Views on anti-depressants

[Matt Rogers]

I have struggled with depression in the past, and over the last half year or so it has got worse. In the past I tried Effexor for a bit but saw no benefit and did not like the side-effects. When I came off it over time I made quite a lot of improvement although even at my best, was not really my old self pre-depression. Over the last few months some of the tell tale symptons are coming back: poor sleep wakng up in the night, tired all the time, and loss of motivation to do anything. I am not sure why this is, as I have dealt with a lot of my past issues and life on paper is going quite well for me-I just feel flat all the time and have no interest in anything.

I have spoken to a few people I know who have been greatly helped by antidepressants but a lot of research on the net seems to suggest they have little more than a placebo effect and only work in around 1/3 of cases, and have nasty side-effects.

Has anyone had any personal experience with anti-depressants and if so did they help? when you came off them did you relapse?

 

[FreeStyleZ]

I used to be extermely shy and not have many friends in beginning of high school.... i went on paxil and had LOTS of friends, LOTS of confidence, and got my first girlfriend ever. Id say it changed my life. Ive been off it for like 2 years now. I went on prozac for a little bit because I lacked motivation and had went on a down cycle but still didnt have any problems socially. Ive been off prozac for probably 6 months now and seem to be SOMEWHAT down in spirits, just dont have the energetic personality i did when on prozac... i am not as motivated either or as ambitious/focused. It's NOWHERE near as bad was it was before i ever went on paxil... i was scared of communication and being social then... and now its just that i dont feel any desire to meet new people. I still hang with friends, go out, and have fun.. but i am starting to notice a small difference in my motivation, could just be the changing of seasons though. Who knows, im going to try and ride it out.

 

[tom121]

paxil may have addictive effect or side effect

as for prozac I don't know

I plan to start take one anti-drpress drug but I am gonna have to ask my family doctor about it, would it go on the record? and my family will be notified about it? if I get over-counters I don't want to have any side effects or addiction


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in this test I got 62, which it said print out to my doctor

http://www.prozac.com/common_pages/quiz.jsp

 

[Alpine]

Freestyle, looks like you have had some positive results from taking them, and now you are coping without. That's great.

I really don't want to sound like a patronizing old fart, but you young guys always amaze me with the speed you reach for the magic pill, be it to put on 20lbs or lose 20lbs or just feel happy.

There is evidence emerging (after being suppressed) that certain SSRIs have been linked to high suicide rates in teenagers and even people in their 20s.

The pharm, companies' marketing people have been pushing them for social phobias as well as depression, this too has now been ratted out as bollocks research.

Don't get me wrong I'm not anti meds, just anti bad med marketing/deception.

If you really are that fed up, get some counselling, CBT has probably the best outcomes, but all should help.