If someone is chronically depressed and suicidal, do antidepressants improve their life in the long run? Do they have to use them for the rest of their life?
2006-10-11 06:27:43 · 19 answers · asked by johnpoe 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I have suffered all my life from severe depression in fact since childhood. I rejected using pills when i was a child and in early adult life. I honestly did not think any of them would do me any good. As a child i felt like a Guinea pig and nothing ever worked.
When I reached age 22 and my happiness was completely in my own hands I started trying everything still no luck. When I was 24 I started taking Prozac against every ones warnings that it would make me hyper and unable to sleep. I know there is so much hype over it but without Prozac I would not be the happy person I am today.
I have taken it 5 years now and the only time i felt I did not want to live were the the times i stopped taking it. Its tempting to stop taking your meds when all is happy in your life but usually if you are chronically depressed you will soon crash.
If the illness is Chronic yes the person will most likely need them for there entire life and yes if they find the right medicine it will improve there life.
Not every antidepressant is right for everyone and most with severe depressive illness's need a combination of 2-3 medicines in the same time. It can take a while for someone to find the right combination but when they find it life has a whole new meaning.
2006-10-11 06:42:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started taking antidepressants recently and after a couple of weeks I felt much MUCH better. Pairing antidepressants with therapy is best, so you can work through the problems that are causing your depression. Some people stay on antidepressants for years, because they have a chemical imbalance hat cannot be fixed.
2006-10-11 13:31:06 · answer #2 · answered by Zach S. 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it all depends on the patient and the antidepressant. many people respond fantastically to the newer drugs, like prozac and wellbutrin (these are american brand names), and even the older tricyclics and maoi's had their uses (and, apparently, still do), but it takes a bit of trying out, betimes, to get a good fit, if any. i've known many depressed folk, over the course of my life (birds of a feather, and all that), and i've seen meds work for them. you do tend to have to keep on them, but, compared with the alternative (suicidal depression or death), most people generally find that the former is the superior alternative. sadly, i've been unable, in a decade, or more, to find a drug that works, for me, for depression. i HAVE found drugs that were useless AND addictive, contrary to what i was told, at the time of being prescribed them (paxil - coming off of that was VERY UNPLEASANT), and drugs that are very helpful, for other things (xanax, for my panic disorder), but also addictive (i am, now, addicted to xanax, and have built up a terrible tolerance; this is bad)... still, i knew that going in, and, being the good addict that i am, i loves me my xanax. sadly, the doctor won't prescribe more... any-who, if you haven't tried 'em, the ssri's are often wonder drugs, clearing up depression, with few, if any, side effects, and the newer atypical antidepressants can do amazing things, as well - see a doctor, and try 'em! i can't promise they'll work, but they're worth a shot... even the paxil, if it takes away the depression (though i'd go with the more studied prozac, to start). good luck!
2006-10-11 13:44:20 · answer #3 · answered by altgrave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been on antidepressants for thirty yrs. or so, and I have been on the best "cocktail" found for me that has me functioning very well on a daily basis for the last twenty yrs. even though I have had episodes of suicidal tendencies and actual attempts every time I went off the antidepressants to self medicate with illegal drugs. But as long as I'm on the right track the track stays straight and I'm on a smooth ride. So I will stay on them as long as they continue to do what they r doing to help me have a better quality of life and help me live productively.
2006-10-11 13:41:18 · answer #4 · answered by papabeartex 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am living proof that anti-depressants do help. I don't believe they are right for everyone but know that had I not started taking them 8 years ago I would not be here today. It is extremely frustrating to get the proper meds and doses but if you truely have severe depression as I do the meds will help and no I will not be able to go without them. I will take them the rest of my life as severe depression is generally a chemical embalance. Hope this helps...
2006-10-11 15:54:42 · answer #5 · answered by Barbara H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They improve your mood enough, but the real work takes place after you feel a bit better. I would say two weeks after starting anti depressants you will no longer feel suicidal. At that point you need to find out what makes you tick, and try and find a good psychologist to work with you. If you only take the drugs not much will change, the foot work is the hard part, but well worth it
2006-10-11 13:43:07 · answer #6 · answered by gina_road 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the statistics, antidepressants help 70% of the people who suffer depression. Some people take them for the rest of their lives and some don't.
2006-10-11 13:32:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have found they do. I am currently taking wellbutrin and it has improved my depressive states quite a bit. I should note that I have bipolar disorder and take 1200 mg of lithium/day. I can't take ssri's like Prozac or Paxil because they tend to push the disorder into mania (which is much worse than depression!!!). Wellbutrin works on the nor epinephren (sp?) instead of the way the ssri's work. It is safe for bipolar folks. Talk to your doctor, I would recommend trying the ssri's if you are not bipolar.
2006-10-11 13:33:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, from personal experience, antidepressants DO help. You just have to find the right one and have a doc that is willing to switch your meds until you DO find the right one for you. As far as taking them the rest of your life--dunno. I have only been on them (off and on) for 20 yrs...
2006-10-11 13:32:56 · answer #9 · answered by BugGurl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does help and should be taken if always depressed./suicidal. But if there is an underlying issue as to why they are feeling that way, it needs to be dealt with. If the problem is treated then you would not need meds (unless you discover it is a chemical imbalance).
2006-10-11 21:04:58 · answer #10 · answered by cammie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