Hello All, Just got introduced to Depression :(

Hello everyone

Yesterday, I left work halfway and went home, after a fight with my crooked manager.

I tried to sleep- but huge headache. All muscles strained and could feel that.
I realized it is due to mental tension.

Evening, still I was not better and went to clinic for consultation. What I was looking for is some pill to make me sleep peacefully.

While waiting in reception, till my turn, I made a list of symptoms I am going through.

Unable to sleep, Low appetite, frequent headache, constant irritation, getting angry very soon, lost weight, lack of interest in my own hobbies (books and music)always anxious about making mistake at work (its due to my barking boss) etc and so on...

The doctor took blood sample for B12 deficiency and prescribed Cipralex-10 mg for next 14 days. One at night before sleeping.

I thought why 14 days? Just make me sleep peacefully and everything would be fine. But I did not ask him, since he knows better.

After reaching home, I took my first tablet, and googled What Cipralex is. Wiki tells me,its a drug for GAD (General Anxiety disorder) and Depression. It seems its a long treatment!

Now, when I read the word depression, it scares me. Its something like mad men with blank stares, at least that's what is the impression I have.

Google search for depression brought me here and lots of threads, with lots of discussion is confusing me.

Now, I have specific questions-

1 Normally, how much time it would take me to be back to normal? I believe, this is not so serious with me. But don't know for sure.

2 Will it help if I go on vacation, say 2 3 weeks and come back fresh and healthy?

3 How do I plan my routine day? Going to work is absolutely ruled out as I am sure, I will lose my emotional balance there.

I am getting lost in these so many threads, and am posting these specific questions.

Would be grateful, if someone spares time to respond !

Thanks for listening

Thanks,Karen.

Avoid Google- OK accepted.

Going to work is ruled out, since its a cat and mouse game my boss is playing. I am afraid, He will find some fault, make mountain of a molehill and at least disgrace me- if not some thing worst. Also, I might lose my temper. No, I can not go back to work till my mind is quiet.

changing job is the best solution, it will take some time.

Actually,vacation is already planned in last week this month itself, but I am not sure if I would be able to hold on to my job even till then, if I go to work)

Trying to relax. Still I feel some sleeping pill would have been useful (Alcohol I stopped long back, but it would have been useful help now. But NO)

Anyway, thanks- appreciate your inputs and will avoid google- the first thing.

Hey AJ ......

   Your three questions would be hard for any doctor to answer.

   It is assummed you are wealthy if you can either "take or leave" work!

   If so, find a very good talk psychologist. They can be incredibly helpful

and help to bring answers that a primary or GP cannot!

   For your questions:

1) How much time it takes to be normal ... cannot even be answered by a doctor. It will take patience - and it may take trying several different meds as well.

2) Going on vacation would typically help diverting attention away from a potential crisis. But, when you get back, the potential crisis may very well come back even worse - because you didn't deal with it in the first place. Here again, a talk psychologist would likely help more than a vacation.

3) This question has no meaning unless you are wealthy.

Summary:

   We all have nasty things to deal with in life. I've had lousy and back-stabbing bosses - but I survived them. I have had to see three different talk psychologists - at three different times in my life. Two of them were very helpful and one was not.

   I have been lucky to find that my first anti-depressant tried has worked for me. But I've also been unlucky enough that 6-different cancer meds have not worked for me so far.

   By the way, when I was working, I was very big on planning my day. However, that didn't mean planning my day of only the things I wanted to do. I had to include the things I didn't want to do also. It's just a part of life.

Wishing you well

Rob & Gizmo

   

I don't agree that once you start taking these medications your life is gone. I think you start living, at least that is how it has been for me. I don't feel drugged, I don't feel unhumane. I feel good.

Taking medications for depression is no different than taking insulin for diabetes. It is something that your body or brain needs. It is a chemical imbalance. So don't be afraid of medications, if you want to be happy and healthy you have to look after what the body and brain need.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen...

Yep, "Dr. Google" can make us feel worse that's for sure!

If you're not going to work right now I'd suggest getting outside every day, staying in seems to make it worse, for me anyway, even just going for a walk in nature if you can helps.

Definitely don't think your life is over taking meds, it can be completely the opposite, you start living...as Karen says it's a chemical imbalance and your brain needs help, nothing you're doing wrong.

I totally understand the toxic work situation and that can really affect you and bring you down even more, it can be torture, and I also understand when you say you might lose your temper, a human can only take so much and people like your boss know how to push buttons.

I've been through a similar situation, hope you can find a new job?

Maybe if you can take some time off, feel better then go back if you have to until you find something else.

Hope you are okay...peace...

Medications are taken for many reasons. The main reason they were created is NOT always the reason they are prescribed. An honest conversation with your doctor will clear things up for you.

Also sounds like you could use some good coping skills for anxiety.
Mindfulness, meditation, walking are all good things. Perhaps journaling to organize your thoughts. See which are plausable and which are not quite true.

Being kind to yourself is have the battle of feeling better, this is not the end of your life. Getting a new job, learning coping skills to live a better stress free life is just the beginning of a new wonderful lifestyle!

Peace and strength.
Trina