what do they do exactly? do they make you happy? my friend says she feels nothing when she takes them... how can i get it? do i have to get a doctor to suscribe it for me? or can i just get some myself since i dont want my mom to know
2007-09-23 12:12:59 · 7 answers · asked by theskyzblu 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
I say dont get caught up in them. you need a doctor's permission yes. They are just like any other drugs, and you can get addicted. Most likely your friend would have to take more because she's developed a tolerance and needs more to get the same affect. You see it can become a nasty addiction where you're taking 20 at a time, and somewhere along the line it could kill you or you just won't know anything about what's actually happening around you. Try a therapist, or just expressing yourself in some fashion such as writing. The drugs are just going to screw you up.
2007-09-23 12:18:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Each class of antidepressant works on your brain chemistry in a different way. Dr. Abbott Lee Granoff, an expert in the field of panic disorder and depression, says the following: "There are currently 23 antidepressants on the market. (Guide Note: This figure has increased since Dr. Granoff was interviewed for this article.) Each increases certain neurotransmitters in the brain and each can do this in slightly different parts of the brain." So, while one person may get relief from having their serotonin boosted, another may need a drug that affects both serotonin and norepinephrine. Still another person may need an entirely different sort of medication, such an anticonvulsant or a mood stabilizer like lithium. Further, a person who does well on a medication such as Zoloft may not do as well on Prozac, even though both belong to the same class.2 Each person will be very different in their medication needs.
Just like the wide variety of brains, there are a wide variety of antidepressants. Broadly speaking, these fall into the following classes: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclics (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There are also several newer medications that are unique in their mechanism of action.
Check out this link for more information and DO NOT start taking medication, or any on elses without first consulting with a DR. or you could find yourself in an Emergency Room.
2007-09-23 19:20:58 · answer #2 · answered by missourim43 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anti-depressants don't make you "happy," they reduce the effects of depression, thus the name "anti-depressant." The cause of depression is currently being studied but it's assumed that it's because of a chemical imbalance in the brain. It can be brought on by a tramatic event, genetics (someone in the family had it), etc.
When your friend says she feels nothing when she takes them, she should talk to her doctor about it.
Anti-depressants are available ONLY THROUGH a doctor's prescription. I would suggest you forget about taking them unless you feel that you are really, really depressed (go to WebMD.com for more info). In that case, your mom NEEDS to know so she can talk to your doctor about a referral to a specialist. You should NEVER try to get prescription meds on your own.
2007-09-23 19:20:53 · answer #3 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different medicines adjust different chemicals in your brain. A lot of them regulate Serotonin, which helps make people feel happy. They can affect different people in different ways, so sometimes you'll need to try a few before you find one that suits you. You cannot get depression medication unless you are seeing a psychiatrist. It is a hard thing to allow your parents to know, but if you are under 18, that's how it has to be done.
2007-09-23 19:18:31 · answer #4 · answered by Heather 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they won't make you happy. They usually work by trying to balance chemicals in your brain that get messed up when depression sets in. I've been on all different types for years. When you're on them, you feel no difference. They keep me from going into suicidal type dark moods, and that's it. That's all they do. Don't try to sneak them. Also- they make you gain weight. There's no reason to take them if you don't have to.
2007-09-23 19:18:35 · answer #5 · answered by Eraserhead 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you cant just get them yourself. Yes, you have to get a doctor to prescribe them, meaning there has to be a medical reason for it. Not just for sh!ts and giggles. They don't make you "happy" so to speak they just help keep your symptoms at bay so you can function in day to day life.
2007-09-23 19:17:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They don't work. Well, the ones I was on didn't....... Exercise helped a lot with my anxiety. And tablets for my stomach [buscopan, imodium, gaviscon and colpermin] really heloped me to feel happier. Like so well that I don't even get hangovers any more...... Yea, try stomach tablets. Start with buscopan.
2007-09-23 19:18:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