Feel I am being forced into taking antidepressants

If you aren't sleeping, I'd try to get help with that first. Has the psychiatirist dealt with that?

Hi, thank you for replying. No they haven't given me any guidance on the sleeping or eating but are constantly saying that I need medication and that will start to help. I have given them my reasons for not wanting to but they don't listen. I had only been talking to him for less than ten mins before he wanted to do a prescription. Feel that not taking the medication is being used against me

Have you thought of seeing a counsellor instead? My anxiety and depression were brought on by a delayed reaction to the sudden death of a parent. I am on Fluoxetine as well but found counselling was very beneficial especially in the early days.

Best wishes and take care

Hypnotherapy can also be a good way of releasing emotions.

Hi, I am just starting some sessions with a Psychologist which I think will help and I want to give this a go first but still every time I see the psychiatrist I am told that. I am not helping myself by not taking the medication and I feel that they are implying I am being awkward. Feel really strongly that I don't want to but feel it seems like a tick box for them and an easy option. I just don't feel medication is right for me but don.t feel anyone is listening.

Its your body so its up to you not them what you put into it. Stick to your guns if you feel that is right for you. Stay strong.

Hi Ak, im sorry for your loss :-( They shouldnt be forcing yiu do do anything you don't want to do and aren't happy doing. I havent been to a psychiatrist myself however I have been to a counsellor through the NHS he was very helpful. Antidepressants aren't always the answer, it seems to me like they are trying to push you onto them to just make their job easier. I agree with Ben about the sleeping problems, in my opinion they should be trying to help you with that and the appetite rather than just resort to antidepressants. Antidepressants do not always cure the problem.

Say to your psychiatrist that you do not want to take medication and don't let them make you feel awkward, its your life and your choice. If they are not willing to accept that then maybe switch to another psychiatrist, one who is willing to work with you and try and help.

Hope everything goes ok.

Thank you for your responses, helps me not to feel so alone with this and just needed some confidence that I was being reasonable. Thank you.

Hi ak2010, I'm so sorry about your boy. I have two sons and two little grandsons. I could not imagine how dreadful it would be to lose them. I think the psychologist is a very good idea. Mourning is a process. A normal human process. It takes time and it is painful. It is NOT A SICKNESS! There are special self-help support groups for people who have lost children. I've heard they are very good. I agree totally with your stance on the anti-depressants. There are side-effects and they're not all short-term. And after long-term use there can be some very nasty withdrawal symptoms, and they don't work for most people. (80%) I'll just put in some info that you might be able to use to justify your position if you feel you're being coerced. I don't know how people feel they can help someone to get through the single most horrible time I can imagine, by ADDING pressure by bullying them. Ask about:

1. The "Black Box Warning" on the packet where it says `this med can cause suicidal behaviour'. mainly in adolescents and children but not exclusively.

2. Where are the tests to say I have a `chemical imbalance' that the drugs will fix?

3. What about Irving Kirsch's Harvard Medical School psychologist research from 1997? He analysed 38 antidepressant trials and found that 75 per cent of the drugs' effects could be obtained by taking a placebo. (a sugar pill). In 2010, researchers revisited Kirsch's work, using six more recent trials, and vindicated his findings. Kirsch’s research (2008) led 44% of doctors in the UK to reconsider their prescribing habits,[16] and it contributed to a change in official treatment guidelines by the UK National Health Service.

4. Can the docs` explain the small effect sizes found (in the SSRIs, SNRIs). In fact, we should be...confident in stating that antidepressants are merely placebos with side-effects.' The Myth of the Chemical Cure', by Joanna Moncrieff -

There are lots more. You could point out that, as someone who doesn't want them it is unlikely that you would get a `good', placebo effect anyway. For that to happen you would have to believe they would work. As you obviously are aware, drugging down the pain isn't likely to allow you to work with and through your grief. I wish you well. deee

that's great thanks I will look at that website. I do feel it is a battle everytime I speak with them because they have their answers and have made their mind up. It is hard arguing against medical professionals. For me there are two many risks including the risk of suicidal thoughts. But I have been told I have nothing to lose by trying them, but I feel I have. I didn't have these thoughts or feelings before I lost my little boy so I really don't feel that they are the answer. I did take a prescription sheet but never got the tablets and now after doing some research and helpful responses here it has made my mind up that I should stick to how I feel and try other things that I feel are more effective.

thanks

Grief is so complicated and affects people in so many ways. I thirnk an understanding of what the mental impact is by talking to others who have been through a similar experience would be helpful. Hopefully the psychologist is helpful to you. It all takes time to learn to live with what has occurred. The death of a child is probably the worst kind of grief.

I agree with deee in that you have to work through this. One day you will be able to 'put it somewhere' in your head but it will take time.

Good luck and be kind to yourself.

Hi

I was really sad to hear about the death of your son - there is nothing worse than the death of your child. I can empathise as I have had a similar experience.

Of course you're going to be depressed & have all the things that go along with that, insomnia; not being able to think straight; not wanting to do things & lack of energy - to name just a few!

Have you been in touch with Cruse? or any of the other support groups which support families who have experienced the death of a child?

You will probably get told that "time heals" I don't believe this but rather you learn to live with your grief. The best model I've heard is that grief is like a huge black "blob" in the centre of your life, it surrounds everything & is so overwhelming however it time ( a long time) it shrinks & you learn to live with it. You will never forget, you will have good days & you will have bad days but it is a long journey - as it should be! He was your son & will always be your son.

It's now several years since my daughter died, over the years I became involved in groups supporting bereaved parents as I'd had so much support when I needed it. I also trained as a bereavement counsellor. I'm not suggesting that you do that but I do think it is worth getting some bereavement help.

You are normal - whatever you are going through & experiencing is normal! Don't let others tell you it's not!!!

Be gentle with yourself - do & say what you feel is right for you! x

I just looked up the `Compassionate Friends' organisation. They actually have a site on Patient UK. I've heard of them before and believe they can be very helpful.

They might even be able to help you with the medics as well. Go in peace. deee

thank you and sorry to hear that you have experienced the worst thing a parent can ever go through. We did contact Cruse, more than once but they never got back to us. We have found adequate bereavement support incredibly hard to access both for us and our children, we have ended up having to support some family members privately. It is up to a years wait for a bereavement counsellor on the NHS. Problem is when you reach the point that you realise you need help, to then get told OK we will put you on the waiting list,

What is so hard is talking to people who are not experienced bereavement counsellors, I get told that I shouldn't feel the way I do, shouldn't feel guilty etc....that doesn't help and it just makes you feel all the more alone. That's one reason why I don't want to be forced to take medication, I don't think it will help me but may just mask how I feel and longer term that is not going to stop be falling into this black pit I am in. Just so hard to get people to understand that which is why comments on here are really helpful.

Hi Can I message you?