Anti-Depressants

[Jumplion]

Medication works for some people and for others it doesn't. If you do plan on going on medication, exercise caution when using them as different types of medication do different things to different people.

As I was medicated for a short period of time, I don't really see meds as "crippling" on somebody. If anything, saying that taking meds shows "weakness" also shows that the person can't accept help when he/she needs it. You need help, there is absolutely no shame in taking medication or therapy or whatever.

If you truly believe you can go through this without medication, all the more power to you. However, when treated properly, medication can help with your mental well being. Just be careful with what you take as some anti-depressants will not work as well with you as they do with another person. As others have said, exercise can be useful to you if you put in the effort.

Are depressive people sad because they are depressive or do they have specific reasons for being sad?

Yeah, I've always wondered this.

Excuse my ignorance, but is serious medical depression just an inability to cope with life, and thus you find things generally hard to deal with and get depressed, or is it triggered by a certain event that sends you spiraling into depression?

Again, sorry for my ignorance and apologies for any offense caused.

The way I see (and dealt with) it, depression isn't the inability to cope with life, it's the inability to believe that you can cope with life. It's not that clinically depressed people are just sad, it's that they feel as if they can't do anything about their sadness. It's really something you can't describe unless you've truly been there before. Regular depression can be caused by any sad event, really, but the hard stuff is the clinical type which is caused by a number of different factors.

 

[Womplord]

I actually started antidepressants 5 days ago. I'm taking one called Lexapro, even though there are many different types which have different effects. The doctor said that it would take a few weeks to come into effect but it happened like straight away (although other effects might happen later). Anyway, here is my account of it:

Day 1: Went to the doctor and he asked if I wanted to start antidepressants and I said yes. Took first pill, after a few hours the effects started to become really strong. I had a headache, was tired and sleepy, was shivering all over a lot, tiny bit of diahrea, few other effects, but mainly of all was the weird feeling which I think is the intended feeling of the drug. It was my first day so it was really strong, I felt totally that I wasn't myself, really spaced out all day. Tried to fap and actually couldn't (this drug has that effect) and I had a way less sex drive

Day 2: Basically took the drug in the morning, had an increased sense of acceptance and well being for the day. Was kind of sleepy, slightly lowered heart rate. Actually was really good for my depression, felt a lot better. Was a really weird feeling as well. I fapped today and didn't feel anything on orgasm, it was like emptying my bladder.

Day 3: Basically the same as day 2 until night. This day I realised one of the reasons the drug felt so weird: I was basically void of all emotion. This is really hard to describe. I couldn't actually feel any emotion, but I sort of knew what I was feeling in my head. But the main reason the drug is weird is the weird spaced out feeling. At night I was up really late because I slept in the afternoon because the drug makes you tired. Anyway, I think the drug was wearing off and I started having wild mood swings and it was really weird and I couldn't sleep for ages.

Day 4: Woke up feeling really depressed and like I was a mess, but I took the lexapro, and I was feeling pretty good (with the sense of acceptance and well being). I went for walks in the park for ages like I did on previous days. In the afternoon I started feeling really depressed again, even though I can't really feel anything. It was sort of like you know what you are feeling somehow. However I wasn't agitated like I normally do with my weird kind of depression. I was really apathetic today, more than I was on the other days. Managed to not sleep in the afternoon, but I was lying around all day and in the park I was lying still on the grass for ages. Went to bed early.

Day 5: Woke up feeling pretty good, I guess cause of the really good night sleep. Took the lexapro in the morning and I have the good feeling of the drug again, not as strong as before though. The effect has been weakening every day.

Anyway, I'm glad I took it. I focused more on the negatives in this account. I was really severely depressed and I needed something and this drug makes me feel a lot better, the negatives aren't really that bad and I think I am acting more like my old self. One of the main things is that I was not really angry and wound up like I was before (I have a weird kind of depression), I would definitely recommend it, especially for severe depression. It will let me focus on other things, like psychologist meetings when I start.

Ask me if you have any questions!

 

[ran88dom99]

What exactly do the pills do? Do they make ppl unconditionally happy or or more interested in stuff or make everything seem important or something else? What happens to a normal person who takes the happy pills?

 

[Lord Mountbatten Reborn]

OP: take the fucking pills. There's something wrong with you, you're sick, you know how you get better from an illness? by taking you god damn pills.

I hear of a lot of cases of medication, particularly for mental health, just making things worse. There is no guarantee that taking the pills will make things better.

 

[SailorShale]

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Snip'd

I do have a workout routine and I occasionally run (if the wind would ever settle down) and I've been doing that for some months but it hasn't worked. I'll get into a big bout of depression, then just stop, then I start working on it again, then have to stop, and it's just been going like that. The will to continue to exercise vanishes (due to mood or lack of energy) so I don't believe it's working, sadly.

 

[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.

 

[Cpu46]

Are depressive people sad because they are depressive or do they have specific reasons for being sad?

