Feeling pressured to take antidepressants
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi I was recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety following a serious of bad events in my life over the past 18 months, including a misccariage and my husband being taken seriously ill due to misdiagnosis by a gp. My low mood started to develop last year which my GP did pick up on but I passed it off at the time as stress due to work, but following a bad experience on holiday including not sleeping and feeling anxious all the time I decided to seek help. I have also suffered from an eating disorder in the past for which I had counselling at school/university.
Initially my GP referred me for an assesment for talking therapy and asked me to come back. He did mention pills but I explained that I didn't want due to wanting to try for a baby. I should add I am waiting for surgery which may solve the problem but must likely won't. I am also in constant pain since having a prevous surgery in March. I went to a follow up appointment with him but was still waiting for the assesment and the topic of pills came up again. The assesment resulted in me being put on a list for CBT but I am still waiting for the appointment (3 weeks).
Over the past 2 weeks I have been feeling more and more down, not helped by my hospital appointment being cancelled and my husband called my GP for a telephone appointment for me and the result was that I now have a prescription for sertraline. I do believe my GP has listened to my concerns about taking the pills but I still feel pressured into taking them. I actually feel more anxious now at the thought of taking them.
I've read about the side effects and really don't want to risk feeling any worse at the moment as I have a lot on at work which I am trying to keep on top off as I run my own company and am responsible for groups of teenagers. I've also read about people struggling to get off them again.
One of my particular concerns is that we have applied to adopt a child and I am worried that this will affect our chances. We already have several negative points against us due to a large age difference between my husband and me and his recent health problems which have caused some long term effects.
I haven't taken any of the pills although my husband is now pushing me to take. I have to travel alot for work at the moment and I just can't bring myself to take them. I am supposed to go back to GP in 2 weeks to see if they make a difference but am tempted to cancel the appointment and wait to see if the CBT helps.
So I was just wodnering if anyone else has experience of feeling pushed to take antidepressants and whether you have taken them or not? Does it affect how you are treated by the GP/ counsellor?
1 like, 7 replies
julian33896 ssk1
Posted
You are the only one who has the power to make decisions regarding your life, don't feel pressured! That being said, the right antidepressant can help you get back to your normal self. When do you get to start your CBT? This may help you a lot!
ssk1 julian33896
Posted
philip28679 ssk1
Posted
I too have just been prescribed pills for stress/anxiety and I am t o scarred to take them. I had a similar bout of anxiety about 4 years ago and was given antidepressants which I did take which after 3 days me feel like a zombie so I stopped.
Must admit this time I do feel worse and I am wondering if I do need them. Going back to docs on Monday will discuss it with her then. I attended some mindfulness sessions a couple of years ago which really did help, so it might worth given that a try.
I am going back to some classes soon to try and help me.
Please let me know if you decide on taking the med and if it makes you feel better, you sound like me scarred of the side effects
ssk1 philip28679
Posted
The side affects do scare me partly due to my husband's issues earlier this year but also as I am taking lots of other tablets - currently 12 a day. I can't take the only pain medication that seems to work if I take sertraline so that has put me off too.
I think my main concern is feeling like a zombie and not really wanting to be dependent on meds to feel normal again.
philip28679 ssk1
Posted
Got to see my doc on Monday will ask her if CBT would be right for me, had a really bad day today can feel another sleepiness night on the way
ssk1 philip28679
Posted
Hope your visit to the doctors was ok and they can offer you some positive help
philip28679
Posted