Really struggling with anxiety and depression...it seemed to go after several months of being ill with it last year, now it's back and I am finding it so hard to cope with. I saw my gp last week and he put my antidepressants up to 20mg from 10mg, and after a few days I was severely agitated, restless, with sky high anxiety levels. I have gone back down to 10mg, but I am feeling so utterly despairing and worthless, and feel that my kids would be better off without me. Please help.
Anna
Hi Anna,
Sometimes when increasing the dose of antidepressants it can take a while to feel better and sometimes be worse in the mean time as with when you start tablets, however if you felt so bad that you couldn't continue then you need to get back in to see the doctor on Monday. There are so many different types of medication so it may be that you would be better trying something else (it was about my 5th try that I found something helpful), don't give up hope.
L x
Thank you L, I am just fearful that no antidepressants will be right for me, and I am fearful of the side effects. So far in my life I've been on Prozac, Seroxat and now I am on Cipralex.. Been on it since April 2016, was on 20mg, then down to 10mg, then up to 20mg, now back to 10mg..I am just trying to hold myself together enough to continue going to work, as I was off sick for 3 and a half months last year.
Anna
Hello Anna I was sorry to read that you are struggling again. Did you tell the GP that you have lowered the dose again because of the way you experienced side effects? Please speak with someone within the healthcare service or the Samaritans or your out of hours Dr surgery. Do you have a community nurse? The Samaritans number is 116 123.
Thankyou, yes I have told my gp that I lowered the dose because of the side effects. As I am going away tomorrow for 2 weeks, I will have to wait for another appointment, but I will ask about therapy or counselling when I next see him. I feel I would definitely benefit from a talking therapy. Thank you for the Samaritans number, I have been considering phoning them.
Anna
Hello Anna, welcome
Your medications take time to work, about five weeks, you need to follow your GP instructions and take the agreed dose, 20mg sounds ok When increasing the medication this time period can reduce to two weeks if you have been on the initial dose for the full time say four weeks, the time that your medication was increased ??.
If you feel in any danger with your mood, And you need immediate help contact NHS Information on Tel 111 and explain your negative feelings. You could ask to see your GP either Monday or contact the Surgery during the evening or weekend and explain you fears and concerns. a possible out of hours Doctor may visit.
The problem with these medications are side effects during the early taking period, these side effects will reduce given aforementioned time so give it time to help you.
If you need a chat we are always around, give all time.
BOB
Thank you x
Understand how you are feeling.. Have you ever received councelling? I was like this for many years before I got diagnosed with anxiety and depression.. Was a huge walk.. and felt alone and embarrassed almost.
But many people suffer depression and anxiety sweetheart.. learning to accept it is a huge step.. I for one was in denial for months.
Finally agreed I was, after speaking to councellor who helped me loads.. The frustration in how you feel, and your perception of the world... so to speak.
Understanding and learning to accept it is the way to start the first steps.. in moving forward.
Then councelling will assist you in finding strategy or strategies that work for you as a person. We are all different xx
Past experiences are often a cause., but knowing you are not alone, and you have others that understand means so much xxx always here if you want to talk xxxxx
Don't you dare say your kids would be better off without you! Everyone needs their mother. I'm sure you do more for them and mean more to them than you're currently allowing yourself to realise...
The other week, when a recent event fired me up with rage and then melancholy, I text my mum and told her she would have a better life now if she'd never had me. And sometimes I feel guilty that her life isn't what it could have been. But afterwards I feel even more guilty for thinking bad thoughts about myself. The point is, she doesn't see it that way and I truly believe she has never once regretted having me (even when I've made her life incredibly difficult).
We all need our friends and family and we are never exactly "better off" without them.
WTC xx
Thank you, it's just so hard to think rationally when I'm going through a depressive episode, and so frustrating, I just want to scream...
Hi Anna
Kinda to the point this one
I hope this doesn't offend ok.
If the answer is yes to seeing ur kids leave school, go to uni learn to drive which you could
Do for them, watch them have families and be a grandma
Which I hope the answer will be yes.in fact I'm that sure that you will say yes.
Then I wouldn't want to cheat my self from all those rewarding moments and also I would want to not cheat my kids from my most lovely compassionate person just like you are
This is just a blip no more no less.it will pass.just gonwithnit which yer I know is easier said than doneand you will soon wonder what it was all about.i love the bit when you arevjust coming out of the tunnel of depression =hell and you start to see the light.yup that's hope .g on to that and remember what it feels like.
Next blip you have you will be able to use that as a tool which you know helps you out of the tunnel
And makes you feel nice again
Hope that helped
Xxx
Good luck 😉
Oh have a great weekend
Thank you so much. I just need to hold on to that hope and hope I get through this...
Morning.
YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS BLIP.if you've done it before then there is PLENTY of hope
Thank you! It is so difficult though...really struggling, but I know I have got to help myself.. Deep breaths, I can do this, I will do this!
Hey how's it going for you.
Thanks for your concern, fidgity, and sorry for late reply. I have been abroad with my husband and two children and only recently returned. I found the whole experience highly stressful, then was consumed with guilt for knowing how fortunate I am in being able to go on holiday and despising myself for not enjoying it. I cried every day, then felt ashamed at my children seeing me like that, and worried I'd screwed them up for life because of having such a depressed and anxious mother. Experiencing an aborted landing on the flight home didn't help either! Just trying to hold myself together so I will be able to return to work on Wednesday, when I am due back from annual leave...
Anna
GAD
Back to work 
Feeling bad again because of alcohol
Arrived back home.....
