OKay so you may remember the blog I wrote reaching out for advice and help on mental health plans, psychologist ect at the end of last year.. Link to said blog
ANYWAY today I had my appointment with my long standing GP about my Mental Health Treatment Plan.. I literally started crying with the first sentence I spoke. He was sooo comforting though and knowing all my family, sister history all of it made it so much easier, I didn't need to convince him I needed help. he got straight into asking questions and figuring out a solution. Gave me tissues and spoke through everything with me.
Obviously changes in, weight, eating, sleeping, anxieties ect have lead to the diagnosis of depression brought on by traumatic event that has also lead to the revealing of past unresolved issues and problems, which are heightening a somewhat manageable anxiety issue.
SO with this knowledge, he organized my referral for a psychologist I already have booked which was recommended to me by a lovely friend and fellow SG and Aussie SG community member. THANK YOU. With the suggestions of cognitive therapy, psycho education and interpersonal therapy. As well as getting me to sign all my treatment plans, organised my support system and my medicare cash back appointments ect.
BUT here's what I want to talk about... He also prescribed me antidepressants.
I was very against the idea of such medications as I believe they can sometimes make the problem worse and I wanted to beat this without the help of medication. I also don't feel like I'm really that bad even though I've just been diagnosed with depression.. I feel like other have it worse ya know?
Also my twin sister had a horrible reaction to antidepressants as a teenager and having the same DNA we react the same to drugs/medications. SO I'm obviously concerned.. to give you an idea of her side effects she was twitching/ convulsing uncontrollably after 2 days on them, she had to drink soup with a straw because her hands would twitch and move about on their own. she flung a dam cup of orange juice all over the kitchen against her will, it took her 2 days to completely withdraw from them and go back to normal.. I'm scared ill have the same reaction..
Hes got me on a half dose once a day for a week and then full dose for 2 weeks after that. With another appointment with him to see how it goes. My mom's opinion was to get the advice from the psychologist I'm seeing on Thursday, but ultimately her concerns are the same as mine. I didn't fill the script.. not yet anyway, it's for Sertraline which apparently is like Zoloft.
BTW I'm also terrified/nervous.excited for my first psychologist appointment on Thursday.. just FYI
I guess my questions for you internet SG land is, what is your thoughts on Antidepressants? DO they work? are they a good combination with therapy, do you have any horror or success stories?
I think he really thought it best because A) Therapy can be emotionally hard especially if you are opening up old unresolved issues and B) my birthday is in 2 weeks.. also my twin sisters birthday and seeing this all came about because of her its going to be hard.. hell Christmas was hard and I cried a lot..
Any advice is always appreciated!
Anyway no photos on this topic but this is me yesterday looking cute in the true vintage swimsuit @countessa gifted me over the shootfest weekend! how cute it is! <3
