Have you started antidepressants since becoming a nurse?

Nurses Stress 101

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Heard there is a higher incidence of depression and anxiety amongst nurses (and doctors, lawyers, and others). Obviously the job is stressful. Since you've started working as a nurse, have you found that you need new, different, or more medication just to make it through?

FYI: I have a history of complicated depression and anxiety, but am not on meds.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN

1 Article; 2,816 Posts

No, I have not. I would try cognitive behavioral therapy before trying meds, personally. Your mileage may vary.

ICURN3020

392 Posts

CBT is amazing....definitely worth a try :)

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN

1,939 Posts

My PCP did prescribe me ativan when I worked in a stressful ICU which exacerbated my anxiety. Since leaving that job I havent needed it.

Nola009

940 Posts

No, I have not. I would try cognitive behavioral therapy before trying meds, personally. Your mileage may vary.

I had CBT while in school & it did work wonders. Unfortunately, the counselor (also an instructor at the school) resigned to be a FT stay at home mom. Otherwise, I would've continued with her. She was really a great help to me. :cat:Believe it or not, I've had trouble getting a counselor/therapist to agree to just CBT. One said she does some combination of that and talk therapy (which was her talking about her and her opinions/experiences). I have tried to find another good one, but haven't had much luck with it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I was briefly on Zoloft for depression and PTSD about 10 years ago. This was prior to becoming a nurse. However, I have not been on any antidepressants or antianxiety medications during my years of working as a nurse.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I haven't needed meds for depression/anxiety, only for sleep. That's not all about the job though; I do come home too wound up to sleep, but I've had insomnia issues for as long as I can remember. Even as a kid, I remember lying awake for hours after being sent to bed (my parents have a grandfather clock that chimes on the hour--that's how I know it was hours.)

But my job doesn't drag me down. I love it. Actually, I could be having a cruddy day and go into work, and I feel better partly because of a dose of perspective, and partly because helping others forces me to not be stuck on myself.

I'm sorry you've been having a hard time, though. I do hope that if you need help you get it for yourself. Hugs!

Nola009

940 Posts

I think it might be the shift and lack of restful sleep. that and I've been too tired to exercise like I should...

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VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I was on anti-depressants and anxiolytics for years after becoming a nurse. I thought it was because my career was so stressful and I was having a lot of problems with depression and anxiety. I was also having what I now know to have been manic episodes when I was super-productive but also careless and sloppy. Didn't put two and two together until early 2012 when I was diagnosed bipolar. Honestly, I've never known if the stresses of nursing caused a sub-clinical case of BP to flare out of control; all I know is the job sure didn't do my mental status any good.

That said, I had a lot of great moments in my career and I'll never regret having been a nurse. I wish I'd had enough sense to continue with therapy after I had a breakdown at my last hospital job, but of course it cost money and I was trying to live on unemployment benefits. I have had some great therapy with my current psychiatrist, who uses a blend of CBT and interpersonal social rhythm therapy which have been very helpful in training me to replace unhealthy coping mechanisms with more positive ones, and establishing a routine to give me some much-needed structure to my days.

Specializes in Inpatient Oncology/Public Health.

I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was a teen but I have only started having infrequent panic attacks(2 at work that involved chest pain and going to the ED, yay!) since becoming a nurse. I've also become a mother since becoming a nurse though and did also have serious PPD. The responsibility involved with being both a mother and a nurse is pretty anxiety producing:) I was on meds years ago but not lately. I have been in therapy 5 years, but there is no shame in medicating a physiological disorder. CBT is awesome but it does not work for everything. Zoloft/Wellbutrin saved my life after my first child was born. I do work Oncology as well which is rough, obviously.

laKrugRN

479 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

No, however I have been taking sleeping pills more often. Many nights I'm wide awake thinking about patient's well-being or all my charting or the jerk doctors. Haha you name it!

Nola009

940 Posts

I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was a teen but I have only started having infrequent panic attacks(2 at work that involved chest pain and going to the ED, yay!) since becoming a nurse. I've also become a mother since becoming a nurse though and did also have serious PPD. The responsibility involved with being both a mother and a nurse is pretty anxiety producing:) I was on meds years ago but not lately. I have been in therapy 5 years, but there is no shame in medicating a physiological disorder. CBT is awesome but it does not work for everything. Zoloft/Wellbutrin saved my life after my first child was born. I do work Oncology as well which is rough, obviously.

I was so depressed following my Oncology clinical rotation. I think almost all of my patients then had stage 4 cancer, were fairly young AND a lot were just finding out about the dx at the late stage. Felt so bad for them. I work in LTC now and while I enjoy my residents, I also find this atmosphere depressing. Recently found out most of my coworkers on my shift are on antidepressants. That made me wonder!

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