What are the dangers of anti-depressants? They terrify me, but I don't know what else to try.?

Question

I feel like I'm half asleep all of the time. I'm Angry, moody, and flustered 75% of the time. I can't think striaght or make decisions. I don't feel like doing anything! I've been drinking a lot, which is probably not helping.
I had a miscarriage 5 months ago, which is probably a big factor in how I feel, but this has come and gone my entire life.
I don't know if its hormonal, chemical, or just pshycological.
I don't know how to explain this all to my doctor without him automatically jumping to the conclusion that I need to be medicated. I would try it as a last resort, as i do realize that it can be helpful in some cases. I'm just worried that I might never be the same again afyter trying it.
Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Your symptoms seem to indicate depression. And you are right the drinking isn't helping. You mention a miscarriage so I would encourage you to seek counseling. But if this is something you have experienced off and on all your life it is possible that you could have clinical depression caused by a chemical imbalance. Do not be ashamed of that but seek out medical advice and don't be afraid of taking medicines. Anti-depressants today are not what they were years ago. A lack of serotonin in our brain is a chemical imbalance that can sometimes only be treated with medicine and is no different than being diagnosed diabetic and needing insulin every day. You stated you are afraid of never being the same again after trying it (medicines) ... you are right! I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the difference you will feel (fopr the better). But please seek out the right physician who will diagnose the right medicine for your condition...if he feels you need it. Chemical imbalances can also be treated with food as well...fish really is brain food...it helps to balance out the serotonin. Good luck!

Answer 2

I too was terrified of taking anti depressants - so much so, that I put off taking them for two years while I tried all manner of 'natural' remedies for depression.

Ultimately, nothing really worked permanently, so I had to turn to medication. I was so anxious about possible side effects that I thought I wouldn't be able to take the pills! My solution was to get the medication in liquid form - this means you can raise the dose REALLY gradually and make sure you feel OK before upping the amount each time. (With your doctor's agreement, of course).

I think the main problem with anti depressants - and one I could not have foreseen - is that it's tough finding one that really works! Many people have to try several - I'm now on my third!

Don't worry that you might 'never be the same again' after taking an anti depressant - this isn't the way they work.

You will always be 'you' - just a more relaxed, happier you, when you find the right medication!

When you first start a medication, you might feel pretty rough for a bit, but this should pass; most anti depressants take up to four weeks to really start working, Prozac can take up to six.

If you've tried other things, and nothing works, then think about medication. Ask for a low dose, in liquid form - Prozac, Seroxat(Paxil) and Citalopram(Celexa) all come in liquid or drop form.

If you haven't had any form of counselling, do try that first; then you might not need the medication.

Best of luck with it!

Answer 3

I'm sorry about your miscarriage. Since you are concerned about taking an anti-depressant, I am sure you recognize that drinking is a form of self-medicating. I self medicated by smoking. I quit and a few months late went on an anti-depressant. You should see a psychiatrist and talk about your experiences and symptoms, and get their opinion-but here is mine:
I took Lexapro from last april to last october. (Quit smoking january) I made one appointment, told the doc I wanted lexapro b/c it treated the most symptoms (PTSD, anxiety, etc) with the lowest amount of chemicals and reported side effects. I was prescribed it, took it for the recommended 6 months, then weaned myself off. You won't be the same afterwards. At first I felt much better (able to laugh easier, smile easier, not think everyone hated me, sleep better, less hungry, not worry or ruminate) then I could not orgasm-no matter what-total loss of feeling "down there" I had dry mouth, dizziness, and weird "zaps" in my head. I stayed on though, letting the chemical re-route my serotonin. After a few months, I decided to come off, lowering the dosage. That was hell. The vertigo, sleep problems, headaches, craving for the drug itself and the instant calm it gave...lasted months. My appetite came back & I gained 10 lbs. My moods went way back to depressed. I could not take off work to see a doctor, but it didnt matter b/c there was not way I was going back to Lexapro. Now, over a year since I took it, I know it worked. I don't have the extreme anxiety I used to. However, the depression has returned (which was never an issue it was only anxiety) and my metabolism is not the same. I hit the gym everyday & have lost the weight, but I am always hungry and depressed unless I eat...It did work though, I can now recognize when I'm "off" and when I'm "ok." Before each day was an uncontrollable blur of emotions. Try exercise every day, a better diet, better sleep habits, and talking to a doctor. Do that for a couple weeks and then you & your doctor can decide about an anti-depressant. But there WILL be side effects.

