Beat my depression

This has been a huge month for me. My doc has reduced my medication and I decided it was time to finish group therapy.

The latter was far more upsetting than i’d anticipated. It’s so sad knowing i’ll never see those people again, or know how they’re doing (group rules = no contact outside the group). I know it’s for the best though and I feel good knowing that someone who needs the help more than I do will finally be able to receive it.

Well my alcohol intake has crept up again but i’ve joined the gym and the exercise really seems to be lifting my mood. It’s hard work but I come away feeling bouncy and happy, and that feeling of vigour really lasts too.

Since reducing my alcohol intake to less than 10 units a week i’ve noticed that i’ve been able to cope with things so much better.

Work has been really stressful this week and I know that a year ago I would certainly have had to have time off because of it. However, when it got bad and I started to get a bit teary I just took myself out of the situation and made sure I had a laugh with my colleagues.

I’m even more confident now that when it comes to June, and my review with the Doc, i’ll be able to reduce my dosage.

I was told today that due to the amount of alcohol i drink my anti depressants are not working. This was actually good on two fronts:-

1 – It’s scared me into drastically reducing my alcohol intake
and
2 – It’s made me realise that i’m doing this without the tablets in a way so i should find it a lot easier once my alcohol intake is reduced and the tablets start to work again.

I came down to 20mg Seroxat from 30mg last year and felt ready to come down to 10mg this week. However, my Doc says I should stay on 20mg for another 5 months as i’ve only felt really good for about a month and he wants me to feel that way for 6 months before reducing my dose. At least I know that once i’m down to 10mg, after 6 months of feeling stable at that dose and I could be off them altogether! :o)