My first relapse--please help

I have been diagnosed with GAD for a few years but have not been medicated. Earlier this year (February-April), I began spiraling downward, so much so that my anxiety drove me into a state of severe depression. In May, I began taking 10mg of Lexapro. The first month was absolutely miserable, but I stuck it out based on what I read on this site, and pretty much all of June and the beginning of July were amazing. I felt like myself again, after months of feeling I would never get back. For the last 8 days, however, the anxiety and depression have been creeping back in. In fact, two months to the day that I started taking Lexapro, I began feeling anxious and depressed again. I spoke with my doctor on day 3 and he told me to ride it out because it's probably just a blip, but today is day 8 and I feel no better. Do you all think it is a blip that I can ride out? Do you think I need to up my dose? Based on your experience, what do you think I should do? I'm so afraid to fall back into the hole I was in two months ago. Just last week, I was discussing my anxiety and depression as if they were a thing of the past, and now they're back and I feel hopeless. I'm so scared.

Post Edited (ddss) : 7/11/2017 10:33:39 AM (GMT-6)

Hi ddss amd welcome!

We are glad you've joined us, though sorry it is due to your current challenges. Setbacks can be very difficult, and I think all of us know exactly how you are feeling.

It could be that this is a temporary slump...which happens...and that you will naturally pull out of it without a need for any Rx adjustments.

It could also be a plateau which may be telling you that an increase could be in order. However your doctor seems to want to do a 'watch and wait' on this for now.

Medication is only one part of the recovery picture, so be sure you are tapping into therapy and self help techniques as well. See our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great material to work with!

Try and be patient with yourself and the process of revovery. It is not always a linear line...but you'll get off this detour, and back on the right path with time and continued efforts!

Keep posting for support and encouragement.😊

Scaredy Cat

Ddss,

It could be that you pull out of this on your own. It is a very real possibility...made more likely by use of coping skills. Here is the link to our Resources.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a big difference in how you feel. I would start with the Stress Relieving Exercises amd the Meditation Videos.

Try to stay in the moment and don't future trip about an increase that may or may not need to happen!😊

Keep posting!

S.C.