Bit of a problem here...

Former Member

So I have clinical depression and I was on antidepressants for a while...well...I was meant to be but they made me feel weird...I didn't feel like ME so I stopped taking them and threw away my prescription because taking them and being labelled as depressed made me feel crazy...taking drugs to keep you sane? It didn't feel like I was sane with them and I was happier thinking I was normal. Anyway I'm having a rough time at the moment for a lot of reasons that I won't bore you with but I don't know whether or not to regret my decision, I'm only fourteen and my mum knows I've stopped taking them but she doesn't know I feel like absolute shit because I don't want to worry her, I know that sounds dumb but when my mum gets worried, she tends to get angry and yell at me without meaning to about personal stuff and it's not worth it, I get like this a lot and I just don't know whether to go back to the doctor to get more because otherwise I'll feel awful, but I'll feel awful on them too...
A bit of a sticky situation I guess...
I don't want them but I don't know what to do...
What do you guys think?

Former Member

It's absolutely normal that you felt weird on anti-depressants, they can take a good few weeks to actually start working the way they're supposed to with anyone.

I admit though, 14 is a young age to be starting medication like that. Has your GP ever tried to refer you for some sort of therapy or counselling, maybe CAMHS? If not, I really think you should ask about this.

*hug*

Aurora

Hey CheeseBob,

Well done for being able to post a bit about how you're doing and how things are going at the moment, that's a amazing positive step to take, you mentioned you've been on antidepressants for quite sometime, often they can take up to 8 weeks before actually starting to be effective, or often the dosage could be wrong, it can often take going through a few, with a variety of doses before finding the right one for you. Do you get regular checks from your mental health team or GP on your medication to keep on top of things?

Anti-Depressants do have the effect of numbing a person at times, and if the dosage is just to much, can leave you feeling rather zoned out. A label doesn't mean anything, you don't have it written on your forehead, nobody but you and your mental health team are aware of that label given to you, and it's your choice whether you choose to share it with us, but with a diagnosis they can get you the right support and help you most certainly deserve without doubt.

Anti-Depressant drugs, are SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) Which boosts the neurotransmitter Serotonin in the brain, taking them, doesn't make you abnormal neither, however, the feelings you describe aren't un-natural and are fairly common. However with Anti-Depressants you have to be willing to give it time.

As Butterfly said, it's a very young age (14) to even start medications such as anti-depressants, often those under the age of 16 are offered a variety of therapies for example CBT, etc. To see how that impacts their mood, who prescribed you the anti-depressants?

Parents do yell when they worry, and even though they don't mean it intentionally, it can be rather frightening, but take it one step at a time, you could mention it to her, wait till she cools down, before carrying on the conversation, were you ever offered any form of support before being given medication? Any parent would worry though, it shows they do care.

But I think you have a plan in mind however, visit your GP with your mum, and discuss what's happening at the moment, and what's going on, etc. And decide what steps you want to take from there, it might just be about putting you on the waiting list to getting some support,

Best wishes,
Angel

Former Member

Thanks for the comments, I don't really know what I was thinking when I posted this, I really don't want to be on medication again, I was on it for about 2 months and I hated it!! My GP sent me to some specialist therapist Idk really then I got a prescription. I'm doing really well without them. I feel better knowing I can make the choice and I did, they're just not for me. I mean I have down days but that's expected I suppose.
Thanks for the help
Isy

Former Member

I started taking meds at 13/14, and they helped me no end. I had to go through a lot to find the right ones, but it was worth it. Don't rule them out completely, there's a lot of negativity around medication but it can be amazing. If you feel okay without them then that's great, but remember there's loads of different meds available if you ever want to try them again. Being on one medication for two months isn't a great indecator of all the other meds available or how much they can help.

Are you in therapy at the minute?