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Post by Reflection on Sept 22, 2005 18:39:19 GMT -5
I stopped taking my anti-depressant about 2 weeks ago (I know you're not supposed to stop cold-turkey like that, but slowly weaning myself off was unbearable). I am extremely depressed....I can't decide whether it's better to be depressed and have moments of happiness, or to just be blah and feel nothing (like I am when I'm on meds).
Sorry if this post is all over the place.
I just feel like life is so pointless. I come home from school and usually just go to sleep.....I force myself to wake up so I can eat and do homework. I have no energy to do anything, and that's the main problem; how can you just magically develop energy???
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Post by lily on Sept 22, 2005 18:41:19 GMT -5
I stopped taking my anti-depressant about 2 weeks ago (I know you're not supposed to stop cold-turkey like that, but slowly weaning myself off was unbearable). I am extremely depressed....I can't decide whether it's better to be depressed and have moments of happiness, or to just be blah and feel nothing (like I am when I'm on meds). Sorry if this post is all over the place. I just feel like life is so pointless. I come home from school and usually just go to sleep.....I force myself to wake up so I can eat and do homework. I have no energy to do anything, and that's the main problem; how can you just magically develop energy??? I don't think you can. You'll probably have to sleep alot more until you get used to being off it. Did you stop the meds because of side effects?
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Post by pnoopiepnats on Sept 22, 2005 19:41:22 GMT -5
I stopped taking my anti-depressant about 2 weeks ago (I know you're not supposed to stop cold-turkey like that, but slowly weaning myself off was unbearable). I am extremely depressed....I can't decide whether it's better to be depressed and have moments of happiness, or to just be blah and feel nothing (like I am when I'm on meds). Sorry if this post is all over the place. I just feel like life is so pointless. I come home from school and usually just go to sleep.....I force myself to wake up so I can eat and do homework. I have no energy to do anything, and that's the main problem; how can you just magically develop energy??? Yes, it is a tough decision. That is the reason I go off of them is because I don't feel a full range of emotions while on them. But the depression and anxiety gets so bad to the point of putting my job in jeopardy, I have to go back on them. Do you exercise on a regular basis? That will give you energy. I started back on a new kind about 3 weeks ago I think. My anxiety seems to be gone but I am still somewhat depressed. I'll see how I feel in another couple of months or so.
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Post by Crashtastic on Sept 22, 2005 19:47:15 GMT -5
I do this every month or so I decide "hey I don't need those damn pills" and a week later I'm a mess! Anyways...zoloft rocks!!!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2005 20:01:25 GMT -5
I stopped taking my anti-depressant about 2 weeks ago (I know you're not supposed to stop cold-turkey like that, but slowly weaning myself off was unbearable). I am extremely depressed....I can't decide whether it's better to be depressed and have moments of happiness, or to just be blah and feel nothing (like I am when I'm on meds). Sorry if this post is all over the place. I just feel like life is so pointless. I come home from school and usually just go to sleep.....I force myself to wake up so I can eat and do homework. I have no energy to do anything, and that's the main problem; how can you just magically develop energy??? I know how you feel,,, after working 10-12 hours a day my ass is pooped. Even on the weekends when I am off I don't have much energy and usually sleep alot. During the week I don't sleep much maybe 4 or 5 hours a night. BTW life ain't pointless,, it may get boring though. As far as finding energy,, when you find some let me know I could use a dose of it too. Maybe I should eat right and exercise.
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Post by k151 on Sept 22, 2005 20:04:07 GMT -5
How long were you on the meds before you went off them? It sounds like the dose had to be upped. If you felt little or no emotion/energy, then the dose was too low. A proper dose (and assuming the meds are taken long enough and work for the person) will bring normal behavior (normal happiness, energy etc). When I was depressed, I had a few cycles like that. I was never on meds, but when I started getting better, I slept like CRAZY, tiny things made me feel a bit happy. When I got totally better, just being NORMAL again made me SOOOOOO happy. That's how it should feel when the meds work, if it doesn't, then either they don't work or there wasn't enough. Might have to talk to your doctor again, depression sucks and if you find a fix, take it.
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Post by purrfect on Sept 23, 2005 0:04:46 GMT -5
I have a low opinion on meds. I think of it as changing myself to please other people and having to suffer with side effects from it. I would rather just live with my anxiety. But then I'm weird I don't even believe people with anxiety are the messed up ones...I think we just see people for what they really are. But you basically need to decide whats best for you, since it sounds like either scenero you won't be happy in.
