I have a psychiatrist appointment on 1/8 and I’m trying to figure out how to explain our situation and also how to ask for what I need. I’ve never been one to seek medication, I’ve always been more of an avoider. I’ve always believed in therapy as being a good tool for solving my issues. But currently I’m battling every day against an impossible inertia and fighting against stress, being overwhelmed, and almost paralyzing fear. I frequently feel like I’m fighting to slog against mud just to do the basics. I’m normally a high achieving individual but it’s all I can do to accomplish the minimum and the house is a wreck. I’m behind in everything, and about to go back to school. I can’t keep losing the motivation battle every day and succeed with everything.
In the past, I’ve tried Zoloft (SSRI) for depression, and for mild situational depression, it was okay. The unfortunate side effect was long-term use made me extremely suicidal and irrational. I tried Wellbutrin (aka buproprion) (Atypical) but that gave me daily headaches within 30 minutes of taking it for some reason as well as some sexual issues. So does anyone have any anti-anxiety/depression combos that have worked for them? I also have PTSD but that’s relatively managed currently.
One aspect of all of this is it leads to really scary bouts of insomnia where I sleep very little if at all. Currently, my average right now is about 4 hours a night of sleep, if I’m lucky. This week it’s been more along the lines of 3. I take Melatonin every night to help me fall asleep but end up waking within a few hours. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in 3 weeks. In the past I’ve taken Ambien, which has worked well but I cannot rouse from it in an emergency (and if I do manage to, my husband says I’m a zombie and I don’t remember a thing). I’m afraid to take a sleeping pill since my husband is always gone and I’m here alone with the kids. I’m hoping resolving some of the anxiety/depression will help with sleeping more.
I’m not looking for medical advice, just some of your experiences and to get to know some of the medications that are out there now. I’m considering asking about Prozac (my daughter had good results on it until she had to go on Risperidone because of the psychosis symptoms) and I understand it can be used to treat both anxiety and depression. The less pills I have to take, the more likely I am to take them Ahem, I mean remember to. I’m also thinking that if Libby has anxiety that it’s highly likely I do too, regardless of the current situation. Does anyone else need to take medications to manage depression and anxiety as a result of their family member having SCZ or is it just me?
As always thanks all for sharing your experience, wisdom, and perspectives!