Does anti depressant help, or does it make situation worse than before once you stop it? Very scared to start?
348848
i'd rather you didn't take anti-depressants for the rest of your life unless you have a medical condition that requires it - even then the doc would cut them down gradually. taking pills on their own isn't going to help you in the long run. if you rely on them too much then you will be worse off than before when you come off them. do other things like counselling, go to group meetings etc. it helps to be in touch with other people in the same situation,especially if they have got themselves out of the doldrums and are getting on with their lives..it would be  an inspiration to you. good luck...i think that you deserve a better life, take care
395230
there are many different anti-depressants available and some work better for some people than others. when you see the doctor the next time tell him the truth about everything. most likely he will change your medication. also prozac can take several weeks to start working so hang in there. \n\ni would also urge you to get yourself some other help. there are many free clinics available.. i could get more specific if i knew where you are but since i dont i will direct you to the yellow pages under mental health, also you may call you doctor and see if you can get a referral to a regular therapist. if you get the referral your insurance will pay for it.... i would also like you to know that you aren't alone in your depression, this disease affect many people. and i know how hopeless it can make you feel. remember that there are people around you that love and care about you. thoughts Of suicide are scary and if you need contact a suicide help line. i am not going to fill you full of cliche reasons not to do it as i believe you already have a good reason to live or you wouldn't be here asking for help. you need to understand that shame is a symptom of depression and it is shame that keeps you from asking for help. understand you dont have to be ashamed. break through all of that and ask someone for help. one final thought is to contact your pastor, this is how i ended up getting help, i went in to see him about my marraige falling apart and after working with me for a couple of weeks he reaized that i need more help than he could give and litterly took me to my first apointment with my therapist. god bless and take care of yourself! and dont be afraid to contact me if  you need:) my im is almost always on  and my email is available through yahoo answers.
853191
Why do you have depression? I mean, was it an onset from a truamatic event or chemical? That migth effect it. As for whether it is the meds or the job, let me just say this. It doesn't really matter how great your job is when you are depressed, because when you are depressed you can get the greatest things in the world and still be neutral and upset about it. While keeping your mind off depression is a good thing, i'm thinking that you are feeling better because of your medication. Also, please don't stop it now because you are starting to feel better. Some people stop when they feel better, then they just crash afterwards. If you aren't really happy right now then something is wrong in that anti depressants are supposed to help make you feel better, not just take away the edge. I would suggest talking to your doctor, he might increase the dosage or he might even switch you to a different drug so that you will get even better side effects (i've personally been switched from medication before for depression, it's just so they can find the best one for you). So yeah, give your doc a visit and see what he says.
214678
When I was trying to get pregnant, my psychiatrist took me off of my antidepressants cold turkey.  I felt many of the same symptoms you explained.  Worried, I called my doctor again.  He did not want to put me back on the medication due to the possible risk to the baby.  I talked to my OB-GYN and she decided it was in my best interest to go back on the medication.  I went back on it under her supervision.  I am feeling normal again.  Depression is a imbalance in hormones in the brain.  Anti-depressants fix the problem.  I would definetly talk to your doctor.
945755
Not wanting to talk about it is also symptomatic of depression.  Yes, you should get some help.  Talking to your doctor is a good starting place.  A good friend or family member would help, too, but sometimes it's easier to talk at first to someone that's not so close in your life.  A counselor or therapist actually is a better way to go than your doctor if you want to see if talking it thru will help before trying meds.  Keep in mind that all people experience depression at some point in their lives.  If you're questioning, then it's probably at or beyond the point where help is what you need.  It's a matter of how bad it is and how long it goes on.  Sometimes meds are necessary no matter how much talk therapy you do, so if you do choose a therapist and your symptoms persist, get medical assistance as well.  Btw, at some point you need to let your g/f in on what's going on with you if for no other reason than communication is essential for a healthy relationship.  Hang in there.  It does get better if you get beyond your reluctance to talk and do seek help.
576371
I was told by my therapist: Antidepressants are temporary solutions. Depression is usually caused by your lifestyle. Perhaps you don't get enough sun? Or maybe you smoke too much pot. Either way, antidepressants are supposed to help you feel better while you're working on the changes in your life that need to be done. Talk to your doctor about lowering the dosage, and make the necessary changes in your life so that you feel good. The pills aren't the solution, they're only there to help you on the right path.
267258
St. John's wort worked for my wife, didn't work for me, but it's a place to start.\n\nI was almost certainly clinically depressed for a while in college and toughed it out instead of getting help, which I've decided was a mistake.  I had a relapse a few years ago and got counseling, but I resisted anti-depressants for over a year.  It was totally irrational, and I regret stalling.  Judging by how I reacted to going on and off the meds, it was obvious I had a chemical imbalance, and being ashamed of them or resistant to them was as foolish as a diabetic refusing insulin.  I did not become dependent and I tapered off after a couple of years.\n\nIf you're opposed because of potential side effects, keep in mind that the arsenal of anti-depressants has increased in recent years, so it's more likely than ever that you can find something without serious side effects.\n\nAlso keep in mind that depression that doesn't go away in a reasonable time is terrible for other aspects of your health, so toughing it out with exercise and comedies can jeopardize other systems in your body.
