Antidepressants--good or bad?? Any personal experience on this subject?

Question

I know I will ultimately have to speak with my doctor, but I want to know from actual people who have taken this medication--does it help? I have mild depression that I can usually control by just waiting it out or by redirecting my thoughts. But in the depressed stages, I am really prone to irritability, anger, and frustration. It doesn't affect my academic/professional life, but it does affect my personal life. Has anyone here benefited from antidepressants for mild depression? I'm really worried that I wouldn't feel like myself or that it would affect my sex drive ... I'm 28, by the way ... don't know if age plays a role.

Answer 1

I never had prescription anti-depressants but I did try St. Johns Wort once. I must say, I didn't feel depressed. Not even after I hit two dogs in so many weeks. One with my car- it survived and the other with the truck at work- that one ran away. True story! It was weird that I didn't get bummed about it cause I love dogs. I quit taking the supplement shortly after that.
But the dogs SHOULD have been on leashes.
Have a great day!!!

Answer 2

I was diagnosed with severe reoccurring depression with seasonal affect disorder. I have been on more drugs than you can imagine, some whose side affects where as terrible as what it was trying to treat. After seven years of medication, i got to the point in my life where i realized i could cope with life without the aid of medication.

Take the drugs. No one knows the "low" of depression unless you have been there. It is a very scary. lonely, and dark place, and the problem occurs that when you reach that point, help is the first thing you need and the last thing you seek, because you can't even see the light of day.

Take the drugs, but know that they may not be the solution, but instead maybe only a crutch. But it be ridicules for someone with a broken leg to have some else tell them that you don't need a cast and a crutch to aid in the recovery. Same goes for you.

Its gonna mess up your sex life to a degree (that is the most common side affect in all anti depressants). If you have a understanding partner, you'll be fine. If not, don't worry about it, your sex drive drops, so you won't need it as often. Sorry if that sucks.

That's my two cents, i hope it guides you a bit.

Answer 3

Yes I have taken a mild antidepressant since age 32 and have change several times. It has helped me at home and helped me at my work too. I take klonopin
With everything going on in the world and in my life its hard not to be depressed. The news media dose not help any. I believe that some people self medicate with alcohol to keep from being depressed. Age does not play a role. To much TV and Newspapers and media negative bombardment.

Answer 4

Yes, they work. I have been on Paxil for several years and am now weaning off that since I started to take Effexor a few months ago. The Paxil just wasn't as effective anymore so that's why I'm on the Effexor. I have chronic depression and at times I just feel blah for too many days. The Effexor has been working well. My friends even tease me about always being in a good mood now :) And the crap at work just rolls right off my back!
There are some antidepressants that can affect your sex life more than others so make sure that you talk to your doc re. your concern..
Good luck :)
I think you'll see that it's worth it.

Answer 5

I know that for me, antidepressants were essential, however I suffer from a borderline personality disorder that sometimes manifests as severe depression. I found with them, however; that they had a lot of side effects. When I was on fluoxetine, I would never sleep and perspired a lot. On effexor, I had a bad reaction and freaked out. ( lots of people have had the same experience) Now that I'm on Amitriptyline I feel evened out and sleep regularly, but have to be REALLY careful what I eat, because it causes serious weight gain. Antidepressants are pretty serious stuff, and unless you absolutely cannot function any other way, I'd give them a miss. I think people jump on the Prozac train because they think it'll be a quick fix, but there are a lot of negative things to consider. Its much better to try and get support from friends and family, and work things out naturally. I find that physical exercise really helps improve my mood, as well as upbeat music.

Answer 6

Good question, I have been reading others answers. I have been taking paxil cr , have just started on a lower dose. I didn't think I needed it or wanted to be on something,it has helped , I don't have any anxieties like before, but the sex drive is practically gone, and I am not as ambitious as before, I seem to drag things out that I never use to before. Also another strange thing I drink but never feel a thing except for a bad headache so drinking way less beer and lots more water. You can always try and then go off if it isn't helping.

Answer 7

IMO I think taking Anti depressants should be the last thing.... I have depression, well it use to be severe but I consider myself to be in the borderline range of severe... and I function very well if I put my mind into it... I focus more on the good then bad... watching the news or reading something sad will not help you with your depression. I would go outside and look up into the sky and say to yourself "Thank god I'm alive" and "Thank god I'm healthy!"

I can only suggest that you find yourself some hobbies... clog up your mind with good stuffs... Medication seems good but it is an expensive treatment... brand antidepressants can cost between 100 dollars and up.. and some health insurance removes the medication off of their coverage because it's too expensive..

Answer 8

I've had severe depression and the doctor put me on Prozac, it changed my life. Gradually after a year I felt secure enough to get weaned off. Depression is an actual illness, during that time your brain malfunctions. I know of people using Wellbutrin or Paxil and they're much happier, since they used it. Your sex drive might be diminished a bit, but once someone gets you going, nothing will have changed. The only change in you: A much happier person.

Answer 9

I take wellbutrin, which is supposedly a mild anitdepressant. It does help, though. The sex drive is a different topic, though lol.
my husband used to take zoloft and that messed with his sex drive. I haven't noticed a change in mine though. Like any medicine, your body will have to get used to it, so it might make you a little fuzzy for a few days.

Answer 10

Anti-depressants work well for me. They make me all happy and willing to talk to people, etc. They DO have a negative effect on my sex drive, though, and that really sucks. You've just got to think to yourself, which is more important, getting yourself out of this funk you're in, or being able to orgasm? I hope this helps. Good luck!