Do you think antidepressants help depressed people cover up and avoid things they need to face?

Question

Ever since I started taking Prozac 2 years ago, all I could do is lay on the couch. I'm constantly tired, call in sick all the time, and let my bills pile up so high they were out of control. I recently stopped taking it and have never felt better! I am also dealing better with problems. Do you think antidepressants help depressed people cover up and avoid things?

Answer 1

Antidepressants are supposed to be used in conjunction with therapy. They help you get your mood up in the beginning to get you motivated to get better. I don't think they're as effective for long periods of time.

Answer 2

Not all antidepressants work for everyone. I was on Paxil and Prozac in high school, and all it made me do was sleep, which didn't help me solve my problems or get anything done, but a co-worker of mine claims that Prozac worked wonders on her. Zoloft, which I only needed to take for 2 months for post-partum depression symptoms, seemed the gentlest medication at the lowest dosage possible, and worked within a week. It's rather hard to explain, it helped take off that edge of self-pity/loathing/remonstration, and helped me think things were possible again. Then, instead of sitting on the edge of the couch in humiliated terror about all the things I needed to do, and never got done, I was able to get up and do them, bit by bit, instead of just staying put freaking out over them! More than drugs, more than therapy, depressed people need to realize that they are not alone, and that it is okay to feel bogged down from time to time. If you list all the things you need to get done, EVER....that's a long list. If you list all the things you SHOULD get done (because we figure we should be superheroes!), that's still an awful lot. All we can do in a day is just that.....all we can do. Contrary to the voices in our head, people really aren't keeping score somewhere in a darkened room with cameras. But I am also getting sidetracked from your original question: I think some people are so guilt-ridden, unwilling to make decisive actions, or "in love" with being depressed that antidepressants become a crutch, rather than the stepping-stone it was created to be.

Answer 3

Like any medication,everyone is affected differently. I feel they help the person be able to face their demons or problems with a little more clarity. Prozac was a bad choice for me, to many neg side effects. There is no magic pill. I also don't understand why your problem went on for so long you are supposed to be monitered by your Dr.while on these meds, and they could have been changed if you had mentioned these problems you were having.(if you got them from a Dr.) Glad you are doing better.

Answer 4

actually, yes. I think you hit the nail on the head. As far as I know, all anti-depressants simply replicate hormones that your body can produce naturally anyway. They're like creatin (sic?) for the body-builder: while you have them, they'll be effective, but if you don't learn how to utilize your own body naturally, you'll suffer for it the moment you're off them. It's another symptom of relying on something external to take care of your internal problems, which will only be effective as long as you are willing to remain dependent on that external source.
The altnerative option, which takes much more effort, is to confront and deal with the internal issue. It's a pain, but it's the only way to use an eternally, unlimited source, which is the self.

Answer 5

I think you may have the wrong meds or to high a doss or not high enough.

I was on med after my youngest son was born for about 5 mos I when to a cancelers and got better was you seeing anyone? I'm not saying ever one will get better on the meds but some will maybe your just not one

I hope you are doing better now and stay well for a long time

Answer 6

I too have been on medication for depression. After having tried two different ones, I didn't like the way that they made me feel.
The medication turned out to be a hinderance rather than a help.
My doctor wanted to put me on something else, but I have chosen to deal with the depression head on rather than just covering it up.
I try to take it one day at a time and I most definitely feel better than when on medication. I am in control.
Didn't mean to ramble....just wanted you to know you are not alone in the way you feel. Take care~

Answer 7

Maybe you should speak to your doctor and they can select something better for you. There is a huge range of similar drugs and all of them effect people differently. Anti-depressants do work. I was on them for a few years and they really helped me. Now I dont need them any more and haven't taken them for about 8 months. I had to try three different ones until I found the one that suited me best but the benefits were good. It helped me lead a normal life when I was struggling.

It's all about finding the right one to suit you best. None of these people here are doctors and very few of them have experienced them.

Answer 8

this can lead to very serious problems, you might relies it when its to late.
The problem is not every med works well for everybody. Your doc should help you get a right cocktail of meds. some times it takes very long to get it right. you might want to go for a second opinion
Trust me go to the doc and tell him what happened, it doesn't have to be the same doc. but you need to be compliant and SO is the doc. he needs to follow up on you all the time.

I can give you a very great idea go to Na mi.org find a support group in your area where you can find other people in your exact situation and get great ideas.
Good luck

Answer 9

I wish these pills were not handed out like candy! I have a family member who is on this one day and that another day. It is not helping one bit.

There might be people who really need them, but like you I do think some people are worse off when taking them. Also I feel many are misdiagnosed. But then again I do not think pills are a cure all either.

Answer 10

I have been taking welbutrin, and going to therapy, I shared all those symptoms with you before I was on the meds, now life still sucks but I can at least deal with it a little easier.