Anti-depressants?

[Kyreii]

Who among you have tried any of these?
Which are the most effective?
Should I go to a doctor before taking these drugs?
Do they really help?

I dunno, I have this depression thing that keeps coming back time and time again... And I'm running out of conventional ways to deal with it... I can't even pinpoint it's cause anymore...

[Kinael]

The Food and Drug Administration told doctors yesterday to carefully monitor patients on 10 popular anti-depressants for suicidal thoughts and asked manufacturers to add the warning to drug labels.

The FDA's public health advisory stopped short of saying the drugs can actually increase depression or lead to suicidal thoughts. But it advised doctors to monitor both adults and children for those symptoms, as well as possible side effects - including hostility, anxiety and severe restlessness - that could be precursors to suicide.

Full article: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.fda23mar23,0,1222330.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines

[Kyreii]

We would not want people to think they shouldn't seek help if they have symptoms of depression," Folcarelli said. "Depression can be a deadly illness."

Hmm according to this article, Prozac seems to be the most "safe" of these drugs... Maybe I should consult a doctor first... :( This is really frustrating...

[Nemesis]

Good grief, you make anti-depressants sound like candy bars. Yes, you need to see a doctor. You do not prescribe these things for yourself.

Which one works depends on you. You can't just up and decide "I'm depressed, I think I'll try out prozac." You need professional medical help before you do anything like this. It's the safest method.

Depression can be as much of a psychological disorder as it is a physical disorder. Just taking medication might not make it go away. See a doctor.

[Kinael]

Anti-depressants are not the answer to the problem. If they were, there wouldn't be so many cases. Also, while Prozac is most 'safe,' it still has its defects. Anyway, yeah, go see a doctor / talk to family before you think about prescribing yourself anything like Neme said.

[Pikachu]

God, we were just discussing the use of medication for EVERYTHING in biological ethics. You know, you have to think though, that if you go to your doctor... the medication he's prescribing might be because he's sponsored by pharmaceutical companies to say that this "medicine" works. Although, I doubt that they'd prescribe for the sake that they were sponsored by said compny... There can be other forms of 'solution' to this depression. I don't know which ones you've tried, but well... I wouldn't suggest pills/drugs to be your first choice.

[/mindless babble]

[kokochiyoi]

Go to a doctor first talk to someone about it, to your your friends, your family or whoever you feel comfortable with talking about this subject, don't let it go, take it serious, we all want you fine *hugs*

[dark angel]

I was on Paxil and then Celexa, for a long time. I was also however, also in therapy during that time. Having a combination of both is what really helped me.

A doctor is needed first. I can tell you that therapy is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Good luck hun...

[AnguishedBlade]

.............

........................Boy. Medical Science has done it's work. When someone was depressed you'd talk to them for a while and try to cheer them up. Nowadays.....all you gotta do is just pop this pill in your mouth for a year.

[Star of Sorrow]

I was on Paxil and then Celexa, for a long time. I was also however, also in therapy during that time. Having a combination of both is what really helped me.

A doctor is needed first. I can tell you that therapy is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Good luck hun...

Isn't Paxil for bipolar disorder?

I'm supposed to start taking some pscyotic drugs to help balance me out soon. *sigh* I'm also in therapy.

[Summer]

I was diagnosed with depression a long time ago. I don't take anything now but every few years I have to take pills for it. Apparently you need breaks from the stuff and you usually don't fell depressed when on these breaks if you do them at the right time.

I have taken St. Johns Wort and I don't recommend it. I was still felling depressed but my Mom said it helped me a lot when I took it but I didn't want to take it because I would have really headaches and stomachaches. I also took Celexa, I like this better than John. I wasn't depressed and I didn't fell any side effects. The only thing with Celexa is it's a newer drug so it's not known by many doctors and I don't think they know the long term side affects. (when I was taking it was like this, it might be better now)

I'm not trying to sound like an expert. This is my opinion about antidepressants and my own experiences but everyone reacts differently to the drugs. You need to go see a doctor about it if it's bother you a lot. I know it's annoying but after a while they will help.

I hope you feel better soon *big hug*

[Totchi]

It really depends on how you are and how the medications would work for you. That's the same way with every medication that you can take. Sometimes they work really well, but other times, they might not do anything at all. My sister talked to a counselor and then the counselor recommended the psychologist, so that's where she goes once every month and then the psychologist recommends and proscribes medication for her.

