Postponed. Try to stop spazzing.

[Defenestrator]

I had my initial assessment this morning with a psychiatrist (first time I've seen one) and she thinks I'm a high-functioning autistic (colloquially referred to as Asperger's syndrome) and that I'm just going through a "severe depressive state" right now. She's offered me a choice of two antidepressants and said that I have to pick one; normally they allow people a choice of taking antidepressants or not but in cases like mine I apparently have no choice. She didn't expand on this though.
I saw my GP after and he said he agreed with the psychiatrist that I should take antidepressants. I get it, you want people to take your fat zombie-making drugs so they don't clog up the system - well I won't be for much longer.

 

[Flippy]

My experience with anti depressants is basically they don't work. I take mine every day but I think I might as well not bother. I think Skittles would do me more good. So I doubt very much they will turn you into a zombi. On the other hand you might be one of the lucky ones who do have a positive experience with them. Do you want to share what anti depressants they offered you?

 

[Defenestrator]

My experience with anti depressants is basically they don't work. I take mine every day but I think I might as well not bother. I think Skittles would do me more good. So I doubt very much they will turn you into a zombi. On the other hand you might be one of the lucky ones who do have a positive experience with them. Do you want to share what anti depressants they offered you?

Escitalopram or Sertraline. I am just tired though, I really don't see how they'd help me all I've seen is people turning into someone else after taking them.

 

[Flippy]

Escitalopram or Sertraline. I am just tired though, I really don't see how they'd help me all I've seen is people turning into someone else after taking them.

I've had ecitalopram and I'm currently on sertraline. My condition means that I have to be careful with those sorts of anti depressants. They are called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. They apparently allow your brain to slosh around in the "happy" chemical serotonin. In my case they can really put me on edge to say the least.

I'm currently on 100 mg (I think that's right) of sertraline daily. They tried doubling that when I had one of my super low mood swings. Basically within 24 hrs I was bouncing off the walls. So I stuck with my original dose. And honestly, I think it's a waste of time.

All I can recommend is try either one. If you don't like the way it makes you feel. Go straight back to the doc and tell them you feel worse and you want to try something else. I think it's worth a try at least. Or you could maybe suggest to the psychiatrist that you think the best way forward might be a mood stabilizer if you really don't want the anti depressants?

 

[BPD Barbie]

I currently take Sertraline 200mg along with a host of other psychiatric drugs. They are hit and miss, you tend to feel worse before feeling better, they don't work for everyone. As others suggested, there are other routes and options you could go, but whatever your choice we will support you. Sending love ❤

 

[Defenestrator]

I feel like a yo-yo at the moment. You're right though, I should at least try and see what happens - I understand this, objectively, it's just my mind is a bit fudged right now.

 

[Flippy]

I know that feeling :-(. I really want to try and get stable. I think you are right, it's worth a try. As BPD Barbie said, they may make you feel a little less stable in the short term. I recommend you keep half an eye on your mood, but don't be obsessive about it. If you really find that they are driving you up the wall, contact the psychiatrist, or whoever is in charge of your care and tell them. I've had a horrible experience with Prozac in the past and I was so naive at the time I didnt know I was having a bad reaction. Just something to be aware of not necessarily to worry about if that makes sense?

 

[Polly]

I feel like a yo-yo at the moment. You're right though, I should at least try and see what happens - I understand this, objectively, it's just my mind is a bit fudged right now.

Just my two cents:
-Remember that SSRI s take weeks ti work
-If you are not having side effects may be worth it to hang in there to see if you're one of the lucky ones
-If you are having side effects don't hesitate to report it and ask ti be switched
-This is my humble opinion only but if they totally numb you out you might consider stopping. Some doctors view thst as success and I personally find thst unacceptable. But of course the choice is always yours.

