NationStates Jolt Archive

Do you believe they work? Are they a good thing? Do you take them? What are your opinions on antidepressants?

Just thought I would start a thread on this rather than hijacking another.

Do they work ? Sometimes depending on the person.
Are they a good thing? Not as a crutch or dependancy.
Do I take them? No, but the wife does.
What are your opinions on antidepressants? Should be used as a step, not a reliance. Start out w/ only what is needed and then lower the dosage along w/ counseling et al until one can hopefully get off them.

I don't currently take them, but I believe they saved my life. (or at least got it back to the quality I deserve)

I think they are great when used properly and prescribed by a doctor who has your well being in mind.

Depends on the person and the antidepressant. They are not the cure to all problems, but they make life tolerable for some for whom it would not otherwise be so.

Do you believe they work?

Do antidepressant medications induce physiological changes in the human brain? Yes. Do those changes always "cure" depression? No. There are many people for whom antidepressant drugs do not work, and we're not always able to figure out why.

Are they a good thing?

It is always good to have options for treatment of illnesses or injuries. Modern antidepressants are wonderful options for many people, though their individual benefit must be carefully examined on a case-by-case basis. Just because they work well for one person doesn't mean they will work well for another.

Do you take them?

I have taken an antidepressant for something like 5 years now.

Do you believe they work? Are they a good thing? Do you take them? What are your opinions on antidepressants?

Just thought I would start a thread on this rather than hijacking another.
I don't have an opinion on whether they work, not having taken them; but I know some people who have taken them and felt that they did some good. One description I heard was that they make you feel less, I imagine like a tranquilizer does.

I do know that they are nothing I want to try.

Do antidepressant medications induce physiological changes in the human brain? Yes. Do those changes always "cure" depression? No. There are many people for whom antidepressant drugs do not work, and we're not always able to figure out why.
I would hazard a guess that it's because they are treating the symptoms and not the cause of the depression.

Just my two lousy cents.

I would hazard a guess that it's because they are treating the symptoms and not the cause of the depression.

Just my two lousy cents.
That may be the case for some, but it also appears that there are people for whom the symptoms of depression may arrise from thus-far-unknown physiological problems.

For instance, a great many people who suffer from depression are found to have a problem with serotonin neurotransmission in their brain. This is why "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" (or SSRIs) are very commonly used to treat depression. However, some people don't respond to those at all. Many of these people will respond to dopamine reuptake inhibitors, but there are still some who don't respond to any of the selective treatments we have. It's possible that their depression symptoms are the result of some other underlying problem, one that we haven't figured out yet.

That may be the case for some, but it also appears that there are people for whom the symptoms of depression may arrise from thus-far-unknown physiological problems.

For instance, a great many people who suffer from depression are found to have a problem with serotonin neurotransmission in their brain. This is why "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" (or SSRIs) are very commonly used to treat depression. However, some people don't respond to those at all. Many of these people will respond to dopamine reuptake inhibitors, but there are still some who don't respond to any of the selective treatments we have. It's possible that their depression symptoms are the result of some other underlying problem, one that we haven't figured out yet.


Don't forget norepinephrine.

Don't forget norepinephrine.
Hehe, sorry! I'm just trying to keep things as simple as possible, so that maybe a few people will manage to stay awake while reading my posts. :)

There are some people who respond best to a "cocktail" of treatments, or who do better with non-specific drugs that have a more general impact on monoamine neurotransmission. It's really goddam complicated, to be frank, and that's one of the reasons it scares me to think that any random doctor could give a 'script for this kind of treatment. I feel like it is irresponsible for any medical professional to do that without getting the opinion of an expert.

My own thoughts on the issue are strongly influenced by those of my father, who is a practicing psychologist.

He argues that antidepressants do not "cure" anything, and they usually come with a wide range of side-effects.

Still, they may be useful in some cases. In particular, he notes that in order to treat a patient using psychotherapy, the individual generally needs to be "together" enough actually to speak about her/his problems. If a patient becomes so depressed that they are a constant threat to themselves and/or they simply cannot maintain a serious discussion about the root of their problems, then he refers them to a psychiatrist for medical treatment.

