Waste of space...

[ZuperNev]

Depression makes you feel like this most of the day robbing me of energy.

I have recently decided that Fluxetine, Alcohol and Wheat are my new enemies that are contributing to brain fog, lethargy and feels like brain damage. Anti-depressants seem worthwhile until I realised I had been taking them for 14 years!

Am I overreacting or are there others who have fought their way back to "normality" and feeling fine? Please let me know (feel tired)?

Looking for hope and guidance.

N

[Hidden]

Hi there.

I can kind of relate in suddenly deciding that things are bad for you and cutting them out completely. I don't blame you for feeling that way about the antidepressants - I don't think they're ever intended as a long-term solution, and even then I don't believe they are the answer to recovery.

I'm doing the same thing with alcohol, though am not cutting it out completely. I've now been tobacco-free for about four days - despite evidence suggesting depressed people generally find it harder to quit, I've not had any cravings at all so far. In fact the idea of having a cigarette right now repulses me a little.

Guess ultimately it's a fight for all of us, to reclaim our lives and live it to our fullest potential. Something I firmly believe each and every one of us is capable of!

[ZuperNev in reply to Hidden]

God bless you and thanks for sharing. None of us are perfect and fear not being enough but with support or mental strength we can achieve anything.

[MtotoMbogo in reply to Hidden]

Cheers on the four days without a cigarette! Quitting smoking is hard enough without all the other monsters lending the tobacco demon a hand. (I smoked for three years in college and somehow managed to quit cold-turkey.)

And yes, I think you're absolutely right about antidepressants. When I first started mine (currently escitalopram, though I have used others) I expected them to help improve my life; make things like they were when I was drunk or buzzed, except without the bad social/health consequences. It was a big disappointment when I realized that they're just ballast in the bottom of a ship, serving only to keep me from tipping over in rough seas. The improvements, and by that I mean finding joy in living and seeing myself as an inherently worthy human being, have to come from elsewhere. If I knew where "elsewhere" was, I'd share it with everyone in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I'm still looking.

You take care, Thomas! And you, as well, ZN.

[MtotoMbogo]

Hi ZuperNev. You and I sound like we fight the same monsters. I have been battling depression with meds at least since my late teens. Diet and exercise only serve to keep fifty extra pounds off my body. In my head, there's still the same emptiness and sense of worthlessness there always was. I have also been an alcohol abuser since my teens. Ten years ago, after a particularly insensate football party, my doctor got me to admit I was an alcoholic and I haven't had a single drink since. I expected that once I dropped the booze everything would get better. If anything, the daily grind has only gotten worse as I no longer have any safe and effective coping tools. Would I go back? Not for anything. It's a feat I've managed without AA (not that I have anything against the organization) and without any spousal support. However, it has been the nastiest of sucker punches to have no mental/emotional improvements in my life for the personal sacrifices I have made. My antidepressants (escitalopram) only keep me on an even keel. Life still feels as lackluster and colorless as ever. I hate saying these things because I have been blessed in so many other ways, yet I hear myself talk and it sounds like nothing so much as self-pity. I guess the best thing is that I know I'm not alone. And you aren't alone, either. So hang in there!

Oh, and regarding the wheat, I dumped that from my diet about 4 years ago. I hated to do it because I was always a bread fiend (still am, if truth be told). However, within a month of doing it my psoriasis all but vanished as did most of my other allergies to pollen, animal dander, etc. Four years on, my body has gotten accustomed to eating food without wheat, but I can tell pretty quickly whenever I've eaten something with wheat in it. Gut starts turning. Head feels sluggish. Skin breaks out. Overall malaise. The bad physical reactions are enough to keep me away from it. If you're new to the wheat-free diet, I can tell you it's well worth the effort to get rid of it!

Best regards!

[ZuperNev in reply to MtotoMbogo]

Thanks for your story!

We all need light in periods of gloom.

I hope wheat is a silver bullet and the fog lifts.

You have helped me like a good Samaritan with these kind words.

Spousal support is a doubled edged sword. I have some and the worst cusses too! The drugs feel like they have killed all ambition and feeling as every venture is filled with self doubt until failure...

Thanks again for your support,

Keep well and prosper!

N

[MtotoMbogo in reply to ZuperNev]

Can I EVER identify with your feelings about ambition and self-doubt!!! If there was something that could bring those b*stards to heel, I feel like I could almost handle the rest of them on my own. I wish I had some tangible hope and/or guidance to offer you. The best I can do is tell you that you aren't alone, and I take solace in knowing that I am not alone, either.

[ZuperNev]

Amen brother

[Angep]

Hi there, I believe a lot of what we eat poisons our bodies, so much processed food, preservatives, flavourings!!😮It's quite scary because we initially believe it's all ok because we don't know any better. Sugar is a fiend too!! Don't get me wrong I do eat it at times. Sometimes I can't beat the craving!! But if I bake I never use the full quantity of sugar I always half it. I have Crohn's disease, so I don't eat dairy as I understand this causes inflammation in the body. My youngest son who is 25 took himself of his antidepressants because in the end they made him feel worse.he says he feels a lot better without them now. He still has his down days but prefers not to take them anymore.hes always tired but he dosnt sleep well his mind won't stop working!! I think that has a lot to do with the fact he's dealing with other people's problems on a daily basis. There is hope for everyone so don't doubt that or yourself. You just need to find what works for you and you will 🙏🏻

[Satsuma]

Reading this I feel akin to it all ... Aaagghhhh we are struggling ... what is the point of all this though is my main question ? If someone can shed light on it I think it will help me somehow.

[Satsuma in reply to Satsuma]

I am gonna google a wheat free diet and see if that helps...I am a vegetarian and cutting meat out helps me on many levels

[JoC17 in reply to Satsuma]

I understand exactly what you're saying and I empathise . I feel like this. I'm currently going thru some sort of breakdown . I just can't cope with anything atm. My 13 year old daughter has been with my parents for over a week now and I can't shake the guilt. I feel guilty to be here. Guilty for being born . Guilty for being such a huge burden to my nearest and dearest . I wish I could offer you help but I'm struggling atm. Keep telling yourself it will pass. I keep telling myself too but I can't rid myself of feeling suicidal and an overwhelming feeling of notwanting to be alive. I'm sending you my best wishes and hope and pray we both come out the other side xxxx

[Satsuma in reply to JoC17]

Cheers for your input JoC17

[ZuperNev]

Sharing is caring...

Called Samaritans this week at a low ebb just to vent. These forums are good for that but at the end of the day we only have ourselves to push on do what has to be done. Results come from the effort and the better the effort...happiness/contentment/satisfaction are at the end of that rainbow.

Stay the course...