Another thing is if a person does get medication and take it for a little bit, if they get tired of it one day and believe that they don't need it anymore, it isn't healthy to just stop taking it. My sister had wanted to do that, but after taking something like that for a while, you can't just *stop* because it could do some serious damage... You have to space out the dosages over time, just like allergy shots.

... Yeah, I was a bit off topic, wasn't I?

Anyways, I do hope that you feel better, too! *hugs*

[Star of Sorrow]

Yeah. there could be some serious recupressions for suddenly stopping a medication that works with the chemicals in your brain....

[dark angel]

I took both medicines for Panic Disorder/Social Anxiety Disorder.

Paxil was bad for me. The thing with these medicines is that the chemical that it affects in your brain also resides in your stomach. So a lot of people, for the first week they take Paxil, puke a lot. Like me. And every time I missed a pill, when I took it the next day I'd feel sick ALL DAY.

As for Celexa, Celexa messed with my appetite. I was never hungry really. Celexa was much better than Paxil, but in general, the medicine didn't help as much as the therapy did. The pills were really because it got to the point where I couldn't go to school anymore and I was feeling nauseous for days on end b/c of the panic attacks.

I do wish I still had the medicines when I have panic attacks for no reason, which happens like once a month. But for panic attacks where I know the reason, I try to work it out on my own or my bf helps me through them. But panic attacks for no reason are the worst. You want to run into the wall in hopes you'll pass out instead of dealing with it.

I reccomend medicines, but I recommend them only for a little while till the worst is over, then continued therapy for treatment. During and after the pills.

[Star of Sorrow]

*nod, and shrugs*

I'm going to be starting Depakote.....then if that medince makes me gain weight, then I'm going to switch to Paxil. x.X If that doesn't work for me, we'll figure something out. *shrug*

[MaD_HaTtEr]

Well... I had a serious depression case 3 years ago and I wasnt allowed to take anything at all 'cause I'm allergic to lots of things, including some components of most anti-depressants. I also didnt tell anyone 'cause I'd feel a bit... weird about it. Now I wish I did... But to tell ya the truth, if it has a cause, I mean a psychological one, you dont really need medication. I had to sort things out myself and I had a very crappy 6 months depression (which seemed like an eternity!!!!) but in the end it helped me 'cause... It was MY effort, not some chemichal's.
The accumulation of many daily things can lead a more sensitive person to depression. Try doing something for relaxing before jumping to the conclusion you need medication. Meditation works very well for many people. This is only an example, of course. Avoid the routine and doing nothing (or too much stuff). Balance your work and affectuous life.
I know I may be suggesting stuff ya already know, but it's just that it's safer for you to try dealing with a depression without the use of drugs.
I hope ya feel better soon!!! If ya need to talk just tell me!! ^____^

[shinotenshi]

Who among you have tried any of these?

I have.

Which are the most effective?

pfft...I don't really know any more..so many after awhile gets to you and you stop caring...

Should I go to a doctor before taking these drugs?

that you should, that way you don't go getting hooked on them by accident.

Do they really help?

Yes they do but other's really have to help you out also, you can't just go relying on these types or drugs or else it'll cause some bad problems...take myself and a friend of mine as an example,
He was always hooked on some type of anti-depressor that he started to snort them thinking it would help him faster since it gave him a rush and smoothened things out. He took a bit too much and OverDosed, he came back to school after awhile but tweaked out on the drugs he was on again because he couldn't handle it...

I myself have had problems with the 'drugs' and had to force myself off of them, they weren't really helping any more and I don't like relying on anything other then myself. After a long time they finally made me feel like I was untouchable and I started on drugs...-digs through a few bottles of things she had- speed...helped with school but was a pain in the ass...thanx to the hospital, I'm a lot more fucked then I was when I was depressed.

-:- Point being?
Find the right doctor, get what is best perscribed to you, don't take too much but don't take too little. Find other sorces of help too. -points to hatty- he's right...friendly advice deary, take care...and you know me, drop me a line when ever you feel the need!

[Kyreii]

Mmmm... looks like anti-depressants aren't the way to go... Don't really want to go to a doctor... Maybve I was just looking for an excuse to get hooked on drugs...

[MaD_HaTtEr]

It's normal to try to find the easy way out. Dont feel bad 'cause of it. Just remember all the advice everyone gave ya!! ^_______^

[shinotenshi]

I agree, but dear Kyreii, you still might want to seek therapy, they can offer some type of support and help you find what is best for you in times like this.

