Depression/Anxiety

You are in a lonely place right now, but remember that you are not alone. I think it's true that, for most of us who suffer from clinical depression, the medication thing takes a while to get right. I had to try several antidepressants till I found one that I could live with.

It doesn't help to tell you to be patient--not when you're feeling so miserable--and yet that is the best advice I can give you. Perhaps you should take your therapist's advice about increasing the meds for now and see what happens.

I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time.

I'm sorry that you're not feeling well. I've taken Cymbalta before. It worked for a few months, but the numb feeling was more than I could bear. Unfortunately, it has substantial withdrawal symptoms. In order to successfully get off of this drug, I had to wean off over a period of months.

Anyway, this is not about me. It's about you. And I'm sorry that you're having such a tough time of it. I don't have any sage advice to offer, just my sympathies and me well-wishes for you.

When my mum died I was left to sort everything out, so I never had time to mourn. A few years later I started to have panic attacks & depression, the doctor said it was a delayed re-action. I take Propranolol for the attacks & it works great. One of the best ways to work through this is to keep talking, hopefully the therapist will help you! Good luck xox

Dear depressionhurts98,

My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Please forgive yourself. Your fears, guilt, anger, etc...drive these self destructive feelings that cause panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, etc.

I would like to recommend that you read "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. Through her experience with losing her left brain function temporarily after a stroke at 37 years of age, she gained wonderful insights and learned that "the feeling of nirvana is never more than a mere thought away. By stepping to the right of our left brains, we can all uncover the feelings of well-being and peace that are so often sidelined by our own brain chatter...deep internal peace truly is accessible to anyone at anytime (Bolte-Taylor, 2006).

I know exactly how you feel. I too have situational anxiety and depression. Sometimes the days and the pain never seem to end.
I am also (fortunately and unfortunately) a doctor. Lexapro helps make more good hormones in your brain, but after a while your brain can get used to them or you just may be more depressed. I think you should increase your dose to 20 mg.
I am also on lexapro. Two years ago I started it and had to increased it to 20 mg within 6 months. I felt like I was going backwards. I felt better on the 20 mg and I'm now almost off off lexapro all together.
I know what this feels like so please don't feel alone. I remember so many lonely fearful nights of crying and despair with no one there for me. I don't want that for you.
Go out, take walks, eat chocolate, pray, do whatever used to make you happy. It takes a while but you can be yourself again. And know that someone is thinking of you.

Hi I know what you are going through! I am suffering from the same symptoms. My doc has put me on 50 mg Zoloft and its starting to work. Let your doc up the dose for you, if it doesnt work for you have them to switch the meds.

To be honest i do not profess to understand exactly what you are going through all i know is that since i was 6 i had a self harm problem (Alot of shrinks etc classed it as depression) i am now 15/16 and have just started to stop and sort my life out.
I know the feeling that it is never going to end but it does.

Umm i don't know if this will help but i found that exercise helps me- this is completely personal but joining a gym has helped me so much.

Hope this helps. XxMx

I also suffer from depression, I was officially diagnosed and started medication in 2006, but I believe I suffered from it long before then. Anyway, I'm currently on Lexapro, 20mg, and it's the best thing I could be doing. It doesn't make me feel dead, or even numb, like some antidepressants can, it actually helps me feel alive. I feel motivated and productive, and not overwhelmed. I'm a college student also, so I know how depression is affecting your studies and your life in general.

If there is one thing I think you need to know it's that I firmly believe that Lexapro gave me my life back. Without it, I would still be laying on my couch, trying to figure out a way to move without feeling overwhelmed. If you still don't want to up the dose, then the best advice I can give you is to keep seeing your therapist. Even on the days that you have to remind yourself step by step how to function, those are the days that it helps the most.

All the best to you, I hope things get better.

I understand the dark place you are in. You have to understand that depression is a mood and it can be controlled. You have to learn to recognize when you have a negative thought and write it down. Then you learn how to prove it wrong. I learned this through Cognitive Therapy. You do this with or without meds. Please look it up on the internet, it will help you, but you have to keep a journal or it won,t work.
Please take care, many of us have suffered from this awful condition and we feel your pain. It is worth the struggle to get away from it.

I have struggled with depression all of my life and I have tried numerous drugs. Mine is a chemical imbalance and I have found some drugs that help me to manage my depression. They create a bottom to the cycle and then the rest is up to me to struggle with. I found that exercise helps and networking to develop friendships that occupy my mind and help to bring me up. I have a tendency to stay at home and hide. It's the worst thing I can do. I go to the dog park to take my dog but even more for myself to get out and talk with people. It really helps me. My dogs help me. You will have to find the little things that help until you come out of this cycle. I am available to talk if you need someone.

Hi, I also have struggled with depression and anxiety and I want to encourage you to do a bible study on the key words in your bible like "think, mind, fear, spirit of heavyness and words, tongue. They really opened my mind out there about how important it is to get our thought life and the words we say out of our mouth in line with what God's word says about us....and these bible verses have gotten me through some hard times!

1 Peter 5: 6,7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exhalt you, Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (Aplified Bible)

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly sphere.

I pray that all of us can come together in one accord against this spirit of depression and anxiety that is attacking the body of Christ! We are overcomers through the Blood of Jesus!

There are different types and reasons for depression. I had a mild depression for most of my life but when I gave birth to a daughter with Down Syndrome who also required open heart surgery I decided to take medication. I went on citelopram. I am off them now (a year later) and honestly I have to say I wish that I had never gone on them. DEpressants are definately for some people but not all. If something significant has happened in your life I would suggest that people stay away from the meds if at all possible because for me it stopped me from actually being able to deal with the events of my life. Now over a year later I have only just begun to start to process the fact that I had to sign a piece of paper allowing my 3 month old childs chest to be cut open with a chainsaw. It has haunted me for all this time.

On the plus side I think as I am not coming out the other side that my mild depression has gone. When something so significant happens in your life I think it can just help you to appreciate life more fully.

Just work through it people. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

i too feel like you on many days, i am on tablets and seeing a therepist but i find it best no matter how hard to leave the house, is to go out and spend time with friends and family, it lifts me up. depression is not understood by many, but i understand you so chin up and you can allways talk to me

im 16 and im going through something similar ive been depreesed for years im on paxil i was seeing a phsycologist but nothing helps i feel s empty my doctor keeps uping my mgs im now on 30mgs but i feel like ill never get out of this deep dark hole i just wish the good times would out weigh the bad

To help your panic attacks when you get them.
Your in this hard cold world when panic attacks come on, your thinking about whats going to happen what has happened, to take you out of this world and put you back into the world we acually live in you need to focus on things in this world, you have a panic attack while walking downtown, you focus on the car driving by, what kind it is the color, then focus on the person walking across the street, there hair, there clothes.
So on, so forth, take yourself out of the world you hate and into the world that matters and whats going on in it... Ive had them a few times, they suck but it helps. Message me if you need anything :]