new here..questions
 

I have recently been diagnosed with ADD and depresion. Looking back I can see that the depression has been developing over the last 2 years, but in the last 8 months has been worsening and is greatly affecting my life. I am afraid of loosing my job if I don't get it under control soon. My Psychiatrist is treating the ADD and took me off the prozac I had been on for 2 years. I have had days of being nearly paralized since, even though I thought the prozac was not working when I was on it. I see him again tomorrow. I noticed I am more grounded when holding my little dog and have reserched psyciatric service dogs and emotional support dogs. Does anyone have information on this?

I dont know about the dogs (but my cat does ground me), but talk to the dr. I went off antidepressants for a couple months, with my drs knowledge, because of course i didnt think I needed them. I was really going crazy, so next visit we started a new plan and have been increasing and adding new things as we go. Hang in there.. Good luck

does ur company offer or do you have short and long term disability? If so, get it... You never really know, but maybe work will become a problem. if things do get worse they will protect you. Stay with your psychiatrist. good luck, Roger

Hope: paralysis of depression vs keeping job
 

Have no experience with ADD or support dogs. But am all too familiar with the paralying feeling of depression. Frequently antidepressants don't feel like they are working, but when I stop, I learn the hard way that they were - just not enough. I did lose my job [actually forced into retirement] during a medication change to an eldypril patch, which requires that you be off all antidepressant medication for 14 days before initiation of the patch. Of course their were other stressors that figured in. It helped me to keep my job until retirement time by going to my supervisors and being honest about my treatment and related and residual problems with depression. Supervisors think a lot of honesty and most want to help. It's when you don't come forward and some crises situation brings your situation to their attention that supervisors are unhappy. Honesty may even elicit their help in getting into some short term treatment, with medication changes and may help initiate some short or long term disability time off if you have that as one of your benefits. Actually, the support dogs sounds like an excellent idea. I have never heard of it, but I know that the only reason I get out of bed is to take care of my elderly cat. Also know, Prozac isn't for everyone, and you might get a better response with another medication.