Can an anti-depressant make you feel worse?

Question

originally apathetic/with slight manic symptoms on MAOI, now take TCA for last 6 months and feel steadily worse. More apathetic, numb, negative like a change in personality but I keep getting told its ';just depression'..........I dont feel sad, happy or hopeful just 'dark' and 'different'! Any similar experiences....

the TCA is Lefepramine/Gamanil 210mg daily

Answer 1

You need to get back to the doctor pretty damn quick. I was on anti-depressants. It took about 3 weeks for me to start to feel better, i.e. more positive, wanting to talk to people again, go for a walk etc. I was on them for quite a long while, they worked for me. I think you need to change yours, speak to your doctor about all your 'worries, fears, anxieties' I feel for you, I hope you get the help you need. Life is for living.

Answer 2

MAOIs and TCAs are old antidepressants with grotty side efects although they still have a place in certain scenarios. The side effects include feeling lethargic.

All psychotropics can cause paradoxical effects (ie opposite of what they're supposed to do), so they can make you feel worse and in some cases they cause suicidal ideas. If this happens to you should tell your doctor immediately.

If you are sleeping too much and feel lethargic then try a stimulating antidepressant like Venlafaxine or Duloxetine. If you are agitated and not getting much sleep try a sedating SSRI like Paroxetine. If you have neither of the above try Citalopram. Remember SSRI's are associatd with discontinuation syndrome nd doses must be reduced slowly when you come off them.

As a prescriber I have had best experience with Mirtazepine. Bear in mind that antidepressants usually take 2- 6 weeks to take effect although some manufacturers claim efficacy starts at 5 days.

Adjunctive or alternative treatments include CBT. There are some great self help books as well.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes, many studies have proven that fact.

You say you are on TCAs, which may be the problem, since TCA depressants typically have more side effects than SSRIs like Prozac or Lexapro.

I am on Lexapro now for about 3 weeks and it has improved my mood and energy levels significantly.

After 6 months, I think it's time to try something else from your doctor, or at least decrease the daily dosage of the TCA.

Answer 4

If the TCA isn't the medication for you, the symptoms of depression, like the numbness and negativity can come back.

Also, for some people with depression, therapy is as important as medication, if not more so. For many, cognitive-behavioural therapy can help, as it helps change negative thinking patterns. If there are problems or issues in your past that you haven't fully dealt with, supportive counselling may also be helpful.

Be diligent with your self care as well; make sure you're getting adequate rest, nutritious food and regular exercise. All of those things can help reduce the impact of depression.

Answer 5

TCAs tend to have more unpleasant side effects than the newer antidepressants such as SSRIs. The side effects of TCAs vary with the specific medication taken and the individual. Here are some typical side effects:
Drowsiness
Anxiety
Restlessness
Dry mouth
Constipation
Urinary retention
Difficulty urinating
Cognitive and memory difficulties
Weight gain
Increased sweating
Dizziness
Decrease in sexual ability and desire
Muscle twitches
Weakness
Nausea
Increased heart beats
Irregular heart rhythms (very rare)

Answer 6

Annie can you say what anti-depressant you are one please. Just click on the box below your answer and the click add details. I maybe able to say of if I knew what you are taking.

Sorry but I cannot comment on these anti-depressants. Not familiar with them here in the UK. Thought they may well be known by a different name here

I cannot generalise about antidepressant as they are all different. however, I think that SSRI's are better Though some can be lethal. I was on venlafaxine for a short while and I thought I was loosing my mind completely. I came off of them and went onto Setraline (Zoltoft) and felt some much better. And it was not long before I got my life back together after many years of fighting Post Traumatic stress syndrome.

So if your tablets are making you feel as you say, you must go back to your doctor and discuss with him an alternative anti-depressant. All the best and you can do it...give it some wellie!

Answer 7

Anti depressents are not a good thing... mainly because they become addictive and then you dont notice the difference when you take them...

I had depression when i was younger... but you get through it... as long as you can see an up the downs may not be so bad... but it is hard, really hard, its one of them alcohol type loops... the worse you feel the more you drink and the more you drink the worse you feel... it tranfers very simple... the more you think about it the more depressed you feel and the more depressed you feel the more you think about it...

its never as simple as people make it out... and unfortunately with todays society, just having a case of the 'monday morning blues' can be called depression these days.

But fight through it... there is a light at the end of a tunnel, and although sometimes it might appear to be an oncoming train... you might be surprised.. concentrate on the good things in life... take up a new hobby or interest, something to take your mind off things...

but i will confess, it is a bugger to get out of... but when you do... you feel a world better.

Answer 8

You have been on the antidepressant for long enough. Go back to the prescriber and ask them to suggest an alternative or they may wish to augment the TCA with something like lithium. Either way go back and get better treatment, the TCA alone is clearly not working.

Answer 9

As many people have said, you should try an SSRI. If you are a teenager, certain anti-depressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors and make you feel worse. It sounds like you need to consult a therapist as there may be some psychological issues that are going unresolved. Just taking an anti-depressant doesn't mean you'll get better. The best way to treat depression is to undergo therapy and take medications.

Answer 10

If it is not the right med for you and they can affect individuals differently, then you need your gp to review - for 6 months is a long time to suffer and to gain no benefit and even have symptoms worsen on your present medication. See your doctor as soon as you can and it can involve a cocktail of meds - I'm bipolar 2 so I do have an idea of what you are going through it took a bit of hit-and-miss to get the right mix and doses fine tuned in my case but don't hesitate in going back time and time again until you are helped to be getting something from life and ask for a referral to a consultant as is your right and if necessary change gp if they are not delivering. Its about the last thing you feel like but there are good services and meds and part of feeling better is wanting better for yourself and being prepared to push for it and there is no such thing as "just depression" as anyone with experience of it knows. Good luck and feel better soon

Answer 11

Anti depressant drugs keep you at the same level of 'happiness' to prevent the highs and lows. It sounds like this drug is keeping you at a constant low with no chance of feeling better even if you wanted to. But because you have noticed this and are looking for help shows that you are getting better and wanting to feel happier, you just need a tablet that will let you. I've been there & I beat it - so can you. Indian Head Massage really helped me xxx