What are the benefits of antidepressants?

Question

Just ended a long term relationship and lacking energy, and focus. I have never taken them but am sure they help a lot of people. Paxil or effexor has been recommended, any thoughts or advice? I am tired of feeling bummed out.

Answer 1

Most people who use them only need them for 3 or 4 months as a boost to get through some tough times.
Remember that when you quit though, you have to taper off for a couple of weeks. (The withdrawl symptoms are a bear.)
I have a couple of illnesses that whack out my hormones, so I take antidepressants all the time. It does even things out and makes me happier and easier to live with.

Answer 2

I've been on both and I've had better luck with Effexor. You should also try to start an exercise regiment (if you don't already have one). Sit down and make a list of the things you are really interested in and start doing them.

Go join a Lions Club and help people that are in need. It's a great organization and it will make you feel better getting out and helping people. You can also meet lots of people and make new friends. It's a good way to make your self feel useful.

Not everyone needs medication, but if you have long term depression then get help. If this is just a short term thing, then you need to rethink what your doing and make some changes.

Answer 3

When you're depressed your brain detects this and couteracts this by naturally producing an antidepressant. Sometimes some people stay in a depression for to long and the brain cannot produce anymore of its natural antidepressant. While in this state an individual can further develop a more permanent comdition ... a mental i'llness i.e. bi-polar disorder.

The benefits of a pharmaceutical antidepressant is that it helps the brain to stablize the depression.

Paxil or effexor will do just as good as any other because these meds are trial and error initially until you find one that suits you i.e. some put you to sleep / some make you sick and nauseous

Answer 4

There are key identifiers for depression and you should discuss your feelings with your doctor. Many times people are "depressed" for a short time and they rebound naturally, without antidepressants. Exercise, companionship with friends, new projects, volunteering, all help you focus on something other than you. If, however, you are having troubles longtime, such as changes in sleep, appetites, thoughts of suicide, feeling like you have no avenues in life, talk to someone. Antidepressants are wonderful and have made amazing changes for so many people. Just make sure you really need them.... they are strong chemicals.

good luck!

Answer 5

Feeling sad, or bad, isn't necessarily depression. Those feelings can be a part of everyday life--that billions of people go through.

Symptoms of depression include:
Not caring to do everyday tasks
Not caring about personal hygiene or getting out of bed
Overeating or undereating
Sleeping too much, or too little
Suicidal thoughts
No longer wanting a sex life
--many others--

You can take tests to see if you are depressed at:

http://www.about.com

(type in mental health in search box on upper right hand corner)

or at:

http://www.lexapro.com/english/understanding_anxiety/default.aspx

they have tests for both depression and anxiety disorders. (Select Resources and Tools).

Both inform you that no matter how you score on their tests (which are anonymous) that you still need to seek an answer from a health professional.

Feel better--check out the tests--while you're at those sites, do some reading about depression.