Antidepressant question?!
Question: I was diagnosed as clinically depressed last Feb. Since then I have been taking Cymbalta 60mg. I felt the medication helped... Then 2 months ago I moved to a big city, without knowing anyone.. and I've been feeling even more depressed lately (and I'm still taking the 60mg) I don't like taking medication, but I don't think I could go off of it now.. Is it normal to be on an antidepressant for a year?? What to do..
Answers: I was diagnosed as clinically depressed last Feb. Since then I have been taking Cymbalta 60mg. I felt the medication helped... Then 2 months ago I moved to a big city, without knowing anyone.. and I've been feeling even more depressed lately (and I'm still taking the 60mg) I don't like taking medication, but I don't think I could go off of it now.. Is it normal to be on an antidepressant for a year?? What to do..
I strongly disagree with one of the previous answers. If you had a medical issue, say a thyroid problem, which is an imbalance in the way your thyroid works, you wouldn't take a holiday from something which helps you maintain your health.
Part of the reason people live years longer in our society is because we now know of, and can treat, medical illness.
Depression for some is an entirely situational problem, something that lasts through a difficult time and resolves. For those people, temporarily taking medication can be a life raft to get them through those times.
However, for those who suffer from a medical imbalance that is regulated by a medication, I see no reason to suffer from a physical disorder that has a medical solution.
That said, you can suffer from clinical depression and have situational depression as well. An increase in meds that is unnecessary to maintain your chemical stability in order to deal with a situational depression isn't something I would consider a good idea.
Situational depression requires something other than meds, it requires you to alter the situation which is causing the depression. For that, I would suggest finding social activities that you enjoy, church, night classes, bars, whatever you enjoy doing to meet people. Spend time with a hobby you love, spend time making your new home a place of comfort to you... whatever brings you joy in your life, now is the time to do it.
The time varies, but yeah a year isn't unusual. Just really as long as you need it. Sounds however like there are other factors making you depressed on top of the clinical depression which the drugs probably can't counteract.
Sounds like you need to find some new friends - maybe head down the local bar and see who you bump into. Pills can only do so much.
go to a psychiatrist and talk to her/him. maybe you need a stronger perscription. maybe you're still just not used to the change of scene.
good luck
Blessings!
I have been on my antidepressants for almost 20 years. I would be dead otherwise!!! On cymbalta ever since it came to the market. The best I have had.
You addressed part of your own question. You are alone now, the depression is trigger by the situation. Try church, support group, eat healthy, exercise, etc.
Before ever going off any medicine one has been taking for a substantial time. If I were in your shoes, I won't stop taking it.
Yes it is, while antidepressants can be used for a short time normally it is a lifetime deal, You are dealing with a chemical imbalance which your medication corrects. Additional stress can aggravate this problem and require a different drug or an increase in the milligram for a short duration. After being on my medication for 2 years I decided to stop, Within a couple months I went back on and have stayed. When my nephew committed suicide my DR had me increase my dosage an additional half. (I was taking 20 mg and she had me go to 30mg for a few months). Stay on it and call your Doc and ask if you should temporally increase dosage until the stress of your move has eased. Don't think of it as medication, think of it as a vitamin. I know that sounds crazy because of course it is a drug and not natural but like a vitamin it gives your body something it's lacking. Sometimes that chemical imbalance corrects itself, most of the time it doesn't.
Anyone who relocates -- particularly to an especially unfamiliar location -- is going to feel depression, fear, uncertainty. For those who are already predisposed to depression, the huge life-change is guaranteed to exacerbate what's already there.
My own feelings about so-called anti-depressant medications is to use them as sparingly as possible, and once in a while, take a "drug holiday."
Why don't you try to manage without increasing the dosage, and simply acknowledge that you have a real, situational basis for the sadness?
But you are the expert on you; trust your instincts.
A new city is a tough situation. Pls call and write to friends from last city. It will make you smile and help you feel connected to other humans. This is ESSENTIAL. Do this today - do not put it off. You deserve to feel well.
Keep on taking them. I have for years but have to change the type of pill ever now and then. The anti depressants will most likely be increased in strength. When they quit working then I try a new one. Efexor was good for 2-3 years though.
Go to the Dr.
Many women are on antidepressants...
Depends on what you definition of normal is. I have been on depression medication for 15 years. I have clinical depression and I stopped taking my meds a few times and every time I would crash and burn so to speak. Do what you think you need to but I would seek the help of a good psychiatrist, and I would not wait. Please seek some help. Blessings
Stay on your meds!!! Find a dr (www.nami.org) in your city and talk to him about your depression. FYI Cymbalta is good stuff, I've used it myself and it's been very helpful.
If you have just a short-term case of depression brought on by, say, puberty, you'll be able to discontinue your medication with your dr.'s help.
If your brain's chemicals are chronically off balance, then taking meds on the long term is probably a good idea. After all, the point is to keep you the happiest, best adjusted person you can be.
TX Mom
I have a chemical imbalance and have been taking antidepressants for 6 years. I wouldn't worry about it.
It is very normal to be on anti-depressants for many years. I'm a depressive and I've been on meds going on 4 yrs now.