View Full Version : do depression meds work?
new england holiday 03-25-2003, 08:57 PM My psychiatrist wants to put me on meds for depression. I was just wondering if antidepressants actually worked... my depression is pretty bad so I am kind of desperate for something to work.. For all of you that are on meds, do you see results? And if so, could you please post how long it takes and anything else I need to know? Thanks
Tuscadero 03-25-2003, 10:09 PM Originally posted by new england holiday
My psychiatrist wants to put me on meds for depression. I was just wondering if antidepressants actually worked... my depression is pretty bad so I am kind of desperate for something to work.. For all of you that are on meds, do you see results? And if so, could you please post how long it takes and anything else I need to know? Thanks
You should most definitely try the medication. I thought that *nothing* could get my ex out of the horrible depression that he lived with for years and years, but he has changed so much. If it can work for him, it can work for anyone. Keep in mind that it works best if you want to change your life, if you want to be happier.
His didn't take that long to kick in, but some of them take about a month. I think his took a week or something. It depends. But if you're depressed, I urge you to at least try the meds. They could change your life, and you can actually be happy. :) Good luck.
TibbyTibby2 03-25-2003, 11:03 PM DONT'T GE ME STARTED!!!! ahhh!! my friends on 'em and shes not doin good and they wanna put her in a hosptial thingy for adolescents!!
pandora_spocks 03-25-2003, 11:11 PM Originally posted by Tuscadero
You should most definitely try the medication. I thought that *nothing* could get my ex out of the horrible depression that he lived with for years and years, but he has changed so much. If it can work for him, it can work for anyone. Keep in mind that it works best if you want to change your life, if you want to be happier.
His didn't take that long to kick in, but some of them take about a month. I think his took a week or something. It depends. But if you're depressed, I urge you to at least try the meds. They could change your life, and you can actually be happy. :) Good luck.
Hmm..maybe I should go out and get myself some. I really sure could use a lift out of my depressed state. Every other day I feel like I wanna shoot myself, because life is too hard for me to even breathe.
AnaheimPMWitch 03-25-2003, 11:14 PM they work for my Dad I mean he used to be soo depressed and never wanted to do anything and Now hes taking the Medication we go out all the time
-*Leah*- 03-25-2003, 11:59 PM Originally posted by new england holiday
My psychiatrist wants to put me on meds for depression. I was just wondering if antidepressants actually worked... my depression is pretty bad so I am kind of desperate for something to work.. For all of you that are on meds, do you see results? And if so, could you please post how long it takes and anything else I need to know? Thanks
My mother has to take depression medicine, and it took like 6 weeks before they started working on her. I think she takes Lexapro
Tuesday Weld 03-26-2003, 12:24 AM Antidepressants can work wonderfully,for some people and not so well,for others.It really depends on the person.Some people need a combination of antidepressants to work for them.It can really be a matter of trial and error,unfortunately.Some people have success,the first time they try one.I sincerely hope,that if you do try one,it will work for you.Best of luck :)
Tuscadero 03-26-2003, 10:07 AM Originally posted by leah02_06
My mother has to take depression medicine, and it took like 6 weeks before they started working on her. I think she takes Lexapro
My friend takes Lexapro too--it's like a wonderdrug for him; he's tried so many medications and they'd never worked until now.
Tuscadero 03-26-2003, 10:10 AM Originally posted by pandora_spocks
Hmm..maybe I should go out and get myself some. I really sure could use a lift out of my depressed state. Every other day I feel like I wanna shoot myself, because life is too hard for me to even breathe.
You know, it sounds like cheesy pop-psychology-speak, but you really don't have to live that way; no one should. People think that just because they're naturally depressed than they have to stay that way; some medications actually correct the imbalance and you only have to take them for a short time. It's worth checking into if you feel lousy most of the time; life isn't worth living if you can't enjoy yourself, you know. Good luck.
Nanny Fine 03-26-2003, 01:30 PM I take 2 differnet types of medication for depression. I dont feel like they work but people around me can tell a difference in me. I think I need something stronger. A LOT of people take them, it's nothing to hide about. If you need them, if the doctor gives them to you, take them. There is nothing shameful about it.
Pitooey 03-26-2003, 02:16 PM I'm glad you're helping yourself! That is a good step for you.
