Options
Non prescription depression medication
fitnessqueen
Posts: 5,185 Forum Member
✭
Without going into the gory details I split up from my partner of eight years just over two weeks ago (his decision). I though I was doing OK but in the last few of days everything has seemed so black. I feel constantly sad and tearful and have started to wish that when I go to sleep I don't wake up. I have two boys relying on me and a mortgage to pay so taking time off is not an option. One of my jobs is teaching fitness classes so I have to stand up in front of loads of people and smile for hours- I normally get in the car afterwards and cry my eyes out.
I don't really want to bother the doctor and I'm not sure I really need anti-depressants for what is, after all, a reactive depression. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of herbal medication that you can buy over the counter- I would really love to feel a bit happy again.
I don't really want to bother the doctor and I'm not sure I really need anti-depressants for what is, after all, a reactive depression. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of herbal medication that you can buy over the counter- I would really love to feel a bit happy again.
0
Comments
Be careful though as it does taste like crap. There's one brand which comes in tincture form, mixed with weak alcohol.. that's the most palatable one.. 20 odd drops in a cup of water in the morning and you're done!
Good luck!
edit - you could also try St John's Wort as well. In fact, I'd try this first.
I would also add that it can take several weeks to have any effect, and for some people it will have no effect at all.
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/sjw-and-depression.htm
I have tried reading some self-help books recently at night: things like How To Make Yourself Happier and all that malarky. Try the library!
You have to be very careful when taking this. Some people have enough serotonin, but their body just does not process it very well. These people are prone to serotonin syndrome and that can be fatal.
When I had a very stressful time last year, I took a few drops of Rescue Remedy every day, and that seemed to help me a bit.
However, unfortunately, the only thing that really helps is time
Whether it's short term or long term you're still suffering with depression and I can only reccommend going to see a doctor. Taking medication isn't really going to get to the route of the problem, so it may be prolonged if you don't seek help now. It's worth a shot anyway. You don't have to talk about the split, just having a rant about what gets on top of you in everyday life can help when you're in this situation.
Good luck.
I saw the anti-depressants as a way of helping me through that time, along with the cbt - but it was still a long time before I felt 'normal' again. After 2 weeks, I was still a complete mess, not what you want to hear I guess, but 2 years on, he never even crosses my mind, except for when I think back on how far I've come in those 2 years
Never heard of 5-htp inducing seratonin syndrome before
I've been there too, his choice to go, but in the long term he did me a huge, HUGE favour.(It was 30 years ago) It is unfair when the one who didn't make the decision is the one left to pick up the slack. Pamper yourself a bit when you can, I know you said you work but make a little time for yourself. Re-read a favourite book, watch a dvd with the boys, a bubble bath. Anything that makes you feel good. I know funds must be very tight, but do things which won't hurt the budget. I did all sorts of silly things with my son, jumping in puddles on a wet day, having a picnic in the garden or in the middle of the living room. It all sounds silly but it did lift the mood for me.:)
Thank you for the hug and advice. My 15 year old has just started going out with a girl and is all loved up which is quite ironic. I just hope he never gets his heart broken like his Mum!! I do try and pamper myself but the sadness I feel is there all the time and I'm finding it hard to concentrate- I have another job doing the finances for a charity and very nearly messed up payroll yesterday- I am normally so methodical.
I might go and talk to someone at the health food shop tomorrow but I can see that counselling may help. The split is not completely final yet - my ex has told me he needs time to think things through (he thinks he wants children and I don't want anymore and it's risky my age) so I have put my life on hold. I suppose there is a bit of me that hopes he will come back to me and I think I'm afraid of a counsellor pointing out that the chances of that happening are slim.
Thank you all for helpful advice.
A counsellor is very unlikely to give an opinion like that, they're mostly there to listen. When I spoke about relationship problems with a counsellor of mine he simply went through all the situations I could find myself in, asked me if he was missing anything, allowed me to talk about how I'd feel and then helped push me in the direction of working out how I'd deal with each situation. He rarely ever gave me suggestions or opinions on what I would do, but encouraged me to think clearly and realistically about what was going on. It was actually very useful in my situation and helped me come to a decision. As you are on hold at the moment, they would more likely prepare you for whatever could happen next, as whatever happens it will probably won't be easy (it never is!). Obviously this is just my experience but it should be pretty similar if you were to give it a try
Having your life put on hold like this can be even more confusing than a split
Thank you I have taken your advice and made a doctor's appointment for tomorrow to see if I can get some counselling.