The doc said it takes 4-6 weeks to see any improvement. My question is, how exactly will I know that they're working? Should I feel ridiculously happy? Will it change my personality at all? I don't want to be different. I just want to be happy. Anyone have any experience with this?
2006-12-11 13:59:23 · 10 answers · asked by two_kee_kees 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
In my case, I know it's working when I look back and realize how amazingly screwed up my thinking was.
You don't experience a major personality change...if you're reserved, you're not suddenly going to become the life of the party. It's more that it changes your response to situations. When depressed, you may find a small setback knocks you for a loop and breaks you down. With the meds, you may find a setback to be slightly annoying.
In my case, it helps my OCD, as I don't spend my time obsessing over things I haven't done perfectly. My perspective is much more normal.
I know the meds seem scary at first and most people are ready to give a hackneyed, "don't rely on meds" as if a depressed person could magically think their way to a cure.
No, it's a medical condition. And it's no more cureable than exercising your way out of a heart murmur.
2006-12-11 14:40:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, the opposite of depression is not happiness, it's contentment. You won't feel "happy" per se, but you'll feel a lot more content, relaxed, less easily fustrated at things that bother you in your daily life.
It will change your personality, but only gradually, super-slowly. The way your personality will change is that you won't react quite so strongly to things that used to bother you. After a while, you may look back and think that your life before antidepressants was a little like when you're sick with a cold, and you feel lousy and crummy and you want everyone to **** off and leave you alone.
Moods, thoughts & actions all follow each other around and around - each feeding and responding off the other. You may not react so negatively to something, thereby not having un-helpful thoughts about something, and then a more positive reaction to something that bothers you. And in return, the results of your better action will come back to better moods and the whole cycle starts again. Just remember that moods & thoughts & actions all affect each other. With a little tweak to your mood, the other things will start to improve.
I think it's GREAT that you're asking these questions, because I think it's so important to be introspective about how your moods work before and after antidepressants are started. Kinda keep track of things you think and do before and after. I think you'll find yourself improving in ways that will make you feel a lot better.
One of my problems has always been that I've always felt a bit overwhelmed and ended up not doing much to improve my situation. I've found that after being on antidepressants for a while, I'm much better at what I'd call "self-organizing" behaviors: cleaning, tidying, being organized. It's also increased my self-esteem and helped me to concentrate better. I'm less anxious than I used to be. I don't get as upset about things people do so much anymore. I take a lot more things in stride.
Good luck! Keep in mind that you still need to keep working on you. The medicine will help guide you in the right direction, but getting better still requires action on your part.
2006-12-11 14:24:23 · answer #2 · answered by Good Times, Happy Times... 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If all goes well, you won't notice a change. It will slowly alter the way you think about things, hopefuly for the better.
It will only become clear after it's been that 4-6 weeks. Eventualy after that, something will happen and you'll respond to it differently than you would have before. Probably without you even really thinking about it. Your mindset will just approch things differently.
If you're paying attention, you'll realize the difference afterwords between what you did and what you would have done before you were taking them.
Then you'll know they're working.
2006-12-11 14:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by socialdeevolution 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you won't feel ridiculously happy, and it does not change your personality. You will find that you feel more like yourself, wanting to do the things that make you happy. You will find that the little things don't bother you so much and that you don't get angry at the drop of a hat. It will not change your personality, but will bring out the good things in your personality.
2006-12-11 14:10:25 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guess what - you may actually not know, but people around you will and they will probably make little comments like "Hey, you look good" or "Things must be going well for you". I have seen this numerous times. The change can be very subtle. Your personality will not change, you will still be you but many of your "mountains" will suddenly start turning into molehills... It will be a little easier to get out of bed in the morning.
2006-12-11 14:14:44 · answer #5 · answered by Clrinsight 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to my expirience with antidepressants,,no u wont feel extremely happy.u are on not extacy dear:P! You ll just start feeling better by not worrying for all those things that were in your mind! Your personality wont change thats for sure! Anyway, good luck with that girl..i hope u ll feel better soon!But dont forget that pills ll just help u in order not to feel so stressed, everything is in your mind..this is a fight u have to give against yourself..and pills are your ally..have a great day
2006-12-11 14:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tough question. everyone reacts differently. and, yes, you will change. you may not notice any change, but if there is one the people around you will definitely notice the change.
this is a truly unknown science so no one, including your doctor, knows what your reaction will be.
it may make you normal-not happy-not sad-just normal
it is quite likely you will not realize the change, but the people around you will notice.
2006-12-11 14:08:23 · answer #7 · answered by dulcrayon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who knows? i have been on them 4 months now and i feel no different. wasn't depressed from the get go! sometimes Dr,s just have 2 label you with a diagnosis!
2006-12-11 14:16:14 · answer #8 · answered by jo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just won't be as depressed as you are now. They won't change your personality, just your level of depression and energy, and your outlook on things.
2006-12-11 14:13:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you'll know they've kicked in when you feel happy..not ridiculosly happy just not sad/gloomy/depressed.
2006-12-11 14:07:06 · answer #10 · answered by Danielle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