Hi all I just need a rant about something I think we all understand and why we're at this forum in the first place. Whether you're on sertraline or trying to 'get' why a friend/relative is.
Personally I suffer from anxiety and depression. I've just upped my dose to 100mg and am hanging on as I've had a few days that I felt good again, so the memory of those makes all this worth while.
For all the doubters of this drug, seriously you have to go with the general consensus of 'don't give up!' We ALL feel you! The side effects and the illness all in one are absolutely *****. But the alternative would probably lead to giving up in general. And no one wants that. I've been there and people, even yourself end up asking - why??
We've just all gotta be patient! I wish people realised mental health is actually an illness and that we do not choose to be off work/school for so long. It's not 'fun' having so much spare time. Trust me we would all love to get back on track and be able to lead a normal life. But we can't and that's why we're seeking help.
This can hit anyone and all the ignorance is not helping any of us to get better. I feel almost guilty that I feel this way as people have big problems and don't end up in this state.
Firstly, just because we are ill, it doesn't mean we can't get out and about either.. Why do people expect us to stayed cooped up inside. Yes we have low energy and don't enjoy much but we don't have a physical problem so it's not weird that we're walking about. However the fact that we are, somehow suggests to some people that we are therefore fine and should be back at work/school. The fact that you have a sense of humour and a smile also means that you're fine, apparently. But these opinions couldn't be more wrong.
Inside, you're never going to understand this unless you are going through it. You feel trapped and unable to enjoy anything. You can't focus. Even on those few good days, where I'm buzzing, I couldn't for the life of me sit and concentrate on anything.
Anyone else found that people just run away too? If you were physically ill, people would visit you and feel for you and be there. I feel like some people choose to ignore it and therefore me as they don't understand. Which really hurts. At the end of the day we're still people with sane thought processes, just that we have anxiety/low mood/ whatever. And the days that we feel like we want to die, it's not because we're nuts. We just don't want to feel this way anymore; imagine being trapped in a mind that is incapable of feeling enjoyment or imagine lacking confidence completely. Well the problem is that people can't imagine this. And I wouldn't wish it upon anyone anyway. Sometimes, you forget what happiness even is. It's like a come down that never ends.
For those that just 'don't get it', fine. Just don't take it out on us that we're ill. We didn't choose it, it could happen to anyone. The way a physical problem does.
Rant over.
Just hope people realise you're not alone... When everyone else tries to push you back to leading a normal life and you just cry inside 'I can't!' don't let them dictate your recovery. You'll just get worse. Keep taking the sertraline the way you've been advised to. Go back to your GP if need be. And post things, it helps!
Feel free to add your thoughts! We all have our own problems and rants we need to let out ..hope other people can associate - helping to prove I'm not crazy like everyone thinks!
Lots of love x