Where are you from? What help do you receive?

I'm Alice, I live in Plymouth and I have been depressed since I was 14, although I avoided all medical professionals until I was 19 so was not diagnosed until then. I have been on so many antidepressants because I have found none of them really work for me.

I've been on and off Citalopram for 2 years and I have decided to stop taking it completely since trying to OD twice. 

I've been seeing a psychiatrist for 4 months now and have been referred to counselling and CBT. Upon attending my referral for CBT (last week) they decided that would not be the best option for me so have referred me back to the psych for referral to something else. As much as I appreciate the help I feel that this referral business will take too long to actually benefit me, and right now I need quick gains to keep my spirits high. 

I have found that since stopping Citalopram I have had some crazy side effects, whether I stopped too suddenly or whether it just dulled me down I do not know. However, I would prefer to not be taking medication as 2 years of it has caused weight gain and other things I don't particularly like. 

To anyone else suffering, as much as I know you've heard it before, exercise is truly keeping me going at the moment. It puts me on such a high and is the best medicine for me right now. 

Morning

Apologies for delay, I keep forgetting about link, I need to look at it on a weekly basis.  I'm from Walsall, I've had support from work and am currently taking venaflaxin, it appears to be working but there are certain things I really have difficulty with.  I've always been the type of person who is early for meetings, listens to views and can spot problems within a situation.  but when I'm asked to pick up the problems made by others which if I had been asked in the first instance would not have happened I get really frustrated almost to the point of walking out of work.  I never used to be like this.   My marriage has broken down and as I cant afford to leave my property, things are so tense there as well.  Although I have family fairly local they are the type of family which wants to help but aren't sure how too.

Not sure if the meds work for the best or not, with the winter coming not looking forward to the months ahead as have taken all my spare time up with golf this year and it has really helped.  I just can't drive myself to go to the gym....may help if I had more friends, but can't afford to go out and everything costs.  They say money doesn't buy happiness but in my case it would help me a lot as then I could get out and meet people.

I'm Kazzy, from Manchester, and I have been depressed for as far back as I can remember.  I' ve had cbt and I'm on Venlafaxine. I had 1 chat with a psychiatrist who said I was fine and dandy and fit for work. I'd already been hospitalised for overdosing that nearly killed me. Apparently that's par for the course for a normal happy person in his view. What a d*ckwad!

Hi, My name is Tina and I live nr Portsmouth on the South coast. I had my first breakdown at the age of 13 and was placed on fluoxitine,prozac,citalapram and god knows whatever else I was given. I have hardly received any support re counselling and have battled on (literally). I had a mental breakdown 2yrs ago and I have never been 100% since. Daily life is a struggle, I have been put on mitazine,propanalol,venlafaxine and am currently on quetiapine. I have just attended a course of ECS at my local mental health centre and it has done me absolutely no favours what so ever so now I am back to square one yet again. 

I'm Fiona from North East England (Durham to be precise but a lot of people haven't heard of it - I'd recommend a visit, beautiful city). I have been suffering depression and anxiety for 10 years. Received 3 CBT sessions when I was 16...10 sessions group therapy when I was 21 but that didn't help.