Once the antidepressants have the worst symptoms under control, however, he says that most patients can be successfully treated with psychotherapy with the ultimate goal of weaning them from the medication and restoring their mental health--or at least making them as healthy as the rest of us, which may not be saying much anyway. ;)

Antidepressants can diminish symptoms, but not cure any problems.

I once took some, it helped me get better a bit. Well enough so I could go seek counsel and take care of what was actually causing me to be depressed.

Are they a good thing? If they're used properly, yes.

However, too many people rely on them and don't do the necessary introspection. They use the pills as a crutch instead of working to get better and not need them anymore.

I also find it disturbing how easily doctors prescribe them. Sometimes you,d think they were handing out candy.

Antidepressants can diminish symptoms, but not cure any problems.
it's true, they don't solve problems, but they did boost my brain chemical balance stuff enough that I actually felt like getting out of bed to go to counseling.

It's kinda like having a broken arm, tylenol doesn't fix it, but it makes it easier to live with until it heals.

Antidepressants can diminish symptoms, but not cure any problems.

My only problem was that I was experiencing clinical depression. My depression was not the result of any "real" problem, but was an imbalance in mood and affect that was totally unconnected to the world around me. Antidepressants solve this problem.

There are plenty of people for whom this is the case. While some "real" event may trigger their depression, or may exasperate their symptoms, there is an underlying physiological imbalance that is contributing significantly to the problem. I think it is incorrect to say that antidepressants can't "cure problems," just like it would be incorrect to say that aspirin can't cure problems. The problem IS the symptom, in many cases, and if you clear up the symptom then you've cured the problem.

That said, there are also plenty of cases where you shouldn't just treat the symptom. Each case is going to be different.

My only problem was that I was experiencing clinical depression. My depression was not the result of any "real" problem, but was an imbalance in mood and affect that was totally unconnected to the world around me. Antidepressants solve this problem.

There are plenty of people for whom this is the case. While some "real" event may trigger their depression, or may exasperate their symptoms, there is an underlying physiological imbalance that is contributing significantly to the problem. I think it is incorrect to say that antidepressants can't "cure problems," just like it would be incorrect to say that aspirin can't cure problems. The problem IS the symptom, in many cases, and if you clear up the symptom then you've cured the problem.

That said, there are also plenty of cases where you shouldn't just treat the symptom. Each case is going to be different.


I always thought it was like trying to do surgery on someone without anesthetics or antibiotics or disinfectants.

Yes, you can do it, but the success rate is very low.

So in order for therapy to have a chance, antidepressants really can help (though, as pointed out, not for everyone).

My own thoughts on the issue are strongly influenced by those of my father, who is a practicing psychologist.

Cool, another person with a psychologist for a parent! :)


He argues that antidepressants do not "cure" anything, and they usually come with a wide range of side-effects.

My mom has an interesting perspective, since she is both a practicing clinical therapist and also a person who has suffered from clinical depression.

Her depression was much like mine (stupid heredity!), in that it didn't stem from any particular problem that could be solved with therapy. Both she and I used therapy to help figure out ways to deal with our depression, but many of the symptoms simply could not be treated with therapy...they required drug treatment. Therapy alone couldn't cure our depression, though it certainly helped us find better ways to manage it and to cope with the problems of the illness.


Still, they may be useful in some cases. In particular, he notes that in order to treat a patient using psychotherapy, the individual generally needs to be "together" enough actually to speak about her/his problems. If a patient becomes so depressed that they are a constant threat to themselves and/or they simply cannot maintain a serious discussion about the root of their problems, then he refers them to a psychiatrist for medical treatment.

That's certainly a very important point. However, I think there are many cases in which a lucid, rational patient may benefit from antidepressant treatment in conjunction with therapy.


Once the antidepressants have the worst symptoms under control, however, he says that most patients can be successfully treated with psychotherapy with the ultimate goal of weaning them from the medication and restoring their mental health--or at least making them as healthy as the rest of us, which may not be saying much anyway. ;)
As a general rule, I'd say it's pretty much always preferable to not have to take a medication. It would be great if none of us got sick, so that none of us needed meds or medical intervention. However, the unfortunate reality is that some people will probably need to take one medication or another for extended periods of time if they want to be able to lead full and happy lives. An ultimate goal can be to ween a person off medication, but only if everybody is careful not to take them off the medication prematurely.

