Anti-Depressants

[DragonChild]

Take them. Medication really does wonders for the mind. Gets you going on track. I remember fearing my meds when I had to take them. It was mostly for the fear of losing my personality. I couldn't really stick to them though. It was an on-and-off situation. But I tell you the three months I did take them strictly (only after having them being forced down my throat) I felt wonderful. Don't you want to feel good too?

Taking medications isn't something to be ashamed about. I like to think of them as a friend that's always there to help. Of course when you take them you will have to stick to them. The docs will be increasing the dose as time goes on. That only happens if the current one has no effect or something else.

And don't worry about getting screwed. That should only happen if you suddenly stop taking them. Or if you mix them with other things that shouldn't be mixed with.

 

[ran88dom99]

Does alcohol do anything? Would it's success cause instant addiction?

 

[DudeistBelieve]

So, it's been pretty obvious that I have chronic depression. It's been obvious for at least 4 years now and doctors have diagnosed it. It's been gradually getting worse over the years, but I'm at a point where I need to do something. I'm in college, I'm trying to start my life and get myself on track, but it's extremely difficult when I find it hard to even eat because I feel so bad.

The obvious answer is go ahead and with my doctor's advice and get on meds, but I've had a really hard time convincing myself. It just feels...crippling. Oh, so I can't be happy normally so now I have to take medicine the rest of my life to fix that? That sounds horrible. The thought just makes me feel even worse, and I just...I don't know.

Are any of you guys on anti-depressants? Have they helped? Do you feel handicapped having to take them? Any other advice? I'm just, unsure about this and I've been fighting to prevent going on them but it's starting to look like I'll have no choice.

Edit: Probably should've mentioned this, but I am transsexual. The doctor wants me to go on anti-depressants first though before doing anything that department. I don't know how related the two are, since both issues fired up around the same time.

I was afraid of taking them too for the same reason. That being said, I've been on Lexapro for about week and I felt an immediate change. Sincerely, I never felt this... Normal in my life. I regret not going on them sooner to be honest.

 

[Haukur Isleifsson]

I would recommend trying the drugs. They have helped a lot of people and they might help you. It is not even that likely that you will have to keep on taking them indefinitely.

However drugs are not the only form of treatment that works and they seem to work much better if they are supplemented by Psychotherapy. I would recommended getting into a program of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. It is I think the best proven therapy for depression.

I wish you well.

 

[Jodah]

If you had cancer would you be asking these questions? If you truly are suffering from depression take the meds. This is coming from someone who takes a handful (literally) of different medications every day for various reasons.

Just be sure you truly are depressed and not just stressed from life. There are far too many people diagnosed with depression these days that merely need to get over themselves (I am in no way saying you are one of said people.) Depression is serious if you do, in fact, have it.

 

[TheSaw]

I'm on them now and I generally know how you feel.
I can't say they have helped me at all, in fact they've probably made it worse.
I can't help but think that if I'm ever happy, is it me? Or the pills working?
But other than that, I'm just carrying on like a mindless drone.

I'd think the ponies are helping with that.

I don't know whether it was an insult or not, but it made me laugh.

 

[Dango]

I'm on them now and I generally know how you feel.
I can't say they have helped me at all, in fact they've probably made it worse.
I can't help but think that if I'm ever happy, is it me? Or the pills working?
But other than that, I'm just carrying on like a mindless drone.

I'd think the ponies are helping with that.

I don't know whether it was an insult or not, but it made me laugh.

Just an observation. Not meant to be insulting.

 

[SailorShale]

Before you take drugs, try taking up exercise.

Don't look at me like that. Exercise is very good for your mental health.

No it's not "very good for your mental health." It produces dopamine and prevents things like seasonal depression, but it does nothing for clinical depression unless combined with other treatments like counseling and medication.

So, at the very least, regular exercise would help alongside the pills.

OP:

I'd say give them a try. Just prepare yourself, I hear they can really screw with you

Yeah...I'm trying. I'm pretty much thinking I don't have a choice in whether taking them or not. I'm on the verge of just giving up in college (horrible time too, finals week is a week away, but I just can't summon the will to do anything) and it's impossible to find/hold a job (I'm guessing my depression shows through my happy face at interviews). So...it's pretty severe.

I do feel a little better though reading the replies. So thanks everyone.

I looked on your profile. Under occupation, it says "being awesome". So, is quitting college being awesome? Nope. For that matter, is quitting being awesome? Nope.

I understand that chronic depression takes more than just powerful words to cure. It does. It takes a change in you. Pills are an unashamed way to help yourself. So is exercise. If those help, then use them to their full extent. Use every bit of help you can get. But in the end, what kills depression is a change in you. Next time you feel crappy or worthless, don't tell yourself you don't feel like it. Don't tell yourself anything. Don't try to gather the motivation to do it. Just do it. You can't think about it, you've just got to do it. Right now. Does something need to be done? Then without thinking, just do it.

Oh I know. I haven't completely lost my head, so I'm not doing anything drastic. I will finish school and do my best to complete projects and all that. It's just insanely difficult and knowing that I'll be feeling this way down the line makes it harder. I can't do my best in school if I'm feeling this way :/.

That's normally how I pull out to do important tasks though. It never helps things long-term though. It sucks up any potential funness and it's just a chore. I mean, I hope that makes sense. I get it done just not as well as I could've because I mean, it feels like there isn't a point. So I'm not quite sure how to take your advice on that.

