Meds causing thoughts of suicide?

Question

I've tried a few anti-depressants (lexapro, zoloft, wellbutrin) and so far the different meds my doctor has put me on have caused me to have even more thoughts of suicide. Is there anyone out there on an anti-depressant that works? I've tried each for 6 months, until I couldn't take feeling so down anymore. Did any of you have this problem? Did you finally find something that worked, or did you give up and find something else that helped? Maybe something natural... or...? Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

I have given this answer many times already but do feel it is worth repeating here....

I think it is important to note that anti-depressants treat a chemical imbalance in the brain... sooooo if you dont actually have a chemical imbalance the medication can not work...

Some people are depressed because they are dealing with a depressive situation.... like a personal loss or tragedy... and it actually has nothing to do with chemical imbalances...

I suffer from depression, anxiety, panic attacks and stress....

I can not take any of the medicines that doctors prescribe for these conditions they tend to make me worse... so I have had to do the following to keep myself on an even keel...

Find a good counsellor attend sessions weekly for three months... take a break then do it again... repeat as long as is required..

Exercise: This is not the 101 situps ten mile run kind of exercise..... Just simple exercise like walking swimming or cycling for at least 20 minutes each day... do this very day... do not push yourself too hard at first walk powerfully enough to start tofeel your heart working and then slow dow a bit then build it up again..Do not hurt yourself or push yourself too hard or fast...be kind to yourself even if it takes you a year before you can exercise steadily for 20 minutes that doesnt matter it is just important that you do this daily and do it with gentleness towards yourself.

Eat fresh foods as much as possible. include grains fruit and vegetables in every meal... be creative when preparing meals and use a lot of colourful foods to make eating a true pleasure. Prepare and eat your food while listening to some pleasant music. Make eating a wonderful gift to yourself.

Drink more water: Water flushes toxins out of your system drink lots of water...

Take up a creative pursuit: this can be gardening (nothing fancy here stick a geranium cutting in some dirt and add water) drawing ( a pencil and paper and away you go) music make music with whatever you have, paint, write anything that gets the creative energy flowing,

Learn to pray, meditate and or contemplate.... there is lots of info on the net about prayer and meditation and contemplation means just being quiet with yourself... noticing little things, allowing your mind to gently explore things..

Join an interest group... real time gatherings are best rather than net groups... spending time with other people who have a common interest is an easier way of being with people as the focus is not on you or them but rather on the topic at hand, there are interest groups for many different kinds of interests, lapidary groups (gemstones rocks etc), writers groups, local history groups, motor cycle clubs, land regeneration groups, photography groups, parenting groups, walking groups (bush walking, power walking), pet care groups, charitable groups and organisations. Find a group that you share an iterest with and get involved.

Listen to music that you enjoy and explore a whole range of music like indigenous music from various countries, classical music, opera, rock, blues, listen to many kinds of music and build your cd collection.

Spend time sitting on the ground leaning against a big old tree.. feel the earth supporting your weight, notice how the tree supports your spine allow yourself to feel safe and supported by the universe.

Spend time outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air... the sun interacts wit your body to create some happy chemicals in your body. The fresh air allows your lungs to breathe in and circulate more oxygen.

Laugh! Get some comedy cds or dvds or go out to comedy shows and funny movies. Buy a good joke book and read it. Learn a new joke each week and share the joke with others. Spend time allowig yourself to build up to a good belly laugh. Hang out with people who are funny.

Keep a daily journal. You dont need to record everything. Just record some of your activities, thoughts and ideas for each day.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF
There is no point in being hard on yourself, being negative about yourself, putting youself down.... trust me there are enough people on the planet who will do that for you so don't you do it too.... Instead find the good things about yourself and remind yourself about all of the good things about you.. When you think of good things about yourself record them in your journal...

You can of course combine several of these things.... be outdoors with a group of people that are exercising and you will achieve several of these points in one go... So don't fret about this list seeming long... just introcude one or two of these things to your daily/weekly routine at a time and get used to doing it... don't make it too hard on yourself it is more important that you do these things than how well you do them... just add one and get used to it then add another...

Best of Luck with it all and I am sure you will find a way that suits you..

Answer 2

Anti-depresseants do not cause thoughts of suicide. What happens is when you're really depressed, you don't think about suicide as much or even try to commit it because it requires effort. When you start feeling a little better, you have more energy, more will, and more motivation...the thoughts of suicide may increase and attempts may seem more feasible and doable. That period is critical for people to be monitored. You have tried three which feels like a lot, I know, but some people have to try dozens before finding the one that works for their brain. Perhaps your doctor needs to work on targeting different neuron types. Some antidepressants target serotonergic neurons...others target noradrinergic and dopaminergic, or all three.

I was on Prozac which is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and it works for my brain. Wellbutrin targets all three neuron types...not sure about the others. Just keep trying things. Have you been diagnosed with anything else? ADD/ADHD? Anxiety? Anything? Ask your doctor if a mood stabilizer would help.

Answer 3

I have had the very same problem and it is most frustrating and takes a long time going from medicine to medicine. My psychiatrist explained to me that it was not an exact science, it is usually trial and error. The drug that finally worked for me was prozac. I have also been told that if anyone in your family is on an antidepressant that works for them it is quite possible the same medication will most likely work for you. The second part of my answer would be to have ongoing appointments with a psychiatrist who will be able to support you through this difficult time. You need both talk therapy and drugs and most of all be totally upfront with your doctor about your suicidal thoughts. Things will get better and although times are difficult right now you have to believe nothing is worth losing your life over. Hope this helps - you are in my thoughts

Answer 4

Hmm. Tough problem. Did you depression respond to any of the drugs? If not you may need to see a specialist rather than you regular doctor. A significant percentage of people with depression do not get full response to the usual medications. Sometimes you need combinations of meds including lithium for difficult depression.

If you have milder depression, have you tried exercise? Moderate exercise has been shown to be as effective as many medications for mild to moderate depression.

Other natural remedies such as St. Johns Wart are no safer than prescription meds and in multiple studies have been found to be far less effective.

Answer 5

I was diagnosed with severe depression about 11 years ago. I was the same with trying so many different kinds. I settled on Elavil which was OK for 2 years but I was tired of feeling dopey and wanting to eat. I found out that Elavil causes damage to you heart valves if taken for too long.
Now I take Prozac and it is much better. I also found out that many of us are misdiagnosed with depression and we have something else. I had taken a self test and talked to my doctor, we realized I have ADHD and the meds I take for that make me feel much better. Another disorder is Bi-Polar disorder because one symptom is depression. There is a test you can take on line.
It is a health website and the results you can print out and show your doctor. By the way it took 3 doctors before I found the right one who cared about me and listened to me. Good Luck. I almost forgot I just found this out. If you are taking anti depressants and your Bi-Polar it could lead to more suicidal thoughts.

Answer 6

This does happen in kids, but not often in adults. It usually gets better with time. Have you tried Effexor or Remeron? Have you been talking to your doc? Are you getting the meds from a psychiatrist or a family doc? If a family doc - GO to a psychiatrist...I'm a therapist and I KNOW that a family doc cannot always work with complicated cases...

Answer 7

It sounds like you could use some real counseling to help you with whatever is causing you to be down. Meds don't work as well as working through the problem.
But I have found that taking care of your body helps too. Like cutting back on caffeine and eating healthy instead of junk food. And exercise helps too.
Good luck.

Answer 8

Strattera, a nonamphetamine for ADHD, can be used for depression.

Answer 9

zoloft is the worst. try welbutrinxl150mgs by itself.