On the brink of taking meds again (w/response)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You said:

<<Hi, everyone

Yesterday I was on the brink of taking meds again until I saw this group.

Although I've been a member for a while, I really wasn't paying that much

attention until now. I have not been on meds for over five years now, but my

depression has become worse. I have many stressors in my life, divorce, being on

my own, not being financially stable, trying to start a business, dealing with

some health issues all at one. I got to point where I just accepted that my

brain needs support and I went to psychiatrist who prescribed 100 mg of

trazadone and 50 mg of doxepine. I have felt very conflicted about going back

on meds. I do have a strong belief that I can heal without meds, that eating

right, taking certain vitamins, exercising, and doing enjoyable activities as

well as feeling my feelings can help me heal, but sometimes I get fearful that I

will never heal.

I'd really appreciate some input on what people are trying after they experience

withdrawal from psychotropic drugs. What are some alternatives I can try so I

don't end up feeling like I have to take meds?

thank you in advance.

>>

** I'm glad you wrote. You hit what to do for yourself. You said you have

a " strong belief " you can heal. I do, too I've seen it thousands of times.

Being " fearful " that you'll never heal is confusing you. It's stopping you

from taking the actions necessary to heal making it a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It's self-defeating.

First, before you take those drugs, go to the library and borrow " Anatomy of

an Epidemic:Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental

Illness in America " . If they don't have it, ask them to get it via interlibrary

loan. If this doesn't convince you of the uselessness of drugs, I don't know

what will.

In the meantime, how about a clean, healthy, whole foods diet and some decent

nutritional supplements. I have some recommendations if you'd like them -- a

general protocol that meets people's basic needs. If you want something

personally tailored, I would need much more info about you. Let me know.

Btw, what are the health issues? They could be contributing to this

depression.

Again, I'm glad you wrote. I wish everyone did this before taking a drug. It

would be so much easier to help people.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your response and yes I would love to see the general protocol.

I had half of my thyroid removed and I am on armor tabs, I also have sciatica which comes and goes and I believe is stress related (I have a herniated disc and a compression fracture, left L5), I also have diabetes insipidus, which is a water diabetes, recently diagnosed. This stems from an issue in my pituitary gland, unknown cause. I have chronic pain in my back running down my leg and just a general achiness, soreness in joints at times. I've been tested for everything, RA, Lupus, Lyme, etc I've seen numerous doctors.

I get depressed about being in my body among other things.

It's really not a mystery to me why I am depressed. I was a severely abused child and have had major depression, generalized anxiety most of my life with some PTSD. I do need to lose weight as well, I am about 60 lbs. overweight, which I am sure adds to the depression.

Life as an adult has brought some blows despite getting a masters, a life coaching certification etc. I run support groups for women, I write, blog, I have three websites I maintain. I have done quite a bit despite my depressed brain.

I am recently divorced and trying to make it on my own for the first time and so there are many stressors (especially financially). It just feels like no matter what I do I can't get out of the hole. I keep slipping back into this dark pit. I was on meds years ago and have been off meds for over five years. I literally cried when I put that trazadone pill in my mouth the other day. I have not taken another one since. I'd really love to heal my brain naturally and the truth is I haven't done enough on the food, exercise and vitamin front and I think I need some information about what to do.

I appreciate your time and would love to use the general protocol and see what can be done.