Depression - Greenford,OH

Oh, so sorry! Depression is tough.

Would you mind my asking, Why did you go off Zoloft? For a lot of people, a lowish dose of antidepressants is just a lifelong maintenance thing. There's nothing in the world wrong with continuing to take it as long as you need it.

Have you had your thyroid checked by an OBGYN? And may I ask why you stopped taking the Zoloft if it made you feel better?

I'm a mother of 3 and after my middle child was born my thyroid went nuts and I've been on thyroid medicine for 6 years. A side effect of having an underactive thyroid is depression. (Hormonal imbalance) I had my 3rd just 20 mo. after my 2nd and was very overwhelmed! My doc. put on a low dose anti-depressant and I was back to my normal self. Over the next 5 years I've was off and on my meds. 2 years ago my dad passed and I was DEVASTATED could not pull myself out of the whole of depression. Doc put me on Paxil and I was basically sedated for 3 mo. Obviously that doesn't work for my family, I then started taking Zoloft and its helped me sooooooo much. I did stop taking meds cold turkey for 3 mo and was again overwhelmed and anxious. My sweet gentle husband said honey you battle depression and why would you stop taking Zoloft if it made you feel normal? Been on the Zoloft ever since and I'm soooo thankful for the joy in my life.

Could I cope with my depression without meds? Yes but it's coping, it's surviving, its talking that negative girl in my head down ALL the time. But the hardest for me was pretending to be fine when all I wanted was to be alone. The guilt I feel when I'm so blessed in life but can't find joy strangles me. The Zoloft allows the joy in.

That's my story… I know some will disagree but most who disagree don't battle depression and they just don't know.

Best of luck to you.
C.

I don't have experience with long term depression. But when you said you're having issues with memory and concentration, that jumped out at me. After my third child, I was irritable and had issues with memory (a little) and concentration (a lot). I was diagnosed with a low thyroid issue and treatment for that helped me get back to my normal self. It wouldn't hurt to look up the symptoms of hypothyroid and see if that's something to look into with your doctor.

I've went on that journey with someone close to me. I second the psychiatrist. If you had cancer, you'd go to a cancer doctor. You have depression and you need to go to someone who knows about the meds and the balance you need. A regular doc will just throw Zoloft or Paxil at depression or anxiety and there are so many more options and combos.

It takes time to adjust the meds and get to a place where you are yourself again. Thyroid issues also played a part in this. Please get informed on the symptoms. I had symptoms without my levels showing low numbers. I just need higher than "normal" numbers.

There is a difference in thinking, I needed to study more for that test, and thinking, I'm stupid or unable to do better. One gives you hope, the other defeats you and keeps you from doing better. Get help!

I went to the doc and got some antidepressants. They help our chemical imbalance that can cause depression.

They don't have to be something that is life long unless your body needs the help with brain chemicals. Sometimes it's a loss, a stressful time, starting over a new life, etc....that causes the sadness. That's not a life long issue, that's environmental.

If you do have a chemical imbalance that requires medication the rest of your life it's not a big deal. There are lots and lots of them out there and some will drive you nuts with side effects while others will just make you finally feel normal again.

Back in 95 I was having a tough time, distracted and diagnosed as clinically depressed. A mild anti-depressant helped, but what also really healed me long-term was going to talk to a counselor. Depression is usually due to a chemical imbalance in the brain-- and it would be good for you to return to your doctor or the prescribing psychotherapist, if that's who you worked with-- but also to go and talk to someone. For me, the trick was realizing that I do have options (even small ones, including how am I going to make today work for me) and resources was beneficial.

In short-- taking the medication and doing the internal work really helped.

Oh, and tell your negative thoughts that they are NOT TRUE. I was really feeling awful at 30, I had just divorced, was beating myself up for a failed marriage, for choosing badly--- fortunately, I was in therapy at that time and ended up making many positive changes in my life. Now, at 43, I have a great husband (we've been together for 12 years) and an awesome kid, a better community of friends and feel very connected to them. Did you have someone in your earlier life feeding you negative thoughts about yourself? I did-- and I had to work through that stuff. You CAN do it. It is hard to unlearn those messages which contribute to one's negative self-talk, but consider this as an investment in a more fulfilled, happier *future self*. Not who you are now, but who you want to become. People are often very willing to go deep into debt for an education-- counseling is an investment opportunity that pays out a bounty of benefits over the long term, including more family harmony and feeling like a more effective and present parent. Good luck!

Meds can help, but they don't work magic. You need to find a good therapist you connect with that you can see on a regular basis.

I have heard that sometimes, people need to pulse on and off of anti-depressants or stay on low dosages. You may be one of those people. Do you see a therapist? You should start. Also get a check up to make sure your health is in check. And the holidays are crazy, too!! Try to find some balance - and if that includes meds, so be it. Feel better....

I agree with Carrie. Thyroid check.

I personally would seek out a naturopath or acupuncturist and go natural. Liver or lung meridians can be out of balance and cause depression, plus if you are missing periods that could be diagnosed as blood deficiency in chinese med. Or get some blood work done. Depression can be a sign of other systems being off... low iron, low thyroid, etc. And if all that fails, then do meds. I just read a study they did and found that exercise can be just as effective as meds. And therapy too. And diet. Just my humble opinion.