How do you really know if you need anti-depressants?

[4kids4me]

This history of my family: my grandfather, mom, and sister are bipolar. My sister has a very unusual case and she's actually on epileptic meds for it. My mom's taking lithium.

 

I've never been severely depressed (other than the baby blues for less than two weeks with children #1, 2, and 4) nor manic, so I don't think I've got bipolar. For the past two years, though, I've just not felt myself. I've not felt severely depressed, but a huge lack of energy and motivation. This year has been especially hard teaching, but for no reason I can specifically pinpoint (I could say it was hard having grades 5 and 3 while my tagalong SK and preschooler were a distraction, or having continually fights with my gr. 3er to get work done, but other than that nothing unusual). I have a supportive husband, nothing much is going on in my family...

 

But yet it's been hard getting out of bed and harder starting the school day. I resorted to getting the work done, but without much extra fun. I went on a two week cruise with my MIL and had a good time. It was busy, I could get out of bed no problem, didn't feel sad or lethargic.

 

I haven't gone to the doctor yet. I've stuggled with whether this has been a spiritual struggle, or me being just plain old slothful, or whether I have mild-depression.

 

I guess my question is, when do you know you need to go on anti-depressants?

[Mom2legomaniacs]

When I got really non-functional and not myself. I didn't want to go out and be around others at all. That's not me. Now, I am on an anti-depressant, which has helped a great deal with the anxiety and other things. However, I did just start using progesterone cream and WOW! Let me tell you, the difference in me is amazing. The combination of the anti-depressant and the progesterone cream is great for me!

 

I urge you to do some research into those areas to begin with in order to see what your issues might be. Life's too short to not live it, you know. There are lots of web sites that have check lists for you to see where you might fall in which category. It is worth it!

 

BTW: I did the whole try to suck it up and deal thing. I thought it was just me being off spiritually and in other ways. I over-extended myself at church trying to do it all thinking that's what I needed. I spent this past year cutting it all out. I have taken time to just *be*. Then I discovered that I might also need the progesterone along with the anti-depressant. I am not saying you need meds. But I am saying that you are worth the investigation to see if you need something.

[4kids4me]

I've seen it talked about on the old boards, but never paid attention to it. What does it do? Where does it go (seriously)? How often do you take it?

 

Also, how did your doctor decide which anti-depressant to put you on?

 

Thanks for being open and sharing. I really appreciate it.

[Guest Virginia Dawn]

For me, getting out in the sun at least 15 minutes a day is very helpful. Also finding a routine way to temporarily disconnect from all the responsibility that comes with being at home practically 24/7.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

I've seen it talked about on the old boards, but never paid attention to it. What does it do? Where does it go (seriously)? How often do you take it?

 

Also, how did your doctor decide which anti-depressant to put you on?

 

Thanks for being open and sharing. I really appreciate it.

 

I am very happy to talk about what I have experienced. If it helps someone else out of bad place, I would be thrilled! I spent far too long in that bad place without even realizing how much better life could be for me and my family.

 

The progesterone cream: I got mine from GNC based on the recommended brands from Dr. John Lee's book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause". It is spread on several areas of your body on a rotational basis such as the hands, neck, under sides of the arms (I put on the wrist area), chest. It is to be used once or twice a day from day 12 to 26 of your cycle. I started with twice a day, but that was a bit much (I was edgy). I switched to once a day after a few days of the other and was fine.

 

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/pge2effects.html

 

The above site has a list of the effects of estrogen and of progesterone. When I went through the list, I realized that I was having a lot of the effects on the estrogen side. Also, during pregnancy, progesterone levels are very high. I remembered that I was more calm and stable while pregnant, than I had ever been in my life. Those things led me to believe that I was lacking in progesterone. I decided to give it try and it has worked wonders for me! I have only been using it for a month total, but right away, I could really tell my energy level, mood, everything, got better.

 

 

 

Now, about the anti-depressant. I had a rough time for a long time. I finally talked to my bff who read off a check list for me. She thought I might be depressed and have anxiety issues. I went to my DR. and she agreed. I was put on Zoloft. My issues were anxiety, mild depression, increasingly worse PMS, and some hyper-focus on things that bugged me (kind of ocd but not really?). It helped a great deal with those issues. However, I still wasn't totally there. Now, with the progesterone cream along with the Zoloft, I think I have a good combination for me to be a functional, happy girl again. My dh is very pleased with the results and has noticed right away. I have been cleaning and organizing the house! My mood is so much better.

 

Zoloft is good for all of the issues that I experienced. Thankfully, it worked right away for me. We did do a small upping of the dose last summer, and that was good.

 

If I can help in any way, let me know. I am glad you are researching what you need to do to feel better!:grouphug:

[Mom2legomaniacs]

For me, getting out in the sun at least 15 minutes a day is very helpful. Also finding a routine way to temporarily disconnect from all the responsibility that comes with being at home practically 24/7.

 

For me, I needed more. I needed more in order to be able to react to things like walking that helps me to feel better. You know?

[Jill- OK]

...for diagnosed depression (and OCD; some forms of anti-depressants are also used to treat OCD symptoms). I have them on hand, just in case...but I've never taken them, for a variety of reasons. (I'll PM you.)

 

I've been able to have a good amount of success with exercise (you can read about the effects of exercise on moderate depression here), diet changes, and therapy. (The co-pay for therapy is probably more than I would pay, per month, for medication, but I don't believe it will be for forever).

