Posted by ruth on April 14, 1999, at 8:37:46
Hi,
I have what I'd call mild chronic depression. Nothing
major, I can function, I can often be (without ad's)
just generally
miserable and have a hard time fighting the demons in
my head that constantly say "you suck". I found meds
helped alot with that voice, it had so much less power
than before. (I'm not talking about hearing voices,
mind you, just those sort of inner demons, fears, etc)
I've taken prozac for 3 years and have been taking
Celexa now for a couple of months. For the past
10 months I've undergone individual therapy, and group therapy
for the first time in my life. I didn't have much
faith in therapy, but it's actually helped me to gain
some really important insights. In the past, trying
to go off meds has been unsuccessful, the depression
always came back--I usually went back on meds within
a month or so. Still, the side effects of meds really
bother me alot--sexual side effects, less with
Celexa but still there.. (a very important
part of my life), sleep problems, memory problems,
sweating problems..I know everything has a cost, but
it just GETS to me. And part of me is once again
wondering whether to try and go med free again.
I guess it's a question I'll always struggle with.
There are some differences now that weren't true before
Like I hadn't been in therapy before--perhaps I've
reached some insights that will help me be better
equipped to handle my depression cognitively than
before. Also reading these forums has helped too-b/c
I think also some of what I may have been experiencing
as depression returning may have actually been
withdrawal--the
crying and mood dips. I didn't realize at the time
that going off meds can cause a withdrawal reaction.
And although I've read that prozac withdrawal is
minimal, I sure felt it. ugh. This is getting long
and I'm not sure what I'm getting at. Maybe this will
simplify it:Trying to go off drugs in the past:
Me Then: no therapy, no knowledge of withdrawal, in a
really bad relationshipMe Now: therapy, group therapy, knowledge of withdrawal
have formed supportive group of positive friends and
relationships...Keep in mind my depression is mild. If I do decide
to go off, I plan on trying st. johns wort.Thanks for listening to my long winded rambling--I'd
like to hear people's thoughts--on either end of the
spectrum.I guess the bottom line is, if I try alternative
methods, and they don't work, I can always go back to
taking Celexa or prozac...
poster:ruth
thread:4861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4861.html