Posted: 5/1/2006 7:17:04 PM EDT
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Well I think im depressed. My family has a history of being bi-polar. I have my good days where I feel great...then I have my days were I feel down and out. For the past few months ive noticed I been feeling down and out for much longer than I have in past. Im not on any medication and never have been for depression. Do anti-depressants really work? Im afraid to get my hopes up and have the anti-depressants do nothing. Does anybody here take anti-depressants....have you noticed a difference? |
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feeling down and out is normal. depression is characterized by it having a significant negative effect on your life. if at all possible try to kick it WITHOUT turning to meds. go hang out with your friends more, take/make time to do things you enjoy, and do them more often. FIND the joy in life, because it is there |
I think it is having a negitive effect on my life. Ive been trying to hang out with my friends as much as possible....almost daily. I have noticed when im with them I feel alot better. But the minute I get home it sets in agian. |
| I suffer from depression. St. John's wort helps take the edge off. Keeping your mind occupied, as well as getting plenty of exercise helps as well. It's been hitting me kinda hard in the past month or so (again), and I've actually been feeling better recently avoiding people. Course, it's not the healthiest thing to do, but I'm feeling a bit better nonetheless. |
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I used to have depression BAD for about 6 years... first year was REAL bad and subsided. If you can.. PLEASE try helping yourself without medicinal help... only masks it... bottom line is that the depression is still there. I never took meds for mine and it took longer to get over it. DEPRESSION SUCKS!!! Get a book called "The Feeling Good Handbook" By Dr. David Burns. It helped me IMMENSLY. |
Talk to your doctor about this: www.celexa.com/ HH |
If this runs in your family, then you really should have a doctor/psychologist aware and to just do a basic evaluation. Depression and Manic Depression are two different things. I have a close friend who is bi-polar as is his sister and mother. It is just something that you need to keep a close eye on. Do you ever get a "natural high" burst of energy that lasts for a day or so? If you are bi-polar, you would be on different medications than would be prescribed for typical depression. Different people have different reactions to anti-depressants. You cant just do a blood test and say, yep, you are low on prozac. It can take a few different things to get a favorable reaction. Understand that it will change the way your feelings are. Sometimes it is better and sometimes not. If it is something that can be accomplished without taking drugs, (like a personal prob, or relationship trouble) then try to work that out first. Next, tell your doctor and see what they say. A doctor could refer you to a psychologist if needed. Or maybe if it just more of a personal thing, a regular type social worker/ counselor can help you talk it out. It isn't a big deal to go talk to someone for an hour a week. Hope this helps |
| Get some help for it. You have crossed the bridge by admitting you may have a problem. That is a very important first step towards recovery. Mine is not too bad most of the time. Vigorous excercise really helps. I hate running but I do it at least once a week because it gives me a good boost. Weights and resistance work (pushups, etc.) work great too. Watch out for the docs that just push meds. Counseling, diet and exercise may get it under control. |
| I have bi-polar type 2 and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I take 150 mg of Effexor and 100 mg of Lamictal every day. The best thing that ever happened to make me feel normal (good) was the medications. See a doctor soon. There is no need to suffer with depression. |
That shit makes you shake, shit wet farts, and makes it hard for the bald man to cry. I know that all medications have side effects, but that shit was bad. It worked tho.... |
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Anti Depressants will help. They are not a cure. Think of them as a life preserver keeping you afloat in the ocean of sadness. You won't sink and drown, but you won't stop feeling 'wet'. It you have been depressed for more than 3 solid weeks, it is time to see a psychiatrist, get diagnosed and get the proper medication. |
...and I'm sure 100% of the people using it have those same side effects.  HH |
All medications can affect each individual different. When and if you do start a medication it would be wise to keep a journal of how you feel and give the medication some time to work [ask how long to give it] and if it isn't working for you after that specific time ask for something different. Be proactive about what's going on with you. I would read DrFrige's book too, if you can help yourself with out meds great, if you can't then at least you tried. Best of luck, Patty |
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The best thing I ever did for my depression was learning not to be idol, getting more hobbies, and making more plans. Always having something to do is a good thing.(even when you don't want to do it) Also try and find the root of what makes you feel down most of the time. There are too many fun thing's in life waiting to be done to be sad.  If all else fails.......get a big gun! Hey, it makes me pretty happy!  ETA: If you're ever in AZ lemme know......a few friends, a BBQ and a good ol' fasion desert shoot is always a good time!
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Actually, they were very common for Celexa, it's the degree it happens to you. I was told about them when I saw the doc, tried it for a few months and they didn't get any better with use. Also made me sleep in waaaaay late. I would wake up and my alarm clock would have been going off for 2 hours and I'd be late for work. I had a very understanding boss at the time but it cause huge trouble at work with the other people because it appeared that I was getting special treatment and being allowed to come in late to work every day. |
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Try the Anxiety and Depression program you see late night on infomercials. Midwest Center for Anxiety and Depression, from Lucinda Basset. Kind of expensive, about $400 if I remember. I used it for Anxiety. Changes the way you think. You don't realize how you think or how much it affects you. You can also try St. John's Wort or 5-HTP. Research before using them together though. Health stores will have combo meds that will contain St. John's along with other helpful vitamins and herbs. Give it time, it won't be instant. If you do go the medicinal route don't take the natural stuff with them, they interact. Also, if you try to get off them don't go cold turkey since they have withdrawl effects. Search for a book that helps you get off without side effects. I have one, but forget the title. It basically tells how to slowly come off using supplements to rid your body slowly. Also eating right and exercise helps. Stay away from sugar, caffeine, and to some extent even salt. Vegetables help. It sucks, but there are solutions. |
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I took some for a few months, made my head feel funny, like it was full of cotton. Mainly I was depressed because my life sucked, not because of chemical imbalance I think. Two things I would recommend: 1. Exercise a lot. 2. Take a lot of amino acids. They seem to affect a person's mood and emotional levels. Something like Twin Lab Amino Fuel liquid, along with the exercise. You can buy it at a health food store, like $50 for 1/2 a gallon. It'll be cheaper than a trip to the shrink and some meds. But all that wont help if you are bi-polar. I dont know if bi-polar disorder is genetic, maybe it's worth being screened for. If you are manic depressive do your self a favor and get medicated. I loved a girl who was bi-polar, she refused to be treated. It wasn't fun for me from her being morose and suicidal to having delusions of grandeur and cheating on me with anything that had a pulse. |
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Environment played a big factor for me. I moved to Detroit as a 19 year old and got a factory job with nobody my age. No friends, nothing to do but work and sit at home. Fixed that and it did more for me than Celexa ever did. BTW: getting meds for depression is no big deal... See your doc and tell him you'd like to try them and articulate why. Chances are that he'll throw you a several month supply of samples like mine did and you can see for yourself if they work for you or not. It sucks having to think of yourself "living better through Modern Chemistry", but if it improves your life.... |