Ask Anything Monday!

[PeppiPatty]

@RQ1

Your comments are so relevant, thankyou for writing them...

If you go on the thread 'Sleeping too much,' on lived experience or "Night Shift" you can meet everyone and say hello :0) 

My name is PeppiPatti, I'm a Community Guide here, We would like very much to say hello to you 

PP

[NikNik]

Happy Monday everyone!

Thank you to everyone who posted a response to the previous question 

This week we have two questions. If you're responding, please mark your response with a 1 or a 2 so we know which response goes with which question:

Q1.

What do you consider a mental illness? Do you consider anxiety or depression a mental illness? Do you consider people taking antidepressants mentally sick people? 

_______________________

Q2.

I was put on an anti depressant and recently the dosage was increased. I'm finding myself more suicidal and really struggling to contain my negative thoughts... Is it possible I'm having such a negative side effect from the meds? It's making me feel like I'll never get peace of mind...

I have an appointment on Friday with my doctor... But I just need to know as I'm anxious and overwhelmed if this is a fixable problem or I'm gonna be trapped in this downward spiral..

[MixedMan]

Q2. I hope you're feeling ok. Depending on what type of anti depressant it is, yes suicidal thoughts and feeling worse before you feel better can be side effects, this is not unusual and just be mindful of how often you are having suicidal thoughts, and how you feel physically also. Going to see you Doctor is a great idea. Also, if you got a leaflet in the packet, it will list possible side effects, they are a great tool. If not, I find drugs.com to be a reputable website to refer too that usually have PDF versions of what would be in the box, or at least a web text version. I have been in the same situation as, and I wode the wave and ended up being beneficial, to which I mean the benefits outweighed the contraindications within a few weeks, but everybody's chemical make up is different, it genuinely a person to person experience and decision. The input of a health professional is the best way to go. Take good self care of yourself, I wish you all the best!

[FRJ]

Q1. Depression & anxiety fall under mental health but I would not discriminate a person suffering fro either of these conditions by labelling them as mentally ill.  My partner has recently been treated for severe depression & thankfully making a good recovery (returning to work soon).  I would like to see people "own" their illness & share with people as much or as little information about their health as they choose. Mental health is just as important as physical health and thus should not be judged any differently. 

[Shaz51]

Q2 -- Hello

My husband has been on anti depressant for years

 finding himself  more suicidal and really struggling to contain his  negative thoughts.,  anxious and overwhelmed

Last year after a breakdown my husband was put on Anti depressant and Anti anxiety meds which had made a difference in his life , he still has his ups and down days but not like before

[mrkotter]

Q1 - mental illness when the illness starts impacting your every day life. And I don't mean you're "depressed" because your boyfriend/girlfriend left you, that's being sad. That's completely normal. If you didn't feel something in a situation like that then I guess there is something wrong. 

Depression is when you feel so bad but you have no idea why. On the outside you feel everything is going your way but on the inside you just feel empty. 

Q2 - yes, raise it with your doctor.

[Former-Member]

Q1)A mental illness is a health problem that significantly affects how a person thinks, behaves and interacts with other people.

Mental illnesses are of different types and degrees of severity.  Some of the major types are:

• anxiety
• schizophrenia
• bipolar mood disorder
• personality disorder
• eating disorder
• depression

Yes, Depression and anxiety is a health problem and is a mental illness too.

I don't consider people taking AD mentally sick but rather they have a health condition the same as having a heart condition.

Q2) I think you should contact the doctor who prescribed your medication prior to Friday and to voice your concerns, they may want to see you sooner rather then later.

[Blue_Genie]

Q2. When I first started on antidepressants I found that my suicidal thoughts increased. After 3 weeks trying to adjust to the medication I made an attempt on my life. My doctor had warned me that the antidepressants could increase suicidal thoughts intially but I perhaps did not take it as seriously as I should have. After spending a week in hospital, adjusting my dosage slightly and having a few more weeks to adjust to the medication overall, I finally started feeling better. I understand how you can feel like you're just on a downward spiral - I felt the same way. But it's not necessarily true. I would urge you to tell you GP as soon as possible or take yourself to hospital if you feel unsafe. Don't make the same mistake I did and ignore the signs.

[Blue_Genie]

I should add that I've made tremendous progress since that time and feel like a different person. You won't feel this way forever even though it might feel like it right now. Please look after yourself 🙂

[NikNik]

Welcome to Ask Anything... Tuesday 🙂

As it was a public holiday is parts of Australia yesterday, we are a day behind Ask Anything Monday. 

Firstly I'd like to thank @MixedMan @FRJ @Shaz51 @mrkotter @Former-Member & @Blue_Genie for your responses last week.

This week's question is two parts, but likely related:

I have a youngish family, happily married with a middle class income, with a mortgage, dog. AKA the 'normal dream' they say haha (i hide behind humor to cope with thing's) .   Its hard to roll this all up in a couple of q's but here i go.

I was injured in a workplace incident and the result of this injury lead to me being diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression.  I have been extremely lucky to be compensated for this injury but dealing with the stigma of a mental illness is holding me back.  I dont know how i can possibly perform at my pre-injury abilities?  I have changed emotionally and physically because of this injury and the unknown of returning to work scares me to death.

Soon after i was injured in my workplace, i was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukeamia (CML) - there is no current cure for CML but medication keeps me in the remission zone. The CML diagnosis changed my way of thinking forever - which also links into Q1, i think? I'm at the crossroads off life.  I have lost the ability to have fun, to have all this pressure feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I have a responsibility to support my family through this time i keep telling myself.

The pressures of life are mounting on me that's for sure.

Any help with previous experiences would be helpful