Thoughts on antidepressants

The Coffee Shop
1

Hi,

I am using a new username because I feel this is a personal matter and I am hoping someone out there can help. My psychologist recently suggested I start on Lexapro for my depression. I have all the symptoms whether I like to admit it or not. I am a little hesitant to take a mind altering drug. Side effects are a little scary and I do not want to be dependant on prescriptions for the rest of my life. I know triathlon and working out helps but I cannot run all flippin day. Anybody been there?

Thanks.

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I would give this advice to anyone with any diagnosis or recommended treatment from any physician, psychologist or other:

Get a second professional opinion before making any decisions on treatment.

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Also know that antidepressants don’t have to be a “rest of my life” treatment either!!

4

Since you’re posting anonymously, maybe you could go into detail about your symptoms? The use of SSRI’s and other mood enhancers/antidepressants are certainly beneficial to some, but completely unnecessary for others and may actually mask a natural, normal response to some underlying issues that may be causing your depression. There are, of course, cases where an organic chemical imbalance can be corrected with one simple pill. This is why I strongly recommend a second opinion; it’s your health and well-being on the line, and you owe it to yourself and your family to get the best advice available.

5

decreased: appetite, motivation, sleep, focus…

increased: irritability, especially at work and not neccesarily at home, anxiety, thoughts of guilt…

6

I have been on Paxil for several years; in addition to mild side effects, it does have its pluses and minuses.

On the plus side, it does even out the ups and downs. My family can actually tolerate to be around me when I’m dosed.

On the minus side, these pills take away a part of your personality. For example, I used to be very artisitic/creative. Now I just don’t see/feel things the way I used to. I hope this makes sense as it is a bit hard to describe.

And please don’t be fooled into thinking you just can stop taking these drugs one day and be perfectly normal. My brother, also a manic depressive, stopped taking his “mood pills” when he felt they were no longer working. He went into a rapid downward spiral and ended up killing himself.

I consider my medication a life long commitment. Hope this helps.

7

If you are depressed, and are having problems getting over the depression which can often last months or years, take something for it. The question is not whether you should take something for your depression, but which medication and at what dosage, and for how long. The medications all affect persons differently, so you may have to try a few until you find one that helps with little side effects.

However, I think the most important issue is whether you should be taking anti-anxiety medication. I think that people often take anti-depressants when they should be taking anti-anxiety medication. Less impact on the body, and often has the same result.

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The symptoms have been going on for how long? it could be some seasonal stuff…

9

newname,

THere have been several people on this site who have been there (myself included). So know that you aren’t alone by any stretch. I might refer you to a thread that is about a year old but gets resurrected every couple of months. Fitnesscoach started it and it is called “depression-questions…” or something like that (it was about being functionally depressed). THere really is a lot of good things in that thread, some good advice, some good stories.

I totally relate to your apprehension about taking medication. Depending on what your specific diagnosis is, it may or may not be a medication you will have to take your whole life. Counselling can help a lot too, especially in conjunction with a medication.

The side effects are very personal. I didn’t have side effects that bad (gum disease, weird dreams and the need to sleep 8 hours a day were the only ones). Certainly it was better than where I was with the depression.

Feel free to PM me if you want more personal details. But really check out that thread, I think you’ll find it informative.

Good luck.

Bernie

10

My humble opinion,

I look at clinical depression this way: Everyone has a certain baseline mood. When stressors occur, our mood dips. People with depression have a lower baseline, or they may react in a more profound way to stressors. The antidepressants help smooth out the bumps and raise the baseline. It is not something you can suck up and deal with. If you need them, you need them. It is a chemical imbalance. Antidepressants have come a long way as far as effectiveness and minimal side effects. Sometimes it may take a trial of a few to determine the best one with the minimal side effects for you. Tell your psychologist/psychiatrist if you have any family history and what drugs worked for family members.

Also, keep in mind that an internet forum may be good for opinions, but that is about it. Go with your MD’s advice.

It sounds as though you are on the right track and are able to recognize your problem. That is a huge step.

Good luck.

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However, I think the most important issue is whether you should be taking anti-anxiety medication. I think that people often take anti-depressants when they should be taking anti-anxiety medication. Less impact on the body, and often has the same result.
Actually the drugs to treat both anxiety and depression are very similar. Well, unless you’re talking about heavy duty stuff like Lithium.

