I keep seeing things about how antidepressants and SSRIs long term is dangerous and bad. With post symptoms that sometimes never go away (such as post-med Sexual distinction for life) then I saw this one today while researching meds. https://news.sky.com/story/long-term-use-of-antidepressants-could-cause-permanent-damage-doctors-warn-11688430 I got done with ocd treatment on here and ocd has gotten a bit better but now now what’s left over is my major depressive disorder and I am so depressed that I can’t function and I have lost all hope, can’t survive off of meds but don’t want to go back on because of all the bad shit and having to go through withdrawal again after 2 years on something just to do it all again???? I don’t want to keep trying new meds and new meds and see which one doesn’t effect sex drive and see which one that doesn’t have bad withdrawals or dangers like post chronic symptoms. Clearly they all have risks of chronic issues and I already have enough mental illnesses to deal with I don’t want more issues just bc I need meds to function .. Plus no one ever answers me on here it’s not like I’ll even get a reply to this one either it’s like talking to a wall

Yes exactly!!! Which now seeing it as point blank, seems like quite a good ERP script ... It fees like either one I’m a hopeless case.

@Ocdaim Awesome! Script away! Back to the depression. Maybe it would be helpful to consider: 1) what does “functioning” look like to you? 2) You listed two options—is there a third, fourth, fifth?

@Alyosha These are good points! For me functioning would be being productive in anyway towards my goals I have in life and not just do laundry and lay down all day bc I’m mentally drained. I used to have motivation and ambitions and plans and it seems to me like every day I say “I’ll feel better tomorrow to get ____ started.” And then it rolls around and I’m too depressed for do so. Other options than meds though would be trying out other things like maybe CBT? For my anxiety. I have no idea if it can help with depression also. And maybe having someone hold myself accountable for some small things to do during the week. I do also need to find a new general therapist.

@Ocdaim Great ideas! If you don’t mind me asking, when did your depression start? It seems there are two kinds: this low-level but chronic condition that spans years, and this high-level, episodic type that knocks you down for a few months. (I’m not a doctor, and could be wrong about that, but that seems to be the case from what I’ve read.) What is your depression like?

@Alyosha My depression has been back ever since I weened off my ocd meds which was about a year ago. It gets very severe at times with episodes lasting weeks if I have an OCD spike, but If it’s not ocd related then its just at a flat low-level most of the time

@Ocdaim Hi Ocdaim! Just letting you know Alyosha probably won't be back till Monday. Didn't want you to think she's ignoring you ☺.

@Ben84 No worries at all! Thanks Ben for letting me know! ? hope you are doing well

@Ocdaim Not too shabby. How about you ☺?

@Ben84 Same old stuff different day lol

@Ocdaim Thanks for sharing!

I’ve been off of my OCD meds for about a year now or close to a year. I wanted to get off to give myself a chance to see if I can function on my own, and honestly because it took away my sex drive. Since coming off, I just can’t function or do the goals I want to accomplish in life. I feel like I’m wasting my life away already. I feel like I may need meds again just to get functioning again and achieve some life goals... but worried about the post side effects after again or fear of staying on forever and having bad side effects from that too.

@Ocdaim I just bookmarked this post so I can circle back to it tomorrow. My brain is shot for today I think ☺. I want to give you my best self. Have a good night and I'll talk to you tomorrow!

@Ben84 Of course! Thank you Ben

@Ocdaim It looks like Alyosha has a good train of thought going, so I'm going to just let her go with it ☺. You're in good hands with her. If I see I can add something to the conversation, I will. I just want to apologize if you've been ignored on this app. I hope I get to know you better over time ☺!

I always seek the Lord! ?

Thank you for taking the time to write this out! I sometimes feel like drs are very cold and robotic when I bring up mental health and they always say the same “seak professional help and maybe get on some meds.” And then they are on their way. I feel like just a number to them that needs fast fixing. I do hope to find a very good and caring pyciastrist eventually though that won’t rush me onto something because it has the ocd label on it. Having a certain activity as if it’s a prescription is honestly such a great idea- I need someone to hold me accountable to try XYZ and see how it can help me in time. Thanks for this feedback ?

@Ocdaim I know what you mean about doctors. Finding one who will really listen, consider every point of your discussion, and not race you out the door can be so hard. They do exist; Godspeed in finding one soon! I sometimes post here to hold myself accountable before I do something hard that will help me be better. Sometimes I find the right friend to start a healthy habit with, but if I can’t, there are other ways. And of course there’re habit apps to develop and track new, healthy behaviors.