Antidepressants

I have had depression all my life, and yet I have always been very skeptical about antidepressants. The stories about drugs like Paxil or Prozac, and how they supposedly make you feel better, and yet completely dead and give you an addiction really scared me straight. I have, however, come off therapy very recently for economic reasons, and now I'm worried that I might need it again in the future, and that they might prescribe me something. What should I look out for? What are the really bad drugs to avoid in your experience? Thank you.

It really just depends on you... no two people are alike. Especially, when it comes to depression medications, that's why there's so many different kinds. It's really something you should decide with your doctor.

They do not make you feel dead at all. I was depressed for 10 years before I got on Celexa and I can tell you that I would rather be here now than the way I was in bed all day and not caring. You feel dead with depression. Give it a try and help yourself.

Thanks a lot for all the good advice, I'll look into it further with my doctor and evaluate what's best to do for a case like mine. I'm sure I can trust his expertise here.

I think all of them can be bad. I personally always look for natural alternatives to everything. I'm not suggesting you don't take your prescription, but it doesn't hurt to look into something safer. The side effects of most medications are just way too much for me.

I don't think they are addictive in the same way as say pain killers. I imagine that they can still create dependence, but it is possible to be weaned off of them as noted above. Just never stop taking them immediately, or without consulting your doctor. In many cases, they can create issues if you go off them suddenly.

It is exactly like LoveEcho it depends on you since everyone has different experiences with depression medications. I have taken Wellbutrin which worked for a while but it did not control my anxiety. I tried Zoloft and it was okay at first but then I started having problems with it. I am now on Lexapro and am very happy with it. It does take some trial and error but under your doctor's supervision you can find the one that is going to work for you. My daughter takes Lexapro now as well after she was on Zoloft but was experiencing the same symptoms with it. I have been told that these types of symptoms to anti-depressants usually run in the family. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

I was once a lot like you in that I was afraid of antidepressants. I was scared that if they removed my depression they would be removing a lot of aspects about my personality that I actually like. I'm a huge fan of comedy and I think comedy and tragedy are so intertwined with each other that if I were to chemically alter my state of mind it might make me a dull zombie. I've been on Zoloft for around a year now, and I can say that is absolutely NOT the case. My depression and anxiety would routinely shut my brain down, make me feel unable to function. Personally I find that Zoloft doesn't even make it so i don't have "bad" thoughts or "anxious" thoughts, but when I have those thoughts I don't feel bogged down with negative energy. I am able to solve my problems and work to better myself. I highly recommend anyone with depression to give SSRIs a shot, but also to keep in mind they aren't for everyone and to still approach them with a cautious and skeptical eye.

I also feared antidepressants before I had first taken them but they didn't affect me anything like I was expecting them to. I have, however, known many people who were affected adversely by certain antidepressants which others claimed worked wonders for them. When it comes to antidepressants, it's basically a case of trial and error. If the first ones you try affect you adversely or don't do much then it's a case of switching to a different antidepressant and seeing how those ones affect you. I know two people who believe that Venlafaxine is a wonder drug when it comes to mental illness, yet I know others who developed serious problems from using it.

I personally do not support drugs to help cure depression; rather I would suggest therapy sessions with a professional. These can help to understand how to handle situations, face the past and plan for the future without popping any prescription drugs which can only lead to addiction, thereby making the matter worse.

Everyone reacts different on different medicines so it's hard to say. That's why you have to try and find out which one is best for you. No two people are alike or have the same reactions on the same medicine. If one don't work you have to try something else until you find the right one for you. I have taken effexor in the past. I'm not sure if it's even still around. I guess it did help me but coming off of it was hard. I kept having these electric brain shocks and shaking. I guess I had to com off of it slowly. Zoloft game me a panic attack but I see above that it worked for someone else, so you have to try and see what's best for you.

In my opinion most prescription drugs come with side-effects. Unless you go towards a natural medication, you will most likely always suffer from prescription drugs.

I would advise you not to depend on medication but concentrate on building powerful internal defences to cope with depression which is a fact of life. A good place to start is what is referred as walking medicine. Walking is rhythmic and you can develop it as a hobby. It releases feel good hormones like serotonin and norepinephrine which elevates ones moods. You should also take magnesium supplements which are quite good against depression.