 

[Defenestrator]

I know that feeling :-(. I really want to try and get stable. I think you are right, it's worth a try. As BPD Barbie said, they may make you feel a little less stable in the short term. I recommend you keep half an eye on your mood, but don't be obsessive about it. If you really find that they are driving you up the wall, contact the psychiatrist, or whoever is in charge of your care and tell them. I've had a horrible experience with Prozac in the past and I was so naive at the time I didnt know I was having a bad reaction. Just something to be aware of not necessarily to worry about if that makes sense?

This is my issue, I tend to get a bit obsessive over things - it's a big part of why I'm in this position to begin with I think and probably why they think I'm an aspie.
I'm a woman too, by the way, so it's a little bit shittier if you're not exactly "normal" socially.

Just my two cents:
-Remember that SSRI s take weeks ti work
-If you are not having side effects may be worth it to hang in there to see if you're one of the lucky ones
-If you are having side effects don't hesitate to report it and ask ti be switched
-This is my humble opinion only but if they totally numb you out you might consider stopping. Some doctors view thst as success and I personally find thst unacceptable. But of course the choice is always yours.

Yeah, I'm trying to read up on them as much as possible as I know I need to try one of them at least. I've not decided on one yet and I'm not sure how I'll get the script for one anyway as I only have phone appointments booked with the psych this week, as travelling to see them is a pain in the arse.

 

[TimeToBiteTheDust]

I have my 1st appointment with a psychiatrist tomorrow. I think it will be a waste of time.

 

[Sensei]

When I was prescribed an antidepressant I had to go through a hellish week. The only reason I didn't kill myself then was that I was too exhausted to get down to business. Then I felt normal. Not happy, just normal. It was a fantastic feeling.

 

[Defenestrator]

I have my 1st appointment with a psychiatrist tomorrow. I think it will be a waste of time.

After my experience, I can actually see why a lot of people don't like them. I am still skeptical of the ASD diagnosis as she only spoke to me for just over an hour - They appear to focus on one thing and then spend the rest of the time questioning you in such a way as to prove their "hypothesis". This is quite annoying!

 

[Thereisnothing]

I have my 1st appointment with a psychiatrist tomorrow. I think it will be a waste of time.

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow, I know its hard but do try and be optimistic and objective, you never know you might be surprised or mightn't be, but be interesting to see how you get on and I shall be thinking of you xx

 

[Defenestrator]

I've taken a diazepam and I'm gonna try and calm down a bit - will edit the title of this thread and try to hold off until I try the AD's, as you guys suggested.

 

[Broken Chimera]

I don't know about the other one but when I was put on sertraline for major depression it had me in the worst mental state. I was in a constant state of rage. A week later all I could do was sleep. After quitting I found others who had the same effect. I wasn't even at a high dose but I couldn't handle it. You might not have any problems, but just be careful.

 

[Thereisnothing]

I feel like a yo-yo at the moment. You're right though, I should at least try and see what happens - I understand this, objectively, it's just my mind is a bit fudged right now.

Thinking of you and really hope with a little stepping back and giving it a go that you might be surprised. Its horrible that yo-yo feeling can really make you desperate. Just wanted to send you my love and let you know you are in my thoughts.

 

[Flippy]

I can get obsessive over things too. The quetiapine I was prescribed seemed to completely fix that for a good long while! Now it seems to be less effective. I think most mental health issues come with a generous slice of obsessive features. In my case a mood stabilizer really helped. It may be on option for you if the anti depressants don't work. I hope that you will find something that helps! :-)

 

[Defenestrator]

I don't know about the other one but when I was put on sertraline for major depression it had me in the worst mental state. I was in a constant state of rage. A week later all I could do was sleep. After quitting I found others who had the same effect. I wasn't even at a high dose but I couldn't handle it. You might not have any problems, but just be careful.

Thanks, it's definitely a gamble! Some people have fantastic experiences and say it completely changed their lives and others say it completely fudged them over. I guess that's drugs in a nutshell.
Thank you for the warning though -my GP did actually say he personally thought I should try the escitalopram first but that it was ultimately up to me.

