Why is it that anti-depressants screw up people worse?

Question

I have known people on anti-depressants. The drugs work a little, but then the people get even more screwed up and take more or other types and continue to get screwed up more. One killed herself. Is this a common problem? Why do doctors prescribe anti-depressants so frequently? Are the people I have known exceptions to the majority? Or is this a common thing?

Answer 1

Is this a common problem: I don't know how you define common, most people on anti-depressants get better, so in that effect it isn't common. But it definetly isn't a rare occurence, it definetly happens for various reasons. For your purpose though, i would say it isn't common
Why do doctors prescribe anti-depressants so frequently: Well, i don't honestly know if that is the case. Usually, they are very careful with what they prescribe and how much, they don't want to give someone drugs they don't need, especially since that could have horrible consequences. There have been an increase of pills being described, but that has alot to do with awareness about depression, and more exceptance and help available for depression and such. And in our society (especially america) we are known for living extremely hectic stressful lives, and sometimes things can get out of control for people, and meds can help. Most doctors are very good at figuring out who needs the meds, but there are exceptions of course, bad doctors, mis-daignosing (mistaking for things like bi polar), any number of things. But, i don't think that anti-depressants are being over prescribed, if anything there are still alot of ppl not getting the help they need.
Are the people i have known exceptions to the majority: I would say so, because most people get better when they take those kinds of meds, but they aren't that far out. There are a number of people who commit suicide after taking anti-depressants. It isn't to common, but it definetly isn't un heard of.
you don't mention how old your friend was. If someone under 18 takes anti-depressants there is an increased chance they will have increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This rarely happens, but it is more likely in younger people than adults, because thier brain chemistry is already screwy. Also, if they were constantly changing dosages, pills types, not taking them some days, that could really screw things up. Also, there might have not been a correct dosage, to much or to little can be seen, but usually they aren't to drastic. Most people though do better on anti-depressants than those who don't, but of course it isn't perfect. They are getting better though, and before long their may be no risk. Well, i probably wasn't much help, es tut mir leid, but good luck!

Answer 2

Most people( including myself at one point) want a magic pill to make things better. They don't want to do the hard work that is involved with changing their thought patterns. Many refuse therapy which in turns escalate the depression and suicide.
Anti-depressants are only to be used short term, to get people over the hump( so to speak). The only way people can beat depression is by changing the way they think. Doctors and therapists know this. The doctors want your business and will give you want you want in order to keep you coming back. I have had several doctors, psychiatrist and therapist tell me how true this is.
This problem is more common than people realize. Medication only helps if people are willing to change. Which includes abstaining from alcohol and drugs. Some people just don't hurt enough to do so. Others hurt so bad that they have tunnel vision and see that their only way out is death. I have seen this happen to several people first hand. I also have been down that road too many times to count.
I am glad I was able to make the changes by getting off the medication(which I was told I couldn't function without over 20 years ago) changing the way I think and getting the right help.
I have never been so happy, healthy and free in my life.

Answer 3

It is more common for anti-depressants to help people but when they self medicate by taking more or stop taking the ones given by a doctor problems can arise. When you consider that these medications are used for "mental' illness there are a lot of differentials between the people and illnesses treated by them. Many people expect instant relief and when that doesn't happen they either kill themselves or take more medication without speaking to the doctor first. The big problem is that only the problems get focused on not the millions of people they help, which seems to be the case with most medications we only hear the horror stories.

Answer 4

Dr. Evil, you must remember that all of us react to drugs in a different manner. Doses also vary and some may be too strong for the individual. Anti-depressants work. I can attest to their efficacy. At times without a1/2mg of Ativan I have problems even sitting on the computer and pounding away. Ativan also makes me fall asleep with a peaceful sleep for 3-4 hours. Getting hooked is a real problem and I try very hard to refrain from taking the Ativan arbitrarily. I really have to need it and I only take 1/2mg.
When in dire straights I take 1mg but that's a whopper for me and knocks me out into la-la land for many hours. Doctors do generally prescribe anti-depressants too frequently. In fact, they dispense drugs of any kind too freely. My doctor is a pill pusher and if I took every pill he prescribed I would be a Zombie (and not the walking kind). I would be as still as a board. My Ex-wife took pills for a mental problem and she she took such massive doses that she began to see things move across the room and an old man standing in front of our bed. I checked with another doctor and he informed me that she could die from the dosage. Imagine!
This was prescribed by a psychiatrist. One must be very careful.

Answer 5

Everybodies body is different, what medicine may work for me may not work for you and vica versa. Although psychiatric drugs have come along way, there still remains to have some "bugs" in them.

Psych drugs are tricky sometimes, it takes a long period of trial and error to discover which combination works with each individual. Some people are lucky and can get relief from their symtoms using one drug while others must take a combination of medicines in order to begin to feel better. But medication alone isn't often the solution. Therapy in whatever form is also a good tool for those with mental problems. Between the willingness of the patient and the meds and therapy, that person may indeed regain his or her life back.

Did your friend that commited suicide have anyone professionally to talk to? Many people don't think it is necessary. Many people think that medicine is the only thing they need. This way of thinking does not always work. Because they may be experiencing a lot of stress and depression from a traumatic occurance in their present or their past. They need to identify the cause or causes of their depression and anxiety, in order to move forward in their lives. Many people have the false notion that they can handle things on their own. Perhaps this is true for some but not for most. It is always a good idea to have a combo of meds and therapy in order to come to terms with their issues.

Good luck to you and I hope I was some what helpful.

Answer 6

because anti-depressants usually deal with trying to level out the serotonin levels in your brain which deal with your moods. If someone has normal levels already and then get a prescription for depressants, it will alter their serotonin levels causes them to become worse then what they are. Many people think they have a problem and resort to medication to try and "fix it" when really some just need talk therapy and not pill therapy. Also many people are being misdiagnosed as bipolar, depressed, and so on and psychiatrists are giving away medications like it was candy which is rising sucide rates and etc.

Answer 7

most people that take anti-depressants live good lives... might be that the people you know are not getting the right med's or dosage...they should go to a mental health doctor and find the med's that will work well for them...[some people get these med's from other doctors that do not know mental health med's as well...
i take medicine for depression and get them from my mental health doctor and i live a normal life...every year or so, my dosage is increased [the meds do not work as well after a year so i get a increase and it is all good...

Answer 8

I prefer valium It calms my brain heart and BP Old 76 been taking them on and foo for 45 years take a 5mg now when upset my cousin a pharmaceutical sales person said that a anti depressant would do me harm and possible suicide, heart, and BP problem She know she worked for a drug com now retired. valium is the safest if not abused.

Answer 9

People react differently to drugs. Anti-depressants have helped lots of people too.

Answer 10

My husband had also been prescribed some anti-depressants, but after some time i asked him to quit it and by keeping him pampered , soon got him out of it. Since then I keep asking people in my contact not to take it, but instead they can try some other things, like keep talking to them, never talk negative things with them, be happy around them, keep them happy, keep changing topics, tht's the best way, wht do u think ?