Are there people out there who have to use anti-depressant drugs(prescribed) and is it safe?
931767
I have taken antidepressants off and on for 22 years.  I have taken tricyclics, SSRIs and what they refer to as atypicals (like Effexor).  I know hundreds of people who take them through my work and they are fine.  The antidepressants allow them to function more comfortably while hopefully they work on other ways of dealing with life and the causes of the depression or other disorder.\n\nBut...as to what we know long term...I asked my doctor the same thing and he said, and I agree, we do not know.  The trycyclics have been around a while, but they are not given much anymore.  The SSRI's have not been around a "life span" so in essense we are still finding out about them.  \n\nWe do know that for some people, they reach a point where they stop working and they much either up the dose, change to a different medicine or add a medicine to what they are taking now.\n\nSome people are NOT able to take them, that we do know. And, we do know that the reaction to them is very individualized...one person may do great, the next person may not get any relief at all. Going off them should be done with your doctor and any of them should be tapered off very, very slowly to prevent relapse.\n\nIn time I think there will be better medicines for us and we will also know more about those we take now.  Medicine is advancing almost as fast as technology.  But, really, I am glad you are doing okay now.
916525
iT IS NOT A GOOD THING TO BE TAKING ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ALCOHOL.  THE SIDE EFFECTS COULD BE DEADLY.
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.
851029
What u need is some expert advise. Go to the\ndoctor where u got the prescription and tell\nhim exactly what u told us and he should be\nable to adjust the treatment. Depression is a\nserious illness and needs to be addressed with-\nout embarassment as it can be a life saver if\ndiscussed and treated . If kept inside the de-\npression gets stronger and one can do harm\nto themselves. Also ask what programs are\navailable to be able to get into to where others\nwho have depression can talk about it and get\nadvise amongst ur peers. Good luck and never\nbe ashamed to discuss ur condition  so that\nu can get the help needed.
907019
This is not going to make me popular but I feel that while there are people that are genuinely depressed and rightly diagnosed, a lot of people are quick to categorize themselves as depressed.  (goes hand in hand with this 'I'm a victim' mood that is prevelant in the west.) And some doctors are more than happy to go with it and prescribe medication.  Ups and down are part of life.  I think to many people here are always looking for the magic bullet - a pill that makes the problem go away rather than looking inward and dealing with it in a way that is not instant or easy.
281864
I have some medical background and am a nursing student right now. I don't think that antidepressants change your personality, or restore it.  They mask it. They change the chemical effects of your brain, and try to suppress what ever chemicals that are being overproduced, that are affecting your mood. Some antidepressants are so strong, they make people appear intoxicated. I think that is very sad. I think they are horribly over perscribed.  Many people truly need them, most people don't. You can't solve your life problems with a daily pill. Face what is bothering you, and make the changes you need to to better you life, your decisions, your family, and your health. Society is so over medicated as it is.  (I think short term antidepressants are a good idea, but not long term).
325852
Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs.  So I guess it's a matter of whether or not you need drugs.  See a psychologist first and see what they say.
1041739
I hope that you discontinued this medication under a doctors supervision. You should never just stop taking an antidepressant without telling your doctor, you can have all sorts of problems; this applies to some other prescriptions medications also. In any case, you should be telling your doctor these symptoms and not asking people on Yahoo Answers. I can tell you that even if you get some good advice you will get a lot of bad advice also, and how will be able to tell which is which?