 

[Polly]

I don't know about the other one but when I was put on sertraline for major depression it had me in the worst mental state. I was in a constant state of rage. A week later all I could do was sleep. After quitting I found others who had the same effect. I wasn't even at a high dose but I couldn't handle it. You might not have any problems, but just be careful.

The really frustrating thing is that it's all trial and error. You just have to try it to see how it affects you. So do report bad experiences.
As to the script, they're all sent electronically.

 

[Jean4]

Just so you know, people with Aspergers are highly intelligent and creative. Most musicians have it. The musician I am a huge fan girl groupie of has it. There is nobody more brilliant musically than him. ;)

He also takes anti depressants. On his 3rd he is trying.

 

[TimeToBiteTheDust]

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow, I know its hard but do try and be optimistic and objective, you never know you might be surprised or mightn't be, but be interesting to see how you get on and I shall be thinking of you xx

My problem is physical pain and I have suicidal ideations because of that. My body can't be fixed and I can't live like tjis so I'll have these thoughts till I finally do it.

 

[Quarky00]

Agree with all above . Mixed bag .

The really frustrating thing is that it's all trial and error. You just have to try it to see how it affects you. So do report bad experiences.

Prob is many have to wait 4 weeks for psychiatrist follow up . So you may be "bouncing of the walls" as @Flippy said with not much options . That's bad . Sorry but the system is effed up.

 

[TimeToBiteTheDust]

a huge fan girl groupie of has it. There is nobody more brilliant musically than him. ;)

Who is he?

 

[Polly]

Agree with all above . Mixed bag .


Prob is many have to wait 4 weeks for psychiatrist follow up . So you may be "bouncing of the walls" as @Flippy said with not much options . That's bad . Sorry but the system is effed up.

Yes I've refused SSRI s fir many of the reasons stated above.

 

[Jean4]

Who is he?

It's not right to disclose in public. ;)

 

[Broken Chimera]

The really frustrating thing is that it's all trial and error. You just have to try it to see how it affects you. So do report bad experiences.
As to the script, they're all sent electronically.

I've been on several antidepressants. None of them helped. After the last time I just said I'm not gonna let them experiment on me anymore. It beats getting messed up worse.

 

[Secrets1]

I'd flip that doc the bird and ask about starting with Wellbutrin. Lexapro + me = only time I've experienced true mania in my life. Sertraline was better but zombifying

 

[GoodPersonEffed]

@Defenestrator, hearing that you have to take an antidepressant raised a red flag. I'd like to address it if okay.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems you are not in any kind of institution. Therefore, I don't see that anyone has the legal power to force you to take either antidepressant.

It sounds like your GP is on the psychiatrist's side and they each are pulling a power trip on you.

I suggest there are other supports for ASD - forums, therapists, other psychiatrists who may take a different approach. One psychiatrist said you do not have a choice, but that is only one person in a field of many.

Also, I'm unclear from your post title and the conclusion of your post. Had you decided to ctb but changed your mind because diagnosis and/or the meds suggest there may be an alternative solution to ctb? The conclusion suggests your response to taking meds is that ctb is a fuck you to being forced to take them.

My point is that the psychiatrist's demand and the agreement of the doctor seem to have negated your autonomy and right to self-determination with regard to meds and your own well-being. I am suggesting you do have the right, you do have autonomy, and, unless there are circumstances outside my knowledge, you are empowered to become more educated and explore other options and providers rather than taking the "zombie-making" meds. It is your choice not to, and it is your legal right. Am I incorrect about that?

 

[Quarky00]

Wellbutrin

Careful there .. Adrenaline bad for anxiety . NDRIs are rare on their own , mostly add-on . Interesting bunch though

 

[k75]

I think if you're already planning on ctb, there's no harm in trying antidepressants. Either you feel better or you can ctb later. No big loss. But possible big gain.