Honest opinions on depression medication

[Journeytoletgo]

Does it really help your depressive mood? I made an appointment with a psychiatrist to be evaluated this Wednesday and I called out of work sick and lied and said I had the flu so I will not be returning. My thoughts are cannibalizing me to the point I feel physically sick. I been on medication before and it kind of helped with the crying spells and my mood a bit however to me it just feels like a cover and a bandaid, the root of the issue is what I already know I will never EVER like my physical appearance ever. So that's that.

So in your personal opinion does the medication help?

 

[seho_j]

For me, the medication helped with my depression and anxiety. It made me less anxious and more active.
However, it didn't stop my suicidal ideation at all. I'm thinking of ctb 24/7. I agree, the meds sometimes feel like a bandaid to me, and I had to change meds because they didn't work or because I had side effects.
But I can't deny the meds I'm currently taking have made my life a little more bearable. Hope you can find the medication that works for you.

 

[Ghost2211]

It helps with the depression, but it doesn't change reality. It just makes it so I still get things done, and I don't cry all the time. Thats about all it does for me.

 

[memataporfavor]

It depends on the med. Every body works differently. Example: I've been given fluoxetine, and after venlafaxine. Both sucked for me, didn't work at all.
Now I've gotten to a combination that helps me function. Meds don't take the problems away, but they make things easier to go through.
I take now paroxetine and bupropione (with 2 more mood stabilizers). They help me get out of bed. They help me not to sleep all day. Do they help me not wanting to self harm? Nope. But they help me control my impulses. In general they're a help, they give you a push, u know? the hard work, really, comes from you (as always, why is life so fckn tiring?)

(ITS WORTH TRYING AND TAKING THEM IN MY OPINION IF ITS NOT CLEAR HAH)

 

[k75]

They can work, but it takes some work on your part, too. You have to be willing to take them consistently, as prescribed. Most of them have interactions with things like alcohol that interferes how well they work. It also takes a lot of trial and error. Since everyone is different, there's no one perfect drug. They're not likely to cure you, but they can make things more tolerable.

I'm still looking for my perfect meds, but I believe in them.

 

[Myrvann]

Having been on citalopram (an SSRI) for a couple of years in the past, I can attest that it does smooth the rough edges of everyday life. To the extent that one starts to feel quite numb. When the dosage was mistakenly set too high for a period, I did experience almost total absence of emotions. Other people became insignificant and, to and extent, repulsive. This was fixed at the time, and now I've been off them for ten years, or so.

However, I can fully relate to this article, even though it's just speculative.

37 Mass Shooters Who Were On Antidepressants

Here are 37 mass shooters who were either on antidepressants at the time of their rampage, had abruptly quit taking their medication when they went on their spree, or had been prescribed antidepres…

thoughtcatalog.com

 

[JoeFailure]

It really depends. Having been on meds, I'm probably more of an advocate of some of the more natural ways to medicate, like CBD, but everyone's different.

But I think like people mentioned here, you just can't see it as a fix-all because no 1 thing is going to be. It takes that work on your end as well.

What it can definitely do though is help you get things done while having these feelings...but that can really help to start getting you going in a better direction. It's really hard, but when I was at my darkest place a few months ago I would keep telling myself that I was living for possible better days ahead, I kind of just acknowledged that right now sucked and I had to grind through it.

As most of us on this website have found out...life isn't like the movies. There is no guarantee. The world can be cruel, heartless, and cold. But if you can wire yourself to see the recovery process as a journey instead of an overnight fix, things will at least become more manageable.

Keep asking questions if you need to! Lots of people have been on meds here and I've reached out quite a bit about it too and got some really helpful feedback.

 

[Jean4]

I would not be here without it.

 

[Smashingairwaves]

Yeah they definitely help with mood. Prozac has helped me so much. But while they helpp with mood, they won't help with situational depression. You'll feel better, but if you're in a bad situation it will only bandaid the problem, like you said. But if they start to help you function better then you can slowly work on everything else

 

[mathieu]

It helps a bit. I find it numbs the emotional pain so I'm not crying all the time and don't have that almost physical heartbreak feeling but being numb is a type of depression too. It certainly isn't like being happy.

Lamictal (lamotrigine) on the other hand fully pulled me out of the depression I was in and I had a year or two of being almost completely normal.

 

[Thereisnothing]

Never got on with antidepressants, side effects were bad and they used to make me physically iller and also made me very agitated.They work differently on everyone. Only thing I had temp respite with was Oxazepam, but only allowed that short term to get over massive shock I had. Was calming but end the day couldn't stay on that and had to try and cope with what was happening in life. Personally I would sooner have how am feeling naturally, so can gauge better was it normal for me, than lots of mood altered drugs. Even if existence is hell. Be ok as said if could have something like Oxazepam to help stay calm and more light, but not happening.

