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Have you ever been put on antidepressants?

Have you ever been on Anti Depressants because of the stress of having and AS child/partner?  

194 members have voted

  1. 1. Have you ever been on Anti Depressants because of the stress of having and AS child/partner?

    • Yes.
      108
    • No.
      52
    • Used Herbal medication to help.
      18
    • Refused when offered medication by the GP.Used to be on Anti Depressants but are not on them right now.
      16


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HI I voted yes. I have had depression on and off for 10 years since my first child, so the depression wasn't the total cause of my AS child although it had made things alot worse. anyway I am off anti ds now and hope that I never have to go on them again. They did help though as they have kept me calmer lol I don't see anti ds any different to any other drug you would take if you were ill. my depression started as postnatal depression which is caused by a drop in your hormones so it makes sense to take something to make you feel better, would you take paracetamol etc for a headache? or just put up with it? Councelling may have been good as i was offered it but they could only offer it to me during the day and there was no one to look after the kids, so it just wasn't an option.

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Hi I have voted yes, but it has only ever been for lasted for a couple of weeks at a time as I feel so sick on them and can't sleep that I would prefer to feel as I feel than have the additional problems.

 

I should probably be on them though :rolleyes:

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I have been on them in the past, before I had the kids. However, I only stayed on them a week as I felt like a zombie. I found other ways to help myself (making myself go out and finding new interests or shopping!). Now I recognize the signs of onset and can usually sort myself out. However, I do now use Bach's rescue remedy when I have bouts of anxiety.

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ivebeen on them since steve was out ofschool for 18 months,been on them 5 years now,ive tried to get off them in the past but i cant cope without them

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Have been offered them, but always avoided them as I didn't like the sound of the potential side-effects. I usually find that my body hates meds - I struggle to keep anything more than paracetamol down :rolleyes: .

Have often wondered though if it would make a great difference to the anxiety side of things.

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I have to say I have never had so much as an aspirin, not showing off, I just went ga-ga instead, saved a bomb on the NHS :) Anyone who wants to see my wallpaper collection is more than welcome.... I've never seen my son as a real issue to be honest, hard work YES !!!! but it's not as if he goes out of his way to make my life a misery. I love every hair on his head to be honest, although he's left very little on mine :)

 

 

I don't see my son as an issue either, and I love him more than anything. However, I am on anti-depressants at the moment and was for a period last year too. I would love to be able to say "No I dont need to take anything" but I just couldn't function.

 

Just because I am suffering from depression and feel incredibly sad about the fact that my son has autism and faces many difficulties in his life does not mean that I love him any less or should feel bad about the fact that I need something just to help me cope with everyday life.

 

I apologise if I have taken your comments about your son the wrong way, but just because some of us need anti-depressants to cope, it doesn't mean that we are blaming our children.

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I don't see my son as an issue either, and I love him more than anything. However, I am on anti-depressants at the moment and was for a period last year too. I would love to be able to say "No I dont need to take anything" but I just couldn't function.

 

Just because I am suffering from depression and feel incredibly sad about the fact that my son has autism and faces many difficulties in his life does not mean that I love him any less or should feel bad about the fact that I need something just to help me cope with everyday life.

 

I apologise if I have taken your comments about your son the wrong way, but just because some of us need anti-depressants to cope, it doesn't mean that we are blaming our children.

 

 

I agree and concur with Nikki's post, the reason for me being on antidepressants is not due to my son, but more to do with an inbalance of hormones

 

Clare x x

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I haven't been put on Anti-D's but my Dr wanted to put me on them, but because of certain things I said no.

 

I have been on them about 41/2 yrs ago, when youngest was about 6mths because of his birth and stuff I was on Citalopram but they made me feel really weird and I did things that really weren't me. I got very violent at one point (and I'm ashamed to say) :tearful::ph34r: I had the police threaten to arrest me!!!!!) And since that day I took myself off them.

I can't actually say whether or not I felt better as I don't think I've ever felt 'normal' in my life :lol: :lol:

Edited by kellyanne

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I was studying for a higher degree and unbeknown to myself was being bullied (yes it can happen that you don't realise that treatment by others is classified as bullying) and was in a stressful job and I ended up being depressed brought on by stress.

 

I'm now a lot better able to see the signs and not to put myself in the position where this could/would happen again. No job is worth putting myself through that again and its made me a lot more sympathetic to others who suffer similar problems.

