Anti-depressant medication?

[Beat14]

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That sounds like grim times to put it bluntly. I don't really feel like I'm anybody to suggest advice... However try branch out to other people (Easy to say eh?). I hope you don't dive back into that "ocean" I do feel slightly silly quoting that everytime, but sums it up nicely.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Hello, I am curious to if anyone on the forum has been on anti-depression meds, I have thought about going to a doctor to get some, I don't really know the precedure.

The reason I ask Is I want to know about your experience with them, was it worth it? Did you find you started to act like another person? (I'm not sure that's how I want to ask that question, but I can't think how to otherwise).

I guess my real fear of using them is that I might prefer who I am whilst on the medication and use it as a crutch, like painkillers in a way, they don't solve the problem just numb the feeling instead of cure.

Although I would prefer a more indepth version of "were they worth using", that is basically what my question boils down to. Thanks.

I'm kind of late to this discussion, but I think it's worth adding/clarifying that there are MANY anti-depressants out there, at many levels of potency, and if you do make the decision to be on one, it's worth researching it and discussing the side effects THOROUGHLY with your doctor, including the half-life of the drug, so you're as informed as possible. While they are NOT going to change your personality or make you into a different person, they can have fairly profound physical side effects that you want to be fully informed about.

And since I don't think anyone else has mentioned it, THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS you can do to get through a depression are:

1. EAT WELL.
2. SLEEP WELL.
3. EXERCISE.

And take a D3 supplement. Boring eh? As someone who has been through two serious clinical depressions, and seen friends/loved ones through clinical depressions, there's really nothing better you can do for yourself. The anti-depressants are there to help give you enough motivation to start taking care of yourself again.

 

[Phoenix Arrow]

That sounds like grim times to put it bluntly. I don't really feel like I'm anybody to suggest advice... However try branch out to other people (Easy to say eh?). I hope you don't dive back into that "ocean" I do feel slightly silly quoting that everytime, but sums it up nicely.

Thanks. I know you're right, I've applied for some new jobs since the people I work with are all way older than me and it's not like a career type thing so hopefully that will be two birds with one stone. I've called up a couple of old friends just to sort of check in with how their lives are going and that. I'll be fine though. It just really caught me off guard. I do love him though. I wish he'd give me the attention he's giving this other person.
I guess for him it was a choice between meeting someone new and doing the whole getting to know you thing and the "settling down" option which I feel like I've become to him. I feel like he does want to settle down with me somewhere down the line, but he has some wild oats to sow in the meantime. Why else would he keep someone around he's both attracted to and still has feelings for?

1. EAT WELL.
2. SLEEP WELL.
3. EXERCISE.

Mmm. Totally true, but you know as well as I do, that's easier said than done. When you have clinical depression, the biggest problem is motivation. Motivation and apathy. You know you should go out and have a jog or whatever, but you don't want to. For that matter, you don't really want to eat anything either. All you want to do is lie in bed, play video games and listen to Radiohead. Then, if you're not exercising well, there's no way you're going to sleep well.

One other thing I recommend though is taking a good multi-vitamin like Berocca. B vitamins are what you want, they help your immune, digestive and nervous systems. Vitamin D too. Vitamin D is what you get from sunlight and it's basically magic. Reduces your chances of getting all kinds of diseases. These things obviously aren't going to affect your mood directly, but they're cheap and easy to do and make it easier for you to get better, if that makes sense. But the most important thing is to enough exercise to pick up your heart rate a bit. If you're unfit, then a half hour walk will probably do it, if you're fit then you know your capabilites better than I do.

That and talk through your troubles with people. Family members are brilliant for it, assuming they're not the problem of course. But if you do talk about stuff with your friends, try not to talk about it too much. It's easy to get carried away talking about your problems, but talking about other things will get your mind off it and people don't want to listen to someone talk about how depressed they are for hours on end.

 

[Beat14]

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I can relate to the everything that the antidepressants stopped for you. Seems like it would be a good idea to get advice. Thanks for the info

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I have to admit I haven't a clue what type my depression is, I'm trying to avoid self diagnosis as it seems like a splippery slope that can just make matters worse. I sure do intend to talk it out with a professional. Thanks, I even got a little laugh about you sitting at your computer.

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Thanks, it's always interesting to get some scientific knowledge about something you're dealing with. I have to admit the thought of ECT doesn't settle well on my mind, although that was after a bit of "research" I just did on the internet, so it's probably not to shocking.

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Thanks for bringing such things to my attention, I have to confess that the side effects are something of a mystery apart from the possible destruction of my libido. However if I end up on any drugs I will look of course.

When you say eat well does that mean, eat enough and healthily? It's not like I eat junk food a lot, but I can't exactly say I eat healthily as such.

 

[BiggDoggJake]

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I have to admit I haven't a clue what type my depression is, I'm trying to avoid self diagnosis as it seems like a splippery slope that can just make matters worse. I sure do intend to talk it out with a professional. Thanks, I even got a little laugh about you sitting at your computer.

Anytime, bro

 

[MajorTomServo]

I have OCD and depression and have had since middle school, and Ive been taking antidepressants for a couple months now. Specifically, Paxil. I started at 10mg, but that had no effect, so now Im taking 20mg.

They have helped a lot to be honest, and Im very glad I take them. I used to have such bad anxiety that I couldnt even be in the same room as someone talking about zombies, but now I can play Left 4 Dead and watch movies and stuff.

The thing about it is, at least for me, there isnt really an "okay" stage. Most days, Im happy, carefree (within reason) and feel like, well, a normal person. But when I get into a funk, I go down hard. Now is one of those times. I seriously havent gone to work or class since Sunday, I just sit at home and feel sorry for myself all day.

