ring out. The day before my period, it got worse, and then it got much better.

Normally, I should've put my ring in yesterday, but I decided to quit and see what it gives. Well, since yesterday, I feel awful. I can't function. I'm severely depressed and so anxious.

I thought stopping would make it better not worse? Any experiences? Please

[Ghost69]

Laura221, I haven't experienced it myself cause, I am a male.. But when I was with my ex, she had severe periods that would cause some of the same situations.. The only way we found to help her was to have sex on her first day of menstrual, and third day to help with her pain and slow down her bleeding.. Her periods got to where they would last only 4 sometimes 5 days instead of 7 to 8 days..

[CaptCurious]

Hi,

Sounds like you are having a hard time! I'm not sure why you are relating this to your choice of contraception though? From what you've said it doesn't sound like a clear link. The pill and other hormonal contraceptives can contribute to mood change but I think it sounds as though your symptoms are more severe than that.

Talk to your GP about seeking some talking therapies - regardless if the pill is/is not making it worse it does sound as though you could benefit from talking about the way you are feeling with someone (who wouldn't benefit from that?).

If you really feel depressed and anxious, unable to function and off your food then seeking help is really the only option. Most GPs will have had these conversations hundreds of times and should recognise what you need (if not you can probably self refer!).

In the meantime make sure you are covered by some form of contraception - the last thing you want is an unexpected pregnancy/STI to make the situation even more stressful!

Let me know if I can help further,

Good luck.

[Hidden]

You may have to be away from the birth control for a few months before you notice an improvement in your mood/behavior. The body takes time to normalize after discontinuing any medication/hormone.