Prescribed Prozac for Depression?

Question

Well, I'm 17/male and have been taking 60mg of Prozac for Severe Depression for the duration of about a year now and following a fairly productive and successful life, my depression has caused all that to take a sharp nose dive. I'm not working to form on anything, I have been no use to my football club, my 8 A-level subjects have sufferered severly, and worst of all I'm too tired to do anything, at any time of the day. While I'm awake I feel like I'm a prisoner in my own mind which has been redecorated to resemble a torture chamber and the rest of the time I sleep.

For anyone who is a professional in the field of depression, suffers from or has suffered from Depression, A little support and info other than that which I get from my elusive psychiatrist (Yes I am seeing one) - would be greatly appreciated. How did you alleviate these feelings of chronic fatigue, the twitches all over (may be something else) and the sheer lack of enthusiasm for life? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I suffered from severe depression for a considerable period of time. Like you, I was exhausted in mind and body. My difficulty functioning affected numerous area of my life. Hope was elusive.

Three things I did.
Counseling - talking with a therapist 2 - 4 times per month, helping me to identify what was behind my non-functioning and depression (in my case a traumatic experience). I learned where ways of my thinking were out of the ordinary, and how I interpreted people around me was different than how they meant to come across. I learned new skills of thought that work better for me.

Faith -- My faith in God played a big part in my healing. Claiming Jesus as my source of strength beyond myself, wisdom and reason to live all come out of that faith. I leaned to calm myself with prayer (talking to God) instead of worry and upsetness.

Medication -- seeing the Psychiatrist helped to determine what was not working in my thoughts and perceptions and emotions - what things I did and thought that didn't make sense - what I saw or heard that was not really there. He prescribed a medication to address each of my problem areas. We had to try a few on a trial and error basis, then adjusting the dosage up or down to minimize the side effects while addressing the problems. Over a period of time we came across a winning combination for me, helping me to think and reason and react to other people and situations as close to normally as I can. I still realize I'm a unique individual, and I still may misperceive others sometimes. But my gratefulness is to the medications that have restored my brain chemistry to close to a normal range, so that people do not any longer perceive me to be odd or depressed. My physical problems as well as mental and emotional problems have found resolve so long as the medications are current in my body. I have a zest for life.

Answer 2

I am sure no professional, but I would think that you need a change in dosage or meds. I am on Paxil, and when I was taking 30 mg I felt like a zombie, tired, sleeping all the time. Just plain emotionally exhausted. I am now on 15 mg and I feel a lot better.
My brother has suffered with depression/anxiety for over half of his life. He started on Prozac and than switched to Celexa. He currently is seeing a therapist and was even able to discontinue use of the medications. He says he will always need to talk to someone though.
I do hope that you can find something to make you feel better. Remember you are NOT alone, there are MANY people out in the world that care about you!
Good Luck to you and take care!!

Answer 3

about 5 years ago, I started to fall into a really depressive episode. At first I thought it was only because I had a bad break from a relationship but the feelings wouldn't go away even after I got a new girlfriend. It was wrecking my life until a point where it was seriously affecting my work and personal life.

She was very worried but at the same time couldn't understand why I was still sad and thought that I still couldn't let go of my previous relationship. Being the wonderful person that she is, she put aside her feelings and suggested I go for psychiatric evaluation. Many months later and even more anti-depressants, I was not coming close to being better at all.

After doing some research online, I found out the real cause as you described it really makes a lot of sense and purchased this program. The results were simply astonishing. I read this book over three times and put all words in action. Using this method, I've kept my depression at bay ever since. Up to date I'm still living happily with my girlfriend.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 4

Fatigue can be a symptom of depression, and the lack of enthusiasm for life is a big red flag indicating depression.

It is possible that for some unknown reason, the prozac is not controlling the depression properly or the dose needs to be adjusted. I would recommend seeing the doctor who prescribed the prozac as soon as possible, and describe your symptoms to him or her. Keep in mind that once you are on medication for depression, you should never stop taking the medication as prescribed without consulting the doctor first - this is important. In my own experience, I had to be hospitalized because I went off the medication suddenly without consulting anyone, and the depression returned, 5 times worse than before.

My advice is, hang in there, and see the doctor or have your parents take you in to see the doctor as soon as you can.

Answer 5

i recently as in just 3 months ago went thru the same thing I even got scared of everything and just plain didn't want to face the world. Then I couldn't sleep, eat, focus, remember, and I got the shakes and cramps. We found thru trial and failure that it was the prozac for me. I had started out fine and then either it my chemicals changed or something becuse to the best of our knowledge i was reacting to all the side effects of the prozac. I went off of it immediately and felt like I had the flu for a few days but then I strated new. The important thing to remember when flushing a med out of your body is to drink and if you can eat. Once they are out of your system you can begin to figure out what's really in your head and what's really happenng. I personnally have found that I do better with just taking my xanax on a when neeeded basis instead of the anti-depressant daily. I have heard great things about Cymbalta if you have med insurance maybe you shoudl ask to try that ( I say the insurance part becuse it is expensive and not covered by those discount cards)

Answer 6

I suffered from depression for a few years.had been on all sorts of meds.to be honest i am very against psychiatric drugs.i had the exact same experience while on them.if you havent already mentioned it to your psychiatrist do.they can be very stuborn but you got to put in your input and tell them theyre being counter productive.suggest a drop in dosage and insist that theyre making you feel worse than better.it can be pretty tricky talking to them cause if you get annoyed about something(for instance your dilema) theyll pick it up as something else and think you need more meds.keep a level head and explain how much it is holding you back and suggest an alternative course of action.they can be stuborn but if you go in there explaining everything level headed and well enough they might take your suggestion seriously.i was stuck in the same rut as you.i just kept persevering with them. best of luck.

Edit-just to someone down there who said the fatigue and lack of enthuiasm is indicating depression.it is also a typical response to unsuitable doses of medications.i really think your dose needs to be changed either way.take care

Answer 7

maybe you need to change your meds--i have been depressed for years and my doctor have tried different meds with me and they seem to work--so ask about changing your meds..good luck...