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Post by k151 on Sept 23, 2005 0:26:53 GMT -5
I have a low opinion on meds. I think of it as changing myself to please other people and having to suffer with side effects from it. I would rather just live with my anxiety. But then I'm weird I don't even believe people with anxiety are the messed up ones...I think we just see people for what they really are. But you basically need to decide whats best for you, since it sounds like either scenero you won't be happy in. I hope I don't sound like an ass. But meds bring a normal chemical balance in the brain. Anxiety and stress isn't just a personality type, it can reduce a person's life-span. Your brain and body was never meant to deal with constant stress or anxiety, it is really hard on it. Medication brings the endocrine system back into proper balance. The brain is obviously especially affected, changes in mood can be directly related to poor levels of neurotransmitters (especially serotonin, in depression and anxiety disorders). I don't know of anyone who would want to live with depression. I realize that while in depression, it's hard to get help. But despite not wanting help, most people know something isn't right. After recovery of depression, most people feel pretty amazed. Not only that they could feel this way (IE, normal) but they are also amazed how bad depression felt. I think the problem with people not getting help for mental illnesses is the horrible stigma that has surrounded it and does to this day. If you read about a serial killer, just read carefully and often it will say "history of mental illness" No they don't specify what they are talking about and if a serial killer DOESN'T have a history of mental illness, do they say "this man was disturbed but had no previous history of diagnosable mental illness" I mean, for all we know a serial killer may have had depression 10 years ago, oh then they better add "history of mental illness" JEEZ that makes me so mad! Anyhow, high stress and anxiety is not normal physically or mentally. A person can be sensitive and caring and understand others just fine without an anxiety disorder. I'm really just trying to get proper information out here without propagating the stigma of mental illness. Having said all that, I am of the opinion that meds alone don't generally work fully. They work while the person is on them, but unless the person makes major mental and life changes to avoid negative self-thought and negative thought cycling, depression will return eventually. But of course, depression, in it's wonderful way, can come and grip a person for no apparent reason
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Post by pnoopiepnats on Sept 23, 2005 3:44:19 GMT -5
I have a low opinion on meds. I think of it as changing myself to please other people and having to suffer with side effects from it. I would rather just live with my anxiety. But then I'm weird I don't even believe people with anxiety are the messed up ones...I think we just see people for what they really are. But you basically need to decide whats best for you, since it sounds like either scenero you won't be happy in. No that is wrong. Believe it or not some people have long term chronic depression and anxiety that is goes beyond the typical teen angst. Living with my anxiety and depression can cause me not to be able to keep my job. It is a serious thing.
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Post by zoegonzalez on Sept 23, 2005 14:32:41 GMT -5
Sorry your feeling badly. Maybe you need to talk to your dr. about adjusting your dosage or trying a different medication altogether.
Usually you have to generate energy to get energy.
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Post by annaa on Sept 23, 2005 15:24:49 GMT -5
I know exactly where you're coming from. I have been on and off anti-depressants for the last three years. In my experience, it's best to just keep taking your medication. Although it makes you numb and tired, atleast it's not making you depressed. Having said that, it's just my opinion. I suppose it's all to do with how depressed you get. I get suicidal, and that's obviously not good at all. Are you feeling ok, going off your medication the way you did? I went cold turkey once and felt absolutely awful. I know that emotions are much less hazy off the medication, but that's not good when it comes to the negative emotion. I've always seen anti-depressants as a plaster. It can cover the wounds temporarily, but in the end it's just inevitable that you're going to have to go without it and get everything into the open.