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yes was on venlafaxine for 3 years due to post natal depression,,,gradually weaned myself off and went back to work,,,was the best therapy for me,,,,i would use them again if need be as i do relapse from time to time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,jo

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I went on them when my twins were 5 months because I had no help and they had all sorts of feeding probs due to reflux and milk intolerance which meant that DS had no attention and was going wild. I was on them for under a year but they made me feel very weird, like a zombie, I just couldn't care less about anything and was becoming a very shouty person which I had never been before. They also gave me megga panic attacks.

 

That was 4 years ago and I feel that something in me changed since I'd been on them and I am still very very shouty which I hate so much.

 

I think I should probably be on them again but the side effects, weight gain and the hideous withdrwal symptoms that I suffered really put me off.

 

I'm not sure if I needed them because of the twins or because DS was going wild or both. :unsure:

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Hi I voted no. However my situation is slightly different to what the thread implies. I have been offered anti-depressants before when I have gone to the doctors with problems surrounding Anxiety, linked to my AS. On these occasions I have refused them outright and opted to have someone assisting me/someone to talk to in person and take other anxiety combatting techniques. My personal opinion is that I dont want to get into them unless its is ABSOLUTELY necessary. More people are hooked on these sort of things than illegal drugs.

 

I however respect others decisions to accept anti-depressants.

Edited by CEJesson

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i have just had my antedepressants doubled as not coping very well with everything at the mo am really down so hoping they will help.....

 

love donnaxxxx

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I am taking a combination of Anxiety and Antidepressants for PTSD and it took me about three weeks to feel the benefit. A day at a time I guess. I am taking Lexapro 'escitalopram' apparently very good for PTSD.

 

:thumbs:

 

Love

Fran x :)

Edited by Frangipani

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Im on antid's but was on them before I had my ds-was cutting them down to be weaned off but they have since gone back up cos I was getting so down n struggling with ds.

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ONE IN THREE PEOPLE AT SOME TIME IN THERE LIFE WILL NEED ANTIDEPRESSENTS.

 

 

So considering we are all under so much pressure I think we are all doing really well.

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ONE IN THREE PEOPLE AT SOME TIME IN THERE LIFE WILL NEED ANTIDEPRESSENTS.

 

 

So considering we are all under so much pressure I think we are all doing really well.

 

I agree >:D<<'> >:D<<'> :thumbs:

 

:)

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not sure i count as i'm the one with AS but...

 

i was secretly put on some form of anti-depressant at 13. my parents weren't told what it was and i only worked it out when reading a list and recongnised the name of the drug! stopped that, then was given prozac somewhen between 15 and 17 for depression, but it didn't seem to do anything. spent the next few years changing drugs every few months as none seemed to have any effect (and lots of bad side effects!)

 

after one disastrous one where i lost 2 stone in 2 months because i couldn't stand to eat anything i felt so ill (and then started vomiting blood) i settled on citalopram for around 2 years. then got my dx of AS and realised the reason the drugs dont work is because i'm not depressed, i just feel guilty for not being like everyone else. now i'm 'off' citalopram, although i have to take one tablet a week because i'm having terrible withdrawl symptoms that dont go away - even after 6 months of not taking the stuff! my heart rate rockets, my muscles constantly spasm and i become so dizzy i cant even sit up. been referred to the mental health something or other because my doctor said 'hmmm... that shouldn't be happening' when i told her about it, and doesn't know how to stop it.

 

despite my mixed experiences i'd still totally recommend that anyone that needs that sort of help go for it. you just need a very honest buddy to tell you if you're having any negative effects you dont notice. the prozac made me so vague i have a year i cannot remember and apparently i couldn't carry a conversation because i'd just stop talking and walk off halfway through a sentence. different ones work for different people and its a trial and error thing although reading this back i'm beginning to think that i'm just not suited to antidepressants as i seem to react in strange ways (admittedly i also get insomnia from sleeping pills and my asthma gets worse if i take my inhalers!)

 

the only other thing i have to say is that i have fallen in love with 'rescue remedy' as it calms me down in any crisis so i dont get to the point where i feel i cant cope

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Ive been on and off different ones for the last 2 years both for anxiety and depression. I started off on citalopram but i was seeing things because of them and they made anxiety worse :lol: Now on venlafaxine hydrochloride modified release capsules at 300mg daily and have been for almost a year now.

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I have struggled with severe depression on and off for most of my life! :wacko:

Im on Escitalopram 25mg at the moment :( Depression sucks!