972397
No, antidepressants aren't something to tango with.\n\nWhile you feel that you can just stop taking them, talk to your doctor. You need to let your psychologist prescribe lesser amounts. \n\nLike with any medication given to you, especially long-term medicines, you need to talk to your doctor before quitting. The withdrawal from an antidepressant could be worse than you imagined. \n \nMake an appointment for next week.
91035
Run don't walk to the nearest doctor and get some good anti-depressant medication. Don't give up. If one type doesn't work, there are four more types to try. All the different types of the drug approach the problem differently. It can take up to three weeks for you to even notice a difference.\n \nAfter you begin to see a difference in your outlook, get involved with a good Bible believing church and spend time with God (prayer and Bible reading) every day.\n\nI know there might be Christians who believe that simply going to God with a repentant heart will make all the difference, BUT, if someone is struggling with depression, they can't think clearly enough to do that.\n\nSerafem (Prozac) is a gift from God to me, and I wish my Dad had been given the opportunity to have anti-d's and his dad, and his dad....what a history of depression in the family!\n\nAnyway, good luck, and I hope you will give this serious thought.
222216
Look in the phone book under counseling, or something similar.  Most cities have free 24-hour services that can help you find someone to speak with.  That's if you feel you are overwhelmed with depression.  If it's minor depression, exercise.  Studies have shown that exercising can be just as effective as an anti-depressant for someone who is only moderately depressed.
480983
I am currently using Zoloft and find it works for my situation really well. When I first started it, for the first 2 days, i felt a bit shaky and a little light headed but that went away and now im fine. Im on what i think is the low dose - 50mg. Remeber though, if you do start on an antidepressant and you find it doesnt seem to work for you, go back to the doctor and try a different medication - it can sometimes take some people longer than others to find the one that will work for them.
485817
I am not actually on any antidepressants. but since I have realized that you really need an answer I thought you may like to see the following link:\nhttp://www.depression-guide.com/nardil.htm\n\nsorry ...:(
346997
SEE A DOCTOR!  It took me 1 year to get established on medications that did not make my depression worse and actually started to help me. And be referred to a counselor. You need to talk about it.\n\nI see a lot of good answers on here but everyone MUST realize this - depression can sneak up on you and totally immobilize you. It can cause severe panic attacks and you can develop a fear of even going outside. Until depression starts to lift, you are pretty well unable to help anyone else or enjoy any hobbies. And its not feeling sorry for yourself - even if depression were a self-pity or mind thing, you still are not physically, emotionally or mentally able to deal with it alone. You must have professional help and hopefully, a good friend who will recognize what is happening to you and be there for you whenever you need her/him.
231417
pl;ease seek help noone knoes what depresson means unless they have gone through it . i have  and i also have had it for 4 yearshow i got throug it was first a visit to the doctor who prescribed antideppresant pills. the first lot didnt work  neither did the second etc. the eightth lot did work thank god.i didnt want to get up in the mornings i lost interest in everything , and i had no reason to as i have a wonderfull supportive husband and two beautifull children. you havent got to have a reason to be depressed it just happens. its easy to go in to it but much harder to come out of it.  you feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel .but belive me ,there is light. please dont sit at home ponderring over your thoughts  go and seek advice . there are people to help you . you can email me if you want . good luck and god bless.
467964
Keep fighting! You can't give up, no matter how hard it is. You are loved, and there are people who would miss you, no matter how bad it looks. And truly, if you haven't already, do get help, because as humiliating or weak as it may sound, it is not. I got help and you will never know how good life is until you have lived without depression. If you had a disease, would you feel shame going to the doctor for it? Depression is a disease, and you don't have to fight it alone. Please, don't give up.
939861
Is there a different anti-depressant that you can take to see if it helps? \n\nGive yourself a break on those days if you can. Even acknowledging that you know you may not get as much done takes pressure off and makes it easier.
928687
My advice would be to make an appointment with a therapist (and make sure it's one that is going to actually spend time talking to you, not just prescribe the pills and walk out). Lots of healthy people talk to therapists all the time, even when there's nothing wrong, so you don't have to feel weird about it or anything like that. I still talk to my therapist once a month, even though I'm not really going through depression right now, just because I like to have that lifeline. I like to know that if I do find that I have something important to bring up, I can just call her and set up an appointment. Also, she would be able to tell just from talking to you whether or not you need extra help or medication, and it's hard to diagnose yourself sometimes with these things.