Antidepressants are they helpful?

Answer 1

they can be, depending on the severity of your depression/anxiety. I was on Effexor for anxiety last year. It stopped my anxiety but i was tired all the time, gained weight cause I wasn't active and slept alot. If you don't need them, don't go on them.

Answer 2

Others have answered well. I'm weighing in to counter these claims:

"If you want to gain about 4 stone of ugly fat. along with hair loss.....and be sedated and tired most of the time.....
never have a real lover because of your looks....
spend most of your time in the mental health world..seeing doctors and pharmacists .......and other pros......
screw up your liver...
help fund international drug lords and wars"

I'm pretty sure the last one is a joke. The others *are* potential side effects, but no one medication has all of them, and many people are sincerely helped and have few negative side effects -- the job of your psychiatrist is to help you find the right drugs to both make you feel better and minimize the side effects. Trust me -- doctors know which ones cause weight gain and can certainly prescribe around that if that's a concern... I think one of the new ones even decrease weight. And like someone else mentioned -- some side effects are helpful too -- Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that is also marketed as a smoking cessation drug under the name Zyban -- so for the price of one drug, you can treat two seperate problems! :)

Answer 3

If you're depressed, yes. There are many antidepressants and you may have to go through several before you find the one that works best for you with the least side effects.

Answer 4

Yes, sometimes life just causes us to have chemical imbalances and antidepressants help us get through those tough times. It doesn't necessarily mean once you start you will completely dependant on them for the rest of your life.

Answer 5

They've helped me considerably. I've been more down than usual & my doctor just upped my prescription. We adjust the dosage on an as needed basis. Its a matter of finding the one best suited to you and the correct dosage.

Although there's nothing to back me up (but maybe I read it somewhere) dr's other than psychiatrist's under prescribe & because they don't specialize in psychiatry they tend not to know the best meds for depression. So I strongly suggest seeing a psychiatrist for the right meds. Good luck to you.

Answer 6

Yes! I've taken several kinds that did not work well because of the side effects. Finally, I tried welbutrin and it really helped. Plus it helps you quit smoking (if you smoke and want to quit). My sister takes it also and it really has helped her too.

Answer 7

They can be as harmful as they are helpful. I'm not saying that they're completely dangerous, it's just that it should be more of a last resort. Try non-drug therapy before going on anti-depressants.

Answer 8

If you want to gain about 4 stone of ugly fat. along with hair loss.....and be sedated and tired most of the time.....
never have a real lover because of your looks....
spend most of your time in the mental health world..seeing doctors and pharmacists .......and other pros......
screw up your liver...
help fund international drug lords and wars

then yes be a part of the HUMAN masterplan!!!

I

Answer 9

Yes, yes and YES!! Finding the right one for you may be a challenge. Once the right combo is found, they are truly a life saver. One can enjoy life again.

Answer 10

yes i take zoloft and it helps me some. it is not a happy pill but it just helps you to function