Hello,
I have had anhedonia my entire life from severe trauma starting as a newborn. I don’t think I ever had a chance and I’m pretty sure my entire system developed within that extreme trauma (CSA and trafficking)
I have been on many, many, many different medications since I was 10.
Now I’m on: Lamotrigine, Effexor, Adderall and hydroxyzine. Lamotrigine + Effexor has really raised the depression but the anhedonia remains and I still get depressed - but it’s the only med combo that touches my MDD.
I’m at my wits end and my functioning has dropped severely. Food makes me want to vomit just thinking about eating. Sex is…hit or miss. These are the two things I could still enjoy in dark times but now I couldn’t care less about them.
I’ve done a TON of therapy, trauma work, DBT group and individual (helped so much but not the anhedonia), inner work, inner exploration, meditation, etc.
At this point I’m considering psychedelics (I would have to fly to a state like Oregon or Colorado for treatment). Terrified of ECT and I’ve lied to my psychiatrist about my anhedonia for years because I got tired of past psychiatrists taking it as “suicidal” and not hearing me. I just tell her I’m fine as long as my Effexor combo is lifting the heavy weight. I am just so tired of the Ferris wheel of treatments and not being fully understood.
I’m in a position where I can self pay for ketamine but not ongoing maintenance. I can self pay for TMS if it isn’t long term. I can self pay for a few treatments out of state.
I just don’t know what to do or what option I should put the money towards because my insurance wants me to fail meds I’ve already failed and again - I’ve been withholding the anhedonia details from my psych out of fear of past experiences (I know, it’s dumb)
I just need something to make me at least enjoy being alive a tiny bit. Advice appreciated! I’ll list my official dx here
MDD
(C) PTSD
Panic disorder
Anxiety
Thank you again