New here...looking for others experiences living with MDD

[Naturelover234]

I have been diagnosed with MDD for over 15 years. During that time I have been on and off medications and in and out of treatments and therapies. In the past year I started EMDR without being medicated. My therapist after the 3rd visit recommend I get on medication even though I specifically said I did not want to. After several months of him persistently advising me to get medicated I went to a Psychiatrist and was prescribed 4 different kinds of meds to help with my MDD and Anxiety. I felt terrible for 6 days like I was over medicated but day 8 I am feeling pretty good. Even though I was diagnosed so long ago and have saught help I feel like I know nothing. Im always given contradictory information. Will I need to be on meds for the rest of my life to feel normal? Has anyone else ever went a length of time without meds and felt good?

[cashew78]

Hello. My personal experience; after being on meds for nearly a decade I decided that my symptoms were stagnant. I wasn't necessarily getting any more depressed but also wasn't particularly happy. I figured it was time to get off the antidepressant I was taking because, a) I knew it was probably not/less effective after such a long time, and b) antidepressants are very much over prescribed according to news I was reading and hearing. So I quit for maybe 2 years? It wasn't bad and I was in a place where I could finally organize my mind to better handle the lows. Eventually something went wrong and I started having anxiety attacks again, so I opted to go back on the meds because I knew it would help. In essence I think you can be okay/happy-ish both on and off meds, but it requires a certain vigilance to navigate your moods and mind-sets to keep afloat.

[Hidden in reply to cashew78]

Sounds like you are struggling with a problem for your well-being, somewhat. Personally I speak to a psych professional who might help me choose to use the correct drug. Also I engage in fitness, even walks around my neck of the woods (personally fresh air and natural scenery works). Choosing a hobby misdirected rotten energy as well! I have been coloring books and teaching myself art lately...sometimes I am happy to do these things! I like music and watching videos! Fun things change me. Stay healthy!🙂

[Downinil]

Hi Naturelover234! To answer your question, no.

[Browny71]

I’ve been on antidepressants half my life I’m 53 now. And yes without meds I’m a wreck, I tried to be off them last year in May and I was off them for about 2 months. Bad idea I had a relapse in depression so severe I took 6 months off work. I’m back to work now but the meds take a long time to start working again. I’m resistant to a lot of meds so I can only be on the one I started to feel better with which is Effexor. I’m not thinking of the future whether I need to be on them for ever or not. I don’t mind being in meds as long as my symptoms are managed.

[Sunsetlover19]

Hi! I just joined and would love to connect with you. I went off meds many years ago. I take meds now but feel like my mental disorders are treatment resistant. My advice to you would be to stay on your meds and let your doctor or therapist know if they are no longer helping you. 🤍