How should I cope with an adverse anti depressant reaction?
June 13, 2010 8:47 PM
I am having a very adverse emotional reaction to my new anti depressants. I don't know who to talk about it with or how to pass the time until it goes away. What do I do?
Started taking an anti depressant two weeks ago, am now having problems with extreme rage bursts and then anxiety/sadness/isolation following. Biding my time for the few days until I can get to a doctor about it. I feel totally unable to talk to anyone about it because I don't want them to look at me like I'm a "Crazy" instead of a human being struggling with her emotions. I am terrified because I am realizing how much of my feelings now are chemical (since this drug is altering them) and they feel out of my control. I don't know what to do to pass the time while I am dealing with these extreme feelings, particularly the rage, which is VERY out of character for me. Please advise me on what to do to cope. I am young and not too familiar with any of this. Thank you.
throwaway email: mefime29@yahoo.com
Started taking an anti depressant two weeks ago, am now having problems with extreme rage bursts and then anxiety/sadness/isolation following. Biding my time for the few days until I can get to a doctor about it. I feel totally unable to talk to anyone about it because I don't want them to look at me like I'm a "Crazy" instead of a human being struggling with her emotions. I am terrified because I am realizing how much of my feelings now are chemical (since this drug is altering them) and they feel out of my control. I don't know what to do to pass the time while I am dealing with these extreme feelings, particularly the rage, which is VERY out of character for me. Please advise me on what to do to cope. I am young and not too familiar with any of this. Thank you.
throwaway email: mefime29@yahoo.com
Yes! What pickypicky said!
This is something your doc needs to know about as soon as possible. Call! It's important!
(full disclosure-been there, done that. Call!)
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 8:53 PM on June 13, 2010
This is something your doc needs to know about as soon as possible. Call! It's important!
(full disclosure-been there, done that. Call!)
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 8:53 PM on June 13, 2010
Been there. Definitely consider the ER.
Take comfort in the fact that you can recognize the chemical components of your feelings -- your rational brain is working, and that is a part of your emotional makeup too.
You are more than the sum of your chemicals, and once you find the right meds and dosage, you will begin to feel like yourself again. Remember, you are looking for the combination that corrects the imbalance of your depression, not remaking your normal chemistry.
Again, if you really start to feel out of control, please visit the ER.
IME with antidepressants (Wellbutrin, Effexor), eating some carbs can actually help calm anxiety side effects. Think white bread or mashed potatoes. Also focusing on something engrossing but not requiring lots of concentration -- solitaire or a book you've read five times.
posted by freshwater at 9:05 PM on June 13, 2010
Take comfort in the fact that you can recognize the chemical components of your feelings -- your rational brain is working, and that is a part of your emotional makeup too.
You are more than the sum of your chemicals, and once you find the right meds and dosage, you will begin to feel like yourself again. Remember, you are looking for the combination that corrects the imbalance of your depression, not remaking your normal chemistry.
Again, if you really start to feel out of control, please visit the ER.
IME with antidepressants (Wellbutrin, Effexor), eating some carbs can actually help calm anxiety side effects. Think white bread or mashed potatoes. Also focusing on something engrossing but not requiring lots of concentration -- solitaire or a book you've read five times.
posted by freshwater at 9:05 PM on June 13, 2010
The funny thing about anti-depressants is that their side effects can include a whole spectrum of negative emotions that people don't tend to mention, from rage to feeling suicidal.
You should go to the ER if it doesn't go away soon. They will be familiar with the side effects, and they will be very concerned and they will not think you're 'crazy' - they will ask you alot of questions to be sure you won't hurt yourself or others, and then they might try to get ahold of your other doc or give you other drugs to help you feel more balanced temporarily.
posted by slow graffiti at 9:22 PM on June 13, 2010
You should go to the ER if it doesn't go away soon. They will be familiar with the side effects, and they will be very concerned and they will not think you're 'crazy' - they will ask you alot of questions to be sure you won't hurt yourself or others, and then they might try to get ahold of your other doc or give you other drugs to help you feel more balanced temporarily.
posted by slow graffiti at 9:22 PM on June 13, 2010
Chiming in again to say that this is not uncommon, and that you're doing really well to separate the things the chemicals are doing from the person you are. Definitely talk to your doctor ASAP. If you can't see a psychiatrist, see if your GP or another doctor can help you. I'd say that this definitely counts as the kind of "mental health emergency" that the message on the clinic voice mail talks about, so don't feel shy about jumping in and advocating for immediate attention.
If for some reason you feel you've offended people or done something that may have been noticeable off-kilter, the damage control should involve saying, "Look, I know this behavior was not normal for me. I know what was wrong; I've stopped it [or will stop it as soon as I can] and I'm taking immediate steps to address it."
Take care of yourself in the next few days. It'll be okay.
posted by Madamina at 10:07 PM on June 13, 2010
If for some reason you feel you've offended people or done something that may have been noticeable off-kilter, the damage control should involve saying, "Look, I know this behavior was not normal for me. I know what was wrong; I've stopped it [or will stop it as soon as I can] and I'm taking immediate steps to address it."