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Post by purrfect on Sept 23, 2005 16:58:02 GMT -5
I have a low opinion on meds. I think of it as changing myself to please other people and having to suffer with side effects from it. I would rather just live with my anxiety. But then I'm weird I don't even believe people with anxiety are the messed up ones...I think we just see people for what they really are. But you basically need to decide whats best for you, since it sounds like either scenero you won't be happy in. I hope I don't sound like an ass. But meds bring a normal chemical balance in the brain. Anxiety and stress isn't just a personality type, it can reduce a person's life-span. Your brain and body was never meant to deal with constant stress or anxiety, it is really hard on it. Medication brings the endocrine system back into proper balance. The brain is obviously especially affected, changes in mood can be directly related to poor levels of neurotransmitters (especially serotonin, in depression and anxiety disorders). I don't know of anyone who would want to live with depression. I realize that while in depression, it's hard to get help. But despite not wanting help, most people know something isn't right. After recovery of depression, most people feel pretty amazed. Not only that they could feel this way (IE, normal) but they are also amazed how bad depression felt. I think the problem with people not getting help for mental illnesses is the horrible stigma that has surrounded it and does to this day. If you read about a serial killer, just read carefully and often it will say "history of mental illness" No they don't specify what they are talking about and if a serial killer DOESN'T have a history of mental illness, do they say "this man was disturbed but had no previous history of diagnosable mental illness" I mean, for all we know a serial killer may have had depression 10 years ago, oh then they better add "history of mental illness" JEEZ that makes me so mad! Anyhow, high stress and anxiety is not normal physically or mentally. A person can be sensitive and caring and understand others just fine without an anxiety disorder. I'm really just trying to get proper information out here without propagating the stigma of mental illness. Having said all that, I am of the opinion that meds alone don't generally work fully. They work while the person is on them, but unless the person makes major mental and life changes to avoid negative self-thought and negative thought cycling, depression will return eventually. But of course, depression, in it's wonderful way, can come and grip a person for no apparent reason I just think that considering the true nature of people, its normal to have this anxiety, depression I suppose might be different, but I'd say how could you live in this world and not feel some depression, seeing how things are? Its the case when its severe depression and the person sees it as totally worth the side effects of meds that they should be taking meds. If you have to question whether or not you should be on meds, i'd say you shouldn't be. And since the original poster doesn't sound like he's content with or without the meds due to the side effects I'd say he shouldn't be on them. When I was on meds I was the same way. I would rather just deal with anxiety, depression, and whatever other non physical aliments without meds. The side effects to me just aren't worth it, just to fit into and take part in a society I dispise and want almost no part of.
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Post by lily on Sept 23, 2005 18:40:20 GMT -5
I just think that considering the true nature of people, its normal to have this anxiety, depression I suppose might be different, but I'd say how could you live in this world and not feel some depression, seeing how things are? I have to admit, there's something to what you say. Living in this society can be brutal. I don't like it. I tried to get out of it for a long time before I got trapped. I think the trick is to not think about it. Avoiding insanity and depression requires careful compartmentalization and judiciously timed distraction.
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Post by Crashtastic on Sept 23, 2005 19:24:20 GMT -5
I have a low opinion on meds. I think of it as changing myself to please other people and having to suffer with side effects from it. I would rather just live with my anxiety. But then I'm weird I don't even believe people with anxiety are the messed up ones...I think we just see people for what they really are. But you basically need to decide whats best for you, since it sounds like either scenero you won't be happy in. No that is wrong. Believe it or not some people have long term chronic depression and anxiety that is goes beyond the typical teen angst. Living with my anxiety and depression can cause me not to be able to keep my job. It is a serious thing. Yeah I agree. I can barely function when I'm not on medication some of the time. I am almost certain I wouldn't be able to keep a job without them. I didn't even go to school half the time because I was such a little shit Everyone is different and have different degrees of depression and anxiety. When they begin to drastically effect your everyday life that when something needs to be done and I think the only short term option is medication.
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Post by Reflection on Sept 23, 2005 19:49:32 GMT -5
Wow guys, thanks for all of your responses!!! I will try to get back to the questions you asked in this post. But first I wanted to let you all know that I decided to go back on my medication and I have been feeling better ever since (not perfect, but definitely better. I really *need* to be on it or I will end up putting my school career and my life in jeopardy. Until I can get better, I will continue to take my medication. Now to answer some questions: Yup...I hated feeling so friggin numb! Not to mention, it made my sex drive nonexistent. Not that I have sex anyway, but it's nice to at least get weak in the knees when you see certain members of the opposite sex! No. Half the time I'm glad if I can just manage to go to my classes....but if I have someone to exercise with (i.e. motivation), that helps. I was on them for about a year.....but kept stopping and starting again probably 6-10 times during that time span. I don't think my dosage needed to be higher; I was pretty stable when I was on my medication. I was just very, very numb, which suggests to me that maybe my dosage was too *high*. I've pretty much given up on fitting in with other people. That is not why I take anti-depressants - not at all. I would simply like to be able to function. I cannot do that without medication. I take my meds so I am able to sleep (I will have racing thoughts until 5 a.m. if I don't), and so I am able to do my work and function. Medicine hasn't really helped me talk to people more; that's something I've become better at because I've worked at it. I can't really work at overcoming a chemical imbalance when it comes to depression, though. Okay, to clarify - I am not content with or without meds. HOWEVER, I am much more *functional* when I am on medication, and have realized after my initial post that I NEED to be on medication. I know it's normal to have some amount of anxiety/depression, but it's NOT normal to stay up all night because you can't sleep due to racing thoughts. It's not normal to contemplate suicide. As you pointed out, some cases are more severe than others. I'm sorry going cold-turkey was so horrible for you I actually feel WAY worse when I am weaned off like my psychiatrist recommends...I am doing better now, though, since I started up on my meds again.
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