what do Antidepressants do?

Question

i just want to know what they do just because I almost always feel depressed. should I take them? or should i not?

Answer 1

You should start by research various medications that are offered for depression. Then research your condition to make sure you are depressed. Finally, go to the doctor and discuss with him/her how you are feeling and what you have researched. Sit and talk out about if you need medication and what medication would best suit you.

Antidepressants can help with many things. Some are prescribed for pain, obviously for depression, some are for help managing other conditions like OCD. The medication itself is to make you feel better, more relaxed, more comfortable and capable of dealing the every day stresses life throws at you. If the medication is not helping, stop taking it. If the side affects out weigh the benefits consider switching to a different medication.

Whatever you do, don't self medicate. Seek out medical advice.

Answer 2

What is going on in your life? Did something happen recently? There are different types of depression from a mild dysthymia where you just don't feel like doing anything to clinical depression where you want to off yourself. Do you also have anxiety? I'd see a professional. Usually antidepressant medication is used in combination with some form of psychotherapy to find out why you're blue, how to deal with your issues and find your way.
Start with your doctor, or get a referral from a mental health clinic thru school or in your town.
Good luck!

Answer 3

The answer ot your question is better left to a trained counselor. I would suggest making an appointment with one so you can share how you are feeling. The counselor can then refer you to someone who can prescribe medication if they deem it necessary.
Most antidepressants change the brain chemistry by altering the levels of serotonin and/or dopamine, chemical messengers in the brain that help regulate our feelings of general well being. It is important to note however, that taking an antidepressant without engaging in some form of counseling is very unlikely to help. The medication can help stabilize the brain chemistry, giving a person the choice to feel happy, but if the underlying issues are not addressed, a person can still feel very down - even when on medication.

Answer 4

Make sure you really are depressed haha.

I know that sounds incredibly stupid but true depression is when you are sad/upset/etc all or most of the time for no reason at all.

Antidepressants... well if you read the label (for reals) it says more or less:
We don't know exactly how it works and how it achieves the results. We just know it works.

Seriously.

I try try try to not use meds all the time to treat everything, but you should take them IF your depression has been lasting a long time, if it's really unbearable, and if it's affecting your life.

You know yourself better than we do, decide if it's bad enough that you feel that you need extra help :)

best of luck

Answer 5

My daughter for years needed antidepressents and would not take them. Living with her was like living with a split personality type of person, you never knew what kind of mood to expect from her. Most of the time she was down and depressed and very critical of others. Once she got on good antidepressents, she changed completely! She is fun to be with and talk to, and she is happier with her life now. She actually has a life, she can be proud of and enjoy! Good luck!

Answer 6

Whether you should or shouldn't take antidepressants is up to your physician. You may very well just need a bit of counselling to help you through whatever is bothering you.
Antidepressants help regulate the seretonin in your brain. When we feel depressed, or aggitated etc., sometimes it's because of chemical imbalance and antidepressants help balance them out.
Exercise helps a great deal with depression and stress. Exercise helps release endorphins which we need. This class of compounds are similar in their action to opiates, attaching to some of the same receptors in the brain. They are a strong analgesic, and give a pervasive sense of happiness.
So you can start off by exercising and doing a regular routine with it, and if you still find yourself not feeling up to par, talk with your physician. I hope this helps. Chin up sweetie! :-)

Answer 7

Depressed is not the same as "depression."

Depression is the PATHOLOGICAL inability to experience joy in things that you once found pleasurable.

Now, there are MAOi drugs - which are reuptake inhibitors; they stop chemicals in your brain which cause happiness from being recalled and stored, allowing a better chance for them to stimulate nerves.

If you're having problems try this book:
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy

I've recommended it to several people with minor depression and it is highly effective.

Write me privately if you need anything more.

Answer 8

they work differently from person to person. my psychiatrist recommended i try them and they did help out with some of the problems i was dealing with but overall they made me feel dull and listless. i say dont take them but thats just me. if you do decide to take them be really open about how you feel while on them and off. theres a lot of different kinds out there and some work better for different people. i dont like being on medication though and i look forward to the day when they say i could stop.

Answer 9

From what you say, I think you should take them and they can help you feel better. Also ask your Dr. for a referral to a good therapist so you have someone to talk to.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!!

Answer 10

I think you should stop asking people on here who arent qualified to dispense medical advice much less advice on YOUR life. Why dont you do the smart thing, and realize its not up to you to choose whether or not you should go on medication. Go tell your physician to refer you to a good psychiatrist and he/she will decide if medication therapy is the best course of action for your recovery.