Depression: Does Medication Help?

Question

I think I have depression and I'm thinking of seeing a doctor for it. I know they might try to put me on medication, but I'm doubting that it will even help. Does anyone here take depression medications and if so, do they make the depression any better or do they just make you numb, or not do anything at all?

Answer 1

AFTER LIVING WITH MY MOM ALL MY LIFE AND SEEING HOW SHE WAS ADDICTED TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS I WAS TERRIFIED TO TAKE THEM. SHE REALLY SUFFERED BUT IT WAS AT THE HANDS OF AN IDIOT MALE DOCTOR WHO DIDN'T TAKE HER SERIOUSLY AND JUST GAVE HER PILLS TO GET HER OUT OF HIS HAIR. SHE DIDN'T GET THE MEDICAL CARE SHE NEEDED FOR MENTAL ILLNESS. WHEN I WENT THROUGH A HORRIBLE DIVORCE I GOT SO DEPRESSED THAT I REALIZED I NEEDED HELP. I VERY RELUCTANTLY TRIED EFFEXOR AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE! IT TOOK TIME BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW BAD I FELT UNTIL I STARTED FEELING BETTER. IN FACT I FELT BETTER THAN I HAD IN 20 YEARS, WAY BEFORE THE PROBLEMS AND DIVORCE! THE ONLY REACTION I HAD WAS BEING TIRED FOR AWHILE. I STARTED WITH THE SMALLEST DOSE AND IT WAS A MIRACLE DRUG FOR ME. DEPRESSION IS IN MY FAMILY BUT NOW THAT I'M PAST SUCH A FRIGHTENING TIME IN MY LIFE I STAY BUSY AND TRY TO BE POSITIVE. YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR PART OR IT WON'T MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE. I DID EVENTUALLY GO OFF IT BUT IT'S A LONG TERM THING, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT LIKE ASPIRIN. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT AND SOMETIMES YOU MAY HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TO GET IT RIGHT, BUT IT'S A VERY LIBERATING FEELING TO ACTUALLY FEEL GOOD AGAIN. THESE DRUGS ARE VERY POWERFUL EVEN IN SMALL DOSES SO DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS YET. YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SAME GOOD OR BAD EXPERIENCES AS THE REST OF US, THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS SEE YOUR DOC AND FIND OUT. HOPE YOU GET BETTER...

Answer 2

I was depressed after my children's births and I took Zoloft, Celexa, Welbutrin and Buspar(not at the same time of course) I am sexually active with my husband and SSRI's-the most common form of antidepressant-have side effects that basically meant I couldn't enjoy sex at all. None of my doctors wanted to prescribe older ones like trycyclics, even though many people on the forums I went to said they worked better. The Zoloft did make me feel very different, and the Buspar is really an antianxiety med that helped more than any of the others.

I have been seeing a therapist for four years and I have finally come to terms with the idea that situations in my life are intolerable and need my hard work to change them and until I face that fact I will be upset, because it is very natural to be upset and depressed over the kinds of life situations I find myself in. Initially he referred me to a psychiatrist but now we agree it's all about things that I must change and I hope that even if you decide to pursue medication that you look for those sorts of things in your life and work to fix them too. I think some people really need it and these are the people who say it changed their life, I however am just not one of them or I never got the right med.

Answer 3

I have bouts of depression every other year or so. I usually end up taking Celexa. Some people dont respond to medication but a majority do. Meds do help but you also need to make environmental changes too. Family and friends can help along with counciling. Meds wont make you feel better instantly, they do take about two-three weeks to start having an effect.

Answer 4

The first 3 are correct. (hope I'm fast enough to be #4) What the 2nd one did works for many, their neurochemicals balance out and they don't need meds. Others are not so lucky. It has been found that good nutrition is helpful. Meds should not make you numb, if they do you need to see the Dr.

Once your med(s) & dosage(s) is worked out, you can see if the Psychiatrist will let your PCP write the Rx. It could save you money. Besides HMOs only allow a limited number of Mental Health visits per year.

Answer 5

I take depression medication. It took several different ones before I found one that works. I was also put on a mood stabilizer. That I think is what made everything start to kick into gear. It may be a few weeks or months before you find the right combination that works for you I have been on my meds since May and am still adjusting doses, but I see difference already. Also do not get go to your regular PCP for the prescriptions...you need to see a psychatrist to get the proper treatment...good luck!!!!!

Answer 6

Carrie- If you think you are depressed then you might as well be. Many things are "a state of mind". At the beging of this year I experience what some people may say was a nervous break down. I went to the doctor and they tried to diagnos me as bipolar, pyscho, depressed, etc. My friends and family reinforced to me that I was not depressed and I needed to believe in a positive future. Today all is well, my boyfriend and I have a wonderful relationship, i am not on any drugs, and I am glad I never started. The doctore told me I may have had a chemical imbalace during what they say was a nervous break down. I am not chemically imbalanced, and I'm sure you are not. Reaffirm that you are well in your mind, give yourself positive reasons to be happy, and stable, and surround yourself with people who uplift you and believe that you are not depressed. Good luck with everythings- and remember say not to drugs- they kill-

Answer 7

I have a chemical imbalance and have been depressed most of my life. I had serious depression for many years-suicidal y'know. I have tried may medication and most of them suck really bad! I am now on Lexapro and I finally have some peace of mind. This stuff really works for me so talk to your doctor about it.

Answer 8

Prozac worked for me, but there are others. When one of those thoughts keeps repeating in my head, the prozac just kinda stops it. You can notice other things around you, so you don't go in so deep. Good luck, and most meds are not addictive, so if it doesn't work, you can drop it. Your doctor will tell you about it or even better, ask his nurse.

Answer 9

yeah the meds help me a lot. But we cant just rely on one meds only. i have bipolar, so i have to take other meds as well, to stabilize me. i dont wanna be TOo happy and too depressed. So now i'm taking prozac and two other mood stabilizer pills. The prozac helps me to get through the day.

Answer 10

It can REALLY help if you are put on the right one to treat your depression and if your depression is related to a serotonin imbalance, for example. Also, consider counseling, it can really help you learn how to cope with the depression or at least focus in on what is triggering it for you.
Good Luck!