Not taking antidepressants?

[susie]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted for a while, I have been recovered now for about a year, I had mild post natal depression after the birth of my second child and was offered medication the first time I went to speak to my gp about it, she did say too that the meds were really just to get me to the stage where I could talk about it all, she didnt know how long I would have to wait for counselling.

I was very lucky in the fact that I called the counselling service where I live and was given an appointment for the next day, the place I went to was fantastic and although I only went once a week I called sometimes during the week too to discuss things that happened and had upset me, because I was seen so soon and also due to my husband not being keen on me taking the meds I decided to give the counselling a go first, without meds. I attended weekly sessions for about 5 months (free) and did not take meds at all, however I have always felt that I had only mild pni, so I guess it maybe depends on where you are starting from.

take care

Susie
x

[cheshire]

Susie

It's great that you were able to call, in between appointments if you needed to.
I think this would help me now actually so I might suggest it. I'm on session 5 ( I think) of 12.

It's great that you've recovered fully - gives me hope.

Take care,
Hopefulx

[lizzyic35]

Hello everyone,

I took antidepressants about 10 years ago - and had really bad side effects - in fact people were more worried about me when I was actually on the medication!!
After the birth of my first son and I became depressed I tryed St Johns wort which really helped - I also had counselling.
This time I tried the St John Wort but didn't feel any better - the GP was very patient but felt that newer medication was the answer - she was very understandig re: my bad experience. So I am now taking cipramil - the side effects were not very nice for the first few weeks but I have perservered and sure enough they have almost disappeared. I still don't feel brilliant but am taking one day at a time. I think support from others is really important. I was sent home from work and spent hours at a time just staring into space and thinking about things. I am beginning to feel less anxious and even went to the shops on my own yesterday which was an achievement for me.
I am also thinking of private counselling as well.
Lizzy

[cheshire]

Dear Lizzy

I just wanted to say that I know exactly what you mean when you say 'going to the shops on my own yesterday which was an achievement for me.' I couldn't leave the house at all for a time and had to phone friends and family to assist me with collection of children and basic shopping. But when I did manage to get out and do it, I felt great. But I didn't push myself too hard as I figured that perhaps my body was telling me something - like take it easy!! I went into work for an afternoon the other week and when I arrived I could hardly breath but found a quiet spot and managed to calm down before going in.
I also thought I would never drive again, but I do now. You will improve and it's good that you're positive about the achievements as it's good to congratulate ourselves when we take steps forward no matter how small they may seem to someone else.

Hopefulx

[seedfeeder]

My own opinion is that if antidepressants work in the individual to alleviate the worst symptoms (without creating others, in the form of intolerable side effects), then they can help in the short-medium term. I do believe, however, that ideally they should be taken whilst a longer term trusting psychoanalytic/therapeutic relationship is developed. This is, I think, what will get to the underlying root causes of the symptoms. However, as we all know, this long term psychological provision is rare on the NHS so it's usually a case of people having to struggle through on what is most commonly (i.e. cheaply) available, which is medication.

In my own case, I found the side effects of antidepressants intolerable, but was able to pay privately for psychoanalysis. I have had a recent distressing relapse, but feel that even if I had taken antidepressants at the outset then I would still have had this relapse. There are, after all, many people who take antidepressants on and off for several years after the original diagnosis of PNI. Whether antidepressants hasten recovery is, I think, probably down to the reaction of each individual and the availability and usefulness of the psychological therapeutic support they get (including websites like this and other companionships).

Zeedfeeder

[lizzyic35]

Hi Zeedfeeder,

I agree that a combination of things helps people to get better. I have carried on with the antidepressants and the side effects are very minimal now. I have taken steps to get counselling as well - there seem to be long waiting lists on the nhs so I have decided to 'go private'. I have issues from further back that I need to deal with which seem to affect the way I think I am able to handle any situation. I met with a counsellor on Monday for a half hour chat (free) to see how we got on - I left her an hour and a half later! I have made an appointment to see her at the end of October - she is away for most of the month. I am glad I will have continued support from this forum in the meantime and future.
Hope all is well with you.
Lizzy

[susanneb1984]

Hiya seedfeeder,
I was prescribed AD's but decided not to take them as I was pregnant at the time. I went on them briefly when I was 17, and they didn't seem to do too well for me. I am seeing a counsellor, and have done a self referal to a womens unit in the area, and I feel I am now in recovery.