Any advice welcomed.

[Secgirl]

How do you know if your medication is working for depression and anxiety? When does the mood lift. How do you know. All new to this Thanks in advance

[Hidden]

Hello Secgirl , wanted to give my experience . I take Pregablien 250mg twice a day for Anxiety , i also take 7.5mg Zoplclone and i have 4 Valium PRN a week. Anyway after changing to Pregablin, it really helps me out . I did'nt go outside for 8 months before this treatment but then after about a month i started feeling brave again. Going to the shop was a thing again and small things like that is how i noticed. Everybodys different of course. stay Strong X

[NemoAbella]

Hello Ma’am, based on my experienced, I was diagnosed 4 years ago with GAD and Major depression; For me, It is hard for the medicines to work when you will not do any efforts yourself too, example, eating or doing things that might trigger anxiety, like smoking, drinking caffeinated drinks etc. so do baby steps if possible, help your medicine and trust your medicine, you have to set your mind that you will be going to be okay coz you are taking medications now, eventually you are gonna be surprised soon that you are slowly getting back to normal; so my answer with this is, it depends on yourself effort to be okay, and of course, you just need to trust medicine, having anxiety in the very peak is like the worst, we always start in baby steps until we are gonna be okay, just trust your meds, trust me you are gonna be okay, been there done that.

[WalkingJess]

Hi Secgirl, I've been on Citalopram 20mg for anxiety for a long time now (years) mine took me about 6 weeks to feel better than I did. Hope you're coping OK in these difficult times.

[welly10]

Hi secgirl the meds on there own don't just make you feel better you learn to do other things like cbt therapy.learning to change your thought patterns from negative to a better outcome.self help books are good too anti deps are not a cure they are a tool to use in combination with other things.exercise is also good a 10 min walk a day lifts your mood.podcast and positive audios.some apps are good to there is plenty of things online to help you through your journey.good luck

[Secgirl]

Thanks for that. I’m interested in podcasts and audios. Can you suggest any that you’ve maybe used to be helpful. Appreciate your respond.

[welly10 in reply to Secgirl]

Hi secgirl I listen to Ted talks and positive affirmations ive got plenty of apps on my phone and read self help books.dare response is a good on also fxxk it is a good book.feel the fear and do it anyway also lots to choose from whatever helps me at the time.

[Hidden]

We are all different, nothing is straightforward. It all depends on you and what problems etc needs to be addressed. It will take upwards of five weeks before things settle down, it is important you allow longer than that for changes. You will know, when you start settling down

BOB

[Secgirl]

Thanks Bob. I’ve been bad today. Honestly 24/7 had negative thoughts that are making me down. I can’t stop thinking I’m going to loose my job, house, I’ll never get better. So sick of it!! I’ve been watching motivational YouTube’s to try to help but I can’t switch off. It’s torture this. I know thoughts are thoughts I just can’t switch them off. Spending the day alone doesn’t help either I suppose

[wiz145]

I keep a mood and medication diary. Simple notepad and I mark down the meds I am taking and rate my mood 1 to 10, 1 being the worse and 10 being euphoric and 4-5 being normal. I can go back over everything, as I have changed medications so many times. This will help you know when certain things are working for you. You also have other options, CBT, biofeedback, etc., but I have found exercise and eating low carb the biggest help for me. All the best, I hope you do well.