Like someone said. Sometimes it's a chemical imbalance in the brain. No one is really at fault. I don't take any but, lately I have felt more depressed than usual. I know it's the stress around me and I am trying to cope. If I can't...... than I will go to the doctor and get the help I need.
As for Pandora Spocks (Great name)!!! You should not have to feel the way you do. The best thing to do is try to get help. Don't be ashamed or embarassed. I'd rather see you get better than more depressed. Remember times are tough and we understand. Good Luck to all........... :)
pandora_spocks 03-26-2003, 02:33 PM Originally posted by Tuscadero
You know, it sounds like cheesy pop-psychology-speak, but you really don't have to live that way; no one should. People think that just because they're naturally depressed than they have to stay that way; some medications actually correct the imbalance and you only have to take them for a short time. It's worth checking into if you feel lousy most of the time; life isn't worth living if you can't enjoy yourself, you know. Good luck.
I know, but isn't there a drug I could just get off a Wal*Mart shelf? I can't go to a shrink or a doctor because they wouldn't believe me anyway. When I'm around those kind of people I put on an act like I'm Mary Sunshine or something. I know it sounds stupid, but thats how my mind works. I used to do it in school to around my teachers, they thought I was the perfect student, but I wasn't I was majorly depressed, but I just put an act on like I wasn't. Seems stupid now when I think about it. I've told my mother a million times that I just wanna die because I'm so depressed and life at home sucks. She's depressed a lot too so I'm thinking I inherited this? She told me she tried to kill herself a long time ago before my brother or I were even born. I have really bad mood swings in one minute I could be the happiest person in the world, if something I don't like is said to me or whatever it is that brings me down I get really ticked off and become depressed in a flash. So in one minute I'm happy and the next I wanna go out back and shoot my brains out. It's like that everyday. I cry for no reason all the time, there aren't many days I don't just break down and cry. Although, my grandmother passed away in Aug. 2002 and ever since then I've become even more depressed. It's just not getting any better. I've been depressed for most of my life and I'm only 19, it just seems like it'll never end.
Babes_Cat 03-26-2003, 03:21 PM My meds. work.... *shrugs*
Tuscadero 03-26-2003, 03:41 PM Originally posted by pandora_spocks
I know, but isn't there a drug I could just get off a Wal*Mart shelf? I can't go to a shrink or a doctor because they wouldn't believe me anyway. When I'm around those kind of people I put on an act like I'm Mary Sunshine or something. I know it sounds stupid, but thats how my mind works. I used to do it in school to around my teachers, they thought I was the perfect student, but I wasn't I was majorly depressed, but I just put an act on like I wasn't. Seems stupid now when I think about it. I've told my mother a million times that I just wanna die because I'm so depressed and life at home sucks. She's depressed a lot too so I'm thinking I inherited this? She told me she tried to kill herself a long time ago before my brother or I were even born. I have really bad mood swings in one minute I could be the happiest person in the world, if something I don't like is said to me or whatever it is that brings me down I get really ticked off and become depressed in a flash. So in one minute I'm happy and the next I wanna go out back and shoot my brains out. It's like that everyday. I cry for no reason all the time, there aren't many days I don't just break down and cry. Although, my grandmother passed away in Aug. 2002 and ever since then I've become even more depressed. It's just not getting any better. I've been depressed for most of my life and I'm only 19, it just seems like it'll never end.
There is a natural drug (read: not FDA approved) called St. John's Wort that supposedly helps depression, but I wouldn't fool around with natural drugs as far as depression goes.
What you need to do is go to a doctor and be honest. Even if you're happy at that moment, let them know that you get mood swings. The fact that you cry for no reason is a big warning sign. Don't think that just because your symptoms aren't consistent (as in, all the time) that a doctor and medication can't help you.
I read studies that show that depression is possibly inherited, so it could have something to do with you mother. Also, the fact that she is depressed and you are around her--being around a depressed person changes your life. Believe me; I used to think that just because my boyfriend was depressed and had many problems, that what I was thinking/feeling didn't matter and that things would "get better." Things just don't get better after they've persisted for a while, trust me. I lived my life like that for almost five years! I sound dramatic, I realize that, but honestly, there is no need to be unhappy. It's just not worth it, I learned that the hard way! :) He learned that as well because I had to break up with him because I couldn't deal with those problems anymore. Finally he got help, and I'm really happy about that, and so is he. So go for it! :)
pandora_spocks 03-26-2003, 03:57 PM Originally posted by Tuscadero
There is a natural drug (read: not FDA approved) called St. John's Wort that supposedly helps depression, but I wouldn't fool around with natural drugs as far as depression goes.
