Triggering (SI/OD) - Bipolar Depression

[Wellingtons]

How do you cope with depression?


I've never had plain old depression before, only mixed episodes - where at least my upste and frustration could be taken out in destructive wild ways. But now - it's awful. I'm just too sad, too cold, too tired to hurt myself. Rational enough to not be able to OD for the hurt it would give my boy, but suffering enough to want a way out.

If I was manic I would at least be getting help - but because I'm not fighting with police, having surgery for my self harm and vomiting over the walls at the psych ward, then I'm deemed "ok".

A month ago I told them I was going downhill, I got an appointment in two weeks to see my psych. He put me on lamotrigine, which takes a month to have a (slow, cumulative) effect. Whats happened in that time? I've not ONCE seen or spoken to friends, stayed in my flat at uni, not gone home. I've dropped out of uni too. But because I'm not causing anyone else upset, I'm "ok"


I don't know what to do. I'm so sad. Crying.

[one lie at a time]

You just have to hold on, I guess. Lamotrigine is a good drug. Hopefully it'll help you. Could you ask for a regular anti-depressant, too? Honestly, I'm having a similar issue. Waiting for the drugs to kick in is terrible. Hard. Stressful. Exhausted. And bipolar depression is already all of those things. All you can really do is wait it out, talk to us, get as much support as you can, and hope for the best. Sorry that I don't have much advice to give, but you can PM me if you ever want to talk. xxx

[ravynsoul]

Would you be able to call up your pscyh and see if you can get in sooner than 2 weeks? Or is there maybe a crisis line or someone you could call to see about getting some support. *offers hugs* I hope things brighten up soon for you and that the meds start working soon.

[manic_felinemistress]

Hey, I'm on Lamotrigine.. lol I was on it before it became generic. I take several medications, actually. They all take a while to work, which is probably bad the time I decided I wanted to go "off" my meds to see what I was like. Wow.. One week without 'em and I'm kicked out of school for two weeks. Just hang in there! 'N' for coping I would check the "Distractions" section of the website. There are some good ideas! I posted some of my own.