Weekends tough

drussel · Post by **drussel** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:31 am

Weekends are very tough. I'm on tape 8 and get depressed on weekend especially Sundays. I went to my Doctor for another reason (Prostrate problems they are having tested). I showed him the program for anxiety. He asked how I was feeling. At the time I was feeling good and said good.
I wrote the last time about how I reduced from 60 mgs to 30 mgs of cymbalta 9 monthes ago. I was feeling really good with the cymbalta 60 mgs., but sweating a lot and lazy. Should I call him back Monday and be asked to raise my cymbalta while doing the program?

Jim Mitchell · Post by **Jim Mitchell** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:44 am

That may very well be why you've started feeling depressed again. It happens very slowly and the changes are subtle so you don't even realize it.

I was on 20mg Lexapro and doing well. So I thought I didn't need it and cut back to 10mg. I very gradually started having trouble sleeping again and my anxiety and obsessive thinking came back. Now I'm back to 20mg and all is better again.

I believe this is why it's recommended to keep on the anti-depressant for several months after you think you don't need to be on it.

Good luck,
Jim

Don57 · Post by **Don57** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:20 am

Both Jim and Emma raise valid points. But, as Emma states, if your depression only comes on weekends, then it doesn't make sense that you need to raise the meds. If the depression only comes on weekends, journal why you are depressed, catch those negative thoughts. Then go to work on restructuring them. Seeing the lies or distortions in the negative thoughts has the potential to bring you out of the depression. Why are you depressed on the weekends?

Mary Wargo · Post by **Mary Wargo** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:24 am

I had a thread a little while ago titled The Sunday Blues. Sundays are the hardest day for me for some reason and apparently for other people too. I can be fine the whole week and then Sunday comes and something changes. One Sunday I spent the day going over all the sessions in the program and it helped. I'm now scheduling a hike for myself on Sundays and trying to accept the day as it is.
S

drussel · Post by **drussel** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:54 am

Should I call my Doctor and up the medication?

keri77 · Post by **keri77** » Sun May 18, 2008 3:39 am

I didnt read everyones response to the weekend depression blog, so forgive me if this was already said. I seem to get the weekend blues as well, of course along with that is an awful lot of anxiety and some times panic. Did you ever think that maybe its because during the week, most of us have a more set schedule with work or whatever and on weekends...there is NO set schedule, no time line, no clock to punch, no routine at all for most of us? That is what i have discovered in my own situation. Weekends are very hard for me. I have not figured what to do about it, I just discovered "why" (for me)

800 Classic · Post by **800 Classic** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:29 am

Drussel

Weekends are tough for me to expecally the ones my wife is working and I am all alone. I am not on any meds just because I want to kick this without them. I am like everyone else and say upping meds for one day of the week don't make sense.

What I do is work on a hobby (woodworking, fishing, go on a motorcycle ride). or set down and plan on the next weekend when my wife is off work. Plan a motorcycle ride to take with her doesn't have to be a long ride it's the thought of the time we will share with each other. I know it sounds corney but I cherrish every moment that I can spend doing this and it takes me out of the gloom because I am not thinking about negitive stuff.

keep working the program and posting. We are a wonderful group of people.

Randy

Mary Wargo · Post by **Mary Wargo** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:39 am

drussel - It's really hard for any of us to recommend a med change since we aren't doctors, but you may want to check with your doctor about how you're feeling since you decreased the Cymbalta. The suggestions here about why it may be only on the weekends is a good thought. Those of us with anxiety have a tough time with too much unstructured time as it give us time to worry- which we are very good at! I would try to restructure your thoughts on this day, schedule an activity, and accept the day.( which is what another person suggested on my thread about the Sunday Blues- and it is working for me. - Thank you)

2baliveagain · Post by **2baliveagain** » Sun May 18, 2008 7:04 am

Drussel,
I have problems with the weekends as well. I think everyone is right. There is no structure. I am home during the week alone until 2pm. Having my family around all day(don't get me wrong, I love them)makes me very anxious. All the sounds,scents and activity going on makes me sooo anxious I have panic attacks. I have to take a time out from them. Then try to overcome the guilt that I have to be away from them when all week I look forward to being with them. I know it makes no sense. Sunday is hard for me because I would love to go to church but just cant seem to make myself go. Then guilt again. I beat myself up on Sundays. Maybe there is an underlying issue that you have yet to face that happened on a Sunday. Cymbalta is great for depression. I think you should talk to your Dr first about any med changes. Hope this helps and gives you a different point of view.
Deb

uncledental · Post by **uncledental** » Sun May 18, 2008 11:12 am

I hate fridays.I would cry on the way home from work. Just couldn't face the weekends.Sunday night I'd be the happiest person in the world.Couldn't wait to get to work monday morning,I knew I was losing my mind. And to think the nut docter told me I was a catch because most people were just the opposite. Yeah right! Just finished my third week and I'm feeling better.