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decreased: appetite, motivation, sleep, focus...

increased: irritability, especially at work and not neccesarily at home, anxiety, thoughts of guilt…

Hmm… sounds like Transient Affective Personality Exercise Reduction syndrome, also known as TAPER madness :wink:

(sorry, couldn’t resist - I’ve got a touch of that myself right now.)

But it made you smile, didn’t it? See, we’re making progress already!

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The symptoms have been going on for how long? it could be some seasonal stuff…

Don’t take this the wrong way, but your statement is the most common response to people who suffer from depression. “Come on, this is temporary, shake it off.” This is an extremely dangerous thing to tell someone who is clinically depressed. Also, IMO, it is one of the leading reasons people feel ashamed to take medication and to post information under a real username. Newname obviously has reasons to believe something is wrong. We should take this at face value.

“Seasonal stuff?” We’re not talking about hayfever here. And the Christmas/holiday season happens to be the worst time of year for people who suffer from depression.

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Actually, I was just asking how long…because if it’s been going on for 2 weeks, it’s obviously not the same thing as for 3 months…

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No problem. I understand. I just really doubt he’d be to this point if it was a two week thing.

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You’re probably right.

17

I have been feeling this way now for several weeks. This is not a seasonal thing…to be honest I am facing a situation at home where I may lose my wife and child through divorce. It is the last thing I want.

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Newname,

With all due respect, go see your medical professional, and follow their advice. You appear to have a lot going on right now and although there are some knowledgeable people on this board, they cannot help you in the way that your physican can. I hope the best for you and your family.

If the pressure/stress seems to be overwhelming and you have even the faintest thoughts of harming yourself or others, please go to your nearest ER.

I’m not the praying type, but I’m sending good thoughts your way.

-S-Man

19

A few years ago…I was sleeping all the time, I was late to work, I didn’t want to talk to anyone…I had gone through these spells before, but after a day or so of good running, I was fine. This time however, I didn’t even want to work out. Well, I wanted to, but I would take a nap and think I’d go later, then never did. Soooo…after about a month of this (I hid it very well from everyone) I realized I needed to see someone. I went to the dr, who refered me to a phychologist. I was diagnosed with dysthimic disorder…basically a mild depression that comes and goes…not seasonal, since I live in Hawaii (although last spring when it rained for 40+ days straight I was seriously more depressed’ than normal)

That afternoon, they wrote me a prescription for Lexapro. Before I got the prescription filled, I suddenly felt better, I went for a run and it was like everytyhing was better. I had the prescription filled and took it for 6 months. I was sooooo much happier. I didn’t procrastinate on the things that would cause me anxiety, I was back to my normal self.

I stopped taking the meds after about 6 months. I still have a prescription if I think I need to take it, but during that time that I was on the meds, I looked at what things had caused me anxiety and realized how much easier it was just to tackle them head on, not delay and keep the anxiety going. I also changed a few things (I got a new job that I enjoyed much more, when before I was unhappy in my job, but didn’t really care to change it).

I thought it was interesting knowing that as soon as I had a solution (got the prescription written), I was much happier. Now, everyonce in a while, if I’m struggling with something, I’ll take the meds for a week or two, but for me just knowing that they will work if I really need them, and from what I learned about my anxiety/depression before has helped me mostly stay off of them.

I also know that I only told the psychologist about 1/4 of my issues, and realistically, I am probably closer to clinical depression than dysthimic disorder (this has also been confirmed by seeing another psychologist a couple of times).

So what I’m saying is that if you take the drugs, but dont’ want to have to take them forever, there are things you can learn to do to help. For instance, when you take the drugs and you deal with something one way when you are on the meds, take note of it, and make a point of making sure you’ll do that when you go off the meds. Yeah, it’s easier to say than to do. For instance, I know how exercising (running mostly) really helps me feel better, so now I make sure I run when I’m starting to feel that downward spiral.

During the time I was on the meds I also got another dog (now I have two), and when I’m starting to feel down, I take them hiking. Animals are a great depression/anxiety reliever, and they are soooo happy when I hike with them, and that makes me feel good.

Hope this helps.

PM me if you have other questions etc…

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No thoughts of anything harmful to myself or others. Just severley sad.