I always thought it was like trying to do surgery on someone without anesthetics or antibiotics or disinfectants.

Yes, you can do it, but the success rate is very low.

So in order for therapy to have a chance, antidepressants really can help (though, as pointed out, not for everyone).
Indeed. There are also some people for whom therapy simply doesn't work. It's probably not good for my mom's business for me to say that, but there it is. Some people just won't respond to therapy, for whatever reason, and you rarely get good results by trying to force somebody to go along with therapy if they don't want to do it.

I dont think I need an antidepressant, but I do think I need an anti-anxiety med. Or maybe I just have ADD. In any case, I get really stressed out doing very simple things. It's like my brain moves faster than my body, so I mess little things up and then I get mad. Real mad. Sometimes it causes an immediate headache and sometimes even my chest hurts. It's like a constant state of frustration/anxiety.Does this make sense?.....anyone else have this going on?


And I try to do 5 things at once and get irritated when I cant finish even one. It's like I panic.

my anti-depressant is peechland.

i try to take my doses as often as i can :D

I dont think I need an antidepressant, but I do think I need an anti-anxiety med. Or maybe I just have ADD. In any case, I get really stressed out doing very simple things. It's like my brain moves faster than my body, so I mess little things up and then I get mad. Real mad. Sometimes it causes an immediate headache and sometimes even my chest hurts. It's like a constant state of frustration/anxiety.Does this make sense?.....anyone else have this going on?


And I try to do 5 things at once and get irritated when I cant finish even one. It's like I panic.


I'd seriously recommend talking to a doctor about what you just described. It sounds like you're having anxiety/panic attacks (something I suffer from too). Medication can help calm you down so you can focus on the tasks you need to do.

Therapy may also be recommended. You may be dealing with some "performance anxiety" issues that can be resolved by talking it out with a professional.

Nothing to be ashamed of. It happens to a lot of people. And there are treatments available.

I dont think I need an antidepressant, but I do think I need an anti-anxiety med. Or maybe I just have ADD. In any case, I get really stressed out doing very simple things. It's like my brain moves faster than my body, so I mess little things up and then I get mad. Real mad. Sometimes it causes an immediate headache and sometimes even my chest hurts. It's like a constant state of frustration/anxiety.Does this make sense?.....anyone else have this going on?
What you are describing sounds very familiar. That used to happen to me a LOT. The antidepressant medication I take seems to also help take care of some of my weird anxiety reactions, though I still experience bouts of this from time to time. I also have some odd OCD-like behaviors that crop up when I'm in the midst of a bad "crash."

I know it's not very helpful of me to say so, but you should see if you can talk with a psychiatrist or psychologist about how you're feeling. One thing I've learned is that you should always trust your own feelings about your health; if you feel like something is really not okay, then you should trust that and not be embarassed to seek help about it.

I dithered around without getting help for my depression for years, because I felt like I had a really good life and didn't have the right to complain. I felt like I should just suck it up and get over it. I felt really guilty when I finally went to talk to a professional, and also kind of silly because my problems sounded so weak when I tried to describe how I was feeling. I thought I sounded like just another angsty young student whining about my problems.

It wasn't until I started on medication that I realized how seriously depressed I had been. In retrospect, I now feel stupid for taking so long to get help!

my anti-depressant is peechland.

i try to take my doses as often as i can :D


aww:fluffle: You always know just what to say Bug. I can always count on a little pick me up when youre around.


I'd seriously recommend talking to a doctor about what you just described. It sounds like you're having anxiety/panic attacks (something I suffer from too). Medication can help calm you down so you can focus on the tasks you need to do.

Therapy may also be recommended. You may be dealing with some "performance anxiety" issues that can be resolved by talking it out with a professional.

Nothing to be ashamed of. It happens to a lot of people. And there are treatments available

Been this way since maybe age 14. People joke about it and say 'ah she's just got a quick temper.....its the Irish in her." Crap like that. But surely it's not normal to get mad every day. My body will shake...especially my hands when it sets in. Urg...

