How do you deal with depression so bad, there seems like no way out?
The question is pretty self explanatory, but for a background, I was on Paxil for a year and came off of it a few months ago. I went through the withdrawal symptoms, and those have ceased, but I now feel more depressed than ever before. Also, panic attacks have returned.
Despite cognitive therapy, I am constantly plagued with thoughts that I will never feel better, and that I should start taking antidepressants again or else I will somehow die. (I don’t want to, because coming off of them was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done).
I am aware that you can adjust your diet, exercise, and all that. But how can I do that without motivation and with these terrible constant thoughts? I am failing at work, school and with others. From here, it feels as if there’s no way out. It’s beyond impossible to even think positively hypothetically. Please advise, your comments are welcomed.
Posted in depression cognitive
content rss
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I know exactly how you feel. My doctor told me that I may have to keep taking my meds all my life or for most of my life. Its actually saved me. Before resorting to medication, for almost a year I tried everything from cognitive therapy, physchiatrist, biofeedback, herbs, exercise, yoga. Nothing seemed to work for me. I really feel for you, especially since you had to go through withdrawals from Paxil. Myself, I take Lexapro. If you really do feel bad, I would recommend that you start taking antidepressants again. I don’t know if I would recommend the same one though. I’ve heard that if you start, stop,and then start it again, that its not as effective. Talk with your doctor. Don’t go through life like that again…I know its horrible. I couldn’t even leave my house, let alone the couch. Don’t let yourself fall deeper into this. its not worth it. You know, meds areen’t really as awful and people make them out to be. My prayers are with you, and I hope you can make the right choices.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
try yoga honestly..perhaps a different medication or something just for anxiety like xanax you can take when you feel anxious
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Comtinue Psychological counseling. Get involved in a decent church that you like, a belief in a higher power will help. Distract yourself—by that I mean do some volunteer work so you appreciate what you have, rekindle a hobby, stay away from negative people and bad influences.
If all else fails…….get youself comitted to a hospital if you feel suicidal.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Depression is horrible, there’s no two ways about it.
I think that you are so low you should consider medication again. There are so many different anti depressants available, there WILL be one which helps you and enables you to feel hope, and optimism, once again.
If the Paxil lifted your depression well, ask your doctor for another prescription. If it didn’t really do the trick, try another one.
And please, don’t listen to those people who keep insisting that if you just take the right vitamins and have the right attitude that you’ll feel better - you can do these things also, but for serious depression, you need that extra boost that only a good anti depressant can provide.
Once you feel better, your motivation will start to return, you’ll have more energy, you’ll realise that there ARE good things ahead for you.
I wish you all the best.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Get back on a different antidepressant! Despite what Tom Cruise thinks, there are such things as chemical imbalances. Diet and exercise will help, but only AFTER you get your depression in check. There are SO MANY options out there of medicines without such hard withdrawl. Wellbutrin comes to mind immediately, but find another doctor if the one you used wasn’t effective. See a social worker, as well as a psych., who is less expensive and can actually spend more time with you. Talk, talk, talk, and don’t stop sharing your feelings!
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
well… tell your doctor about everything. how u feel.. i know it must be hard because honestly i hate doctors. but that may not be how u feel about them. Maybe if u want to go back on Paxii… go back on it.. but only use if when necessary.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I would try talking to a therapist. Try to stay off meds, I did this too. The meds only worsen the true problem and cover it up. Its best to find out what making you so upset. They can teach you how to deal. If you dont have money or insurance to cover it look into free help. Most places offer this service. Dont do anything you cannot fix, like taking your own life. Things will get better. Just have hope. Try changing your life. Get a new job, make new friends, hang out different places, or pick up a new hobby. Things that will change your life. Hopefully you can feel like a new person.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
try yoga and meditation or an active sport such as boxing or sign up for a marathon with a few friends and co-workers. call a friend or two and go out for a walk. continue with the medication and therapy. if you feel like harming yourself or anyone, please call for help right away.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
well thats the first step realizing a problem so go to step 2 and do something about it now; talk to a friend or family member and go get the professional help you need
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
There is such a thing as chronic mental illness. Some people stop meds and the symptoms return. A few months is long enough to determine if you have healed. Don’t allow your fear of medicine to interfere with getting better. There are many medicines available other than Paxil. Explain to the doctor all your feelings and he will understand you more clearly. The more you explain to the doctor the higher your chance of finding the right medicine which can alleviate your symptoms and improve your life. Don’t ever give up on yourself and medicine simply because one medicine failed you. Try again and allow the doctor to heal you.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
My GOD, I have been right where you are now. My heart reaches out to you having gone through all of this before and hopefully, I can share with you some experience, strength, and hope. First of all, I don’t know why you aren’t on antidepressants right now, but with where you are now, they are a necessity. I would be a strong advocate for myself and demand treatment from a psychiatrist. You said that you are in cognitive therapy and I learned a great many tools from my psychologist to deal with depression and panic, but I first needed my depression under control. And that was only controlled initally through a combination of medications. Cognitive therapy then filled in the rest. I have now been released from treatment and I only see the psychiatrist every four months for a medication refill and labs. I just don’t see how you would be able to overcome such a deep depression without first going on an antidepressant and THEN following up with cognitive therapy. Like I said, be your own best advocate and you will be in my thoughts and my prayers. I wish you the best of luck in your journey to battle depression and feel to e-mail or IM me from my profile if you wish to talk to someone who’s been there before…
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
If you were diabetic, would you take insulin for the rest of your life? If you needed to take digoxin for your heart for the rest of your life and feel well, would you do it? It is entirely possible that you may be, for one reason or another, in need of a medication that will restore the normal balance of chemicals
in your brain and may have to stay on that medication or one similar for the rest of your life. Go back to your Doctor and have a heart to heart talk with him/her about your feelings,fears, and the outcome you can expect. Do NOT give up. I know from personal experience that it is an uphill battle, when you think that nothing is going to help, and that
you are never going to get well, Not true. You can and will get well with the proper medication and with the right Doctor. Good luck.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
http://suicidehotlines.com/
the address above is if you are having thoughts of suicide,
in case you feel you can’t go on
there are many support groups on line and may be some in your area.
Sounds like you may also need some professional therapy.
I lost my hsband to suicide. Please don’t go there and subject your family and those who know you to such terror and grieve that nobody can describe.
You can never go back on that one.
Please get some help——they may prescribe something that will work. Many have to take antidepressants or anxiety meds. for a life time. I have been on them since the death of my husband and will probably continue, until I feel I can cope and ready to try to stop.
Don’t be ashamed for feeling this way, many do.
Just get help.