I don't know what to do, please help.

Question

I've been on the anti-depressant "Lexapro" for atleast 7 months and I haven't thought about suicide since the second week of taking them. I take one pill everyday at the same time and it's 10 miligrams. But for the past 3 weeks I have been depressed all day, everyday. I haven't thought about suicide but I know that if I keep feeling this way, I'm pretty sure I will. I also noticed that I am getting more anxiety about nothing more frequently. Is this because it's wearing off? What should I do? I'm 16 years old, if that helps.

Answer 1

You need to tell your doctor how you feel. He/she may want to increase the dosage. There is one problem that people with mental illnesses have and that is they worry about their symptoms all the time. Try to go on about your life and don't guess at what you are going to feel in the future. Life has many ups and downs and your everyday normal, average person experiences periods of depression, etc. You deal with it and go on. Try not to read too much into your moods or your prophecies about your future. Just live. Good luck.

Answer 2

I think you should see the doctor that prescribed the medication. And Lexapro does not cause addiction, so don't worry about that. Antidepressants are usually continued until the symptoms resolve, or may need to be taken indefinitely if the depression just keeps coming back. But the word addiction is not accurate, so don't let that scare you.

Answer 3

When I started taking it....I had to increase it every 3 weeks until I reached the right dosage that worked for me....tell your Doc.....needs to monitor it...HUGS!!

Answer 4

go to your doctor, and don't do anything with your medication... without asking your doctor.

Answer 5

get a higher dosage

Answer 6

It sounds like you need to go back to your doctor again, to change your medication.  

Answer 7

Are you seeing a counselor or therapist?  The best treatment for depression is a combination of therapy and antidepressants.  I'd talk to your parents openly about what you are feeling, ask to see a counselor, and figure out whether you need more medication with the therapist unless you start having suicidal thoughts.

Answer 8

I thought i was depressed at one stage im also 16, maybe you had social anxiety, or your trying to figure out who you are.

maybe you changed your lifestyle around.

Answer 9

talk to whoever prescribed it to you.

upping the dosage might help like that other guy said but then that means you might be getting addicted and i don't think you'd want to be relying on lexapro or any other anti-depressant for the rest of your life.

the best advice i have is to talk about it with your parents and then whoever prescribed it. good luck!

Answer 10

You have to see your doctor. Studies show that medication alone is not enough to help with depression. Psychotherapy alongside medication is the key to learning to cope with this devastating illness. Depression is nothing you should have to live with! I know, I've struggled with depression myself. I've never taken medication (because I was pregnant at the time, and was too afraid of possible side-effects, otherwise I would have taken meds).

Therapy worked wonders for me! I attended a group once a week. At first I thought it would be stupid, and the first meeting was a little awkward, but honestly, by the second and third week we were all sharing. It was fantastic to talk with other people who felt the same way I did! We all discussed ways to help feel better, comiserated with each other, and supported each other. I also attended a session with a psychologist twice a month.

I didn't just talk about being sad, we discussed real ways that I could help cope with the depression.

For example, when I started to feel sad I forced myself to get up and do something productive. I cleaned, organized my closet, I took a walk, went to the beach for a swim, ANYTHING productive. Sometimes just walking to the store to get a box of brownies, coming home and baking and eating made me feel a whole lot better.

I know that when you're depressed you don't want to do anything, but if you force yourself to move, you find ways to make yourself feel better.

Working out really helped me also. I was having trouble sleeping. I was tired all day, then couldn't sleep very well at night. Working in daily walks and/or swims helped a whole lot.

Talk to your doc, look in the paper for support groups for teens with depression, see if your doc recommends any, and finally don't adjust your meds (stop taking or take more) until you speak with your doctor.

Good luck sweetheart, and just remember you WILL learn how to cope with this! I promise! The first and biggest step is asking for help and learning to not feel ashamed.

Answer 11

My answer would be too long for this answer, but I can assure you I can help. Email me and I can help you get your life back on track. Don't worry, There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!