[4kids4me]

I really appreciate the advice as well as what you all have shared. I'll pray about it and talk to dh and see what we come up with. :)

[Plaid Dad]

You should research dysthimia. It is a high functioning form of depression and often goes undx for long periods because there is no huge sudden change and you manage to function.

 

This is what I was initially diagnosed with, after being turned away from various state mental health programs because I was "too functional." I may have been holding down a job, but I was also suicidal.

 

Talk to a physician. You always get to say yea or nay to any suggested treatment, and you can get a second opinion. But if you are questioning whether or not medication might help you, particularly where there's a family history of mental illness, I would not wait or just hope it goes away. Wishing you peace and good health!

[Jami]

I'll just mention one thing to watch for, since you have bipolar in your family history. If you have a psych evaluation done and you're even borderline bipolar, you'll want to really watch how you react to antidepressants. Dh was diagnosed with depression about 4.5 years ago and also diagnosed as borderline bipolar (but not quite), but we think his grandmother may have had bipolar tendencies. Anyway, he started an antidepressant and immediately started rapid cycling--incredible mania and then a huge crash much worse than the initial depression. So now he takes a mood stabilizer (epileptic meds like your sister) for the bipolar too. Just so you're aware to watch for that type of thing with your family history.

 

I hope you find some good answers and relief soon. (( ))

 

Jami

[4kids4me]

Again, thank you for all the posts. I really appreciate it...especially since this is such a personal subject. :)

[KIN]

4kids4me -

 

I am at the exact same point in my life. I cycle through times of heavyness, I think it may be related to PMS, but not always. My hard times has been my entire adult life, but more so since I have had children. I told dh last night (before I read your post) that I'm ready to talk to a doctor about anti-depressants. I have put it off thinking "I just need to pray more or read my Bible more or trust more, I need to eat better, I need to exercise, I need to destress, I need to talk to someone.....". Well, I'm doing all of that and I feel better than I did, but this past 2 weeks the darkness is back. I'm sick of it. I'm not the mom or wife I want to be, and I'm hoping that anti-depressants might make it easier for me to function evenly more of the time.

[4kids4me]

Kathy,

 

Sounds like we're similar. I hope you find relief.

 

I was talking to dh this morning about it and he says he doesn't think I need it. I asked about me being tired...he says I've always struggled with it (I've been with him for 18 years now, since I was 16 years old). I think I'm going to start with getting my eating under control. The naturopath asked me to go off of wheat, dairy, sugar, yeast, and caffeine...I find it incredibly difficult because I love to eat crappy food! I feel tired, and simple carbs temporarily pick me up, then I crash but also feel guilty for not eating right, which leads me to eat more crappy food. I decided I want to give that and exercise a real go before I resort to going to the doctor. With the history of bipolar in my family, I don't want to create a bigger problem than I'm already dealing with.

 

(Sigh)...I think a pill would be easier than going off all that food, though.

 

I hope you're feeling better soon. It sucks to be feeling this way, doesn't it?

[Mom2legomaniacs]

Kathy,

 

 

 

(Sigh)...I think a pill would be easier than going off all that food, though.

 

I hope you're feeling better soon. It sucks to be feeling this way, doesn't it?

 

I understand what you are saying. It totally sucks. I was tired all the time! Do your research, talk to your DR, try to figure out a path that works for you. You deserve to feel good! Meds may or may not be good for you. BUt there might be something that you run across or that your DR finds that can help set you on the path. I really hope you feel better soon.:grouphug:

[asta]

There are two very good websites that help define the "when":

 

Dr Phelps's Psych Education has great definitions, not just of "standard" bipolar, depression, and mania, but also the "grey" areas in-between.

 

Jerod Poore's Crazy Meds has more information than you would ever want on all of the popular medications being prescribed for those conditions. His site is written from the consumer perspective rather than the doctor perspective (warning: some strong language). It also has a question and answer forum.

 

Best of luck to you.

 

 

asta

[Beth in OH]

4kids4me -

 

I am at the exact same point in my life. I have put it off thinking "I just need to pray more or read my Bible more or trust more, I need to eat better, I need to exercise, I need to destress, I need to talk to someone.....". Well, I'm doing all of that and I feel better than I did,

 

 

You have just described me last fall. I was doing all of the right things--great spiritual support, great prayer/meditation, great emotional support, regular exercise, and decent diet/sleep (including expensive Omega-3's). I felt functional, but I never felt happy, and my moods were swinging something terrible. I came to a point where I could no longer stand to be controlled by my emotions, and went to the Dr. It was humbling to even explain all of this to her--I cried.

 

She put me on a half dose of an anti-depressent, and my blood work showed that I also needed thyroid medication. That was 9 months ago, and I am a new person. The medicine gave me enough distance from my emotions to be able to deal with them in a healthier fashion. My prayer and spiritual life got even better. I have been able to address situations in my life that were a true reason for some stress and sadness, and they have improved enormously. My relationships with my dc and dh have improved. I have regular feelings of happiness now. BTW, my dose has never increased beyond a half dose.

 

It was so hard for me to seek medication and ask for help. It was like I had somehow failed, or I wasn't normal. I'm thankful that I was able to blame it on my 46 yo hormonally changing body. The truth is, I'm not sure it had anything to do with my age. My family also has experience with depression, some diagnosed, some suspected. I won't even attempt to go off this medicine until I'm darn sure that my hormones have settled down. I don't want to go back to that overcharged emotional place I was in, ever.

 

I would encourage all of you to take steps to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. If that includes anti-depressents, get them.