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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
I have been battling depression ( postnatal probably)
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I have been struggling with depression quite bad for the past 7 months if not longer. I have suicidal thoughts and feelings of worthless, including isolation form friends. I should be happy as I have 3 healthy girls but also have some marital problems. I have been to my GP and currently seeing a pyschologist. I feel as if Im still in the same place and nothing is helping. I dont want to take medication but am starting to feel like I will need to take it which is not how I wanted to get better. I have a script but dont want to get it. I feel unmotivated despite reading self-help books. -
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Leanne Hall
Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist
Integrative Psychologist, Health Coach & Personal Trainer in private practice. I have expertise in assessing and treating a range of disorders and conditions; depression, anxiety, … View Profile
The fact that you took the very brave step of talking with your doctor is terrific. I would urge you to talk with your psychologist about how you are feeling. Therapy is a two way process and only works if communication between the two of you can be open and honest. Sometimes things do seem to “stand still” for a period of time before a “shift” takes place. This is normal, but can be extremely frustrating!
If your GP has prescribed medication, then I would also urge you to give it a go. What you should find, is that after a few weeks the fog begins to clear and you feel more empowered and motivated to face your problems. It is also possible that your depression is limiting your ability to engage in treatment. This is really common, and is another reason why medication can be recommended. I have found with many of my patients, that once they start taking medication - we start to make real progress. Having said that, it is completely understandable that you have reservations about taking medication! Maybe write down a list of your concerns/questions and go back to your GP to discuss? THEN make your decision?Report this post
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Dr Melanie Strang
Counsellor
I agree with Leanne that sometimes it can be challanging to engage in therapy if you are not yet at a certain level of wellness.
Having said that, taking medication can be a very personal decision. It is more likely to be used in moderate to severe depression, rather than in mild depression.
Sometimes mums feel like they have “failed” if they need to take medication….I think mums can be really hard on themselves. If you had pneumonia you would take antibiotics….similarly depression is an illness which at times requires medication as part of its management.
Take care.
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I was diagnosed with depression a year ago. Looking back, I probably had post-natal depression after the birth of both my children, now 3 and 7 but came through it without any diagnosis or treatment. 2010 was a horrible year and wore me down badly. I saw a cousellor a few times early 2011 and felt a bit better, but soon after started having suicidal thoughts, so went back to my GP. We had talked earlier about medication, but I didn't want to use them. I changed my mind when my thoughts turned dark. My kids rely on me. They deserve to have me at my best. I was so tired, so listless - I struggled to get my daughter to school on time, I was cranky and miserable. I decided my kids needed me to take the meds - they deserved a better mum than the person I was. It's been a year this month since I started. I don't regret it at all. I am amazed at how much better I am functioning. I get more done in a day than I used to in a week. I enjoy my kids. They enjoy me. I'm going to keep taking the meds for the moment, because I don't feel like I'm out of the woods quite yet. I'm going back to counselling to work on a few things. I joined a gym because I find I feel so much better after exercise.
I respect your determination to work through this in your own strength. That determination will aid your recovery no end, but my experience is that willpower and motivation is sapped by depression and for me, the antidepressants just gave me that motivation back and I have improved week by week.
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Hi, Thanks everyone, I was so close to getting the antidepressants today but didnt. I also enquired about yoga classes but because they cost money it makes it hard. finances are not great at the moment/ Just found out the psychologist Im seeing is on holidays. I found out as I was concerned I hadnt heard about further appointments. even though I sometimes feel I dont want to go back the last few days I have beenn wanting to. Now I cant get an appointment until the end of May. wish it wasnt so hard. Thankyou Suze for your response. means alot.
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