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:tearful::tearful::tearful: hi been on cipralex for about 5 years now know i couldnt cope without them struggled for about a year panic attacks crying worrying all time had to give in in the end and take them glad i did they help keep my mood even most of time i,m on my own with autistic son 11yrs old love him to bits have v little support dont know how id keep going without them best bit of advice someone gave me be kind to yourself dont worry if house not tidy try to relax do something to help yourself chill out read listen to music etc when child will let you helps to keep anxiety levels dowm take care everyone be good to yourselves >:D<<'> >:D<<'> :D

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I'm on a combination apparently known among psychiatrists as California Rocket Fuel - Duloxetine and Mirtazapine. As far as I understand, a study in California a few years ago found that one of them had the effect of 'turbocharging' the effect of the other, hence the nickname!

 

Also sleepers (Zopiclone) and sedatives (Diazepam) but not every day.

 

Adam

 

Edit: sorry, I didn't read the survey question properly. I'm someone with AS (plus depression and acute anxiety disorder), not a relative.

Edited by AdamJ

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I'm on a combination apparently known among psychiatrists as California Rocket Fuel - Duloxetine and Mirtazapine. As far as I understand, a study in California a few years ago found that one of them had the effect of 'turbocharging' the effect of the other, hence the nickname!

 

Also sleepers (Zopiclone) and sedatives (Diazepam) but not every day.

 

Adam

 

Edit: sorry, I didn't read the survey question properly. I'm someone with AS (plus depression and acute anxiety disorder), not a relative.

Sorry I was on antidepressant and I am a parent.

i did not understand it well.

edith

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Antidepressants make me severely depressed i wish i could get 5htp on prescription,

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While I am not a parent, I am however an Aspie.

 

For many years prior to my diagnosis, I would repeatedly speak to GPs and others in the medical profession because I had concerns over some difficulties I was having in certain areas - sensory issues, anxiety in social situations, constantly feeling like I was "different" to other people and therefore always feeling that I didn't fit in anywhere. Every single time, the doctor in question would simply say "oh, you're depressed" and write a prescription for anti-depressants. I always felt that I was not being listened to.

 

Since my diagnosis nearly two years ago (which was obtained when I basically made such a large fuss about not being listened to), my GP has continually attempted to make me accept prescriptions for anti-depressants (fluoexetine, citalopram, and even tranquilisers on some occasions), despite the fact that he is aware of my diagnosis and has admitted that he has no professional knowledge or experience of the different problems AS can cause.

 

Luckily, I have a clinical psychologist that I see on a regular (fortnightly) basis and they have advised me that I don't take anti-depressants because, frankly, depression is not the problem and this is why I have never felt that they have helped.

 

In short, my GP continues to put me on antidepressants despite my objections and attempted explanations, but I don't take them.

Edited by Morgado

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I am on escitalopram, it works for me, but then life is a whole heap of stress, getting up at 6am to take other half to work so i can have the car, full time mum during the day, then i go to work from 6pm till 11pm and every other weekend 8am till 9pm, no wonder im shattered! <img src="http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wacko:" border="0" alt="wacko.gif" />

mc

 

Hi mc31

 

:notworthy::notworthy::notworthy: is all I can say!

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I am on Fluoxetine (Prozac). I have suffered from depression since a teenager, and had undiagnosed postnatal depression after my first child. When my sister had breast cancer and it kept growing despite treatment, plus my eldest son was having major probs at school, I fortunately saw a doctor who really listened to me and prescribed them. I was on them for some years, my sister passed away (in all we have 4 bereavements in 5 years) and my son struggled through junior school, and my youngest son had to be dragged into school from the start. We also had elderly parents needing lots of support. AT one time I felt better and came on them - I had constantly felt a pressure to come off them, from the dr and just from general atmosphere in society. After a few months I deteriorated and had to go back on them. Then again I got to a point where I felt stable and my own dr said the tablets probably weren't doing anything for me. Then my mother-in-law died. I then thought I could totally concentrate on my youngest son's major probs with school and quickly realised just how major the probs were. I had a sort of mini breakdown. I was off work for 4 weeks and my husband had to stay home for 3 of those weeks cos I couldn't do anything at all, which caused probs for him at work. I was put back on the meds (by the dr that put me on them in the first place) and was referred for support from the mental health team. I was able to 'offload' all my probs in life and admit how serious my depression was as a teenager and postnatally. This relieved a weight from me. The person I saw helped me realise that I had collapsed because I tried so hard to be strong, not because I was weak. I am continuing on the meds until I feel really confident that I am OK.

 

When I first went on the meds it was a revelation to me. When I told my doc that I felt like a different person, she said I must just feel like my normal self. But I had NEVER felt like that. I could think clearly, organise, plan, make decisions, cope with day-to-day life. They really did totally transform my life and I wish I had had them as a teenager after I attempted suicide.

 

If you are diabetic you need insulin. If you are chemically depressed you need the meds that help with this. Simples!

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i find that anti depressants make me depressed even if they aren't being prescribed for depression.

i am one of those unfortunate people who is sensitive to most types of medications. :tearful:

 

i try where i can alternatives but am currently in a depression flare. i feel like i have to care for

my maternal gran and my mum as both have long term health issues. Also the car is borrowed from gran

so i try and give her something in return. i've had to help out my brother and sometimes sister (whose

got a supportive hubby) because my mum cannot deal with the emotional overload of situations. i love

and care for my mum dearly but sometimes supporting her means i have to endure distress for sometime.

 

i am currently taking omega 3s, b100s, b6, b12, probiotics with caprylic acid, 5htp and melatonin.

(Im off gluten, dairy, msg, aspartame, benzoate). i will try any medicine that doesn't contain gluten,

dairy or benozoate but that is rare to find such a medicine.

 

ive been fighting depression for the past 11 years, had a breakdown age 18 and nearly 2 breakdowns

during the year of 2005. ive hit rock bottom many times and come out the other side. i hope this time

that will also happen sooner rather than later.

 

i think my recent flare is caused by my c-ptsd being triggered severely and my current dissertation being

heart wrenching but important at the same time. Im doing a review on the Pan-Avon area and lack of services

for adults 10 years post taking responsibility. The recent NAS mental health campaign has been both good and

bad timing at the same time, good because it highlights that "kids get depressed too and need to be treated

instead of dismissed as 'just autistic' or they could become adults with long term mental health problems".

The later is where i feel im at the moment.

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I use rescue remedy when i am nervous.... about something. It seems to help :)

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I use rescue remedy when i am nervous.... about something. It seems to help :)

 

Helped me pass my driving test 1st time.

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Helped me pass my driving test 1st time.

 

Ye it also helped me pass my major exam at college, which covered everything i had learnt that year. It's amazing stuff.

 

I'll use lots when i go to do my theory test on Tuesday, hope my nervous don't get the better of me. lol

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Ye it also helped me pass my major exam at college, which covered everything i had learnt that year. It's amazing stuff.

 

I'll use lots when i go to do my theory test on Tuesday, hope my nervous don't get the better of me. lol

 

Hope you do well, passed my theory on the 2nd attempt.

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Im not a parent but being down the road for depression, i was offered councelling, which i took the doctors didnt want to whack me onto tabs straight away (bloomin tight wad surgery... anyway) but i have been offered them before through my three years of hell and bullying at one of Leicester's worst Comprehensives. on that occasion i refused them....

 

I can't bear to think of how to take them... to me they tablets make you a false person..... i don't like it, they make you artificially better.. they don't help the problem, thats why i either hold on or i go for councelling. cause that way I either unlease the problem and half annihilate someone's front teeth or talk it out.....

 

P.S. booze works, but in sensible amounts..

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I don't think they make you a false person. I see them as more of crutch. I don't honestly think I would be alive without them so for some people they are the only option.

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Citalopram, my son has been advised to take this, but after reading the enclosed advice leaflet, which said he shouldn't be getting it as he is under 18 and there is no safety data available, I have decided not to give it to him but to go back to the Doctor for more detailed advice. The Doc said in certain circumstances it is OK to give this medication to a child under 18 (Mine is 16), the leaflet was horrendous reading from my view and all but advised patients not to take it ! HAS anyone here had any experiences of it for under 18s ? ALl the advice stated it would exasperate the symptoms he had already, I'm confused... and worried the medication will actually MAKE him more ill than he is....

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Last year, I was placed on Citalopram, started on 20mgs, went up to 60mgs. I just wasn't handling my son's condition too well, I stopped sleeping (when I say 'stopped', I was getting 2hrs a night). I was tearful a fair part of the day, when my son kicked off, I would end up locking myself in the bathroom and crying. My skin was pasty, my appetite wasn't there and I was thinking that my son would be better off without me, a lot of the time.

 

Citalopram helped me, first by regulating my sleep, which in turn helped me clear my head out and I was then able to take my son under a wing and deal with him in a more appropriate manner. I had actually gone into a full melt down by the time I had been seen by the dr, I was like a living zombie, it was a horrible time.

 

I had my prescription up'd to 60 on a gradual scale and by that point, I felt fully functional (although, these tablets make you feel pretty crappy when you start off on them or have the amount put up/down or stopped). After 5 months, I felt that I did not need them anymore and the dr took me off Citalopram, bad 2 weeks though, felt sick, dizzy and headaches but as they cleared my system, I felt somewhat human again.

 

I don't see this as a weakness, we've all be pushed to breaking point at sometime or another, gaining help helps you x

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