Hi all,
I've been suffering depression since I was 8 years old. I'm now 20 and I still suffer with depression bad. I'm on anti depressents citalopram 20mg and quetipine 25mg but I don't seem to be getting the help anymore and my mood is going so low that I'm thinking about ending it all.
Has anyone got any tips to try and keep me happy and any stress free tips
Hello JL,
Where to start. Luckily for you time is very much on your side. I am guessing that if you have had depression for 12 years now that you possibly had childhood trauma not unlike mine. Either way this is where we are now. When you say you are not getting the help anymore , do you mean from the docs or the meds? At 20 you have lots of options. My personal favourite is exercise, and you have so much choice there. Running, swimming, tennis and so on. I always suggest these because the endorphins produced by exercise when you get hot and sweaty are better than any medication and without the side effects. Also you don't say how long you have been on the Cit. Anyway, I am sure others will come up with more ideas than me but in the meantime keep posting, it does help.
I'm not a great one to be giving advice, but I wish I had of got help at your age. You are young, and many options. Would you please go back to the doctor, preferably one who specializes in this sort of thing. I used to go weekly when I first started going. He gave me an hour and being so easy to talk to, things did look somewhat brighter. He found an appropriate cocktail of meds for me, (1 for sleep and 1 for depression). I was far from cured, but my mood was better. This could take some time, depending if you have garbage to unload. Please find someone reputable. Will be thinking about you.
I've been on cit for a couple of months including other tablets that I've had when I was younger.
I have been to a gym and I do go swimming and sweat it out I also go on long walks with my boyfriends mom's dog.
They don't seem to want to help me and yet I've been put in a 1-1 but it's every 3 months and they just don't listen
I've been doctors and it just circles around and around. Same advice all the time and I do what they tell me to do until I finally start going back to the beginning and ending up being completely depressed and stressed out and my anexity kicks in
Hello again JL,
This is very frustrating for you. I read somewhere else on this site a good idea about keeping a journal. In it you could identify triggers, patterns even what you eat - you never know. Also I have found basic meditation techniques to be very helpful. It is a matter of trial and error I'm afraid. Just don't go down my path of self destructive behaviours before you accept help. I had a horror of a childhood experience (lasting 3 years) and developed all manner of psych probs including alcoholism. I turned the corner at 31 and am now much much older. Again I say at your tender years DEMAND help from your doctor you deserve it.
Hello again deryl,
Thank you for your advice and I do keep a journal which I write down all my feelings and express myself in there and I keep it locked away. I did try and self distruct myself with drugs and alcohol but I've managed to turn that around and keep away from alcohol and drugs.
Would you recommend trying Yoga to help me as I know a good group that I could go to for yoga but I don't know whether it would work or not
Sometimes medications may need reviewing after an extended period. Although generally here they prefer to leave well alone as the change can open up larger problems.
You need to talk to your GP and He may discuss this problem with your local Mental Health Specialists
To manage depression and Anxiety I use relaxation Techniques, the popular one at this time is Mindfulness, if you have a CPN etc they can explain how to use and get benefit from the Technique, there are various books that are available that explain techniques. Another is called the Alexander Technique, again there are books out there that will help
i do not know the reasons for your Depression and that can assist to know why you have these concerns.
There are other techniques to ease the situation that can be tried, again to know the reasons would help
BOB
Hello again Jadie-leig,
Absolutely would and I agree again with borderriever, he knows what he is talking about. I do Ashtanga yoga myself but that is not exactly relaxing stuff, it does however keep me supple. Hatha yoga seems to be the relaxing one of the yoga disciplines. I like the way you are sounding more upbeat. You really are among friends here
Hello deryl
I have not tried your technique how do you get on ok
BOB
Hello Bob,
I am an obsessive personality type. If I do something I generally do it to excess. i.e. alcoholism (stopped in 1982) As an alcoholic -albeit with many years in recovery - I have to guard against any mind altering chemical (SSRI's are OK) hence my pursuit of healthier pastimes. To keep myself on the straight and narrow as it were, I run (when I don't have a fractured PR) swim and do Ashtanga yoga. The attraction of the yoga for me is the breathing discipline. If I am not careful I can live my life at 200 miles an hour and this has been very costly to my health. The 'Darth Vader' style breathing of Ashtanga forces me to slow down and is therefore of enormous value to me. It kills two birds with one stone. It is both relaxing and it requires exertion. There are classes just about everywhere now but I settle for my diluted form of it at home. I am what you would call an addictive personality, I accept this but these days at least my addictions are 'healthy'. Right now I am doing just fine. Regards Deryl
Hello deryl
Yes I was a littl like you whn a lot younger. I have chroni disabilities now so I have to be very careful what I get up to.
All the best
BOB
Have you thought about looking up a walking group, a group swim, spinning class or making generally making your exercise more group orientated?
I'm just thinking mixing your exercise with a socialising aspect might bring you a little more joy.
My condition effects my skin and tendons, also hips hands et etc
I am been treated for chronic extensive pain and associated depression.
My moods chang very quickly and can be very raw. My condition started when I was in my mid thirties and it is still going strong.
My immune system is attacking my body as it is overactive.
Life is full of experiences we could do without.
BOB
see a Dr for a review of your medication because sometimes that can make you feel suicidal and needs to be monitored.
When I had my appointment last week they discussed a change in medication. They are very reluctant to change or reduce anything so my druggied life will carry on.
Since Pain Clinic they had explained how to self dose when my pain was at its worse so I take just the right amount of my medications.
I am frightened sometimes of the right amount, that is why my wife controls my medications
BOB
With my depression been a Reactive Depression my moods change very fast and they can be frightening. The saying keep well alone comes to mind
you may have to continue on the drugs but that may be good for you in the long run. Check changes of meds with the Dr for any contra indications and you should be fine. I can get angry too so you are not alone.
Hello Richard
Yes they gave me a review yesterday they are louth to change my meds so I will be hanging on I suppose.
They need to take other medications in consideration. so it gets quite complex. They say as you get older they try and reduce doses
It is withdrawal and associated contraindications so it just complicates everything
hope you feel better soon mate