655255
I'm a doctor.\nFirst of all it is NOT a stupid question.  Far from it.  As a matter of fact, its a hot & controversial topic in medicine right now.\nSecondly, ALL doctors should go over any new medication with his/her patient.\n\nAbout prozac - this and all the other meds of its class (SSRIs) have come under scrutiny in the last couple years.  Despite the large benefit that these meds can do, some claim there is a small yet signifigant risk.  According to some highly disputed research, there is a SLIGHTLY higher risk of suicide in patients, esp younger patients, in the period briefly after starting the medication.  Its poorly understood, but if its true it may related to the increased motivation and decreased impulse control BEFORE the antidepressant effects have kicked in yet.  Some psychiatrists believe that the evidence is not strong and has not been able to be reproduced because it isnt true.\n\nWait a second, isnt this supposed to be an ANTI-depressant??!!  Yes, and that's part of the problem.  These meds are being given to a population of patients that are allready at high risk for suicide to begin with.  You can see why this is so controversial...\n\nThat being said, it shouldnt be forgotten that these meds (the SSRIs) have helped MILLIONS of people not only with depression, but also with other problems like OCDC like yourself.  As a matter of fact, these meds are so good that they've totally changed the practice of psychiatry today.  \n\nHOWEVER, if you do experience problems with the medication (or ANY other new medication for that matter) tell your doctor or somebody that can help RIGHT AWAY.  In that situation, your doctor should talk to you, and likely an alternative medication can be tried.\n\n\nI know this is very confusing.  I'm SORRY!  but you are not alone.  It is a controversial and unresolved issue for doctors as well.  Don't blame your parents, because they may have easily been totally unaware too.  PLEASE dont be afraid to ask your doctor these questions - PLEASE.
836103
I was takeing it before for depression and anxiety and i found it really did work (espeically for my anxiety). Don't throw them away like some people suggest, those are just the ignorant ones that thinks it's a sin to give your body a little medical help, when there is absolutely nothing wrong with medication. Sorry about that, but you need to listen to whatever your doc said. Other than not changing your dosage w/out your docs permission and taken your meds at a constant time (like right before dinner every day so you don't forget a dose) and not taking them on an empty stomach (unless told to by your doc) there ain't to much. Don't mess with the dosage, don't skip days if possible, and don't stop taking them because you start to feel better, some ppl stop when they feel better and then they just go downhill. Just listen to your doc, he/she is a professional and knows what's best for you.
235229
You need to be in therapy. Antidepressants treat the symptoms of depression, not the causes. I have been on anti-depressants and in therapy for years and years. Just now, am I really getting a grip on my thoughts. A therapist (you need to find a good one you can trust) can help you see how distorted your thinking is and give you a different way to look at things. They can be someone that you can talk to about anything at all. They should help you set up an emergency plan for those times when you feel suicidal or wanting to hurt yourself. That plan, you should act on if you start feeling this way. It may include calling a trusted friend, going out into public at a coffee shop or something. Many times it includes calling your therapist and talking to them about it. But at any rate, a therapist is a person who will go to bat for you (or should) and they are a needed tool on anyone's battle against depression.
571857
Yes. Years ago I was sooo suicidal; I tried many antidepressants; but they didn't help enough. I ASKED for ECT and after 7years I am still alive and, and the quality of life is much better. It sucked at the time cuz I woke up with a headache and didn't know where I was. It screws with short term memory, yet it gets better over time as does the depression-if you are taking an antidepressant
633574
It depends on the physician, just like any profession there are good and bad ones. St. Johns Wort is the most common anti-depressant used in natural medicine and has been Proven to be as effective for mild to moderate depression. There is even a patented version of this on the market and you cannot get a patent unless it has been thoroughly tested and approved.
926864
Hi\n\nI am 42 an have suffered from depression since my late teens early 20's, depression can be more than just an environmental issue it can also be a chemical in-balance within your brain, anti depressants work by balancing this problem, your brain releases a chemical called serotonin if it is absorbed by the brain quickly this can cause depression of varying levels antidepressant medicines inhibits it's up take. \n\nThough having said this I believe antidepressant's can be dangerous to teens as it can also increase the depressive state greatly.\n\nYou may also be as said before just going through a hard time. \n\nIf you have suicide on your mind you really need to see a doctor.
729355
If I remember correctly, despite popular myth, it is nearly impossible to kill oneself with over the counter meds....\n\nAlley
205034
After reading the truth about the origin of anti-depressants, I would do everything but take Zoloft. I have seen too many tragedies due to the mind altering effect of Zoloft. There is no such thing as a happy pill.
158688
There are alot of different kinds and brand names of medications that treat depression.  If Lexapro works for you, then use it.  If it doesn't, then your doctor can prescribe something else.  It can be a long process to see what med works best for you as it takes awhile for the med to get into your system.  On the other hand, you may be lucky and the very first med you try may be the best one for you.  Only you and your doctor can make that decision. I would not go on someone else's opinion ( i.e. the local "street" doctor or friend) because each person's body chemistry is different.  If the Lexapro works, then don't fix it!!