It can be a mix of both, sometimes there is a trigger and sometimes there isn't. Honestly, in my opinion it is better if there is a trigger because when there isn't you often times get mad or frustrated with yourself.

Also Clinical Depression is often times a mix of low mood and self esteem as well as a loss of interest and pleasure caused by the brain not absorbing the Seratonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. So it's not just sadness.

I can't help but think that if I'm ever happy, is it me? Or the pills working?

It is pretty much all you, your body is producing the chemicals that are supposed to make you happy, all the pills are doing is helping your brain absorb those chemicals.

 

[SailorShale]

What exactly do the pills do? Do they make ppl unconditionally happy or or more interested in stuff or make everything seem important or something else? What happens to a normal person who takes the happy pills?

It's suppose to help do something in the brain to make moods more stable. They're not suppose to be "happy pills". But the pills don't always have the desired effect though. Sometimes they make things worse, sometimes better. And if a person who didn't need them took them, I dunno. I guess it'd just mess up their mood then.

 

[Dogstile]

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

 

[sunami88]

Try em out. If they work for you, stay on them; If they don't? Don't.

Doesn't mean you have to take them for the rest of your life. Who knows, you might just need a little help to get you through College. Once that's all done with and you're out in the world, you might find you don't even need them any more.

There's no shame in it, and it's worth a try. That's my $0.02 CAD.

 

[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.

 

[VivaciousDeimos]

Are depressive people sad because they are depressive or do they have specific reasons for being sad?

Yeah, I've always wondered this.

Excuse my ignorance, but is serious medical depression just an inability to cope with life, and thus you find things generally hard to deal with and get depressed, or is it triggered by a certain event that sends you spiraling into depression?

Again, sorry for my ignorance and apologies for any offense caused.

Nothing wrong with asking a question

It's different for everyone. For some people it's a hormonal imbalance, issues with serotonin or other chemicals. And some even suggest it's genetic in certain people. Other times it can be a major event, like an accident or a death.

But I wouldn't say it's an inability to cope with life so much as a...*sighs*...it's very difficult to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it from the inside. A lot of people assume it just makes you feel sad, and you should just magically feel better, but that's not the way it works. Sadness is just a symptom of depression, one of many. Basically, at least in my experiences, it's your brain telling you, everyday, "You are worthless. Why even bother?" Your own brain chemistry is working against you. And it's not always about feeling sad, sometimes it's about feeling empty. And then feeling sad or frustrated because you can't feel anything. A good analogy I've heard is it's like dragging around a wet fishing net with you everywhere you go.

To the OP:

Before you take drugs, try taking up exercise.

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

This is very true, and good advice. I know having depression can make wanting to exercise seemingly impossible, but if you can get yourself into a routine it may help quite a bit.

The other thing with medication I would add is this: You are your best advocate. If you go on a drug and feel it isn't working, talk to your doctor. There are a lot of different types of anti-depressants available, and it might take time to find which one, and what dosage, works for you. Don't be afraid to speak up if something doesn't feel right.

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

Spoiler

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've been taking antidepressants for years, and have never felt anything close to handicapped.

If your doctor thinks it's a good move, I'd go with it.

 

[Dectomax]

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I do have a workout routine and I occasionally run (if the wind would ever settle down) and I've been doing that for some months but it hasn't worked. I'll get into a big bout of depression, then just stop, then I start working on it again, then have to stop, and it's just been going like that. The will to continue to exercise vanishes (due to mood or lack of energy) so I don't believe it's working, sadly.

Then it's willpower. I have one thing for that.

You have to tell yourself no matter what, you ARE going to get up and do that. You WILL complete and you WILL beat it. Consider it a challenge, something to beat. Something that you must complete before you can move on. Everytime you feel like you can't do it, that you don't want to do anything, get up and run. Smash out as many Press-ups as you can anything to get yourself moving and prove that YOU can beat it.

 

[EvilPicnic]

Try the medication, if you get on with them they can be a real help.

But everyone responds differently. I personally found that counselling and CBT had a very real tangible effect, but I never felt anything from the drugs other than the side effects.

[EDIT}

And fucking hell, there is some awful advice on this thread.

I'm a physiotherapist who has worked with people with depression (exercise can help, but not always), as well as suffering crippling depression myself from time to time and currently going through a pretty rough patch...

And I say

Ignore this thread

Trust your doctor and any other healthcare professionals involved, and build up a relationship with them. They're not trying to hurt you, the exact opposite.

Asking randomers on this gaming website will not help you with your medical condition. Depression is a very personal illness, and Joe Bloggs ignorantly telling you what helped or not in his case has no bearing on yourself, and may bias you against treatments that might help.

So please, stop reading.
[/EDIT}

 

[Grabbin Keelz]

Friends help. Not girlfriends, those are two completely different things.
although they might help too......maybe

 

[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.