 

[Levitas1234]

Weed is the only anti depressant you need

 

[lumenadducere]

Oookay. Tremendous amount of misinformation and bad advice from people who don't really understand what depression is, here, so I'm gonna try to chime in. This is all grossly simplified, but in general terms it'll apply so take it with a grain of salt.

There are basically two kinds of depression: the first is feeling very sad for a prolonged period of time. This is usually following a tragic event such as a loss in the family, divorce, losing a job, etc. This is normal and a healthy part of living, and over time and with some effort it will go away on its own, assuming the situation gets better. This is also the kind of depression that can be fixed with exercise, meditation, and just plain ol' support from those around you.

The second is the clinical/chronic/etc. kind, the type where even though things in life are going fine and you're fully capable of functioning, you're still depressed. It can take many forms - the stereotypical image of the person wearing sweatpants moping around the house isn't necessarily accurate - and it can be masked very well. For example, a lot of comedians actually are pretty depressed, and they mask it with their comedy. The key thing with this, however, is that in these cases of depression the vast majority of the time it's a case where there is an actual chemical imbalance within the brain. That's what the anti-depressants are designed to try and fix.

The problem with anti-depressants, however, is that they vary a lot and that they affect everyone differently. There's even variation in the types of anti-depressants and the ways that they work, so if someone is on anti-depressants it may take a while before they find the one that works for them. Type A might work on one person but not work on another person, whereas Type B might not work for the first person but would work for the second. It's a process to figure out how each individual responds to each treatment, and as always some are better than others. This is the kicker because a lot of people don't realize that, and after trying one that seems to work they just stick to it. Or worse, they try one that makes their depression worse and swear off anti-depressants forever.

If the anti-depressants make you feel emotionless or have some other side affect that you dislike, you need to talk to your doctor about it to see if there's another type that would work better. They're not supposed to turn you into a robot, they're supposed to make you better. Stunting emotions is unhealthy as well and if that's what happens then something else needs to be attempted.

 

[Littlee300]

If you can't function then just take the damn pills.

I honestly don't understand why every-other person says they have depression. Surely things aren't that bad. Buck up.

You are a beacon of insightful sympathy.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Think of it as getting a decent amount of sleep. It helps your body's chemicals to make you ready to kick ass.

 

[Midnight Crossroads]

I'm going to give you practical advice Op. Really consider where you want to be while looking at your options. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world. Seeking help for my depression was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. I ended up with a psychiatrist I hated, on pills which made me suicidal, and worse off than where I was before. Later, the Army was ready to kick me out and take away my scholarship because I was depressed as a teenager. I had to fight tooth and nail to get a waiver, and I was lucky for it. A friend of mine was flat out denied his because of ADD unless he went cold turkey for a full year.

Now, I'm probably just an extreme case; you'll most likely be mentally better off by seeking help, but be aware of the very real prejudices that will follow you. There are organizations out there which almost require a person to go their entire life with no medical problems. If this is a field you're looking at, seriously consider your other options. Talk to friends and family about this, let them support you before seeking medical help.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I feel like the "may cause suicidal death" as a side effect defeats the purpose.

And I've never met anyone who was suicidal that didnt benefit from a stiff kick in the ass and a does of reality.

Try nearly every person who's bi-polar or schizophrenic.

There's a difference between being suicidal because your girlfriend left you, being suicidal for reasons you don't even understand but you feel insanely depressed anyway and being suicidal because your toaster is telling you to kill yourself.

I'm not going to argue this, but thats just my personal experience with anyone who was depressed or suicidal. for whatever reason.

 

[Womplord]

I feel like the "may cause suicidal death" as a side effect defeats the purpose.

And I've never met anyone who was suicidal that didnt benefit from a stiff kick in the ass and a does of reality.

Try nearly every person who's bi-polar or schizophrenic.

There's a difference between being suicidal because your girlfriend left you, being suicidal for reasons you don't even understand but you feel insanely depressed anyway and being suicidal because your toaster is telling you to kill yourself.

I'm not going to argue this, but thats just my personal experience with anyone who was depressed or suicidal. for whatever reason.

How many people have you even met who were depressed or suicidal? I think you're the one who needs a stiff kick in the ass and a dose of reality.

Also, zekksta you can have unipolar depression for reasons you don't understand, not just bipolar disorder causes that.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I feel like the "may cause suicidal death" as a side effect defeats the purpose.

And I've never met anyone who was suicidal that didnt benefit from a stiff kick in the ass and a does of reality.

Try nearly every person who's bi-polar or schizophrenic.

There's a difference between being suicidal because your girlfriend left you, being suicidal for reasons you don't even understand but you feel insanely depressed anyway and being suicidal because your toaster is telling you to kill yourself.

I'm not going to argue this, but thats just my personal experience with anyone who was depressed or suicidal. for whatever reason.

How many people have you even met who were depressed or suicidal? I think you're the one who needs a stiff kick in the ass and a dose of reality.

Also, zekksta you can have unipolar depression for reasons you don't understand, not just bipolar disorder causes that.

<spoiler=I'll direct you to my previous post>

I feel like the "may cause suicidal death" as a side effect defeats the purpose.

And I've never met anyone who was suicidal that didnt benefit from a stiff kick in the ass and a does of reality.

Try nearly every person who's bi-polar or schizophrenic.

There's a difference between being suicidal because your girlfriend left you, being suicidal for reasons you don't even understand but you feel insanely depressed anyway and being suicidal because your toaster is telling you to kill yourself.

I'm not going to argue this, but thats just my personal experience with anyone who was depressed or suicidal. for whatever reason.

Also, I dont count, thats something of a sick game if I were to.