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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 now understand a lot of my "generalised anxiety" was probably stress of dealing with every day life as an autistic adult (ie masking) and also autistic traits (difficulty with change, transition, intolerance of uncertainty, perfectionism) which made dealing with the big stuff more difficult on top of the every day stuff.

    I started taking SSRI's during a period I now recognise as burnout. I didn't want to take them but didn't have much choice in the end. I felt they didn't make much difference. I dont know if that's because they didnt make much difference or alexithymia came into play. I'm not on them now.  I do meditation which does help. I think changing your environment could help but you said that isn't possible. You seem to be doing what you can yourself (you said being proactive about your sensitivities which is good). Some acceptance of the situation as well (here my brain goes again) and awareness of how autism impacts you (hyperfocus actually can have adverse effects...). And then building in time to do things I enjoy in order to distract a bit. (Engaging in my special interest after work can help but). It's hard. I find the brain loops are a lot more active when I've been around other people. When I'm in my own environment at home, it seems a lot quieter in my head but I ruminate more on existential matters then. I don't think there's a one-size fits all, you just have to find what is best for you. I've found talking therapies and acceptance of myself more effective than medication. I wish there was an off switch. I wish sometimes I could just take my brain out of my head and give myself a rest.

  • in reply to Deleted User

    There is a lot of negativity regarding the use of SSRIs on this thread and others. What should be made clear is that they work for ‘most ‘ people when they have depression and associated symptoms.

    They will not have an effect on autistic burnout. This is crucial to know, as no one needs to be taking meds for simply being autistic if you know what I’m saying. I myself was offered them a few years ago. I knew I wasn’t depressed, and declined. I didn’t know I was autistic though!

    And you are right, Alexithymia plays a part in all of this, and what will help. I couldn’t say that I felt great, and balanced and mentally better (as I stated in my post); I just knew they were working because of what I was able to achieve after they’d kicked in. 

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  • in reply to Deleted User

    There is a lot of negativity regarding the use of SSRIs on this thread and others. What should be made clear is that they work for ‘most ‘ people when they have depression and associated symptoms.

    They will not have an effect on autistic burnout. This is crucial to know, as no one needs to be taking meds for simply being autistic if you know what I’m saying. I myself was offered them a few years ago. I knew I wasn’t depressed, and declined. I didn’t know I was autistic though!

    And you are right, Alexithymia plays a part in all of this, and what will help. I couldn’t say that I felt great, and balanced and mentally better (as I stated in my post); I just knew they were working because of what I was able to achieve after they’d kicked in. 

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