help please?

Hello Flower1989,

You are not alone we are all friends on here.

I have tried a few tablets before I was put on Fluoxetine. They have worked for me. As for side effects I would suggest reading other peoples experiences on here, we are all different. You may find that you do not suffer too much with side effects. I only had mild reactions that soon passed in no time at all. I felt like giving up and having a change of medication again but, I stuck with it and glad that I did. I am feeling so much better, still got a way to go though.

I too went down the counselling/therapy route (still ongoing). What an experience, I now understand myself and others so much better than ever before. It really helped me having someone that understood what I was feeling and going through. I also did not feel I could tell anyone about my depression, friends or family. I have told the odd close friend and have got a whole lot of support from them. I also did not know what to say to my counsellor at the beginning. I think you have taken the first steps on the road to recovery by writing on this site. It is only a suggestion, how about taking along a copy of what you have written on here to the counsellor? I have done similar with my counsellor.

Take care and keep in contact.

Good Morning Flower1989,

First things first, I think you have done brilliantly to seek help from your GP, so many sufferers (myself included) find it too difficult to take the first step. You should be pleased that you have taken positive steps in the direction of getting yourself better.

Secondly, you are far from alone...this website is amazing and is great at helping those suffering, like me and you, to get better. I recommend you use this site every day if possible just to see if someone has been through what you are feeling/thinking, or to post your own thoughts and feelings as bottling it up is not a great idea. Vent all your frustrations, share your experiences and discuss any side-effects the tablets may give you (if any).

I can see you have been through some very hard times with your ex-boyfriend but have managed to get rid of that negativity so well done again. The next thing I feel you need to combat, if you can, is to either tell your parents or one/two close friends what is going on with you. Be honest and open - its extremely hard but I found it worth while as the more support you can get, the quicker you can potentially recover.

I am in a similar position as yourself when it comes to my friends as I do not trust their reactions if I tell them Im suffering from Depression. When I told brother, he made me worse by saying, \"What have you got to be depressed about, get over it and get on with your life\"......I could have easily slapped him!

You will find that many people don’t understand that we feel this way against our choice, we don’t want to be sad, emotional and depressed but its not easy to convey that to people. The best way to deal with these people is to send them to the Depression website... http://www.depression.com/index.html and tell them to understand the illness before making judgements.

I get the impression that your depression, like mine, is making you feel extremely agitated and as though people are talking about you behind closed doors (whether they actually are or not). It is a horrible feeling but one that you need to block out as ive found 90% of the time people are not actually talking about you at all.....just the brain tricking us.

If you are looking for some real reassurance then Im afraid I cannot offer you that.....these pills react differently in everyone but as long as you take them routinely, try to keep eating normally, avoid alcohol, exercise regularly and do as best you can not to put any pressure on yourself to do things until you are ready - then you will certainly get better.

With regards to counselling, it definitely helps - speaking to someone impartial and professional about your thoughts, feelings and life is great. I have had suicidal thoughts and just telling this to someone who understands was a great weight off my mind. You can tell them anything you need to say, just a chat about your day or to tell them you hate life - they will listen same as those of us on this website will.

Hope this helps in any way - would be great to hear from you soon

Hi Flower, I strongly suggest going to your university councellor, it will be odd at first, and you wont know what to say, but they will help you and you will end up wondering why you were worried about it in the first place and realising how much it helps.

You can also carry on talking to us on here. We all understand, better than anyone else what we are going through.

Hi flower1989, i have been on flow since october, i have posted a few replies on here before, i do sugest to see a councillor, as i have, mine was qualified and helped tremendously, also try sitting your parents down and take the time to explain your problems to them, if they are understanding, you are half way there, also, let them read a few of these postings on this forum or even take mum to the docs with you and let the doctor explain the seriosness of this. As my councillor told me this is as serious as diabetis and not to be taken lightly, try what i say, and please, please get back to us, colin xx

Congrats flower on 1st getting rid of an abusive boyfriend, no one needs or desrves that.

I have only just started taking flu after denying I was depressed for nearly a year the 1st step is the hardest but you have already done this by seeing your gp, so don't put yourself down.

As other people have mentioned flu reacts differently for everyone, I was exactly like you not even a few days ago, the list of side effects sounded horrendous! I'm now on day 5 and everyone who has responded to my messages on this fantastic site is so supportive and helpful. Use us with any feelings or concerns you have we are all here to help and offer advice to one another or just listen to you rant on!! We are human after all!

I can honestly say I am feelin fine, I take my tablet in the morning bout 9-10am ,eat some cereal straight away, have had no sickness feelings, headaches or anything like that.c And a multi vitamin tablet later in the day.

I had heard I might lose a bit of weight which I thought bonus but that hasn't happened either I am eating normal, sleeping ok, don't sleep great normally but not waking loads in the night.

On maybe the 2nd night in bed I had a racing heart beat for a couple of mins if that, which I could manage but apart from that no problems. Don't be scared flu will either work for you, but you won't know unless you try.

I know what you mean bout certain friends, there are a few people I know that I couldn't or for some reason don't want them to know about my depression??!! People won't be talking bout you badly thay are prob v worried bout you, if you can take some one to see gp/counseller?? don't think it's spelt like that it would be a great support if not write notes or pointers about how u r feeling to remind yourself when you see your gp?

Best of luck, i'm always here if you need to chat

Krazykat xx

Hey I have just read these replies and can't believe how supportive you all are. I took my first tablet today - I thought I have to start at some point so ive started today and lets see what happens.

i have also booked in to some counselling starting on monday at uni, i am feeling really anxious about that tho. when i start to talk about whats going on i just burst out crying i don't want that to happen.

i feel at least a bit more positive reading what u've all written. knowing there's people here that can actually understand as i can feel pretty lonely. just want to say thanks.

xx

I know how you feel about bursting in to tears. I am taking day 5 today and am feeling really low and shaky. I think it's because my depression is caused by relationship problems and this is the first weekend at home since I discovered his affair on monday.

Keep talking to people on here - their advice is invaluable. You have taken the first step by getting the tablets and booking with the councellor.

Keep strong!

Hello, I've been on flu since October and have really turned a corner now. The tablets will help you but it does take a few weeks - seems to vary from 2-6 weeks from peoples experiences on here, with varying side effects and feelings. Important thing is to keep taking them to begin with.

Don't worry about the crying, I'm pretty sure everyone on here, men and women, cried lots at the beginning. I cried for weeks, particularly at doctors or when people asked me how I was.

Take Care, there are some really supportive people on this site x

Crying is what I feared, I thought if I started I would never stop. But it is ok to cry with them, you will feel better for it. Hopefully.

Good luck with the first session and if you want to talk more we are all here to help each other.

Hi all

It was good to read about all your experiences using Flu. I have been on it for 6 months but not down to depression, I have PMDD and felt very suicidal. It is nice to know that there are people out there willing to listen and help others out. I cried constantly for 3 weeks just shutting myself off from my partner and our daughter - they didn't know what to do, and I was still going to work everyday putting a face on. It was only when I stopped myself from taking an overdose by thinking of leaving my daughter on her own did I seek medical help. I am glad I did.

x

Hun i just want to say u are not alone, im not very good at giving advice, but im in my first year of uni and im on the same meds. The general sideafects are sickness and loose stools, also trouble faling asleep is common, these take about two weeks to disapear, but its worth it! stick it out and post on here if you need help xxx