What you are describing sounds very familiar. That used to happen to me a LOT. The antidepressant medication I take seems to also help take care of some of my weird anxiety reactions, though I still experience bouts of this from time to time. I also have some odd OCD-like behaviors that crop up when I'm in the midst of a bad "crash."

I know it's not very helpful of me to say so, but you should see if you can talk with a psychiatrist or psychologist about how you're feeling. One thing I've learned is that you should always trust your own feelings about your health; if you feel like something is really not okay, then you should trust that and not be embarassed to seek help about it.

I dithered around without getting help for my depression for years, because I felt like I had a really good life and didn't have the right to complain. I felt like I should just suck it up and get over it. I felt really guilty when I finally went to talk to a professional, and also kind of silly because my problems sounded so weak when I tried to describe how I was feeling. I thought I sounded like just another angsty young student whining about my problems.

It wasn't until I started on medication that I realized how seriously depressed I had been. In retrospect, I now feel stupid for taking so long to get help!


Yes...it's like, "well I dont have much to complain about. My life is very good. There are so many people out there who suffer so much each day and they dont all react like this....suck it up Kelley." But then I cant suck it up, and I end up ready to fight while doing something like putting up groceries. "Well why is this cabinet so damn messy....this can is in the way...I cant get these other cans in. Oh I better hurry and get the freezer stuff in...." That's just an example of the simple things that cause me grief. By the time groceries are put up, I have to go outside and walk around for a minute because I'm so stressed out! Gosh that sounds weird. Thanks to those who empathize and for the recommendations. It's been going on too long.

I'm Bi-Polar.:p

Do you believe they work? Are they a good thing? Do you take them? What are your opinions on antidepressants?

Just thought I would start a thread on this rather than hijacking another.


I'm actually pleased with what I've read on this thread so far. I was in a debate about psychology and psychiatry on another forum and somebody actually told me that anti-depressants were some form of satan-worship.

I've been on anti-depressants for six or seven years. It took a while to figure out which one worked best, and I even had a major set back on one of them (Welbutrin).

If it wasn't for the meds, I probably wouldn't be alive. I woke up one morning and my wife found me in the kitchen carving my arms all up with a kitchen knife. That's when we realized something was wrong with me.

I wouldn't recommend the anti-depressants for people who are going through typical depressing episodes of their lives (going through a break up, losing a job, death of a family member.) Grief counseling would probably be a better solution than popping pills. And I'd question the wisdom of a doctor who would prescribe medications for people going through those typical life events.

However, if that depression is lasting longer than "normal" or you're feeling suicidal, than yeah, something else is called for.

If you can't put your finger on your depression, and it's lasted for awhile... you may be suffering from a chemical imbalance, and meds can help with those symptoms.

Then there are some, like me, who suffer from all types of wrong brain wiring. Not only do I suffer from clinical depression, I suffer from bi-polar, anxiety, and a mood disorder. Without meds for these problems, I do things to try to hurt myself. My docs (both a psychiatrist and a psychologist) believe I'll be on meds for the remainder of my life, and in therapy of some sort or another for several years. Which, is depressing in it's own way.

Bottom line... use the help that's available to you! There's no reason you need to suffer!

Yes...it's like, "well I dont have much to complain about. My life is very good. There are so many people out there who suffer so much each day and they dont all react like this....suck it up Kelley." But then I cant suck it up, and I end up ready to fight while doing something like putting up groceries. "Well why is this cabinet so damn messy....this can is in the way...I cant get these other cans in. Oh I better hurry and get the freezer stuff in...." That's just an example of the simple things that cause me grief. By the time groceries are put up, I have to go outside and walk around for a minute because I'm so stressed out! Gosh that sounds weird. Thanks to those who empathize and for the recommendations. It's been going on too long.
Any time. :)

My lover also suffered from depression for a long time, and wouldn't go to therapy or to a doctor for several years. He kept saying, "But there are people who have REAL problems! I don't want to waste a doctor's time! I'm okay, I'm not a drug addict or suicidal, so why should they bother listening to me?"

To which I replied, "If you broke your arm, would you stay home from the doctor just because there are people in the ER who are really torn up? Yes, there are people with worse problems than you. But that doesn't mean you should just suffer!"

