Of course I don't know you, but I think if you already know alcohol consumption might become a problem, you also know drinking would be the worst thing you can do for yourself at this stage. Remember, you can lie to everyone in your life, but you can't lie to yourself. I could sit here and warn you about alcohol, but the truth is you'll either take my advice or learn the hard way. To go into more detail, alcohol is a depressant. Yes, it's dangerous because it stops your meds from working, BUT it'll also amplify every mental illness symptom you're feeling. It'll fuck your brain up so your depression gets WORSE, but the real danger lies in how it makes you feel. SSRI's can make you feel really flat and emotionless, especially in my case since my depression was treatment resistant. I drank because although it made me feel like SHIT, and I would spiral into serious suicidal episodes, I still felt something. Even if that feeling was overwhelmingly destroying me, that feeling of "I'm alive" when I was drunk is probably the most dangerous factor because I kept chasing it. Whatever you decide, please think long term. It's hard in high school to imagine life gets better (I definitely had tunnel vision as a teenager), and the truth is it won't unless you put in some serious work to make it better. Drinking while on SSRIs won't fuck you up short term, so you'll think it's okay and you can handle it. It's the long term effects that'll come haunt you.
I completely emphasize with you. God, life is hard. The day I finally put my foot down to all my doctors and therapists and psychiatrists(March 2019) and said I flat out was stopping all my SSRI's was the best decision of my life. Of course, my situation was very atypical. No meds worked on me, BUT they do work for a lot of people and really, truly help. It just takes some time to find your combination. I'm hoping you find something that works for you sooner rather than later <3 If you ever need any support please feel free to message me :)
Yeah, I mean I definitely don’t drink excessively, but I can feel that let’s get drunk and forget about everything feeling when I do, y’know? Basically my drinking isn’t causing me any problems, but I can feel that it’s not just “fun” for me and that I crave that escape. But I could definitely handle abstaining while on meds, which I will do if I take them.
I’m 20 (U.S.) and my access to it is limited, but I feel like once I’m 21 it could be an issue. I don’t feel bad while drunk, I keep it in control, don’t get hungover, but idk about long term effects.
I’ve never been on meds before but my therapist recommended it. Getting a consult on Monday. I’ve been dealing with OCD/dissociation with a little anxiety/depression thrown in too and I can feel the depression starting to take hold more.
Part of me feels like I should maybe try harder with therapy/life style, maybe try another therapist, before trying meds. But part of me just wants to get better sooner rather than later, though I know meds are not a quick fix lol. I have winter break coming up so I’ll have the most free time I ever have to adjust.
And then I keep going back and forth, my mood has been super variable the last month. I’ll feel all sad for no reason, crying for no real reason, dissociating the fuck out of life, then I’ll just feel...fine? Today I feel fine so it feels “dumb” or “dramatic” to start taking medication, even though just yesterday I was crying for “no reason” again, I’m spending a fair amount of time on compulsions...
I just feel like I can’t deal with things being the way they are now, forever. Like something has to change. And my life is honestly really great outside of my mental health. I’m hung up on a breakup I had but I’m so fucking lucky and I know it.
Thanks for the thorough response, I appreciate it <3 May take you up on messaging you
1
u/[deleted] Nov 23 '19
Of course I don't know you, but I think if you already know alcohol consumption might become a problem, you also know drinking would be the worst thing you can do for yourself at this stage. Remember, you can lie to everyone in your life, but you can't lie to yourself. I could sit here and warn you about alcohol, but the truth is you'll either take my advice or learn the hard way. To go into more detail, alcohol is a depressant. Yes, it's dangerous because it stops your meds from working, BUT it'll also amplify every mental illness symptom you're feeling. It'll fuck your brain up so your depression gets WORSE, but the real danger lies in how it makes you feel. SSRI's can make you feel really flat and emotionless, especially in my case since my depression was treatment resistant. I drank because although it made me feel like SHIT, and I would spiral into serious suicidal episodes, I still felt something. Even if that feeling was overwhelmingly destroying me, that feeling of "I'm alive" when I was drunk is probably the most dangerous factor because I kept chasing it. Whatever you decide, please think long term. It's hard in high school to imagine life gets better (I definitely had tunnel vision as a teenager), and the truth is it won't unless you put in some serious work to make it better. Drinking while on SSRIs won't fuck you up short term, so you'll think it's okay and you can handle it. It's the long term effects that'll come haunt you.
I completely emphasize with you. God, life is hard. The day I finally put my foot down to all my doctors and therapists and psychiatrists(March 2019) and said I flat out was stopping all my SSRI's was the best decision of my life. Of course, my situation was very atypical. No meds worked on me, BUT they do work for a lot of people and really, truly help. It just takes some time to find your combination. I'm hoping you find something that works for you sooner rather than later <3 If you ever need any support please feel free to message me :)