how do i know that my antidepressants are working?

Question

have u ever had depresson?will i ever feel normal again, what i'm talikg about chemical imbalanced feeling inside, or the fear that it will return, the prozac has help me out a lot,but how doiknow it's really working?i need support please if u know a web site or something too.....thanx soooooo much

Answer 1

In my experience the effects don't hit like a sock full of nickels. The AD medications seem to make it easier for you to come out of it, but most of the work has to be done by you anyway. But whereas before it seemed hopeless and impossible, now just seems difficult but attainable...thats at least what the medications helped me with. And it may take a month of taking the prescription before it actually does anything, and it is so gradual that you hardly notice. I know how you feel, its scary...I have been deathly afraid of returning back to the state of mind I was once in, but that tailed off. I went a long time without feeling "normal" but that has tailed off. You are doing the right thing by seeking help and treatment, and it will get better.

Answer 2

I am on antidepressants, and I've actually been through quite a few different ones. Some helped but then I couldnt deal with some side effects, I was told that when you find the right ones for yourself and your body eyc, you wont be unsure about whether its helping or not, it should be a case of you really able to notice a possible difference. My mum was fine with the first type we started together but they made me yawn all the time. I know it doesn't sound much but when you have a yawn forever trapped there and wont go away 24/7 it does things to ya :p I changed onto another brand which just did nothing and then my next ones actually made me lactate and stuff so I freaked I was pregnant or something since the Dr's never warned me of it til it happened, so its good to read up about it.
I found something that works for me and slowly came off them, but never go cold turkey!! I ended up with some 'serotonin effect' or something - dont quote me on the name of it, but I had shakes, didnt sleep for about three days and couldnt stomach food or liquids in that time either cause I constantly felt nautious.
It is possible to overcome depression and stop using medication, just don't expect overnight miracles, it can take a year or a couple of years, every_BODY is different and reacts differently to different things.
Good luck to you, I'm sorry I dont have a website for you, perhaps search engine your medication? I hope this has helped some!

Answer 3

There won't be a moment when you know for sure it is working. Are you starting to smile again? Eat and sleep more normally? Are you talking to others more? Think about what signs/symptoms made you realize you were depressed in the first place, and evaluate whether they have improved or not.

It would do you a lot of good to talk to your doctor/therapist about your improvement. Or even friends and family. They may be better able to judge improvements.

As far as websites are concerned, there are usually forums designed for each specific drug. Usually these will not be part of the drug's official website, but an outside source. This, from my experience, is where the most useful information is found.

Answer 4

They don't work. The doctor hopes that you can con your mind into believing that they're working. They do **** all. That's why they say "give it at least 6-8 weeks..." It's a cash grab. They should be more illegal than crack cocaine. If you REALLY want an antidepressant, buy percocet or oxycodone. Dateline and all these other dumb-*** shows talk about how dangerous percocet and hydrocodone are but they never tell you that Tylenol absolutely RUINS your liver. Simply, if you have a beer, you feel it right? If you take all these SSRI's and MAIO's you have to ask yourself if you feel different. Not to be pessimistic but they don't work. Find something else that will make you happy. Trust me I've tried them all and they are all lies. The only ones that have any effect are the valium class of drugs. Tell him to give you some of those and it will calm you down.

Answer 5

This same question is bothering me too. I take Paxil, I came up with the same question, then I noticed this commercial on TV, it asks the question" Even though you're taking a certain medication, are you still bothered by the depression? They give a number for a free CD, I would suppose it's nothing more than an ad for another pill........but the question is still haunting, if it interest you, keep your eyes open for it, I don't remember the number or I would give it to you. GOOD LUCK...........LATER

Answer 6

They aren't instant fixxer uppers .you may still have stressors In place, It's good you ask this question because allot of people who don't understand treatment usually turn to self medication i.e alcohol, cocaine ,AD'S are an aid its very important to get your neurotransmitters functioning properly,AD'S dont fix your problems nor do they make you happy. AD'S Dont change your lifestyle ,your diet or your personal relationship i must warn you dont be codependant on medication look up codependacy read up on it as well as ask your doctor for more info as you may be come codependant on your doctor as well...Good Luck in life

Ive Taken Buspar,Paxil,welbutrin,ziban,metazapine,respidirone,clanzapam.
and none of them have Brought my son back to life nor have they erased some very tragic and or painfull memories.

Answer 7

If you aren't sure that the ADs aren't working, then they may not be. Talk to the prescribing physician, and try to understand what sorts of relief may come from using the drugs, and what sorts of things you can expect, and what sorts of things you SHOULDN'T expect.