I'm just losing my mind

My dear sister it's hard to give advice to a person who is 21 years and has been on anti-depressants for 15 years.

Why at such a young age has got me beat.

I pray that you will get the help that you need.

If you lived in Australia I would gladly give you some good advice.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

A few months ago, who switched your meds?

That is confusing partly because you said you haven't needed attention since January which is itself more than a few months ago.

Maybe it was a year ago that your med's got switched, an you can't refill because a year has passed?

I would think you should call whomever gave you the last prescription. You were under that doctor's care.

And stopping the meds suddenly can be quite disabling and even dangerous.

So call that physician if possible and take the position that you need at least temporary care to give time to find someone.

If you are talking a cocktail of meds, you really should have fairly frequent visits. Especially after any change. But I realize such often doesn't happen.

In any case, that previous physician is where I would try to at least meet with him and get some refills even if you aren't going to continue using that physician. And, if he will give a referral, it can help in being able to get into another physician.

Is it possible to see your previous physician?

Marv

I used to have depression and anxiety disorders, panic attacks. It was interesting that once I trusted in the Lord and lived my life for him POOF they all went away. You dont need and drugs you need the great physician (God).

your working way too much, what future are you creating. Maybe a life of unhappy independence, as believer we should be creating fruit. Im not saying to just go and quit your job, ill leave that to you, but you definitely need to let them know you cant do it like that anymore.

Why accept the curse that God gave to the man??

God be with you

First, get the meds in order. Call and call and call...sometimes that's what it takes. If you're too much of a bother to a receptionist she/he does something just to get you off her/his back.

Secondly, get another job that won't have you working 12 hour days.

Oh and pray!!

Hey I was just reading through posts and saw that you had some questions and found a few verses that I thought might help your situation...
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

I think those bible versus quoted by forgiveable are excellent. I think working closer to home and less hours will make a huge difference. Maybe tell people at work you are exhausted mentally and need a break and you are taking all this medication. Also I would ease off the medication just a slight reduction over time, gradually easing yourself off. You sound like a battler to be working 12 hours and 2 hours journey time, anyone who is a tough cookie with no other problems would find this a struggle. Most importantly turn and pray to God. Luke 18:27 The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Dear Marie,

Firstly, God bless your heart. I think you've got way too much on your plate at the moment and that overflow is overwhelming, obviously. I think you need a hug!

I've got a few suggestions or comments perhaps but hopefully this winds up making at least some sense to you and helps in some way.

1) Here's my #1 issue: You mention having been on anti-anxiety/anti-depression medication since you were 6 years old. One of two things (or perhaps both) are at play here and I've got a feeling it's both. One is a predisposition to anxiety and depression passed down through genetics. Second are traumas that happen in our life, from childhood into adulthood. Since you have been on some form of medication (I'm assuming here that you mean anxiety/depression meds.) since a child, I feel that perhaps there are emotional issues that were never dealt with properly. If indeed there are repressed emotions, they mount and build until they rear their ugly heads at the most inopportune time in life and often with great force - enough to be downright debilitating. You see, as you know, these medications only mask the problem. They don't fix it which is why our brains need an increasing amount of the drug to further repress the problem. It is true that sometimes it is merely a chemical imbalance that has nothing to do with one's life experience. But if there is something more to your case, I urge you to really confront it and deal with it now. Doctors and pharmacies get money from the medicine - not from the cure. This is why they rarely (with the exception of a few great & caring ones) delve deep enough into the root cause. If you knew that you could get to the root issue and solve it and be freed from this agony - wouldn't you? I know sister that this is probably not what you want to hear right now, but believe me, God truly does want to set you free. Sometimes His touch alone will cure you when you ask Him and sometimes He chooses to use modern medicine. Either way, I highly recommend that you get to the bottom of what's "bugging you" and nip it in the bud.

2) It is proven scientifically that when someone is on an anti-anxiety/depression medication and are not feeling the benefit (especially at high dosages), it is time to wean off of that drug and begin a new trial with a different medication. I don't know how many you have tried in the past but these classes of drugs are very much trial and error based. It takes awhile to find the right brand and the right dose & the body can/does build up a tolerance to them, rendering them ineffective after awhile. Keep in mind that the lower the dosage, the less harm it does to the body. That's certainly a goal worth shooting for. In any case, you definitely need to get in touch with a physician (preferably one that is easy to contact) and talk candidly about how you're feeling. How about the original prescriber for the Zoloft? Is that part of the clinic you can not get ahold of? As a side note - these medications are not ones that you should ever stop cold turkey. It is potentially very dangerous when the body/brain goes into withdrawal. You need to be weaned off and a doctor needs to be monitoring this now. Get a new doctor - do whatever you have to do - but seek medical attention ASAP. I don't mean to scare you, but it is very important.

3) There is a natural supplement called 5-HTP which is an anti-anxiety/depression herbal remedy. It is nature's anti-depressant. Magnesium has a calming effect which helps with anxiety. I am not suggesting that you should take these without first speaking to your doctor because that would be a very bad idea. Zoloft (or any prescribed anti-depressant) should not be taken with 5-HTP. I'm only throwing this idea out there for you in the future. If possible, it would obviously be better to do it nature's way, rather than through prescription drugs. I know they don't work in every case, but if the doctors were able to bring you down off of your current regimen, you could perhaps give the natural way a shot? It takes up to 6 weeks to notice a significant difference but you can feel relief sooner in some cases. If you'd like, I'd be glad to share a list with you of all the natural herbs, etc. that would be helpful and soothing in your situation.

4) I think it's time to focus on you for awhile. You admit that your responsibilities are endless with your current job and that you never have enough time for YOU. Sweetie, this is never a good thing. Our bodies were only built to take so much. I am not suggesting that you quit your job because only you can make that decision but I am suggesting that perhaps it's time to suggest having another assistant where you work - someone that can share your responsibility if possible? If that's not possible, even though it sounds like you've got a pretty good thing going where you are, it may be time to look for employment elsewhere; Some place that is a bit closer to home and doesn't rest so much on your shoulders alone. At the very least I recommend having a very open and honest dialogue with your current employer, just letting him know that your health is really suffering right now due to the strain of this fast paced lifestyle and you need to inquire about a few changes. Hopefully he/she will understand and will lessen the load ever so slightly. He/she just may not know what an impact this is having on your life. Take a stand for yourself. I say this especially because you stated that you really want to go to school above all else. There is a reason you have that desire in your heart and I feel that perhaps now is as good a time as any to see about making that happen in your life. You know? No one else can take care of you better than you can - so make sure that happens!

So my dear, take care of you first and foremost. Know that God is on your side and He truly does want to open doors for you. All you have to do is ask. Sometimes the worst of situations and the worst of times is simply the beginning of our greatest blessings. You can beat this with God on your side and you will! Don't lose faith, don't give up and know that brighter days are ahead. Sorry this has been so long. I truly hope that it aided you in some way.

Wow, you've gotten some great advice already and don't think there's much I can add. Here's some scriptures that you may help: 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalms 119:11; Hebrews 4:12; 1 John 5:14,15

God's grace helps us through problems and illnesses, but does not necessarily take away the hardship. Reading scripture and prayer and fellowship are powerful tools to help us through the tough times.