how anti-depressants works?

Question

I'm sure I need anti-depressants, nothing else helps me, not even talking with councellors, but now I see that my depression is going critical. its going on from this winter and I'm doing worse. its not a phase. but I didnt lost anyone and nothing bad happened to me, its another reason for my depression but its a lot to explain.

so how anti-depressants works? when they have an effect? can I stop taking them after months or years? if I stop what can I expect? and what kind of anti-depressants are? are there any side effects? being more suicidal?

but I'm not suicidal, just depressed. I would just do some evil things, cause when I'm depressed, dont care about some specific stuff.

anyone can contact me and I can explain my situation.

Answer 1

for a temporary bout of depression you only that the drug until you have worked thru the episode -- for other would have a long term illness they take it for the rest of their lives

only a doctor/therapist can tell you if this is a longterm or shortterm depression

I am bipolar and have been taking them for over 12 years now, it is just a part of dealing with my illness and working toward a daily normal life

Answer 2

I've been ill with major depressive disorder and anxiety for the past 25 years. I've tried everything available in medicine US during that time.

Each antidepressant works differently, but since depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain, each one is somehow adjusting a particular chemical hoping to balance things in your brain. Some work immediately, some take weeks. You can stop taking them whenever you want as most of them are not addictive. You may have to taper off, though, so you don't surprise your body by sudden changes in med.

If you stop and your problems have resolved themselves, everything will be peachy keen. But the symptoms may return, and that would mean you need to see the dr. There are lots of side effects from different meds, a lot being dry mouth, constipation. They will not make you more suicidal unless you're under the age of 16.

Lots and lots of information about these meds and depression is at the NAMI website. It's very helpful. www.NAMI.org.

Sweetheart, I know you don't think you're suicidal, but just to have brought it up this many times tells me that you are. You need to see a psychiatrist immediately. If you can't afford one, usually the county has a free clinic or mental health mental retardation clinic. If you need a referral, call your medical doctor and have him tell you who he likes best.

I'm a TX mom. I've been through this with myself and both of my kids. This is an emergency. Get to a psychiatrist immediately or go to the OR.

E-mail me and let me know how you're doing.

Take care!
Debbie

Answer 3

I never had much luck with them, but we are each very different. Some people find lots of help in the medications. If your doctor is not ready to prescribe, I am certain there is a reason. The root cause of your depression may respond to therapy and avoid need for medications. Trust the doctor. We are a society that wants and instant cure pill for all our ills and pains, but it's not always the best long-term fix. Give it a chance, and then move toward medications. They have side-effects and just aren't a perfect fix to be honest. Many people gain weight, lose sex drive, feel groggy or some people feel more suicidal. They have saved many lives, but they are NOT a quick and perfect answer. Getting over depression takes work and time. Get ready to give both, and you'll be glad that you did down the road.

Answer 4

It depends on the antidepressant. Some of the older ones like the MAOIs work by blocking the enzyme monamine oxidase that is responsible for breaking down the monamines. The MAOI's are better for atypical depression, but are rarely prescribed. You have to maintain a special diet, because eating things like red wine and cheese can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure resulting in death. I don't remember how the tricyclics work, you can probably find that online. Tricyclics are rarely prescribed as well because it is very easy for individuals to overdose and commit suicide with them. Reuptake Inhibitors work by blocking the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters, like norepinephrine, serotonin, or a combination of the two. There are also atypical antidepressants that has a different method of working on NT's like Effexor and Wellbutrin. I think Effexor works on dopamine.

The effects are variable, nausea is probably fairly common due to the increased number of serotonin receptors in the GI tract. Sexual side effects are also fairly common for most SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), but I think the atypicals like Wellbutrin have a low risk of side effects.

Antidepressants usually take about 3 or 4 weeks to begin working, and you can stop taking them over time, although you may need to slowly decrease the dosage. Ones such as Wellbutrin may cause seizures if you stop suddenly. The FDA's black box warning suggests that individuals under the age of 18 may have a higher risk of suicide while taking antidepressants. Although, it has been well documented that suicides are more common when an individual is coming out of a depression because they have more energy. Antidepressants can also precipitate mania if you are bipolar and you just don't know it.

Answer 5

Anti-depressants work to balance your brain chemistry - chemically. You must start them gradually and they take a couple of weeks to reach peak effectiveness, and you must stop them gradually. You can stop taking them at any time, of course - gradually. Some people are biologically predisposed towards depression. I don't know your situation.
You will need to discuss this with your therapist, however, it takes a psychiatrist or M.D. to write the prescription. Good luck.

Answer 6

well some anti-depressants take eight days to one month to work. but when you see your dr. ask him to put you on prozac it might work for you or maybe he may put you on something else, but i was on 10,mgs, then 20 mgs now 40 mgs, but i got a lot of stuff going on ,,i think that will work for you good luck..

Answer 7

Go to the drs. There could be something else happining.

Answer 8

read the directions

Answer 9

I have no idea but they help me!!!

Answer 10

go here and find out how they work http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidepressants