Taking Cymbalta but more depressed/anxious for the last 5 days?

Question:

my 18 yr old daughter has been on Cymbalta for about a year. For the past 5 days, however, she has been more depressed; crying, sad, worrisome. She recently started a new job and is constantly worried about doing the job wrong and getting reprimanded. She said the job isn't that hard but can't shake the anxiety. She doesn't particularly like the job, and has put her application at other places. She then worries of another place calls her how her boss will react to her quitting so soon after starting. She also worries about what one of her friends will say (this "friend" is VERY blunt with everyone about how she feels and will not hesitate to chide her for leaving the job - she works there too). She texted me today asking me to make an appointment wtih the doctor, that she isn't emotionally feeling any better and is again on the verge of crying. I am very concerned about her. Yesterday she was so worked up she was dry-heaving. Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Answers:
I think that she needs to get to the doctor SOON. The anxiety of doing the job wrong will merely add to her to esteem issues. Your suspicion about GAD could be correct, but it seems that the anti-depressant either isn't working, or maybe the dosage isn't enough. There are a LOT of anti-depressant drugs out there that also help with anxiety - your doctor may want to look into an alternative for your daughter. I've had experience with several drugs, and how well they worked ranged "all over the map". Good luck to your daughter - "been there, done that", so I can feel for her.

Wow hun! This is very serious! I am so glad you are getting her into the doctors soon! I'm so sorry she is so sick. I hope the doctor can help her. He or she may suggest she doesn't work right now! This might be a blessing for her. They may suggest trying her on something else. It does sound like the cymbalta is not working for her. I am on cymbalta but I take it for my pain, which the doctor told me with mental illness you have physical pain. I wish her the best of luck in getting on meds that help her illness! Hugs!

How can you help your knowing daughter to gain context and perspective? From what you report, she is responsible, serious, and focused to the point of fragmentation.

It's very good to be other-directed and aware of the consequences of her behavior (professional, personal), but you also have to be able to see all the various elements of your life in context of one another. That's the way to gain perspective, and perspective will help you to prioritize your emotional investments. Not everything can take the same emo toll on you. Work obligations are a top priority; what some big-mouth associate says is low because it's not something you can control.

Watch out for the medication. I'm sure your doctor will want either to up the dosage or introduce yet another medication (an anti-anxiety, perhaps; watch out for those -- especially Clonopin/Klonazepam). If the doctor makes these predicted recommendations, I suggest you ask him about taking a drug-holiday; that is, try making due with less. You can always resume the current level. Why not give it a try -- especially since she's been on it a year already. Time for a brain breather. Good luck.

Taking Cymbalta but more depressed/anxious for the last 5 days?

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