What you need to do is go to a doctor and be honest. Even if you're happy at that moment, let them know that you get mood swings. The fact that you cry for no reason is a big warning sign. Don't think that just because your symptoms aren't consistent (as in, all the time) that a doctor and medication can't help you.
I read studies that show that depression is possibly inherited, so it could have something to do with you mother. Also, the fact that she is depressed and you are around her--being around a depressed person changes your life. Believe me; I used to think that just because my boyfriend was depressed and had many problems, that what I was thinking/feeling didn't matter and that things would "get better." Things just don't get better after they've persisted for a while, trust me. I lived my life like that for almost five years! I sound dramatic, I realize that, but honestly, there is no need to be unhappy. It's just not worth it, I learned that the hard way! :) He learned that as well because I had to break up with him because I couldn't deal with those problems anymore. Finally he got help, and I'm really happy about that, and so is he. So go for it! :)
Oh, I've heard of St. John's Wort, I haven't used it, but my mom goes nuts if she runs out of it. She's into all those natural drugs and stuff. I just don't want to go to the doctors I'm sure their sick of me, I was always there when I was in school. I was always sick because I hated school and didn't want to go. I might just try the St. John's Wort..who knows it might just help.
Or maybe I'll just try one of these depression relief spells I found in my magic books. It could help, I've never tried a spell for depression relief before.
Tuscadero 03-26-2003, 04:02 PM Originally posted by pandora_spocks
Oh, I've heard of St. John's Wort, I haven't used it, but my mom goes nuts if she runs out of it. She's into all those natural drugs and stuff. I just don't want to go to the doctors I'm sure their sick of me, I was always there when I was in school. I was always sick because I hated school and didn't want to go. I might just try the St. John's Wort..who knows it might just help.
Or maybe I'll just try one of these depression relief spells I found in my magic books. It could help, I've never tried a spell for depression relief before.
Give it a shot--I just think that for the longterm it's not something you'd want to rely on. My friend took that and it worked for awhile, then after taking it for some time it made him crabby (or something, I can't remember, it was a long time ago!). Good luck with it. Does it work for your mom, or is she still depressed?
Either that, or find a new doctor. You're 19, which means that they have to be completely confidential with you (and they can't tell your parents unless you let them know that it's ok to talk to your parents about your condition).
pandora_spocks 03-26-2003, 04:29 PM Originally posted by Tuscadero
Give it a shot--I just think that for the longterm it's not something you'd want to rely on. My friend took that and it worked for awhile, then after taking it for some time it made him crabby (or something, I can't remember, it was a long time ago!). Good luck with it. Does it work for your mom, or is she still depressed?
Either that, or find a new doctor. You're 19, which means that they have to be completely confidential with you (and they can't tell your parents unless you let them know that it's ok to talk to your parents about your condition).
I don't know I've never really asked her. I don't think they'd work for her anyway and even if they did she'd still be depressed because my dad is a jerk off..and thats putting it lightly. My mom knows I'm depressed, but I don't think my dad knows 'cause he doesn't really listen to me anyway. He'd probably just say it's a phase or something, which is really stupid because it's not. You can probably tell that I don't get along with my dad. He's one of those controlling me which could be another reason I'm depressed. Maybe I should just shoot him and save myself the agony. I'm sure even his dad would like to because my dad won't let him doing anything either. This family is so screwed up you wouldn't be able to begin to imagine it. :crazy:
dawsongirl 03-26-2003, 06:30 PM What I take isn't really for depression, but it really works. I take Paxil, and this sounds stupid, but it's like a miracle drug to me. For years I had had mild anxiety but didn't really know it until a couple years ago. Then I got so scared and depressed because of it that I wouldn't leave the house. Now though...I can sit thru class without feeling trapped, I go places I never would have gone before, I'm more outgoing. It feels good to be free.
It took a month or so before they kicked in, but it's worth it. Even at $90 a bottle (month's worth). I was so sure that no stupid pink pill would make me feel better, but they really did.
dovesong 03-27-2003, 08:35 PM Well, I'm sure no one wants my 2 cents, but you get it anyways...
