Discussion & help on depression & mental health related issues

[Frang]

im going to docs tomorrow to assess the meds im on..

im ot totally happy, been on 40mg of fluexitine for around 5-6 weeks now, and im having to force my days, its quite a struggle to do anything. I don't think these are the right meds for me , I was feeling much better on citalopram, I might go back to it .

will see what the GP recomends

 

[Daytripper]

Are you badly stressed / anxious during the day - work / family / money etc ?

Stress / anxiety can often manifest itself through insomnia / nightmares.

Aerobic exercise in the evening can help release a lot of it and leads to a better sleep.

I know that’s not always possible for a lot of people with work, family etc, if not have a look online at “ sleep proofing “ your room - having no electrical items on, blackout blinds etc.

A little stressed yes and anxiety creeps in now and then. The dreams I have are very weird too, one was a guy walking along Sandhills train track , very thin, gaunt face, purple lips, I help him onto the platform he shakes my hand then in a strange voice tells me how much he hates me LOL

 

[Nymzee]

I’ve never taken meds before for my problems, I’m not a fan of the idea personally, but curious if anyone feels they’re maybe relied on a little too much? More of a crutch and a dependence rather than actually helping & improving.

 

[Bungle]

I’ve never taken meds before for my problems, I’m not a fan of the idea personally, but curious if anyone feels they’re maybe relied on a little too much? More of a crutch and a dependence rather than actually helping & improving.

Why's that mate?

 

[Nymzee]

Why's that mate?

I don’t like the idea of needing medicine to tell me how I’m feeling or should feel.

 

[Bungle]

I don’t like the idea of needing medicine to tell me how I’m feeling or should feel.

Sometimes it's needed as a temporary crutch just to clear your head and allow you to think straight again, there's no shame in it and it's aim isn't to instantly fix your problems, it just allows you to think clearly and not get bogged down and overwhelmed by things quite so much.

I think some people get that from exercise, others might get it from something else, but I wouldn't rule out medication as an effective option if you use it as part of a well managed and regularly reviewed solution.

 

[Tipp blue]

A little stressed yes and anxiety creeps in now and then. The dreams I have are very weird too, one was a guy walking along Sandhills train track , very thin, gaunt face, purple lips, I help him onto the platform he shakes my hand then in a strange voice tells me how much he hates me LOL

I know it's nonsense but have a look at this might give you a bit of a laugh. I just looked up train track says it's about your digestive system..

Aisling A-Z Dream Dictionary of Symbols: Tooth - Tree

An extensive dream dictionary of symbols useful for identifying the subject matter of your dream. Words from Tooth - Tree.

www.dream-analysis.com

 

[Frang]

I don’t like the idea of needing medicine to tell me how I’m feeling or should feel.

Too many fellas feel like this, which is probably why the male suicide rate is sky high..

It literally is OK not to be OK.

I have constant battles with my family who fail to understand this. They think mental health issues don't exist.

 

[roydo]

It literally is OK not to be OK.

That is literally the first thing Ms R's therapist told her. By osmosis, it clicked with me, so when she feels like a bad day is brewing, its an easy way to remind her that its perfectly normal to have bad days.

Its the exact same reason you can have an inexplicably happy feeling. Cos its normal.

 

[Nymzee]

Too many fellas feel like this, which is probably why the male suicide rate is sky high..

It literally is OK not to be OK.

I have constant battles with my family who fail to understand this. They think mental health issues don't exist.

Where am I saying it's not okay to not be okay? Think you've twisted my post quite horrendously there Frank.

 

[AmericasToffee]

I don’t like the idea of needing medicine to tell me how I’m feeling or should feel.

There are biological underpinnings of mood and mental health disorders, and meds are a way to help expedite the process of correction.

 

[Nymzee]

There are biological underpinnings of mood and mental health disorders, and meds are a way to help expedite the process of correction.

I'm aware of the science.

 

[AmericasToffee]

I'm aware of the science.

Then I don't understand your position, but wish you well in your journey.

 

[Golan]

I’ve never taken meds before for my problems, I’m not a fan of the idea personally, but curious if anyone feels they’re maybe relied on a little too much? More of a crutch and a dependence rather than actually helping & improving.

I was never a fan. I didn't want to become dependent on a drug to make me feel 'normal'

I ignored advice and decided against it for a couple of years, started self medicating with alcohol and other things until it all came crashing down around me.

It was work that gave me the impetus to see the doctor as it had gotten to the point where if I'm not helping myself then there's not much more else they can.

Since I've started taking meds, one didn't work the other has. Even now I'm still not sure if they're a placebo. But on reflection I'm in a much better place mentally than before I started taking them.

Exercise and staying off the drink still give me the biggest lift. Sadly, despite knowing this they still are the hardest thing for me to maintain.

 

[Deleted member 38674]

I don’t like the idea of needing medicine to tell me how I’m feeling or should feel.

I can understand this mate, I won’t put words in your mouth, but I’ve alluded to similar thoughts in here previously. Each to their own and all that, it’s not an attack on those that do because I can totally get that meds can be a “useful crutch” as someone said, as in helping you get through the day, that’s certainly how my wife described it when I first met her.

However, for her (and perhaps for others) the goal / plan was to continue working towards resolving her ongoing issues (in her case, her problems with her parents and unemployment at the time), with a view to coming off the meds as quickly as possible.

Again, everyone’s journey is different so it’s not a knock to anyone doing things their own way. I just think if someone wants to avoid the meds and feels empowered to change things on their own, they should be encouraged and supported to do just that, fair play to you.