- This Post has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 4 weeks ago by
.
-
Post
-
I feel like I don’t actually know when I felt alone for the first time without being actually alone. But here we are!! LOL. I think maybe in high school, but at that time, I kept myself as busy as possible with life.
While I was “doing” all of those things – I used to tell my friends, teachers, committees that everyone has their own shit & you just don’t know what that person might be going through. I was always that friend / ear to others but there were plenty of moments, still are, that I craved that want and compassion.
I think depression and anxiety is something that most females and males deal with today. I currently take 30mg of cymbalta and was on the 60mg for about six months before. I like it. My head feels clear but I recently gained about ~50 pounds. Should I go back to 60mg? Or stay at 30mg?
-
Replies
-
-
I had the same experience with Lexapro! I gained 20-30 pounds, and read tons of message boards that either said if you stop taking it you will lose that weight, or it will be there forever regardless of what you do! I decided in my heart of hearts that for as long as I needed medication that was the most important thing, I would rather be a bit bigger and be able to think through the fog. But I constantly felt guilty, like is it really the medication or am I just not doing enough for my exercise/diet? As someone who has constantly struggled with body image issues this was pretty tough.
Ultimately after a year on meds I decided with my doc to taper off because I was feeling well emotionally, and I am about 4 months off now. I feel great mental health wise, but I have lost maybe 5 pounds at most, despite my best efforts (on most days).
So, not really an answer, but you aren’t alone in the struggle of choosing mental health over something else (like weight gain). I would LOVE to know if anyone has had any success on or off meds with taking care of their bodies while trying to take care of their minds.
-
I can relate—I used to be the “listener” for everyone else too, but inside I was craving the same support. What really helped me was having a safe space where I could finally unload without feeling guilty or like a burden. Alongside medication, that space gave me tools to cope in healthier ways. It might be worth exploring something like that for yourself—it made a huge difference in how I handled both the anxiety and the side effects.
-
<p data-start=”50″ data-end=”519″>I can relate to so much of what you shared. Meds can be such a double-edged sword — they give you the clarity and stability you need, but the physical side effects can feel discouraging. I went through something similar and had to remind myself that mental health always comes first, even if my body took a back seat for a while. What helped me was focusing on small, consistent habits (gentle movement, better sleep, mindful eating) instead of chasing quick changes.</p>
<p data-start=”521″ data-end=”660″>And if you ever feel stuck, sometimes talking it through with a counselor can really help with the guilt side of it, not just the weight.</p> -
Feeling alone is something many of us quietly go through. I once felt the same after a long ride I booked on Boston Logan Car Service surrounded by people yet distant inside. Sometimes small connections, like joining a group or talking to someone new, can help. What usually helps you feel connected again?
-
I can really relate to the mental tradeoff you’re talking about, choosing stability over things like weight or appearance is not easy at all, and it is good you prioritized your mental health first. For me, small things like music actually helped a lot during that phase, especially artists like Charli XCX whose energy can shift your mood and make you feel a bit more in control. Sometimes I even found creative outlets helpful too, like playing around with lyrics or writing how I felt, and tools like brat lyric maker can be a fun way to express emotions in a lighter way while still dealing with everything going on.
-
