Do antidepressants really work?

Question

I have been on a few different kinds, but I end up stopping taking them because I either don't feel different, feel worse, or feel numb. What do antidepressants really do?

Answer 1

Yes, for most ... they do. This also depends on what type of depression you're experiencing. If it is a clinical depression, meds and counseling really do help. Antidepressants work by means of increasing the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that keeps the neurotransmitters sending the "happy" signals in the brain. When you're clinically depressed, serotonin levels have been known to plummet drastically.

If you're depressed because of life's normal ups and downs, such as the death of a loved one ... or you've lost your job, then chances are that an antidepressant will not be of benefit to you. Counseling, on the other hand, would be. In this instance ... it's possible to lift one's self up and out of the depressive state. In the instance of a clinical depression, it's difficult ... if not impossible to do so.

Talk with your doctor ... if you're not getting the results that you feel you should, seek a second opinion.

Answer 2

Antidepressants work but you need to build them up in your body so you need to take them some times for 4 to 6 weeks before you start feeling better. You should always be followed by a Dr. and you should never stop them with out weening off of them. This is very hard on your body and you can actually rebound and feel worse.

Answer 3

Different types of antidepressants work in different ways. The most popular types right now are known as "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors," or SSRI's. Serotonin is a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that is responsible for calm, pleasant, or happy feelings. A newer generation of antidepressants that work on dopamine, another "feel good" neurotransmitter, work in the same way - by interfering with the body's ability to reabsorb the neurotransmitter it is designed to target, thereby increasing the amount of them occurring naturally in your blood stream, which thereby increases your feelings of positive mood.

Not all depression is the same, nor are all human bodies, so it may take a while to discover the right medication, or combination of medications, to best address your symptoms. For instance, is your depression coupled with anxiety, or more lethargic in nature? Is it chronic or due to a specific event? You need to discuss the exact nature of your symptoms with your physician so he/she can find the best solution. And, many of the SSRI's must build up in your blood stream and take 4-6 weeks to become effective, so don't give up on them too quickly. As to whether they ultimately work or not, I can only say from personal experience that yes, they worked for me.

Finally, most experts agree that the best treatment for depression includes counseling WITH medication. If you're not already talking to a therapist about your depression, I urge you to do so.

I hope this helps. Hang in there, and good luck.

Answer 4

An antidepressant, in the most common usage, is a medication taken to alleviate clinical depression or dysthymia ('milder' depression). Several groups of drugs are particularly associated with the term, notably MAOIs and tricyclics (whose serendipitous discovery and psychiatric use dates from the 1950s) as well as SSRIs and more recent variations developed by pharmaceutical companies. These medications are now amongst the most commonly prescribed by psychiatrists and general practitioners, and their effectiveness and adverse effects are the subject of many studies and competing claims. A number of other antidepressant drugs, notably St John's Wort, are also widely studied and used.

Antidepressants are generally, if not in pharmacology, considered separately from stimulants. They are usually taken as a course over several weeks, months or years, and have a delayed onset of therapeutic action. Drugs used for an immediate euphoric effect only are not generally considered antidepressants. Despite the name, antidepressants are often used in the treatment of other conditions, including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and chronic pain. Some have also become known as lifestyle drugs, sometimes referred to as "mood brighteners". Conversely other medications not known as antidepressants, including antipsychotics in low doses and benzodiazepines are also widely used to manage depression. In fact the antidepressant term is sometimes applied to any therapy (e.g. psychotherapy, electro-convulsive therapy, acupuncture) or process (e.g. sleep disruption, increased light levels, regular exercise) found to improve clinically depressed mood. It is also the case that placebos tend to have a significant antidepressant effect, so that establishing a drug as an antidepressant in a clinical trial involves demonstrating a significant additional effect.

Answer 5

They have worked well enough to keep me from putting a bullet in my head. After being diagnosed as being bi-polar I have been treated aggressively. There are side effects with almost all meds but once you have the correct ones things get better. Find a doctor that will work with you to find which meds work best for you as all anti-depressants do not work the same in all people.

Answer 6

I have taken anti-depressants for two years, i don't know if i could have survived without them,it did take awhile to get the right combination for me. I was so down i didn't care about anything.I withdrew from family & friends, i didn't answer my phone. Please don't give up. Counselers helped me also. I still have bad days, but now i know it will always be better tomorrow. God bless you, & remember, you're never alone, you have people who love you,& people who care. ( I care )

Answer 7

well i hope they do-- ive been on them only for 21/2 days so i cant tell! but i feel the same way.. anxiety sad and depressed... some people I have talked to said it made them feel happier but doesnt last-- their depression went away but not their anxiety.. also becareful just coming off them I think u have to see your doctor first! good luck

Answer 8

I wouldn't feel like living without them.

Answer 9

Best talk to a certified physician.

Answer 10

that's what antidepressants do.. i guess you haven't taken them long enough to.. make you gain weight.

that's prescription drugs and how they work.