Suicide is the third leading cause of death (after car accidents and homicides) in young adults age 15-24. For each successful attempt, another 50-100 fail. Every 105 minutes, another young person succeeds. You do the math. Approximately 30% of those that succeed, have made previous, unsuccessful attempts.
Even scarier, suicide is the sixth leading cause of death in the age group of 5-14 year olds!!!! Five year olds are killing themselves!
And the Center for Disease Control believes this number is highly underrated.
90% of suicide victims suffer from depression or another psychiatric illness; of that #, only 15% are being treated.
Signs of depression?
1) If you or someone you know withdraws from friends and family...
2) If you or someone you know is unable to concentrate...
3) If you or someone you know sleeps too much (or if you don't get enough sleep)...
4) If you or someone you know shows a dramatic change in their personal appearance...
5) If you or someone you know exhibits a loss of interest in favorite activities...
6) If you or someone you know expresses hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness...
7) If you or someone you know exhibits self-destructive behavior (defined as reckless driving, drug abuse, or promiscuity)...
8) If you or someone you know seems preoccupied with death (such as talking about it, even jokingly)...
9) If you or someone you know becomes happier, or calmer after a period of depression, or begins giving away personal belongings that mean a lot to them...
...they may be depressed or considering suicide.
Get help. It is curable. If you don't trust your parents, find someone to talk to. Doctor, aunt, uncle, clergy, teacher, neighbor, friend...
The medications help, sometimes it takes time to find one that works best for you, but they will help.
Do you have a close friend or family member that has commited suicide? Are you considering suicide? Read the book... SUICIDE, The Forever Decision
Sorry again, I'm long-winded...but it is a serious problem that people deal with everyday...
nice~girl~2003 03-27-2003, 09:01 PM im own evr kin thy mak, and i luv them...ohhh....la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :o :o :o :o :o :o
nice~girl~2003 03-27-2003, 09:16 PM Originally posted by nice~girl~2003
im own evr kin thy mak, and i luv them...ohhh....la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :o :o :o :o :o :o
Okay everyone, I don't know what got into me on this post, but just ignore it if you can !
Babes_Cat 03-27-2003, 09:25 PM Originally posted by nice~girl~2003
im own evr kin thy mak, and i luv them...ohhh....la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :o :o :o :o :o :o :rolleyes:
Kay Scarpetta 03-27-2003, 10:22 PM Originally posted by dovesong
Even scarier, suicide is the sixth leading cause of death in the age group of 5-14 year olds!!!! Five year olds are killing themselves!
90% of suicide victims suffer from depression or another psychiatric illness; of that #, only 15% are being treated.
5 year olds killing themselves?! That's friggan sad, man... and then to top if off, only 15% being treated? That's... not even right. 'Pathetic' is more the answer. I know it's not the case for all people, but some people just don't give a crap. What's even sadder is that half of those people are kids my age. 14 years old... I know what's it's like to be suicidal and not treated. Trust me, I know. It's not a fun time in your life at all.
Hollow 03-27-2003, 10:26 PM i take paxil. it works good til somethin happens that makes me really depressed, then it wears off til i take it again
pandora_spocks 03-27-2003, 10:37 PM My mom told me that it takes about a month for St. John's Wort to start working. So tomorrow I'm gonna start taking it and hopefully I'll get some good results.
dawsongirl 03-27-2003, 10:57 PM Originally posted by pandora_spocks
My mom told me that it takes about a month for St. John's Wort to start working. So tomorrow I'm gonna start taking it and hopefully I'll get some good results.
Good luck. I hope it works for you. :)
DetectiveGriffin 03-27-2003, 11:09 PM Whether or not the medicine works is going to depend on your individual makeup. If you have a chemical imbalance, the difference is night and day - IF you find the correct medication. A lot of doctors like to prescribe prozac because it has few side effects, and the ones it can have are often trivial, like gas.
Your doctor - or his nurse, will discuss the side effects and possibilities with you, so make sure to ask questions - they know.
You can also look it up on the internet - like web md or the next time you hit a department store see if they have that $5 drug book. You can usually read it right there and get your info.
Some antidepressants can be somewhat habit forming and coming off them can really suck - yet for some people the exact same drug will have different effects.
Like prozac, depending on your individual chemistry can make you:
either tired or alert
gain weight or lose weight
feel better or feel no difference
i would say to research with your doc and then go for it. Even if you dont think your depression is chemical, it well could be, and an antidepressant could change your entire life.
Good Luck.
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