Would SSRIs be a good option?

[Harambulus]

I went to doc as I complain about irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia and constant need to piss.

He said he thinks these are all linked and asked if I am depressed as he says these stress symptoms all indicate stress related causes. I'm sure I'd officially classify as depressed- lack of motivation, general constant existential malaise, haven't worked in two years cos I don't see the point etc. yet I just ignore it and take other drugs to give me a respite. I don't really feel like it's a 'problem' per se in that drugs give me a release and allow me to function somewhat however I am getting sick of using drugs for this purpose cos they make me feel worse after.

I am fed up with wanting to take strong chemicals to escape from this feeling for like a cpl of hours only to feel worse afterwards cos overall it is a vicious cycle so I was thinking SSRIs might be a good option to help ween me off this behaviour pattern.

As I don't work (haven't worked for 2 years, was at uni before that) I just sit at home and in the past months I've got into to research chemical scene so since then I spend my days looking up what research chemical is the latest to crop up. I usually use the excuse that I find it 'interesting' but each time it ends up I get drawn in and involved in their release and so end up trying them just cos I think I have nothing better to do.

So I am trying to fill the gap with whatever RC happens to be available.

So would SSRIs work to get me back motivation to do 'normal' things? I really couldn't give a shit about work and really shun it. I am rather misanthropic in general in that I hate working with ppl and dislike most human interaction which is what has caused me to not want to work. I see it as a pointless drudge.

Not only work but nearly everything in life I see like this, hobbies, music (ye I find music boring and drab, I only like it when I am really high nowadays). As I said I also don;t feel like I'm 'missing out' hence why I have had little inclination to change.

I'm thinking SSRIs would be a good replacements for the all and sundry drugs I take in my spare time cos with these they usually make me feel worse after. I know SSRIs also have side effects but I am thinking perhaps they would give me some motivation and replace the stronger drugs that I have been taking to fill my time. Used as a stepping stone if you will so that perhaps I will find things other than drugs interesting again to stop the negative cycle of seeking out harmful substances to fill the void.

Thoughts?

 

[Voxide]

Personally, I'd try simple things such as exercise, diet, and herbal supplements before I would ever take SSRI's. Depending on what your doctor puts you on and for how long, this will only make your symptoms even worse. SSRI's and anti depressants meds are just bad news in my opinion.

 

[dragonslayer428]

I disagree. SSRI's gave me my life back.

 

[Cane2theLeft]

I think we'll give this a try in TDS.

Awesome TDS mods, if you think it'd do better in OD feel free to send it back.


--->TDS

 

[Harambulus]

Lol cane, that's a lil melodramatic!

Would you care to elabourate dragonslayer seeing as I am toying with the idea of whether to go on a course myself?

What behavioural/mood/lifestyle etc. benefits did you accrue?

 

[Veritaz]

I'm on 20mg of Lexapro...it's a good medicine, expensive because the generic form isn't out yet

 

[Harambulus]

Ye the doc seemed to indicate there would bea quite an array of diff ones we could 'try out' to find one which would suit me.

Again, would you care to note the qualitative effects?

 

[prayersfor.rain]

I didn't like ssri's. For one, they send me into manic episodes. Second, I'm not big on loss of sex drive. Or weight gain. AND I didn't care about anything. My whole world could fall apart and I'd be like, who gives a fuck?

I'm on Wellbutrin (ndri) now and I really like it. I've got sex drive, I'm not gaining weight, AND I've cut down massively on my cigarette smoking, just from that pill.
Also, I try to eat a healthy diet, exercise, because that shit'll do wonders, seriously. Go out for a walk, even if you don't want to. It'll make you feel better. That's what my therapist recommended when I was super depressed before antidepressants. It really does help.

And, how about finding something to take up your time? Nothing to do + depression = certain doom. Yeah yeah, you don't feel like doing anything, just freakin do it. That's what I do. If I don't want to smile, I make myself do it. I don't want to work out? I do it anyway. Anything that's positive in my life that I don't feel like doing, I try my best to do, regardless of how crappy I feel (or how shitty I think the idea sounds because I'd much rather sit around high). It sucks for a while but things get better and you start enjoying what you're doing more and more.

You've just gotta put yourself in it. Think positively, and just do it.

 

[Harambulus]

Good post. Ye I think just actually doing stuff, something, anything, would be good rather than just vegetating in front of the computer all day which I do now; or at least vegetating doing something productive on the computer .

Computer games work for a bit but I get bored of them quickly, but they are better than drugs I say.

I agree with you in I'm thinking taking positive action would be better than taking drugs, even the SSRIs.

The doc has also referred me to a therapist but I doubt they will be much use cos I saw one for most of my college and university courses and I know just what they are gonna say, didn't help me much. I found it sort of made things worse in a way cos you are focusing on and drawing out your problems rather than trying to change things. My problem already is I think too much about unproductive things so it would prob only exacerbate it. It used to make me feel more justified in my depression and so encourage me to wallow in it more.

So ye I guess the 'just do it' attitude is the way to go.

The main prob is the vicious cycle of the psychosomatic induced stress symptoms and insomnia cos the insomnia gives me the lethargy even more obviously. When I have slept great I feel like a new man. Usually I only get like 4 hours sleep but on the rare occasions I get 6 or more I feel so much better and ready to do stuff.

 

[hbrewste]

i'm currently on 60mg prozac (an ssri) and have been using prozac for about three years. although i've started to build a tolerance, i'm very thankful for the drug. it wasn't magic and didn't make me happy overnight but it definitely played a role in regaining control over my life.

i think it's great that you're taking the initiative to care for yourself. i'd definitely talk to a psychiatrist or your primary care physician, as many will prescribe anti-depressants. i'm sure they can also refer you to a therapist. i've actually never been under the care of a psychiatrist who would treat me without regular therapy sessions. the combination of that and meds is said to be much more effective than the use of one without the other.

i also agree with what was said about healthy lifestyle choices. make sure you're eating right, exercising on a regular basis, and getting plenty of sleep. i've also met alot of people who found herbal supplements to be very helpful. so maybe you could give that a try. at least until you can get in to see your doctor?

hang in there and take care!