Advice for Depression/Anxiety

[cldaz]

I have suffered from severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD for over 11 years now. It was triggered by a very tragic event. I had to quit my job a year ago due to stress. This past year has been awful. I don't remember a lot of it bc there were days and weeks I couldn't get out of bed. I couldn't do simple things like take a shower or brush my teeth. As time passed suicidal thoughts became an every day occurance. After persistence from my husband and best friend, I went to a clinic. That was about 6 weeks ago. I have been on 100-150 mg of zoloft and 25 mg of busbar. It took about 2 weeks before I finally started to feel better. But, the side effects have been physically and emotionally exhausting. I feel great one day and the next day I am freezing cold but so hot at the same time. I could sleep 20 hours in day then could't sleep no matter what. Just yesterday I felt great and I called some old friends i hadn't talked to in over a year. I felt great, then in a split second I got an awful panic attack and I couldn't stop crying. This constant back and forth of the moods and physicall effects are making me feel crazy. Is this just a phase of getting on the meds and my body adjusting? Any help or guidanace would be incredibly appreciated

[LALEAH]

I have suffered from the same for 20 years and am amazed you have done this on your own for so long.  Has somethng happened that triggered memories of the original event?  You might not have even realized that it happened.  It is good you sought help.  Buspar, I know nothing about.  I recommend doing some research on how it has affected other individuals with the same diagnosis.  Zoloft, I have and am currently taking.  The way that I visualize the meds is this:  Your depression causes a lot of highs and lows.  Mostly lows.  If you draw a line, left to right and use it as a baseline you will see the highs and lows peaking above and under this baseline.  The meds help to level out the severity of the swings.  But it doesn't stop them.  Hopefully, it will ease the severity.  I find depression meds to be sedating on my system and dislike how they make me feel.  After 6 weeks, you should go back to see your doctor and discuss the dosage or another medication.  This is plenty of time to see a difference.  Depression and anxiety drain your energy.  You are always on alert and constantly fighting this from inside trying to maintain a normal day.  That translates into a physical strain.   Your meds do not seem to be working to alleviate the emotional swings.  Please see your doctor.  
The crying jags are going to happen. It took me a long time to learn this but don't fight crying.  Let it do.  You are using more energy fighting than if it runs it's course.  Are you in therapy?  PTSD is treated differently.  After years of psychotherapy, I am finally treating the PTSD by tackling the actual events.  I realized it was the only way to finally deal with it.  It will never go away, but it is taking away some of the constant anxiety.  Rapid Eye Movement Therapy helped enormously.   Find some relaxation tapes and use them.  Learn the techniques for when you have a panic attack.  Lorazapam or aprazalam help with the panic attacks.  A very low dose to take the edge off.   Finally, no matter what meds you are on, please realize that you have to take it one day at a time.  Don't judge yourself.  You are going to slip and have bad days.  As your meds start to help, there will be more better days.  But don't hate yourself or think it is all coming back if a bad day slips in.  Have you tried journaling?  Sometimes writing out the hurt or anger helps ease the stress of the moment.  Burn the pages or store them for your therapis to read later.   Don't give up.  

[lilymoon]

It could be your body adjusting,there are often side effects that pass, Id give it a few more weeks otherwise go back to doc,lily

[looloo141]

Yes I think it is your body adjusting, these events are still very recent and you have not been on the meds very long so it sounds like you need to set your mind on months rather than weeks.. it is hard I know, after all the effort you made to get to a clinic and get help, it doesn't feel like things are moving quickly enough, this is understandable, enjoy the good times while they are there, but don't feel as though you are crazy for swinging back again, its normal, even in a persons brain that doesn't have illness, during the day there are rises and falls in mood, anxiety etc. Don't try to walk before you can run, you are doing brilliantly!

[Jaquta]

I had panic attacks and felt manic when first starting buspar.  It could be due to the side-effects of the meds.  It would be worth talking this through with your doctor though.

Regarding your history I think talking through the traumatic event is what will eventually help you.  Make sure you have a good therapist.