Alot of people recommend that I take anti-depressants because my depression is extreme but I'm not so sure I can trust them. There have been many warnings about serious side-effects that may make my suicidal thoughts far more intense (as they cannot get more frequent as they are).
Is this distrust justified?
2007-05-18 03:34:30 · 12 answers · asked by Zeek 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Even if it is very risky it may be my only choice, assuming a divine miracle doesn't happen.
2007-05-18 03:35:20 · update #1
Many people who take anti-depressants have mild unwanted effects, which they ignore because the effect they do want is stronger. Others find the tablets don't help the depression anyway, so any unwanted effects are a problem Some people have really serious unwanted effects - it may be few people but the unpleasantness is huge.
You don't mention whether you have ever worked with a good psychotherapist. If not, I'd strongly recommend you do so. Not only may this help with the depression in the long-term (it's certainly not an overnight cure), but if you and your psychotherapist decide that medication would be helpful, the psychotherapy may be able to help you examine what your distrust is about. Of course some of it is purely rational, but I'd guess there's more going on.
2007-05-18 04:02:14 · answer #1 · answered by Ambi valent 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every pill you take has side effects, even plain old Tylenol. What you have to figure out is this.......Do the side effects out weigh the initial need for them? Most people are a little worried about them but as with any medication, if they are taken the way they are supposed to...they are a God send.
I no taking anything for the first time, you do alot of research on them and well the crao that you fid out in that research, specially on the net, is not accurate. Sit down and talk with the person who perscribes them to you...only they can give you the answers that you really need but in the meantime, dont be so quick to turn them down. We all need a little boost every now and then and thats exactily what Anti-depressants do...they give you a boost.
Good luck to you.
2007-05-18 03:46:30 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I totally understand your concern - I was terrified of taking anti depressants and so for two years battled depression while trying to find a 'natural' remedy.
Ultimately, nothing worked, so I had to opt for medication. I was very nervous about possible side effects, but found one way round this was to request the medication in liquid form - that way you can increase the dose very, very slowly, and ensure you feel OK before upping the dosage.
Prozac comes in liquid form, and Citalopram/Celexa comes in drops. I believe Seroxat also comes in liquid form.
If you decide to go for medication, ask to be referred to a psychiatrist as they are usually better when it comes to prescribing anti depressants. Discuss your concerns and ask for a medication you can take in liquid form.
Do be aware that all these medicines take a few weeks to really start working, and also many people have to try more than one before finding the one that does the trick.
Good luck with it!
2007-05-18 04:02:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In your case I think it's extremely important to get medical treatment. I completely understand about fearing the long-term (and even short-term) effects of antidepressants.
There are other options that don't involve swallowing chemicals, if you're willing to be open. There's electro-convulsive therapy, which can help severely depressed people feel better FAST http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/electroconvulsive-therapy/MH00022
There's vagus nerve stimulation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus_nerve_stimulation and there is transcranial magnetic stimulation. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/MH00115.
I put those in order of how proven they are, basically, though I would say vagus nerve stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation are neck and neck. Transcranial is the *least* invasive.
If you leave near a teaching hospital you should be able to more easily investigate these options.
Otherwise, i urge you to take medication. I have to take it and I know I have no choice. I have a serious medical condition, just like diabetes or MS and I have to treat it. People with cancer cant' worry about the effects of chemo -- they just have to get it. Depression can be just as deadly.
Best of luck -- feel free to contact me if you need support.
2007-05-18 03:52:53 · answer #4 · answered by striasl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All anti-depressants carry a risk but providing you have been prescribed from your doctor the should be fine. Dont think that the will work overnight it can sometimes take afew weeks however if after that you think that they still arent working go back to your doctor as somtimes it can take a bit of time to find the best medication that suits you.
2007-05-18 04:04:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is. Often times the drugs actually make the depression worse or create new mental disorders(Bi-Polar, Schizophrenia) The beat way to combat depression is to seek professional help anr retrain yourself to think and believe in a healthy manner. Unless you have a serious chemical imbalance, to the point of not being able to function, finding natural ways to treat depression is a much safer and more sane choice.Good Luck!
2007-05-18 03:42:30 · answer #6 · answered by SloanMercy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ive been on and off anti depresssants for years , if you need them really need them you cant get by without them its not much of a choice real depression can grind you down and you lose your soul thephysical effects are extrmely minmal from taking PRozac or one of its cheaper generics
See your doctor and get some
2007-05-18 03:41:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can cause suicidel symptoms only in teenagers. not adults and they are not addictive. any medication can have bad side effects. we just don't hear about them. you need to talk to your doc.he/she is best at figuring out which med will suit you. while thay have the same out come, there are different types that work in different ways. you need to be totaly honest with your doc. only then can he give you what you need.
2007-05-18 03:47:50 · answer #8 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The common-sense answer is that you should ask your doctor. Yes they are generally quite safe, otherwise they wouldn't be legal very long.
2007-05-18 03:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they are okay.. I have been on them.. off and on.. anti-depressants might help you.. but not.. good luck
2007-05-18 04:11:56 · answer #10 · answered by brunetteqt5135 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