ARE YOUR MEDS HELPING OR HINDERING YOUR DEPRESSION?

Oh, yes, I can identify with that! Been there and done that. Dismissed the prescriptions of my doctor and told him. Ate well, changed friends sometimes, reached out to people, got out of the house, tried to not be dismayed at lack of support for my issues, as I live alone. I learned to lean on my faith and gained support for getting out of the chair and getting busy. Learned to treat myself with anything but food. Leaned to help others more, knowing that I can't help others if I don't help myself first. I continue to believe in myself and be nice to everyone. When I have pain, I don't complain to others. They won't have confidence in me in the future, and back away. Sometimes I play hymns on the piano and don't do my chores. It feels good to let go sometimes.
No one realizes that my house has not been cleaned today and I laugh about that. I have had psychological counseling, exercise programs, all that.
I still believe that I can succeed at some things in my old age. I dwell on my good memories from my hard past. Today I feel like doing a few chores.
My life is better than some of my friends. I am grateful. For me, pills are not the answer. I am kind to my doctor who knows no other options and said so.
I need one good friend to confide in at a time. My daughter is warm and supportive of me. That means everything at this point. If I have any more ideas, I will share. I lived through back surgery and can walk and do a little gardening. The sun makes me well. Live is still good on the farm. Dorisena

You are doing FANTASTICALLY!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAR)

I was taught in my graduate level class that some of these meds for depression need to continually be increased in order to keep up the desired benefit to the brain. Then there is the side affect issue. My previous doctors didn't differentiate between anxiety and depression because they didn't live in my dysfunctional home. I once told a doctor to have my husband take the pills, not me, because he was the one with the problems. He said he never thought of that. I should have left my marriage but knew there would be no one to care for my declining husband, so I stayed, with the help of Xanax at bedtime. At least I was able to sleep .I went off the pills a few weeks before Husband's death without problem and was quite stable after that. Life was much better and I live without guilt in the matter. The term "till death do us part" has a special meaning to me because I did my job and am living pretty well in my old age.
Dorisena

I take medication, Humira and formerly others as well, and anything that can affect the gut has been recently shown to potentially impact mood. In so far as being less symptomatic with Crohn's goes, that is a big boon for my depression and anxiety. I try to keep my gut healthy in other ways, too, to be mindful of overall physical and mental health. Other medications may be a problem for people, and it's important that they are all considered in tandem for how they impact us, I agree with this assessment.

Nearly any medication can do this. I was recently on an antibiotic which has affected my gut flora and my mood. Takes a while to get things back in sync. When this happens I use a quality probiotic. It helps me.

@gingerw I have seen this too. Yes, it is shameful. Grrrrrr.

For me, lexapro 20mg is helping a lot more than the previous 3 that I tried. There's another secret that most of you already know about meds. I try to exercise/walk or go to community center for 1 1/2 and work out. I also go you 2 men's meeting a week to talk about different subjects. I have tried talk therapy but I first found out that I have to get rid of the anxiety attacks and the overwhelming anxiety of every event in my life. So, in conclusion, THE right
med for you will work but it needs to be supplemented with exercise, talk therapy, yoga, etc, etc so that your body endorphins also are generated. Your body knows what to do. Keep working with what works for you.

@stsopoci You have expressed well what has worked for you, thank you. I agree that each person finds the best combination. Never be afraid to try different things to find to reach the comfort level that you feel the best with.
Ginger