I feel the side effects of antidepressants change my personality/who I am. They make me extremely hyperactive, irritable, agitated, and less sensitive to other people's feelings because I am emotionally numb like a robot. I am not like this off the meds but need to take them for anxiety. I am especially having a problem with the hyperactivity and agitation. Does anybody else feel antidepressants have changed who you are/changed your personality? It feels like I am a different person on and off the meds and this concerns me especially since I'm in the dating scene and I want to be certain the real me is showing on dates.
2006-12-26 17:29:37 · 11 answers · asked by Citygirl 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Anti-depressants do not usually alter who you are. They can affect your moods, but not who you are. It sounds like you are on the wrong meds. I would strongly suggest you talk to your prescribing doctor. He will be able to work with you to find a med that will help you with your anxiety without all of the negative side effects. It may take some time and several attempts at different meds. But if you really want to be mentally healthy stick with it and work with your doctor to get it right. Good luck.
2006-12-26 17:40:14 · answer #1 · answered by Shadowtwinchaos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anti-depressants should make you feel more focused, less scattered, and less grouchy.
It takes a few weeks to acclimate to any of these meds, so that if you just started, hang in there.
If you've done that, and still don't get any relief, then consult your doctor and change the med. There are many different ones available, they all affect people differently, and they all deal differently with neural synapses differently. You will need to work with your doctor to dial-in the prescription that works for you best and has the least number of side-effects.
Off hand, I'd say that you've got the wrong med if you've been doing this for any length of time. Call your doctor, and explain your reaction to the medication.
2006-12-26 17:47:14 · answer #2 · answered by Boomer Wisdom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel you. I had the same experience when they first put me on those. When it comes to these meds it all really trial and error. You should speak to your G.P about how your feeling because she might prescribe a different type. With antidepressants, they may work for some and may not for others. But it's all about finding the right antidepressant for YOU. After 2 months you should know if a med is working for you or not. There are some many different types of antidepressants so be prepared for it to take awhile. It took me two years to find the right one. Good luck
2006-12-26 17:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm.. very interesting.. I can tell you from personal experience that without my antidepressant I am a total mess. So, in a way yes they can change our personality.. For me it has helped but I still have a need to see a therapist to work out my personal issues. You may need to switch to another med(possibly). But under no circumstances take yourself off the meds.. only under a doctors care.
2006-12-26 17:34:37 · answer #4 · answered by nakedshark34 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can certainly change your mood. The reactioons you are describing do not seem to be good, so I would recommend talking to your perscriber because there are many different options out there, and the different medications work differently with people. It might take some time to find the right one, but in the long run you will be grateful to find the type that works for you. Good luck!
2006-12-26 17:39:56 · answer #5 · answered by Smart Blonde 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are so many anti-depressants out there, and you may need to find one thats better suited for you. I couldn't take Paxil or Prozac, I felt like I was insane on them. But Zoloft has been the best for me so far. you may need to change your prescription to something different, everybody reacts differently to different things. And yes, anti-depressants do make you feel like you're emotionally suppressed, but for some of us thats a good thing. It helps us look at situations objectively instead of crying and screaming about them all the time. Atleast it does for me anyhow. Hope you find out what meds work for you!
2006-12-26 17:38:13 · answer #6 · answered by PoisonApple 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am on Citalopram for depression and at first they gave me a real high.
But now they seemed to have made me not as depressed but made me not show as much emotion as i used to.
I don't think they can change who you are, but they can change the way you think.
2006-12-26 23:07:44 · answer #7 · answered by Black Rainbow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily change who you are, but can definitely alter your mood from low to high, making you extremely interesting to talk to.
2006-12-26 17:32:36 · answer #8 · answered by â¤??? ?å???? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
weLL they do make u a little like a robot, not understanding something emtional. U also can't cry but.... I don't think they change your personaility.
2006-12-26 17:32:30 · answer #9 · answered by Lauren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your doctor might need to change your medication to something else . in my opion?
2006-12-26 18:09:47 · answer #10 · answered by the_silverfoxx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