Do antidepressants work and are side effects worth it?

Answer 1

I've neever been on prescription antidepressants, but I have needed them. What I used to take was St. John's Wort. You can get it in pill form, and if you take it at the same time every day, it balances you out really nicely, really naturally and with no prescription.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It worked for me when I needed them and the side effects weren't horrible. At the time I took them the few side effects I experienced were worth it, excessive yawning, even excessive sweating and weight gain were all worth it. Now i am anti depressant free and five pounds lighter than when I got married. I had no problem getting off the medication like many people seem to. Over all I had a good experience with the one anti depressant I was on the longest. It was trial and error to find the one that worked for me and talking to a therapist along with the meds was the best. I have read of many people who have had bad experiences but mine was a very good one and I don't need the drug anymore. I guess it shows that every ones body chemistry is different.

Answer 3

I have been on anti-depressants for years. I tried several of them before I found one that worked. (Wellbutrin).

The side effects are minimal, and it is certainly better then being on the verge of tears or worse when something goes wrong.

No, think positive lectures from clueless people, I have been in almost constant pain for over 7 years, I had brain surgery in the hople of relieving the pain and instead lost 50% of my hearing.

For over a year now I have been unemployed, I have filled out over 150 job applications. And I can still keep it together, I go to school and I can function.

Answer 4

I just started taking them a little over a month ago. Thay have been working very well for me. I have a lot more energy and im not eating as much, which is fine with with me since i'm a little overweight anyway. The only side effect that I've noticed is delayed orgasm.

Answer 5

Sometimes you have to try more than one kind to see which works best for you. The side effects can be temporary and go away once your body adjusts to the meds, or they can be consistent as long as you're on it. The best one for me is Wellbutrin XL. No side effects once I was on it for about a week. The thing to remember is that it helps you function, but if your depression is linked to certain situations in your life (bad relationships, bad or no job, etc) those things won't just go away. Once you start feeling better, keep working on those things (therapy, self care, etc.) And don't just stop taking the meds once you feel better. They have to be gradually reduced, so you're "weaned off" them. Good luck.

Answer 6

I have been taking Effexor now for almost 4 years and it has been a HUGE help. I only experienced side effects when I was first taking them and if I forget to take a dose.

Answer 7

I have taken them and there were a lot of side effects, which I didn't like and quit taking them.

I take St. John's Wort which is proven to help in mild to moderate depression.

Answer 8

The first one prescribed may not work but the next one might. I agree that getting off of them may be a problem if you don't do it gradually. Don't stop taking any of them suddenly. St. John Wort's can have problems to if you take too much. Look them up on the internet and talk to your doctor.

Answer 9

I've tried 3 different kinds. No side effects, but none of them worked either.

Answer 10

Side effects, look at Columbine High School and Brook Shields. People go crazy trying to get off of them. Please stay away from them. Use something more natural like St. John's Wart.