depression medication?

Question

Hey.... just want your opinion. I was on depression medicationf for the last year (effexor). I found that it often made me feel more depressed during bad situations and twice tried to overdose on the medication. (i promise i'm not crazy) I stopped taking it after the last incident... about 2 weeks ago and have felt so much better. Happier, more energy, motivation, etc. I know that i have anxiety problems.... when I think of a a bad situation... i can't get it out of my head and make myself sick thinking about it.

i read an article today saying that people sometimes just have the blues rather than depression.

my questions: how do you know if it is the blues or depression (i get devestated after break ups... moreso than normal people... i can't function).

should i be on anxiety med instead of depression?

why do i feel better now that i have stopped taking the med? should i get on something? if so, what works?

i THINK is depression. i have been sad/upset for no reason for the last 9 months but it def got worse after my breakup in february.

Efforxor sometimes helps, but (sorry boys) when I am on my period, makes me almost suicidal. I get so depressed and just do not know what to do. I am 24, very successful and a very lucky girl, but when i get upset, it is bad. I have tried to overdose on the med 2 times... either b/c of anxiety or depression... i honestly don't remember what i was thinking either time.

Answer 1

what worked for me was not meds but other more natural things. A ton of exercize took away the anxiety (as well as drinking less caffeine) then, everyday waking up and telling yourself its going to be a great day and you won't let yourself or anyone else bring you down. Then visualising positive events happening in the future, with affirmations (http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2006/10/affirmations.html), also spending time alone every day and just contemplating all that is around me, giving thanks before every meal reminded me that i'm actually lucky.. Its about what you DO not about solving your problems logically.

Answer 2

I have had some experience with clinical depression the past few years. My husband who I married 5 years ago has suffered from depression for many years. He also took effexor for several years, thought that he was doing well on it and that he was as well as he could get. Turns out that he really wasn't functioning very well, slept too much and did not enjoy the things that he liked to do anymore. It was a real eye opener for me to realize that his problem was a lot more serious that I had known before we married. We moved to another city and he changed doctors. They changed his medications (he now takes Cymbalta and Mirtazipine(sp?) and it has worked much better. Perhaps the type or the dosage of the meds that you were taking were not the right ones for you. Did you ask your physician or counselor who prescribed the meds for you? You should never take yourself off antidepressants without consulting the prescribing physician. You may feel better, or feel the same for a while. Some meds take weeks to get out of your system and then you are affected in a bad way, and some react to your discontinuing them in a shorter time span. I am not saying that you should continue this med without asking your physician - just that you should express your concerns to your doctor quickly and not be "treating yourself". Tell him/her what you have told us and there may be a better answer for you.
Good luck. It is a hard condition to deal with sometimes. Dont give up. Hope you feel better soon.

Answer 3

I took effexor for awhile myself..and I went from gloomy and tired all the time..to raging...for me it made me worse and an ugly person.
SOme of the key things that seperate the blues from depression are the constant symptoms...
does the blues last for more than a week
are you always tired regardless of how much sleep you get
do you have muscle pains
do you have suicidal thoughts
I have had depression most of my life..and for me....its a constant battle..but I decided against all prescription meds..in the end ..They just made me another form of "to much something"...but for some i guess they work..
I now...take Sam-e
Exercise
Write in a journal regular basis
Talk it out with family
Eat healthier
and most importantly I get what it is...and that its now apart of me..and that its (this sounds so Oprah) Ok to be this person...
The fact that you say you feel as though you cant function is a possible indicator..
BUT be careful...sadness in the medical community anymore...and boom here an antidepressant...sometimes...we just are less equiped to cope....and thats who ya are...
God bless ya dear
Good LUCk

Answer 4

If you are under 18, these meds will often wreak more havoc on your mind that do any good at all. Try something called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Medication can often cover up an issue that could be resolved by this method. Sounds like you would be a perfect candidate for this treatment. Especially if you feel better off the meds!

Answer 5

A lot of people turn to medications to feel better, the problem is in order to see if it works you have to take it for longer than 2 weeks.....often times it makes it worse. I believe a lot of people could find themselves and the happiness they desire by facing their fears, or problems. Some medications just mask the problem so the person does not feel the effects of the thoughts/emotions. But, the thoughts are still there. I have found that confronting my thoughts and fears has lead to the release of being tormented by them. It takes work though and is not as easy as popping a pill......but guess what? Once you deal with them....your "stronger" than before.
Stop by my blog and read awhile, Early on in the blog I wrote about the steps I took to overcome emotional obstacles. Helping others is true way to feel good about ones self. Contribute that others may find their way also. And you just may find your way as well.
Suzan

Answer 6

Blues are short term, depression lasts for months or longer. Different meds will make you feel worse in other ways...I take Doxipin (Not now), it's invisible and calming...But I can still get depressed on it.. If you recognize the symptoms of your depression...That's when you need to get back on the meds.

Answer 7

I was on Celexa for panic and the related and it RUINED my life. It caused me to be depressed, almost kill myself, and develop generalized anxiety disorder. Withdrawl is HELL! Do more research before you chose another medication, if you chose one at all. I would say STAY OFF THE MEDS. Psychiatrists have never experienced what you have and are all too quick to get people drugged up.

Answer 8

Depression is continuous sadness/blues.

If differs form blues/sadness.

If you have depression, you tend to feel down/sad/with-the-blues all the time without any reason at all. It is different to when one feels sad when there really are things to be sad about (i.e.: mourning which takes days but not months wherein the mourning should wear off already)

Answer 9

well Modern antidepressants have caused suicidal behavior in younger patients under 25. I used effexor for a short while I'm over 50 and all it did for me was mess with my prostate. doctors should be care full giving these drugs to younger people as they can make things worse.

Answer 10

you should be on NOTHING. if you feel better on nothing, then do nothing. if you feel badly after break ups, then that's just being a normal human being. if you are feeling anxious on an everyday basis, then that's a different story and you should talk to your doctor about what's best.