Help!!!

Hi,

If you didn't have any major side effects to the antidepressants and they helped take the edge off, it may make sense to try them again or try a different antidepressant if you feel that one didn't help enough.

Its a decision you have to make for yourself though. As you seem to of cleanly come off the antidepressants before, you can say that the antiDs submit to you and not the other way round, another tool in your toolbox. Have you spoken to your doctor about your fears and concerns?

Some only take the antidepressant in the winter, if that helps to make it feel less of a all-round requirement.

If you feel really uncomfortable still with prescription antidepressants you could consider some of the over the counter-stuff that is made of natural ingredients. You can see a list of a few here I made:
http://www.lumie.com/forum/sad/2010-10-08/i-am-new-i-need-support#177531

Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

Hi there x

You are not alone ! , I have suffered from SAD for the last 7 years.

nearly every year come September I start to experience horrendous anxiety, very low mood, social withdrawal (in a big way).

I have been on SSRIs for the last 5 years, all of which seem to lift me off the floor, and enable me to get back to my job, but I still seem to have return of symptoms nearly every year :-(

This year I had had enough, so I went private to see a Psychiatrist, very expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

OK so she told me I suffer from SAD, like I didn't already know that lol , but for a psychiatrist to diagnose it, it makes you feel as like you have something to work towards.

She told me to stop my old SSRI , and prescribed me Valdoxan 25mg at night, it's a new medication, with nearly no side effects, and no discontinuation problems, so for me seemed a good choice as I could stop them in the summer, and return to them come Autumn/Winter.

It's been 2 weeks on them now, week 1 I had some very promising results, I was starting to feel like I did in the Spring/Summer :-) , sleep was great, and was easy to wake up in the mornings !
at the end of week one though, my old drug (SSRI) was giving me awful withdrawals, like anxiety, being angry, snappy and low mood again :-(

I couldn't cope with the withdrawals from the SSRI so I had to start my SSRI on a very very low dose, just to keep my receptors happy.
I did that yesterday, so am going to see if I see an improvement.

My brain zaps have gone, and I feel less on edge, not as snappy, not angry (so I know from this it was the withdrawal from the SSRI).
I so hope I improve again on the Agomelatine/Valdoxan :-(

But nearly every year I seem to be back at the Drs, and having to have long periods off work :-( and to be honest it's really getting to me.
Why cant I just be normal and be happy through the Autumn/Winter ? why do we have to suffer like this ?
Always changing meds ! taking Vitamin supplements left right and center.

It doesn't seem fair, but we just have to try accept that come Autumn/Winter we have to work extra hard at being able to function, something people without SAD sometimes take for granted.

Hope you are feeling better soon x x x

P.s I wish there was somewhere SAD sufferers could meet up ! I think it would make a huge difference actually meeting people with the disorder, and talking about each others coping methods.

Marky Mark

I have a 5 year history of becoming more depressed in the autumn, ending up severly depressed by February and gradually improving until by June I am fine. I have used a lumie desk lamp for 2 years - it really helps to brighten the room during the day and is great to work under. Its very flexible and I can direct the light in any direction. I also purchased my visor a year ago and use that too. Its very simple. A great combination.

In addition I take part in a 12 step group for people with depression thorugh Emotions Anoymous.Its like AA and is great. We run a Sunday evening skype (online meeting) meeting - contact just4today@tiscali.co.uk for more information.