I’ve been in and out of my college’s counseling center for the past two years and in have been in therapy steadily since this past October. My therapist is referring me to a psychiatrist and I see them this week. I have problems with depression, general and social anxiety disorder. My therapist described it as me having a very anxious type of depression.
I’m not looking forward to the psychiatrist. I asked my therapist and he said the psychiatrist will have access to all of his notes he took from our therapy sessions. I was at least glad to hear this because I’m a reserved person and it took me a long time to explain things to my therapist. An hour or so with the psychiatrist wouldn’t do much.
I’m kind of worried about the side effects. Even though I don’t feel well most of the time, I’m usually a calm and courteous person towards other people. I’m afraid I might end up snapping at someone. My roommates in particular: they’ve seemed to be annoying me lately. It’s nothing they can change; I’m just getting tired of the living situation and being around them all day. If they get mad at me; I basically will have no friends at the college.
Another thing that is really worrying me is the weight gain from anti-depressants. I’m a thrower on my college’s track and field team. Before I got to college, I was active in various sports and martial arts. I even did cardio for fun. I was in good shape. But my coach found out about this additional exercise and told me to stop. I’m almost too small in body size to be a NCAA thrower. When people hear I’m on the track and field team, they ask what events I run—they don’t realize I’m a strength athlete. He didn’t want me to lose any more weight because I wouldn’t have enough weight for throwing. It does anger me when I saw how good of shape I was in back in high school compared to now. Even though recently I have started disobeying my coach and have been doing the cardio; I’m still concerned about my weantidepressant weight gain comparisonight. I’m not fat, but I don’t want the anti-depressants to cause me more weight gain since I still can’t sneak in the amount of exercise I did back in high school. Just because I was in such good shape I’m rather critical of myself because I can make the comparison.
Any suggestions for my psychiatry appointment this week? The main thing I need to be sure to do is be honest with the psychiatrist. I’m not very open and rather reserved so I’ll need to tell him the truth about things. Could I possibly ask not to get prescribed antidepressants known for weight gain? I realize there has to be sacrifices made to get better: even if that means weight gain as the trade-in. I’d also like to hear your personal experiences and suggestions about the psychiatrist and new medications. Thanks for your help.
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The most important thing is to be completely honest with the psychiatrist. Talk to him/her about your concern with weight gain. But also know that some meds.will work for one person but not the next. So be prepared that the first med. may or may not work. Also you have to get the dosage right. Some people get side effects and others don't. You if get side effects and they aren't too bad they will go away after a couple weeks. Mine did. Don't get discouraged with all this you have to be patient. When I started paxil it increased my appetite 10 fold. But after being on it for awhile that seemed to stabiize out and I was able to lose the weight. Also I really didn't make the best food choices either that didn't help. Make sure you feel comfortable with the dr and that you feel like they are listening to you..if not get a new one. I really like mine but have been to other ones that I didn't. Just be honest or they won't be able to help you.
Most anti depressants do not cause weight gain. It's the anti psychotics that are known to cause weight gain. Don't worry about the weight gain, because some anti depressants are known antidepressant weight gain comparisonto make ppl lose weight(loss of appetite for a while can be a symptom.)
If you're that worried about it though, ask.
As for side effects it depends on the medication and you.
Some people have no side effects, some have a lot. They usually only last a few days or so though, so nothing major to worry about.
Headache and upset stomach are the most common. For zoloft I had major nausea, throwing up, headaches, and waking up wide awake at 4 or 5am not being able to go back to sleep. They went away after 4 days or so. I'm off that now. For citalopram (generic for celexa) I had no side effects at all, not even 1.
Don't worry about it, an appt. is no big deal, just be honest.
I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I've been taking that for over two years, and it's working very well for me.
The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can't tell I'm taking any medication at all. And, I've lost some weight since I've been on them. Not a lot - but it is in the right direction.
Don't worry too much about talking with the psychiatrist, they are there to help you - and they're on your side.
If you're concerned about the weight gain, ask your doctor about maybe something like the Wellbutrin SR / Lexapro combination I take. The Lexapro handles the depression and anxiety, but it makes me mellow. The Wellbutrin handles depression and not anxiety - but it helps "get things going" in the morning. Together, they work very well.
The medications can help you to feel better, while you're working through your depression and anxiety issues.
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