Honestly though, I dont think thats a normal thing. You should talk to your doctor, weigh the good with the bad, and make sure you have someone on your side to watch for odd behavior.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Thanks for bringing such things to my attention, I have to confess that the side effects are something of a mystery apart from the possible destruction of my libido. However if I end up on any drugs I will look of course.

When you say eat well does that mean, eat enough and healthily? It's not like I eat junk food a lot, but I can't exactly say I eat healthily as such.

When my father passed away suddenly, I went to see my doctor to talk about possibly getting on anti-depressants. Without even really discussing it with me, he prescribed one I'd not heard of before. I did a little research, and found out it was an incredibly potent anti-depressant with several extremely controversial side effects, including brain seizures. A lot of the people who had been on it expressed extreme regret and anger with their doctors. Naturally, I switched doctors, and did NOT fill the prescription. Not all anti-depressants are created equal. Some have a short half life and very mild side effects. Others are meant for extreme cases, like the one my doctor irresponsibly prescribed for me. Always know what you're getting into.

That's exactly what I mean. The standard North American diet is heavy in processed foods and light in nutrients, and...unsurprisingly...this has a devastating effect on our health (both physical and mental). You don't need to become a vegetarian, but you do need to eat whole, organic foods as often as possible and fast, processed foods as seldom as possible. We are what we eat. If you eat a lot of shit, you'll feel horrible, and you open yourself up to a whole range of significant long term health problems in your 30's and 40's if you don't get a handle on it early.

Here's a random article on depression and vitamin deficiency I found in a quick google search (I'm sure you can find more with a little effort): http://depression.about.com/cs/diet/a/vitamin.htm

Taking supplements will help, but the majority of your vitamin intake should be through your diet. It won't do much to take a multi-vitamin and eat at McDonalds 5 times a week. (You will need to take a Vitamin D supplement though, take about 4000 UI a day...usually 4 capsules/pills).

Good luck. Depressions are terrible, draining, and frightening, but it's important to remember that they are transitory, too. If you take care of yourself physically, talk out any issues you might be struggling through with friends/family/therapists, and keep plugging away at your life as constructively as your depression will let you, there's no reason you won't be feeling 100% better before too long.

 

[Beat14]

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Best of luck. I have nothing against older (or younger) people, but I believe it is better to work with some people of a similar age than with people with an age gap. Don't stop your self having a good time. There I go again giving more vague nonsensical "advice"... I better stop.

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Thanks, I haven't even asked anyone about keeping an eye on me. That didn't stop some one coming over and asking me why I looked so sad all the time...and there I was thinking I had put up a go facade. Kind of when I thought this isn't normal.

I feel like my moods hit most of the spectrum although the up highs are rare and they always seem to be right after I all time low. I just seem neutral most the time, that or sad.

Sounds like your anxiety was pretty bad, I can barely imagine anxiety like that. Hope all goes/stays well.

 

[Beat14]

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It never ceases to amaze me how a little bit of research can be so worth while, must be glad you did that. Thanks especially as I know some of your advice will ring in my eyes for some time.

Thanks for linking to an article, I would have looked at others even if you hadn't of said, but I much appreciate the addition of a link instead of just "google this"

 

[Carolyn Ross]

Yes, there was a time when I was very much addicted to antidepressants. At first during a very tensed situation only, I was taking such medicines. But gradually it became my habit and I started taking antidepressants for mild stress and depressions also. Antidepressants take away or reduce the symptoms of depression and helped me feel better. The medicinal properties of antidepressants are given in the following site. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antidepressants.html
I have heard that antidepressants makes a person addictive of it. But is it true?

 

[Angie7F]

double posted... sorry

 

[Angie7F]

Would like to share a little bit of my experience...

I was on anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, sleeping pills etc for a while.
My diagnosis varied depending on the doctor, but basically it rooted on depression and the symptoms were fatigue, loss of interest in anything, but pissed off at everything, suicidal, among many others.

What the drugs did for me was it numbed me, for better and for worse.
i was also sleepy in a different way from being sleepy with depression.
So in answer to your question regarding motivation, maybe it wont raise it right away.

I was much mellower for sure, but in a way similar to someone stoned...maybe a more adequate description is slower???
People used to seeing me neurotic and aggressive would say "you are different" but it doesn't change who you are, or how you think at all.
I felt I was so slow and numb I didn't have the power to express how I felt and couldn't care less. Just wanted to stare at the wall or sleep.
Another side effect i experienced was a decrease of sexual appetite.

I think anti-depressants are helpful to many, and I too thought it was the solution to my problems at that time, but looking back now, I am not so sure if I would recommend it to other people.
Back then I was probably too dependent on it, and often, when I felt things got out of hand, i would take way more than prescribed so that I would fall asleep/ feel totally numb etc.

I don't think it was a chemical addiction, but more of a psychological one.
Though when i was decreasing my dosage, I had side effects like antsy feet, ringing ears, and vertigo.

Right now, I am totally free of medication, most of my symptoms are gone, and very rarely have severe mood swings. (even during PMS)

Depression is a curable disease(?), but it is not curable like, "take anti biotics and your cold will go away".
Its a loooong process, and meds only help you bear the journey.
if you are still at a point where you can function with out meds, I say, try alternative methods.
Maybe even go to counseling first before seeing a shrink.

I recovered because I learnt to let go of unrealistic goals and shrug off societal expectations if they did not match the person I am.
getting a dog really helped me too. (many reasons, but I wont go into detail.)

If finding something you love and can be passionate about can help you attain that, by all means try it first.