[MaD_HaTtEr]

yeah, a friend of mine is attending a psychologist (not sure how to spell that in english, sorry if the word is totally sensless!!! xD) and its working fine and dandy by her, I think... o.o

[shinotenshi]

gew, that's no good...hope she is doing ok, that's the good thing...*nods to this*

[Pikachu]

Going to a doctor, has somewhat slightly better sideeffects that immeidately taking drugs. At least the risks of the drugs you are/will be taking would be laid out for you, so you'd know what you're diving into.

[Star of Sorrow]

That's true.

BTW: I'm now on Geodon. *shrug*

[shinotenshi]

I'm on zoloft or something along with about..-tosses a few bottles- 3 other types of drugs, ones name's that even I can't pronounce...well I can but, blah!

[kokochiyoi]

I'm doing tourism and touristic firms direction (sp?) lol

[shinotenshi]

-cracks up- that helps out...

[Ashuriel]

Kyreii, u form the Philippines right?
1. They don't sell good anti-depressants here
2. Good psychiatrists here have already fled to the US

Yeah, I guess just have fun and keep yourself busy. Just get busy busy busy. It helps sometimes. ^^;

[Star of Sorrow]

I've heard about that, Ashuriel. =/ One of my friends is stuck in Philippines for about six years after she graduates because she was on scholarship.

[Kyreii]

Hmm...Guess I'm stuck with my guidance counselor then...

[kokochiyoi]

that's good?

[silentCHAOS]

Pills aren't always the way to go, no matter how convincing the Zoloft commercial white-beaked-blobs may be. Humans are social creatures, so it's usually better to talk things out with friends/family/counselor/therapist before begging your doctor to prescribe something. But, hey, if your counselor or whoever thinks some kind of anti-depressant may be right for you, I'd say go with them. They know more than you ^_^ It's what they get paid for...

Hoping this isn't too off-topic... I have depression, or something, because sometimes I hit so low it feels like I'd have to tunnel up just to reach rock bottom. (Ever tried tunneling through bedrock?) Anyway, I don't really want to get anti-depressants or counseling, because I'm an artist-- you take away my demons, you take away my angels. I'm afraid I won't have the inspiration to do anything if I feel differently. Worse, I'm afraid I'll forget how to draw or something... my attention span's selective as it is, and if I was happier-- I think I'd spontaneously develop ADD.

Back to topic... I hope you feel better, and I hope that you find something to help ^_^ Sometimes a change in routine will help (I know someone already said that...) you know, buy something/treat yourself to something, take a vacation, make a friend, something that's not the usual ritual. Buy yourself a present! ^.^

[kokochiyoi]

best anti-depressant is sex

[Kyreii]

Well... koko... not everyone has access to that kind of cure. ^^ Our country is very fucking conservative.

[kokochiyoi]

It's for something good, for a good action ^^

[~lofo~]

lol koko ^.^

i would definitely not recommend anti-depressants. i was in a very low phase, as maybe you are (i don't know), and i really needed something, some help - and i didn't give a shit as to which form it was - or else i was sure to not make it. but a friend, who had been taking anti-depressants for a while, told me i shouldn't even get into it. the medicine doesn't even help you, the only thing it does, is make you become emotionless. it's also quite logical, because when you feel like a zombie, you can't be depressed about anything, you flat out don't care anymore. and that's no way to deal with problems.

you said, that you're not to hot on talking with a doctor. well if you're uncomfy then don't, but find a friend that you can talk to. i felt very uncomfortable talking with experts, they ask you all these wierd questions that drive you nuts (...), i couldn't stand that. i tried talking with different friends (of my age, i.e. teenagers) and that didn't work out, because most had their own problems, or didn't know themselves, how to deal with certain problems such as mine. one friend told me, to find a teacher i could trust and talk with him. i thought: are you crazy man? i'm not gonna talk about personal stuff with a teacher?! a year afterwards though, i did, and i can say, that was the best cure. no medicine can replace that. the way he "cured" me, is that: he had more life experience than i did (and he went through the same as i did), and learned how to deal with certain problems and even depression; he listened to me - just talking to someone and knowing that this person understand you helps alot - and always told something out of his life and how he dealt with it; he trusted me, and gave me self-confidence, which i think is one of the most important things (if you have a different attitude on things, a more positive one, it can change your life!) and believed in me that i could make it.

i'm not saying, go find yourself a teacher to talk to. but find yourself someone, who you can trust and whom you think you can share this burden with. everyone has to some extent problems, and everyone - i think - should be able to get through it without medical help (if it's a mental problem, and not something with your body). i wish you lots of love to get through this! *big-hug*

[SakuraKira]

I did not read a majority of the replies already posted, but I'm just going ahead with my own anyway.

