Anti-Depressants and confidence?

Question

Has anyone ever seen their confidence improve by being on anti-depressants?

I have a lot of problems with my confidence and self esteem. I'm hoping to be put on medication soon. I have an appointment with a psychiatrist this week, and with any luck he will prescribe some.

So can anyone share stories about their own experiences?

Answer 1

To Increase Confidence:

1. Make a list of your strong points.

All the positive things about yourself and the things that you are good at doing. Think of compliments you have received or things that come easily to you. It doesn't matter what it is, if it's good, write it down.

2. Choose two of those things that you want to work on to improve even more.

It's important to succeed and by concentrating on the areas you are already good at you will have a better chance of becoming even more sure of yourself. Remember that success builds upon success.

3. Exude confidence even if you don't feel like it.

Talk to yourself in an encouraging way and stay away from negative thoughts and people as you can.

Instead surround yourself with positive, confident, and successful people. This will become a habit and one that will build confidence.

4. Look at yourself in a different way than you are used to doing.

It can change your life and help your confidence level to rise. See yourself as the self confident person you want to be and before you know it you will become that person.

If you have a set-back do not let it get the best of you. Remember the times when you exhibited self confidence and how good it felt and then try again and each time will help you to build confidence and confidence building will become a way of life.

Answer 2

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who prescribes medication for treatment of mental disorders like depression. You probably will get a prescription unless the psychiatrist doesn't think your depression is serious enough.

Treating the symptoms of depression with medication can help to improve your self confidence. However, confidence may also be related to ones conditioning and personality traits. Some people may need counseling/psychotherapy in addition to medication in order to make improvements. It's a corny analogy, perhaps, but I think it's kind of like having wings but still needing to learn how to fly.

I have a long history of depression and low self esteem. I went through a series of low paid jobs and covered my feelings with over-eating, substance abuse and other risky behavior. When I finally got put on an anti-depressant; it worked like a miracle. I got back in college, studied hard, worked at a part time job, played in a band, got a nice girl friend. I got a pretty good job in my chosen field after I graduated. I doubt if that would have been possible if I never had been treated.

I never saw the need for counseling, personally, but it might be a wise choice for some people. I still have some self confidence issues, but I think I deal with it pretty well on my own. I recently got a significant promotion at work so I can't be doing too bad.

Answer 3

Drugs can help with a positive mental attitude. I have a family member who is on anti-depressants. The problem is when she gets better, then she feel low down because she has to take the pills. When you get on them just remember that you're not alone. There are thousands upon thousands of people fighting depression just like you and on the same meds. If it helps, then don't let the feelings of having to depend on them rob you of your sense of well being.

Answer 4

Your question needs a book to properly answer it...

See if you can find online or at a bookstore or library in the "real" world called...

"Listening To Prosac..." (Can't remember the author's name, but his whole book attempts to answer to at least address your question with some seriously well-supported psychological data...in essence...he noticed "Prosac" and other anti-depressant drugs DO tend to "cure" personality disorders somewhat...but only at the expense of suppressing other important personality traits that we would not want to lose...i.e. a normally giving-but-depressed person said Prosac cured her depression, but shortly after getting on it, she stopped being a very "giving" person...her depression was cured at the expense of her good-natured, "helping-others" behavior...
A pretty big price to pay for "piece of mind" if you ask me...
I think people should start "seeing" things like depression and low self-confidence as "easily endurable" facts of life...just invite them in for a cup of tea, entertain them politely for a while, and understand that they will eventually get bored and go home...(and they will be back again tomorrow, so before you go to bed each evening, get that tea & crumpets depression serving tray out on the kitchen counter ready to go again...what's so "miserable" about misery, anyway...it's just one of many life "necessities..."
Change the "way" you view it...

Not the "how.."

Good luck, and hang in there...there's always deeply disturbing rock music to turn to in a clinch...

Answer 5

Im sorry that idiots like menatwar exist, thus making your life harder.
I had a friend and after her taking medication her mood and things seemed to improve all around, including her confidence level. I hope things work for you.

Answer 6

No pills for this! See the self esteem/confidence websites at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 2: read that page, and page 10: check out the other websites, too!!!

Answer 7

Just admit that you are a loser and you will always be a loser and your rotten attitude should improve.