Depression and therapy?

[becky808]

I just went on medication yesterday. I feel like **** but expect to feel better in about another week.
My depression was really weird this time. We had a lot of stuff going on. Nothing bad, just a lot. One day I felt like I just broke. Just "POP" and I thought I was going to go out of my fricking head. This has never happened to me before. It lasted 3-4 days. I actually thought I was really sick with a virus. Then it dawned on me that this isn't normal at all so I went to see a Dr. My Dr gave me Prozac and a referral to a couple of psychologists if I was interested in that. I don't know what to do. I don't even know what I'd say. I don't feel like anything in my life is messed up. It's just my head.

I'm having a tough time making the smallest decisions right now like what to watch on TV, or what to make for dinner, or what my daughter is going to wear to school... bigger questions like if I need to see a therapist or not is simply overwhelming right now. Part of me thinks I shouldn't make any decisions about anything at all for a couple weeks.

Is there anything wrong with that?

[KWsMom]

From someone who used to cry over not being able to choose  which dish washing detergent to use, I can understand how larger decisions seem insurmountable.
A lot of times in school, I need to advocate for depressed students when they are unable to complete work assignments. This is a normal part of depression - whether it is sensory overload or lack of focus, it is temporary, and when the medication starts working, it should be easier to get those executive functions up and running.

All the other posters have given good advice - pyshcotherapy and monitored medication is the best course of action. And yes - depression is a chemical imbalance. It can happen due to stress, life changes, you name it.

Until then, be easy on yourself, knowing that choosing to hand over decisions to your husband or a close friend is not cowardly or lazy - it is being wise.

I wish you the best, and hope that you are feeling relief soon.

[j7653]

I agree with the other posts.  I think you truly need 3-4 weeks for the meds to kick in, but you probably feel better already because you are pro-actively addressing your situation.

I also agree with the others that speaking with a psychologist in conjunction with the meds is the best long term solution.

Good luck.

[becky808]

I just called and they're booking 4 weeks out.
I'm glad I called now. I'll feel OK enough to talk by then.

I also figured out what made my head explode. I almost died in childbirth 3 years ago. I had to go in that same hospital the day before I had this meltdown. I think I need some professional help. It's really not a big deal and yet that hospital freaks me out. It's not the hospital's fault. There's something wrong with me.

[Hensley258]

Expect a good 3 to 4 weeks before that Prozac starts to work.

Also, you don't have to have a messed up past or current messed up life situation to suffer from Major depression.

[becky808]

Thanks to you both.
I told my husband last night that I will not make any decisions for 2 weeks because it's too much pressure for me. He will have to pick up any slack. He said no big deal.

I feel better today than yesterday. I think I'm on my way back up.

[serinitynow1]

I totally agree with lLADVOCATE.  The meds will kick in and your thoughts (hopefully) will clear a little.  The Meds are wonderful for the symptons the Psycotherapy gets more to the root of the problem

[ILADVOCATE]

Give yourself some time to get adjusted to the medication. As things improve you will feel better and stabilize and then be better able to make larger decisions about issues in life and how to handle them. Medication takes a while to build up to an effective dose. Psychotherapy is very helpful in addition to medication though for anyone.