Answer 4

Hi there. You've suffered a terrible loss, so your feelings and reactions are natural and entirely valid given the circumstances. First and foremost make sure you find a psychiatrist or psychologist that you are comfortable with. You can begin talk therapy without beginning medication.

If, through therapy, you think that medication will be a benefit then be assured that there are plenty of safe medications out there that help. The medication will decrease the intensity (but not eliminate) your feelings of depression and anxiety.

Most importantly, be honest. The only way your doctor or therapist can truly help you, is if you are open and honest about how you've been feeling and coping. For example, you mentioned that you've been using alcohol as a coping mechanism, and this would affect your doctor's choice of options for medication. The intensity and duration of your feelings will also affect your doctor's choice of suggestions.

Remember, your doctor can suggest, but ultimately cannot decide a treatment plan for you without your agreement and full participation. I hope some of this helps and I wish you a full recovery from your loss.

Answer 5

If you have been up and down your entire life it is quite possible that you are bi-polar....but I am no doctor. You do need to see a psychatrist however. You can also tell the doctor that you do not necessarly want to be put on medication, and that you would like to have a blood test for a serintonin level (this will test the chemicals in your brain to see if you are suffering from a chemical imbalance causing depression). If you do have a chemical imbalance the only way to correct that is with medication.

Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy (talk therapy), and you may find that helpful.

If nothing else helps try the antidepressants they could help. It is hard to say what the side effects are since each one has its own side effects, but you could talk to the doctor about that at the time he prescribes the medication.

I hope things get better for you, I know how you feel I have been suffering from severe depression for years (a severe chemical imbalance).

Answer 6

If possible go to a psychiatrist. Since they specialize in both therapy and medication, they will help figure out what the best route to take with you is.
If you can't, then you should first go to your doctor. Depending on how severe he feels you are, he will likely discuss alternatives (yoga, therapy etc), but he may still put you on something temporarily. Do not worry about the "Dangers" of anti-depressants. There are dangers to all medications, I bet even insulin has side effects on SOME people, but that doesn't stop people from using it.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

It sounds hormonal and chemical. Side effects are usually temporary and may include: Dry mouth, stomach distress, drowsiness. These are the most common and usually go away quickly. The only other occasional side effect is that when people are seriously depressed they tend to feel unable to effect their own lives and misery. Shortly after beginning to take the meds, they become slightly less depressed and no longer feel hopeless and may end their lives. There is a window of time that this has to be monitored. This rarely happens but when it does it is usually a teen. They are impulsive by nature which plays a big role in it.

Answer 9

You may not need to take antidepressants forever, but they may be worth a shot now. I've known people who take antidepressants and they are still the same person, just without the depression.

Talk to your doctor to find out what's best for you. And cut down on your drinking, that makes matters worse.

And I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Some of this may be postpartum depression.

Answer 10

I can only comment on myself, and you can take whatever you want from that...at one point in my life I really felt like nothing was as I had planned my life should be-I was 30 years old, still living at home, no romantic life to speak of, a crappy job, and my mother had started drinking (an alcoholic sober for many years). It was personally too much for me and I became depressed. I finally got sick of living like that and spoke to a counselor who suggested I contact my doctor for an antidepressant. I saw the counselor for a few months and took Paxil...after about 6 months or so, I felt much better, but of course, depression is sneaky, and it can come back. I know this, and I know I may need help again, but so far, I haven't needed anything since that initial bout with antidepressants (like 6 years ago)...And...no antidepressant works for eveyone. I liked the effects of Paxil, but someone I knew hated it!

You are dealing with alot rihgt now, and you're right, the alcohol is not helping, as it is a depressant in itself. If you're hesitant to take an antidepressant, talk to a psychologist, and see what they recommend.

Some natural things that can help with depression are vitamin B and fish oil capsules (at least for me) and lots of exercise, and eating right---I know it sounds like trite advice, but it really does help.