*Health issues>>>Mental Health issues

Some help with coping with depression please?

Issue
I was first prescribed effexor 12 years ago for post natal depression. My father in law died the week before our son was born - his first granchild. I was on it for 18 months and then again 6 years later during a period of real stress at work. That was a year. Then again 3.5 years later for 3 years when my mother in law was diagnosed with cancer and I lost 3 family members and 3 friends in 12 months. I nursed my MIL and finally lost her 2 years ago within 10 hours of losing my dog. I was on effexor - gradually reducing until 1 month ago - when it all went wrong. GP stopped the Effexor and put me on prozac, 20 mg. For the last month I have had really ups and really bads downs, anger in quite explosive bursts - I always had the awful sweats and for the last year unbearably itchy upper arms. Now I am beginning to wonder if I will ever get better - and if I do will it always be with pills - and is that a bad thing?
Your opinions and experiences might help me feel normal again.

Best Tip

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Email me if you got any questions, I was once there before.

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Others
Go ask your doctor for Xanax and you will be able to tell the difference instantly.
Don't be afraid to use the pills to stabilize yourself, but never be far from your physician or therapist. Some people just cope better than others. You may never get off of any kind of drug at all but you should be able to find a better level of coping. Quality of life is very important. I'm sorry for all of your losses. As for feeling normal, I'm not sure that really exists except in the movies.
aww babes you do have some bad luck
Just try and think to yourself that if you are that 'down' the only way is up.
Sometimes couselling can help depression, Please dont confuse depression with grieving we are all allowed to grieve
remember too that when your job stresses you out IT IS ONLY A JOB you can and must walk away from it when 5.30 comes and dont take the stress of the job home with you you need to forget all the work related probs as you walk out the work place
Good Luck in your improvement may it be swift and prolonged
You don't mention counseling. As a counselor for 30+ years I strongly suggest that you go to the nearest mental health clinic. What are you waiting for?
Medication is good. Medication and therapy are better. Also there are support group as well as 12 step self help groups for depression. Good Luck and God Bless
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