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Any experience or advice on medication for negative rumination?

NAS90609

I would like to hear people's experiences of using prescription medications to deal with negative rumination either directly or as a symptom of depression and/or anxiety so that I can start thinking about whether medication is an option for me.

I know these things are not autism - but it seems like they're often travelling partners and I'm not yet at a point in my own post-diagnosis journey where I can tell where one set of symptoms starts and others end.

I was diagnosed as autistic just over a year ago after a few years of noticeable decline in my mental health - particularly in my ability to deal with people - and as part of trying to unpick all that - it turns out I rate pretty highly on the depression scale.

I don't necessarily feel depressed in a literal sense - I feel like I have a reasonable grasp of what is and isn't working in my life - but I'm definitely showing many of the standard symptoms and constant negative rumination is by far the worst of them.

The things that trigger my rumination are basic everyday life things that I can't get away from or stop - so removing the source or removing myself from the source are not options.

I'm working hard to do all the right things - I've done some CBT counselling, I'm practicing cognitive diffusion, I'm meditating, I'm getting out of the house for walks, I'm drinking less and I'm trying to be easier on myself and more proactive about autistic things that feed into the problem like my sensitivity to noise and my general distrust and dislike of people.

Despite all this I'm now at a point where it's having a more severe impact on my daily life and I'm feeling like it's getting worse and maybe I'm at a point where I need to consider medication - which I assume will be some sort of SSRI or SNRI.

I'd appreciate any insights from your own experience.

Thanks.

Parents

  • I eventually bit the bullet and took SSRIs because otherwise I’d of done the unthinkable. It was a last resort, and I tried because I had children who needed me. I did not know I was Autistic back then. 
    While the side effects were long lasting and somewhat unpleasant, after 10 weeks I noticed a slight change. 
    From memory, I recall I started to care less. I wasn’t anxious. I didn’t stress, I didn’t explode nor melt down, and it was very liberating. I felt more capable, thus went back to the GP for other problems I’d previously  off. 
    I went to CBT appointments, when in the past I didn’t leave the house, and avoided all things. It felt alien, and I was nervous, but I was able to do it, which was a plus. I felt better about myself, and started to reduce overthinking and doing the negative thoughts.

    By no means was I happy and full of beans, or living life to the full, but I was doing the things I would always avoid or put off. I went out. I said yes. I went shopping. I ran errrands. I slept. I cooked.  I pottered in the garden. I started running. I enjoyed trips out with the family, I got a job (I had been self employed at home).

    After 2 years I decided I was on top of my life to be able to come off them ( like you are supposed to), so I  tapered off slowly over 4-6 months. I am fully aware of the benefits they can have for those that are struggling. It was well worth surviving the initial side effects. I’m alive. My children have their mum. 

  • in reply to Catlover

    Thank you for this - it's good to hear a positive story and the changes you've listed are relevant to me.

    Your point about it creating the space for you to deal with other issues definitely resonates with me and I've heard other people mention that.  

    Thanks - much appreciated.

Reply Children
  • in reply to NAS90609

    I’m glad to hear this. I will tell you that I was scared to take them, and I had the packet sat her for weeks before I’d dare take one! I always suffer bad side effects with everything, and I’d read too many bad reviews and stories while researching them to death…. 
    I felt worse before I felt better, so my advice would be to stick at it. They can take a very long time to work, and it’s wise to say that if one type doesn’t work, there are others to try, should you wish to. They aren’t a miracle cure, but a helping hand.