Been this way since maybe age 14. People joke about it and say 'ah she's just got a quick temper.....its the Irish in her." Crap like that. But surely it's not normal to get mad every day. My body will shake...especially my hands when it sets in. Urg...

I never had a short temper...It took me a long time to get angry. Until I was about 27 or so, and then I found myself going off for any little reason. I'd kick my truck. I'd go to the gym and punch the punching bag until my knuckles would bleed because I had so much anger in me.

That started scaring me (and my wife at the time). Then I started doing worse things to myself, and it was time to get help.

But looking back at it, a lot of it started in my teens. I just didn't learn how to express emotion until I went to therapy.

Anger turned outwards is violence. Anger turned inwards is depression.

Yes...it's like, "well I dont have much to complain about. My life is very good. There are so many people out there who suffer so much each day and they dont all react like this....suck it up Kelley." But then I cant suck it up, and I end up ready to fight while doing something like putting up groceries. "Well why is this cabinet so damn messy....this can is in the way...I cant get these other cans in. Oh I better hurry and get the freezer stuff in...." That's just an example of the simple things that cause me grief. By the time groceries are put up, I have to go outside and walk around for a minute because I'm so stressed out! Gosh that sounds weird. Thanks to those who empathize and for the recommendations. It's been going on too long.

Yup, it sounds like it's definitely worthwhile for you to look into treatment. Our society puts a weird stigma on mood disorders - people often seem to believe that if someone isn't undergoing some tangible, obvious torture, they simply have no excuse to feel sad, upset, or anxious. This is as silly as saying, "Well, we don't know exactly what causes all forms of cancer, so you don't really have a tumor." Mental disorders are entirely real, and often treatable. If you wouldn't tell yourself to just "suck it up" and deal with an infection without antibiotics, why should you feel obligated to "suck it up" and deal with anxiety or depression without treatment?

Good luck to you, from someone who's lived with a mood disorder for a long time! :)

I never had a short temper...It took me a long time to get angry. Until I was about 27 or so, and then I found myself going off for any little reason. I'd kick my truck. I'd go to the gym and punch the punching bag until my knuckles would bleed because I had so much anger in me.

That started scaring me (and my wife at the time). Then I started doing worse things to myself, and it was time to get help.

But looking back at it, a lot of it started in my teens. I just didn't learn how to express emotion until I went to therapy.

Anger turned outwards is violence. Anger turned inwards is depression.

Yes....I've kicked a thing or two before. I work my ass off mentally to make sure I dont snap on my husband or children. It's not fair to let them see me having an episode. Well Husband see's it, I just try not to take it out on him. There have been times when it hits and my daughter says "Mommy, whats wrong, you have a mad face." And what I want to say is "go away and leave me alone!" But what I say is "honey, Mommy's brain is just awfully busy right now...I think I'll go outside and walk it around." And then thats what I do. It's not easy to be raging on the inside and have to supress it *snaps fingers*"that quick" so you dont hurt the feelings of someone you love. I do that almost every day...which of course adds more stress on top of whatever I was stressing about.

I appreciate the attitude you and Bottle have about it and thank you both for sharing your experiences. Some people can be quick to judge and label you in a second reagrding this subject.

To which I replied, "If you broke your arm, would you stay home from the doctor just because there are people in the ER who are really torn up? Yes, there are people with worse problems than you. But that doesn't mean you should just suffer!"

Ooh, I like that analogy. I went through a phase of believing I didn't "deserve" treatment a few years back, and while I've since pulled myself out of that particular pitfall, it's always nice to hear more solid refutations of my brain's depression-induced nonsense. :)

Ooh, I like that analogy. I went through a phase of believing I didn't "deserve" treatment a few years back, and while I've since pulled myself out of that particular pitfall, it's always nice to hear more solid refutations of my brains' depression-induced nonsense. :)
Heh, yeah, I know how that goes. I sometimes have to laugh at some of the crazy bullshit I used to tell myself. "I shouldn't go on medication, because then I will be no better than a junky! But I also shouldn't go to therapy, because then I'm just a whining little dumbass! I know, I should just feel horrible for the rest of my life! That makes perfect sense!"

aww:fluffle: You always know just what to say Bug. I can always count on a little pick me up when youre around.




:fluffle:

what can i say you make my day better :D