I finally went to the doctor about my depression and anxiety. It was getting to the point that I could barely leave the house either because of lack of motivation or because I was freaking out to much to be able to. She checked my thyroid but didn't feel anything abnormal, and I got a blood test just in case. I got a prescription for Zoloft. Has anyone here had much experience with it? I know it can differ a lot between people, but I'd still be interested to know.
I've been on Zoloft for almost a year now. It's kept my head above water pretty well. Often in place of depression and anxiety I've felt empty and emotionless. It isn't pleasant, but it's much easier to understand and deal with. Sometimes I also feel empty in place of happiness, which is much worse, and ultimately why I don't plan on using Zoloft much longer. Like I said earlier in the thread, it is a useful tool to help get your head straight, but I feel I've learned all I can from it.
Kind of? I've had a few panic attack-type things that seemed kind of mania like but I'm not really sure. I don't think the Zoloft is good for me though. I took one last night because drowsiness was supposed to be a symptom but I ended up getting some of the manic side-effects. I have a lot more energy but I feel more anxious too. Its not like a "I wanna break something!" kind of mania but it does fit the side effects of the pill.
Talk to your doctor about that one before you go and quit. Often you have to give an anti-depressant a little time before your system acclimates to it. As for mania, the fact that you haven't gone through it tells me that our symptoms are significantly different and our experiences with Zoloft will likely be equally divergent.
Yeah I'm going to wait a few days and see if anything changes before I do anything. But right now the mania I'm feeling from the Zoloft feels much more manic than any of my panic attacks did. Basically I feel like the Joker, minus the murder and such.
See, Zoloft made me manic and induced serotonin syndrome within three days of my starting treatment. Lexapro, a different SSRI, didn't do that; I'm still on it, and I haven't noticed any of the "emptiness" that Evan mentioned. I intend to stay on the drug, but I will admit that there are odd moments of emotional "fog" where I'm confused, or the odd my mood rapidly oscillates for anywhere from 24-48 hours.
Depression is an incredibly complex disease with an equally complex biochemical etiology. Our receptors won't act like yours, and our imbalances aren't the same as yours. If Zoloft doesn't work or feels shitty, call your doctor and switch it up. Don't give up on treatment, because you WILL find something that works. For some (me), that was SSRIs and drastically reducing my alcohol intake. For others, it's therapy, or weed, or art. You'll figure it out; you need to do what works for your presentation of the illness, not anyone else's.
The best advice I can give to anyone beginning treatment is to try very, very hard to figure out what emotionally and intellectually fulfills you--and then, do that thing. The worst part of my depression was the motivational/emotional barrier to self-actualization in all aspects of my life. Treatment removed that, and now I'm everything I wasn't two years ago: stylish, confident, fulfilled, driven. Once you find the right cocktail of things that kicks your depression's ass, you'll quickly learn a whole lot of awesome things about yourself.
Yeah, you're right I was just curious about other's experiences. So far I haven't had much change. I just feel wired and anxious. Its good to have energy again but I can't sit still. Hopefully I won't get Serotonin syndrome like you.
Also, this is probably nothing but I took this aspergers quiz mentioned on the most recent This American Life and got 144 of 200. It said "You are very likely an aspie" Now I don't know how legitimate it is since I did guess on many of them but it would explain a lot even though I don't feel smart enough to be an aspie.
Yeah, you're right I was just curious about other's experiences. So far I haven't had much change. I just feel wired and anxious. Its good to have energy again but I can't sit still. Hopefully I won't get Serotonin syndrome like you.
Also, this is probably nothing but I took this aspergers quiz mentioned on the most recent This American Life and got 144 of 200. It said "You are very likely an aspie" Now I don't know how legitimate it is since I did guess on many of them but it would explain a lot even though I don't feel smart enough to be an aspie.
Being smart and having aspergers do not have anything to do with each other. You can be plenty dumb and still have it, as I am living proof of that.
Patrick Kelpick had written a great article about the game which is how I had originally found out about it. It's an interesting read. Gives a little background into the making of the game.
At first I was like "This is overrated. What it's saying has been said before just as well" but then it was like:
Everyone else at the party is sectioned off into smaller groups of people who know each other, and you feel like it might be too rude to butt in on any one of their conversations.
As you were leaving work tonight, a group of coworkers asked if you wanted to join them for drinks. Feeling antisocial and put on the spot, you declined. You have a habit of doing this - you're often so convinced that you are weird and terrible and that any invitation to hang out will end in disappointment for those inviting you.
That hit close to home. I almost cried several times while it was going well for this dude.
Yeah, I couldn't get through it all the way. Fuck that. This game is the fucking voice in my head when I'm not medicated. I take drugs to shut that fucker up.
No disrespect taken. It resonated with me too, I've just been through something a little more extreme than what went on in my play-through.
As have I, but I'm used to it not being referred to as "depression." When I see some consumer grade "depression" labeled media, I expect things along these lines, and for things along those lines it was well executed.
Still feeling pretty maniacal from the Zoloft. I think I'll probably end up switching meds. Its nice not to be constantly tired but mania isn't exactly a great alternative. And I got my test results back. No thyroid issues so I'm just fucked in the head after all.
I feel a little hypomanic from the Lexapro sometimes. I just get hyperproductive and sociable. It's not so bad.
The Zoloft mania, on the other hand, had me walking in circles around a coffee table while listening to the Talking Heads for an hour. This was because I woke up at 6am, and I couldn't do errands until 9am at least. I also got really bad akathisia, which is actually SO much more horrifying and uncomfortable than you'd think. Eventually I got exhausted and passed out.
Mania sounds awesome in theory (Endless creativity! Boundless sex drive! Infinite motivation!), but it actually makes it pretty much impossible to function normally.
Mania is a lot of fun until I crash. Then I stop being gregarious and energetic and turn into something resembling a pile of dirty laundry for few days.
Comments
Depression is an incredibly complex disease with an equally complex biochemical etiology. Our receptors won't act like yours, and our imbalances aren't the same as yours. If Zoloft doesn't work or feels shitty, call your doctor and switch it up. Don't give up on treatment, because you WILL find something that works. For some (me), that was SSRIs and drastically reducing my alcohol intake. For others, it's therapy, or weed, or art. You'll figure it out; you need to do what works for your presentation of the illness, not anyone else's.
The best advice I can give to anyone beginning treatment is to try very, very hard to figure out what emotionally and intellectually fulfills you--and then, do that thing. The worst part of my depression was the motivational/emotional barrier to self-actualization in all aspects of my life. Treatment removed that, and now I'm everything I wasn't two years ago: stylish, confident, fulfilled, driven. Once you find the right cocktail of things that kicks your depression's ass, you'll quickly learn a whole lot of awesome things about yourself.
Good luck, dude!
Also, this is probably nothing but I took this aspergers quiz mentioned on the most recent This American Life and got 144 of 200. It said "You are very likely an aspie" Now I don't know how legitimate it is since I did guess on many of them but it would explain a lot even though I don't feel smart enough to be an aspie.
Patrick Kelpick had written a great article about the game which is how I had originally found out about it. It's an interesting read. Gives a little background into the making of the game.
Also, whoa.
Feels. (That music too...)
The Zoloft mania, on the other hand, had me walking in circles around a coffee table while listening to the Talking Heads for an hour. This was because I woke up at 6am, and I couldn't do errands until 9am at least. I also got really bad akathisia, which is actually SO much more horrifying and uncomfortable than you'd think. Eventually I got exhausted and passed out.
Mania sounds awesome in theory (Endless creativity! Boundless sex drive! Infinite motivation!), but it actually makes it pretty much impossible to function normally.