So depressed I can barely function. What are my options?

Post date: 2024-09-03 18:07:07

In therapy and medicated but it's not working. I feel like I'm running out of road. Give me some hope that there are still options for me.

Mid-thirties male in the UK. Have been depressed on and off for years, with the occasional bout of anxiety thrown in. The last two years have been especially bad, with bouts of sobbing and hopelessness and all that. Also an intractable and undiagnosable dysthesia which has eluded even a top neurologist. It feels like I'm just circling the drain on all this stuff, with some months being fine and some being unbearable. Absolutely sick of being miserable.

Currently on vortioxetine + lamotrigine (a new addition). Vegan, taking B-vitamin, multivitamin and iron supps. Have ordered some EPA/DHA to take as well. I've been seeing a therapist ~weekly for about a year and a half.

I have social support but I feel lonely. Have moved into a nice house share which hopefully will buoy my spirits a bit. I get support from friends but feel anxious about leaning on them too much; my dad lives not too far away so I see him but it feels like he doesn't really get it.

As an example of the sort of thing I'm looking for here: I run a startup and it was suggested to me that I might look at either stepping back fully, or taking an extended break and then returning on reduced hours. I'm going to discuss that with my co-founders, although it's pretty successful and I would be sad to leave. But I can't function, so I at least need a break while I get things under control I guess.

I'm also seeing the psych later this week, and would appreciate a steer on what sort of thing I should be asking for. I think the vortioxetine just isn't cutting it and might go back to SSRI/SNRI (switched away because of side-effects but I'll tolerate them if it keeps me sane). He also mentioned lithium at our last session as an alternative to lamotrigine, which sounds a bit scary but I would certainly consider it.

Please help. Thanking you in advance.

Please click Here to read the full story.