Do anti-depressants work for you? (Serious answers only - please!)?!
Question: This morning I got up to read the following news : "Research shows that anti-depressants have little clinical benefit for the majority of depressed patients."
I, for one, have had my life completely changed by anti-depressants, Prozac (generic: fluoxetine) in particular. I was diagnosed with depression in my early twenties, though I know I'd been suffering from it all my life. For many years I fought taking anti-depressants, didn't want anything to do with them - didn't believe they would help. But I got to the point where I had to try something more than just counseling. The affects were unbelievable. For the first time in my life I could talk to people like anyone else, care for my children, my house, myself and be in a good mood about it! I could comfortably hold down a job and even excel at it. None of this was even remotely possible in the past.
I've tried being "weaned off" the medication a couple of times, but the depression comes back full force after only a couple weeks.
Answers: This morning I got up to read the following news : "Research shows that anti-depressants have little clinical benefit for the majority of depressed patients."
I, for one, have had my life completely changed by anti-depressants, Prozac (generic: fluoxetine) in particular. I was diagnosed with depression in my early twenties, though I know I'd been suffering from it all my life. For many years I fought taking anti-depressants, didn't want anything to do with them - didn't believe they would help. But I got to the point where I had to try something more than just counseling. The affects were unbelievable. For the first time in my life I could talk to people like anyone else, care for my children, my house, myself and be in a good mood about it! I could comfortably hold down a job and even excel at it. None of this was even remotely possible in the past.
I've tried being "weaned off" the medication a couple of times, but the depression comes back full force after only a couple weeks.
I don't believe everything that gets published nowadays- there have been too many retractions and biased studies. I wonder who this one was paid for by- the manufacturers of alcohol? The pro-marijuana lobby?
To answer your Q, Prozac, Zoloft, and Trazedone didn't work for me- but Effexor has been magic! I can actally get out of bed, bathe, and do chores on a daily basis! I've stayed out of the hospital even during the winter, during which my depression usually so increases in severity that I become suicidal.
IMHO, There's nothing wrong with using exercise, sunlight/light therapy, dietary changes, etc. to improve depression, but there are times when meds are required and people don't need to be told they don't need medication by some "news" that has probably nothing to do with heir individual situation. I think this "news" will increase the stigma for those who need meds, making them feel that they are more "damaged" than others or they will be told that they are "malingering", which is the garbage that many people already believe.
Yeah ive been on 3 different antidepressants after fighting depression etc for ages, they all have different affects on different people.
One of them worked for me but it had a bad side effect loss of libido !! ugh so im back on a shitty one that makes me moody and crazy etc etc
Although there are a few out there that may help, im very wary of them because the people who make them are out to make milions, so you have to try and buy quite a few ones before you stick with one. They are only meant for temporary use, and if your happy now in your life which is what they encourage you to do to get where you are.., than now would be the right time for you to come off them, and you are going to feel depressed at first, if you come off them very slowly and safely this may not be as much of a problem. Veryyyy slowly.
sometimes, its one of those hit and miss things. it can be magical or just the same.
I can tell when my husband stops taking them, he too tried to wean himself on occasion. It does make a difference for him.
i've suffered with depression all my life (so far) and most of the time i just cope. while i was going through the breakup and divorce after a 25 year marriage, i needed help. i started taking Lexapro which is suppose to be a mild anti-depressant and it made all the difference in the world. i am no longer taking the drug but it was a lifesaver when i needed it.
perhaps instead of quitting what you are taking, you could ask your doctor to put you on something milder for a while and taper off from that point.
best of luck.
They don't work for me because I'm bipolar and they make me manic, but I do believe that they work for people with unipolar depression.
Hi,I am glad to hear you are feeling some relief from your anti-depressants,and I really can sympathise with you for having to suffer alone for all of those years(the best years in life).I could write a story about depression and bipolar disorder,but I will be brief.I was diagnosed in my early teens,and am now in my mid thirties.It took me alot of years with trial and error,and alot of emotional turmoil,but I finally found a medication that helps me,and has helped to get my life back on track.Like you,it has affected my relationships,being a mother,and my career.Not wanting to even leave the house at times,and not being able to deal with life in general or look after yourself,let alone a family,career or child.As we know,everyone is an individual,and a medication that works for you or me,may not work for another,as with any medications prescribed for any type of illness.I believe that counselling alone does not give perfect results,and that with alot of patience and trialling different medications for depression,they are of a sometimes 'life saving' help.If you can find the right medication,then you're on the right track to recovery.Most anti-depressants contain seratonin,which replace the ones we lack in our brain,which are responsible for happy feelings and emotions,so yes,I do believe that they can help,but unfortunately for some,it is too late.This is a disease that is just staring to be recognised,and I think it is wonderful that you are able to talk about it,as that is part of the recovery process,and/or learning to live with it with the aid of medications.I wish you every success with your recovery,and just know that you are not alone,there are alot of us out there.Good luck and best wishes to you and your family!
At this point I really don't know. i've been on so many different kinds over 20 years that I can't tell if I'm ok now or if I need them still. I've never really tried to get off.
But I can say, for the last 4-5 months I've been taking Lithium and I feel alot better about stuff, tho I'm getting FAT:
Depends if you have situational depression, ( things are not going right in your life), your Dad died, your socially isolated, or your going through a rough period in your life right at this time. Of course anti depressants aren`t going to work, your life is a wreck. But if you are chronically down, and nothing seems to make you happy, you`re moody and irritable all the time, yes, they do work. It`s a matter of finding the right one for you.
For me, antidepressants work great.
Anti-depressants have worked for me. Since coming out of the suicide intervention crisis center after a mandatory stay, anti-depressants (Prozac and Trazadone) and medications such as Seroquel have been effective in reducing suicidal thoughts. Things are tough for me at the moment but, if I did not take these meds, things would be worse. I am convinced of it. I try to mix meds with daily exercise too. Excerises can do wonders for physical and mental health. The connection between the two is undenialbe in my mind. I am glad that I sought treatment for substance abuse issues and mental health issues. The future appears bleak for me at the moment, but my meds have given me a coping mechanism that I did not have in the past.