The cause of depression is one of 3 factors: 1) a chemical imablance in the brain, which can be treated with certain drugs, 2) psychological reasons, which are talked about and worked through with a psyshologist, 3) a combination of both.

I know that several people have already said this, but seeing a doctor FIRST is the best thing. A psychologist (who will send you to a) or psychiatrist may prescribe something to you temporarily, a sort of happy pill, in order to relieve your feelings of depression a bit so that your psychological problems (if any) can be discovered and worked through.

I know that wanting to just take somethng and make the feelings go away is tempting, but you must also realize that drugs can be harmful to you and are not to be taken lightly. I'd also like to mention that teenagers (and I'm assuming you are one since most of the members of Met are) often suffer from depression due to the hormonal changes in their bodies, pressure to succeed in high school, and a brain that is still growing; so really it might be something that you will just grow out of in time.

[Star of Sorrow]

Defnitely what Kira said. I just got put on anti depressants.....I still need to go see a psycharist. But anyhows, they are not a thing to mess with. I'm basically bored all the time now since I've started...I don't know how to describe it, but if I'm still feeling the effects to THAT extent and I'm 20 years old....it would probably be similar to what you would feel with the antidepressents.

Nothing excites you, nothing makes you upset or happy, pretty much nothing riles you up. It's generally not good for a human being to be without any emotion.

[Khisanth Magus]

I always seriously discourage any type of medicine in psychological cases(such as depression) unless there is a proven physical problem causing it. I have a friend who has been taking assorted drugs for these things for years. She was originally diagnosed with chronic depression, and promptly put on pills that made her worse. After a while she realized this and stopped them, and went back to the counselor. They then diagnosed her with bipolar syndrom and got her on another set of pills. And trust me, as someone who has an unofficial job of counseling about a half dozen people over the internet, these also have, if anything, made her worse.

I was in "counseling" for a while last year, due to chronic depression that had haunted me for years and had finally come to a head. I flat out refused to take any drugs. The counseling was also complete BS. In the end with the help of a friend I was able to sort out my problems on my own and am somewhat on the mend now.

That brings me to counselors. See a real psychiatrist. "Counselor" is just another word for "half-trained psychiatrist" in most cases. They are complete quacks half the time. I know mine was.

[Oxygen]

I can identify with Kyreii; whom by now, I hope, has settled all the problems. I've done a lot of research on this depression thing. I've come up with atypical depression to be the closest to what I think I suffer from. But most of the times, the depression phase does goes away. They return only when something bad happens, like when I get dealt with serious disappointment or when I'm lonely.

Loneliness is a real killer. I'm 18, and I fear going to bed, because that's the time no one will be near you to distract you from inner turmoil. Then I was attached for a while, I considered finding a way to go and sleep with my boyfriend every night. (mind you, when I say sleep, its really just getting rest.) Of course, that wasn't going to happen.

Nothing has happened, I'm still wondering if I'm mad, or I am just angsty...

[Kyreii]

Yep, I'm not depressed anymore. Why? I figured out this simple truth.

I can't solve all the world's problems nor was I meant to. Not everything is my fault, I shouldn't have been that concieted.

Anyways, I'm acting as the counselor of some of my friends... wierd ain't it?

[Oxygen]

Its always good to improve. Nah, not weird.. I think you're great. Its like you've seen the light after everything. Good for you, Kyreii.

[Kyreii]

Yep, but the light isn't everything I thought it is. Depression seeps in after a while. I think I actually miss being depressed, or am I just unsuitable to change?

[Kititt]

A lot of people who use the whole, You don't need meds. Blah Blah Blah. There's another way. Getting over it without meds is better, blah blah blah. Yes, if you're able to get past depression or whatever it is without meds, hell you deserve a prize. I'm proud for you. But sometimes, not matter how hard you try, you just can't. I was diagnosed with Severe Chronic Depression this past summer. I had spent the past few years trying to get by without meds, because I used to be one of those people, and to a certain extent, still am. But, without help of meds, I wouldn't have been able to make it. I can't really talk to anyone, counceling doesn't really work for me. Mainly because I just...can't trust some stranger like that. So meds are the only other professional option. And so far they've worked. I was a lucky person that got the right stuff the first try. You really have to be careful about that. The wrong pill can make everything worse. A lot worse. The right one will make you amazed.

Eh, I guess I'm just trying to say that pills worked for me. They're a good option, but should be a last resort. Try everything else first, then go to meds.

[Kyreii]

thanks. I guess it really depends on the person. It may be a case by case basis.