Take care of yourself in the next few days. It'll be okay.
posted by Madamina at 10:07 PM on June 13, 2010
Been there, done that - in fact, this just happened to me a couple of weeks ago. Definitely call your doctor - either now, or first thing in the morning. It's not *you*, it's the chemicals being all out of whack.
When I realized what was happening to me, I called my doc, and he got back to me the next day. Since then, my meds have been readjusted, and I feel *much* better. Don't worry - you will get over this.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:12 PM on June 13, 2010
When I realized what was happening to me, I called my doc, and he got back to me the next day. Since then, my meds have been readjusted, and I feel *much* better. Don't worry - you will get over this.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:12 PM on June 13, 2010
I've been there too--misprescribed antidepressant, wild mood swings and a suicide attempt. Whee.
Call your doctor's emergency number, now.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:00 PM on June 13, 2010
Call your doctor's emergency number, now.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:00 PM on June 13, 2010
I hope you've called your doctor by now. It's REALLY important that you do so. What everyone else is saying is exactly right. It's not uncommon. It almost certainly IS the chemicals. And a doctor, preferably yours, needs to help you with this, NOW.
posted by bardophile at 1:29 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by bardophile at 1:29 AM on June 14, 2010
Also note that some countries have an emergency mental health response unit that you can call in situations such as this. I have no idea where you are, but if you lived in my hometown, you could contact these people: possibly there is something similar in your area.
Otherwise I agree with everyone else: been there, done that. It's the drugs not you, contact your doctor or another health professional. Good luck. And I agree with internet fraud detective squad, station number 9 that you could try talking to a few friends - it's quite possible that your depression and/or the medication is causing you to exaggerate their potential reactions: "I feel totally unable to talk to anyone about it because I don't want them to look at me like I'm a "Crazy"" - your good friends won't react like this.
posted by Infinite Jest at 2:19 AM on June 14, 2010
Otherwise I agree with everyone else: been there, done that. It's the drugs not you, contact your doctor or another health professional. Good luck. And I agree with internet fraud detective squad, station number 9 that you could try talking to a few friends - it's quite possible that your depression and/or the medication is causing you to exaggerate their potential reactions: "I feel totally unable to talk to anyone about it because I don't want them to look at me like I'm a "Crazy"" - your good friends won't react like this.
posted by Infinite Jest at 2:19 AM on June 14, 2010
One more vote for calling the doctor ASAP, making use of the E.R. if necessary.
With me it was a severe, inexplicable anxiety from antidepressants. Realizing the origin of the feeling was a huge help. Until you can get with the physician and adjust dose or change meds, try to keep your focus on the fact that the distressing emotions are coming from a chemical, and that a change is coming soon.
Another big help for me was exercise. Tiring myself out worked wonders. Is this an option for you?
Good luck.
posted by wjm at 3:48 AM on June 14, 2010
With me it was a severe, inexplicable anxiety from antidepressants. Realizing the origin of the feeling was a huge help. Until you can get with the physician and adjust dose or change meds, try to keep your focus on the fact that the distressing emotions are coming from a chemical, and that a change is coming soon.
Another big help for me was exercise. Tiring myself out worked wonders. Is this an option for you?
Good luck.
posted by wjm at 3:48 AM on June 14, 2010
Speaking for myself, medication was only part of the equation. Not sure if you are also in any kind of talk therapy, but having the support of people I could talk to was crucial. At some point I had to decide to trust people enough to let them in. Like others have mentioned, usually when I did confide in others, what I thought was going to be a huge deal to them, turned out to be just fine and often led to them confiding in me. Basically I had worked up a huge fear in my head as part of my isolation and depression, and as I started let it go, I recognized it for what it was, and it gradually left. People were more understanding than I ever expected, and I found that they wanted to help, even if they don't understand. So yes, that is my suggestion, as scary as it sounds, reach out.
posted by heatherly at 9:15 AM on June 14, 2010
posted by heatherly at 9:15 AM on June 14, 2010
I just wanted to reiterate that it would be a good idea to call the doctor's office or go to the ER. You are having a medical emergency. Just because your reaction seems to be mostly emotional, doesn't make it any less important than if the reaction was physical. There's no shame in calling the doctor.
When I've called my doctor in emergency situations, I usually had to leave a message with his answering service (for after hours calls) or his assistance (during office hours). Then, a doctor (maybe not yours) should call you back quickly. Just make sure to stress that you feel like you are in extreme distress and need to talk to a doctor soon.
posted by parakeetdog at 10:59 AM on June 14, 2010
When I've called my doctor in emergency situations, I usually had to leave a message with his answering service (for after hours calls) or his assistance (during office hours). Then, a doctor (maybe not yours) should call you back quickly. Just make sure to stress that you feel like you are in extreme distress and need to talk to a doctor soon.
posted by parakeetdog at 10:59 AM on June 14, 2010
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I hope that this answer isn't infuriating.
posted by pickypicky at 8:51 PM on June 13, 2010