My doctor prescribed me Wellbutrin and he said I should only need them for 4 to 6 months. My question is, how often is it that patients need medicine forever? Will I go back to being depressed after being on the meds? How does it all work? I really don't want to take meds my whole life!
2006-12-11 13:14:32 · 13 answers · asked by two_kee_kees 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
As a side note, my depression is SUPER bad.. it's bad enough that I want help though. I want to be happy for once. But I don't like hide in my house or attempt suicide.
2006-12-11 13:24:59 · update #1
Don't worry about that right now. Your Dr. seems to think that you will be fine in 4 to 6 months. I was on antidepressants for several years, but I am off of them and living a stress free life now.Listen to your Dr. some depressions are just temporary being brought on by situation's or lack of sunlight in winter months. It doesn't sound like your Dr. thinks that you have Major depression which could last for years.
2006-12-11 13:33:54 · answer #1 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may relapse after you stop the meds, there's really only one way to know! there are a lot of different antidepressants, and they effect different people differently, some people have to try several to find one that works.
Are you making other changes, too? Exercise, diet, managing stress levels - all that and more is going to effect your emotional well-being. Exercise is especially important. (although I imagine you've heard that plenty by now?)
Hopefully the drugs will give you a bit of a lift to help get things together, and you won't need them. But if you do, at least you will have found something that helps - some people never even find a med that works, let alone one they can actually stop taking!
Also a good therapist can be a big help working out of a depression, so I hope you are getting some counseling?
And please do research Wellbutrin before you start taking it. That goes for any medication - some antidepressants, like Effexor, can be very difficult to stop taking. Wellbutrin doesn't have that reputation, but make sure you read up on anything a doctor prescribes, especially psychiatric drugs can have surprising side effects and discontinuation syndromes.
2006-12-11 13:27:30 · answer #2 · answered by mrs.beasley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily. Most antidepressants work to increase the production and/or release of neurotransmitters in the brain and relieve depression until the brain can produce enough on its own. I was on antidepressants for about two years when I was in high school and haven't needed them since (that was about 8yrs ago). My mother has had a few (about 3 or 4 in 55 yrs) times in her life where she required antidepressants but again not constantly. Don't worry too much about whether or not it may be a permanent thing right now because it is really too early to tell and chances are that you'll only need to be medication for the required time.
Just a suggestion though if you feel the medicine isn't having the desired effects or they help you get somewhat better but not completely let your doctor know. Sometimes it can several tries to find the right medication but in the long run it's better to have the medication that will do you the most good.
Most importantly know that you're not alone and that you can better and stay that way. Hope this helps you in someway.
2006-12-11 13:42:50 · answer #3 · answered by C T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Antidepressants simplest work while you are taking them. When you've got recurring depressions, then you can also emerge as taking them for the leisure of your life. Nonetheless, that is the advantage of rather just right cure. I'm not talking about "how are you feeling..What did your mom do to you healing." I mean answer-focussed, just right cure. There are special behaviors that put folks at threat for recurrent melancholy--and that you could exchange them. That you could learn what are warning signs that you are going to get extra depressed, and the right way to ward it off--activity, disciplined excellent sleep, just right vitamin, time with folks, attractive at work, forcing your self to not withdraw, etc. Look for a therapist--or just right e-book--on interpersonal and/or cognitive-habits healing for melancholy and get off your meds. I did, and i haven't needed them for years. Getting good sleep and not letting myself preclude issues/individuals has been the key for me. I'm now not simply opining here; there is good science at the back of cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal healing giving lasting outcome. Additionally, despair disrupts usual sleep patterns and this contributes to symptoms.
2016-08-10 01:04:53 · answer #4 · answered by jarod 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depression is a strange bird. Sometimes people learn to deal with it after a while, but many times they don't. I have been on anti-depressants for the better part of 22 years. sometimes I come off them and think that I can handle it myself only to find out that i can't. so just make sure that if you need to be on medication that is okay. and if you have to take it the rest of your life that is okay too. the main thing is to know that you have a problem with depression and deal with as many ways as you can. never try to ignore it, because it won't work. feel better soon.
2006-12-11 13:22:23 · answer #5 · answered by dibaby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily will you have to take them for the rest of your life. If you have an imbalance in the brain, it will probably go away like the doctor says in 4-6 months and then he can wean you off and see how you do without it.
2006-12-11 13:18:11 · answer #6 · answered by Mightymo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are HEAVILY depressed you dont really need them.
Good diet/nutrition and exercise have been found to be far more effective to treat mild to moderate depression. Keep the exercise up, even if you dont feel like it, bit of will power will turn your life around.
Drugs are not always the answer, they often just provide a crutch, be your own crutch! ;-)
Peace
What are you depressed about?
2006-12-11 13:25:48 · answer #7 · answered by Im a killer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it's just a right now thing, depending the situation. If you're very concerned about this talk to your doctor and share with him your thoughts. My mom is afraid just as well, for my sake.
I was told to be on med for a while but I haven't even started because she refuses. It all truly depends though, I couldn't really tell you.
2006-12-11 13:22:58 · answer #8 · answered by pandora sin llama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hopefully you wont be on them for life. however you should never stop without consulting your doctor because that can cause you to crash and be maybe worse than before. your doctor will wean you off of them. get some counciling for your depression and that will help. and then your doctor can wean you off when he thinks you are ready. hope this helps. everything will be ok we are all in a depression at one time or another. thats how i know how to answer you,hon. take care and merry christmas
2006-12-11 13:24:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't need to be.
I'm going off of my meds this spring. You might relapse, but then you just back on. No big.
2006-12-11 13:23:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