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advice on anti-depressants

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#1 Oct 19 - 11AM
MissM
MissM's picture

advice on anti-depressants

can anyone share their experiences of taking AD's and how they felt while on them?

I've been trying everything to avoid going to the doctor with my depression. It's the aftermath of exCop, plus 4 years before that with a true N and I just can't see things getting better. The anxiety has gone and it's hard to describe what is left. Existing not living, being on the outside looking in. Worst is the hopelessness. I'm starting to worry about where i'll live when i'm old and worrying about being a burden on my younger brother - i'm only 40 and know i shouldn't be thinking like this.

What do AD's do exactly?

Oct 20 - 4PM
tasha
tasha's picture

hi MissM

I did'nt want to take them. But my anxiety was getting the best of me and therapy was'nt working alone. It was like I was 'stuck' in this mind set and coul'nt get out. Since starting them I have been much better. Anxiety's gone and I'm getting on with it. I'm happy-ish. I take Lexapro-which is of the same family as Zoloft. It's taken the edge off what I've been going through and has helped me see things alot clearer.
Oct 20 - 8AM
MissM
MissM's picture

thanks all of you for

thanks all of you for sharing you experiences and for your advice. I hate that he is probably swanning around cocky, confident and arrogant as ever, barely able to remember my name - and here I am considering AD's. It's true there's a stigma attached to them and this is really putting me off. I'm going to see my doctor and look into alternative therapies more closely. If I find anything really useful/worth a try, i'll let you all know.
Oct 19 - 10PM
cupcake (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Meds

I took a long time to decide whether or not to take anti-depressents because of the stigma. Having made the decision about 6 weeks ago to start taking them I feel a massive difference. At first I was sort of numbed from the pain I usually feel but now I feel more balanced and I didn't start to notice a shift or a change until I started them. I would recommend them, coming from a girl that is very "anti" anti-depressents - they have made a big improvement and I would reccomend it to anyone in need!!
Oct 19 - 1PM
time_to_move_on
time_to_move_on's picture

I've been on them

A few times. For me, they help me get back on my feet and let me think more clearly. But I also know people who have tried them and they say they don't agree with them. The people I know who are vehemently against them seem to think that once you're on them that's it (and they can have some side-effects) but that's not the case with me. I take them for 3-6 mths generally . Are you getting counselling/therapy too? I find if I'm doing that things and combine with Ads (when I'm really bad, sometimes I get depressed and want to cry all the time), it's more effective. I've had life-long battle with depression, after childhood issues, ADs haven't solved everything, they just help me. Tend to break-down the barrier I seem to get between me and others when I'm very depressed. They just give me a "little lift", I'm not a bundle of joy on them. But they help me. It may be worth discussing things in finer details with a medical professional, I may be biased.
Oct 19 - 1PM (Reply to #2)
Barbara (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

antidepressants

I have been on a maintenance dose of Zoloft for 6 years now and I am sorry I hesitated taking it! It took about 4-5 weeks but I felt much calmer, less 'snippy', less anxious, sleep better and MUCH less of a short fuse! They don't eliminate your problems but as my late therapist said "when you get to the end of your rope, they give you more rope." Also, they help combat the hormonal changes in your brain that have happened 1. due to the Narcs brainwashing & hypnosis and 2. the lessening of serotonin due to the abuse. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Pathologicals only discard the best, most precious of gems of people... not the worst. They despise the strong, principled, decent & honest. Their discarding of you is then their highest commendation of your worth!" - A.V.
Oct 19 - 11PM (Reply to #7)
MsMGM (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Effects of Anti D's.....

Barbara, Last paragraph of your response is a great explanation. I have never taken antidepressants, however, I am a Medical rep and sell AntiD's. I hear amazing stories of how they have changed many lives. Dosing is important. For those that have reached out for them and have experienced the benefit, good for you!
Oct 20 - 12AM (Reply to #8)
Barbara (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

MsMGM

I first tried Zoloft when I was dx'd with Fibromyalgia, CFIDS, Chronic Myofascial pain, Atypical M.S. and so on. It was awful. I had to stop right away as my brain couldn't take it. 2 years later... I was given Prozac for severe Post Partum Depression. It worked o.k. but I got off it as soon as I got better - it was really too much for me. a couple months after Psycho-Boy started love-bombing me I felt like there was a wet towel over my brain. I couldn't think straight or focus. (I had no idea about seductive mind control or oxytocin, etc). My therapist put me on Zoloft again. Within 4 weeks I suddenly realized I wasn't tense all the time, my anxiety was much much much better. Since then if I forget to take it for more than one day... I can really tell. ADs aren't for everyone but Pathologicals do such horrible things to our brain chemistry... don't say no. I had a client for a while who was a Bible-thumping Xtian and her pastor told her to never take anti-depressants. She was sexually abused for 2 years by a Deacon from her church. She ended up in the hospital for a suicide attempt when he D&D'd her and still wouldn't take ADs. She went back to the hospital 6 months later from a mental breakdown. She's on them now and doing much better (and she's changed churches) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Pathologicals only discard the best, most precious of gems of people... not the worst. They despise the strong, principled, decent & honest. Their discarding of you is then their highest commendation of your worth!" - A.V.
Oct 19 - 10PM (Reply to #3)
malloryforest
malloryforest's picture

I love my antidepressants

I know that there is still a lot of stigma around antidepressents and there is a lot of misinformation out in the public. I have been taking medicine for some time. I have suffored from bouts of depression ever since I was a young girl. For me, the medicine is a life boat. You don't feel euphoric. You don't feel flat. I experience a full range of emotions, but the medicine keeps those emotions in a healthy range. It took me a few weeks of trial and error to find the right medicine for me. THere is nothing wrong with trying it. If you give it a few months, and it isn't what you want, you can always stop taking the medicine with the guidance of your doctor. It doesn't make you weak to need help.....
Oct 20 - 8AM (Reply to #4)
Susan31 (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

Did they make u put on weight?

'What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and yet lose his soul?' -Oscar Wilde
Oct 20 - 9AM (Reply to #6)
malloryforest
malloryforest's picture

Some do and some don't

If you are concerned about weight gain, talk to your doctor. There are plenty to choose from. The most important thing is to find one that works best for you. I take Lexapro. It is a pretty clean drug, meaning it has very few side effects.
Oct 20 - 8AM (Reply to #5)
Barbara (not verified)
Anonymous's picture

not always

Zoloft actually has anti-insulin properties. http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100144756 you will have to ask the doctor about others that do not cause weight gain. They are out there. BTW: http://www.lisaescott.com/forum/2009/06/16/my-narchusband-responsible-my-weight-gain ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Pathologicals only discard the best, most precious of gems of people... not the worst. They despise the strong, principled, decent & honest. Their discarding of you is then their highest commendation of your worth!" - A.V.