Hello everyone,
I've been reading this forum for a few days after a friend recommended it and I have to say it is a great help and comfort at what is proving to be such a terrible time.
I'm in my fourth week of being signed off work for depression and anxiety. My doctor has prescribed 40mg Prozac and I'm taking Diazepam in the short term to help take the edge off my anxiety. It's my 15th day on the drugs and the side effects have really kicked in - heightened anxiety, forgetfulness, vivid dreams and I can't eat a thing without feeling highly sick. I've no idea how much weight I've lost but it's a lot. My boyfriend (who I live with) is having to do everything around the house and I'm sleeping far too much.
I don't want to write an essay about what's been going on, but I've suffered from depression and anxiety in the past and have experienced different antidepressants and counselling sessions, but I've always taken a head-in-the sand approach and went cold turkey on all of these attempts. I know it has come to a head now because it's affecting my work - something I have always managed to separate from everything going on in my personal life. I tried to go back to work after three weeks and had a complete meltdown in front of my boss and a colleague, who thankfully was very good because she has been through something similar.
I know now that I need to take this very seriously and see through taking the drugs, but at the moment I feel so, so terrible. I've lost all concept of time and when I'm not feeling anxious I feel like a zombie. Even worse, I find it incredibly difficult to talk to people in real life, even those I'm closest to. I don't talk to my family, so I have no network there.
I know this is the worst time for side effects and that it shows the tablets are working, but if anybody could give me some coping advice or words of encouragement I'd be so grateful. I feel so terrible, I can't stop thinking negatively or feeling guilty about work. From reading this forum I know I'm not alone, but day-to-day I feel so alone and frightened by these side effects and my general state of mind.