 

[Roro90]

it helps , but I regret taking it i just want to die and my emotions are less damaged now so its hard for me to ctb

 

[KiraLittleOwl]

Sertraline did nothing but made me numb and with the same depressive/suicidal thoughts.
Seroquel helped somewhat to curb those obsessive ruminations but not completely.
Like was said before if the depression is situational it's just a bandaid on a wound that not healed.

 

[Jean4]

Sertraline did nothing but made me numb and with the same depressive/suicidal thoughts.
Seroquel helped somewhat to curb those obsessive ruminations but not completely.
Like was said before if the depression is situational it's just a bandaid on a wound that not healed.

Sending you love as long as you are here.

 

[UpandDownPrincess]

My current med regimen works for me, but it's taken a long while to find it.

I have been through lots of antidepressants, some worked, some didn't. For me, I am better on an SNRI than on an SSRI.

I do feel like it's worth a try or two. What have you got to lose?

 

[BPD Barbie]

It doesn't work for everyone. I take an absolute cocktail of psychiatric medications, have they made me feel better? Some what yeah, but they aren't a cure. Recovering requires therapy and something deep down inside of you. Meds just help with symptoms.

 

[Epsilon0]

I think it does help, in the sense that it gives you a little more strength to deal with your problems. As the others already pointed out, medication does not solve your problems. It's just a crutch you can lean on. I wish you all the best!

 

[Diceroller90]

I don't like it. Those drugs are a band-aid that mask the symptoms. The underlying causes of the depression still exist and will surface eventually despite the drugs pushing them down.

The best cure is understanding why you feel the way you do and working on a way to treat that if possible.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

Might work for some for a while but will often have side effects and tolerance effects and withdrawl if you come off. There was a very similar thread recently too.
Personally, I think they are a temporary solution to a permanent problem.
See what I did there?

 

[homebound]

it depends on the person + what you end up taking. most of them never helped me and either made me feel worse or did nothing to help me. be careful with side effects. antidepressants should be combined with therapy for the most effective results, otherwise it really is like a bandaid. i wish you the best of luck with your appointment nevertheless

 

[Cutepoison]

No, doesn't help at all. I think I've been on 5-6 different meds so far, zero effect. Ctb all the way

 

[LittleJem]

For me, the medication helped with my depression and anxiety. It made me less anxious and more active.
However, it didn't stop my suicidal ideation at all. I'm thinking of ctb 24/7. I agree, the meds sometimes feel like a bandaid to me, and I had to change meds because they didn't work or because I had side effects.
But I can't deny the meds I'm currently taking have made my life a little more bearable. Hope you can find the medication that works for you.

I don't know how safe it is to combine with meds, but low dose Lithium helps with suicidal thoughts. OTC it is called Lithium Orotate and here is more info: https://nootropicsexpert.com/lithium-orotate/

Does it really help your depressive mood? I made an appointment with a psychiatrist to be evaluated this Wednesday and I called out of work sick and lied and said I had the flu so I will not be returning. My thoughts are cannibalizing me to the point I feel physically sick. I been on medication before and it kind of helped with the crying spells and my mood a bit however to me it just feels like a cover and a bandaid, the root of the issue is what I already know I will never EVER like my physical appearance ever. So that's that.

So in your personal opinion does the medication help?

I definitely hold to the idea that brain/neuro-transmitters are out of balance in depression and other mental illnesses -whether genetic or trauma or situation For that reason, I see medication/drugs/supplements as essential.

I hear you OP when you say that your root reason is a dislike of your appearance and you do not believe this will ever change. Even with that in mind, I hope you will still make the decision to be kind to yourself and get some medication that might help you with the thoughts and feelings. We are all born the way we are and it is not our fault we are ill. It is also not our fault if we do not like the way we look. So please treat yourself kindly and get some help.

Regarding medications, different ones work for different people - and if you read the reviews of them online you will see that some of them change some peoples' lives for the better. I believe if you find one that works, stay on it. Sometimes when people come off a medication to try and cope without it, they unfortunately find it does not work for them second time around when their depression and anxiety comes back.

 

[TheGoodGuy]

Having been on citalopram (an SSRI) for a couple of years in the past, I can attest that it does smooth the rough edges of everyday life. To the extent that one starts to feel quite numb. When the dosage was mistakenly set too high for a period, I did experience almost total absence of emotions. Other people became insignificant and, to and extent, repulsive. This was fixed at the time, and now I've been off them for ten years, or so.

However, I can fully relate to this article, even though it's just speculative.

37 Mass Shooters Who Were On Antidepressants

Here are 37 mass shooters who were either on antidepressants at the time of their rampage, had abruptly quit taking their medication when they went on their spree, or had been prescribed antidepres…

thoughtcatalog.com

Can you elaborate about the absence of emotions because I already feel apathy and anhedonia but does SSRI´s make you not care emotionally about close family too? I will soon be on Zoloft and it would be a relief if it would make me numb to my parents emotions since right now I don´t wanna ruin their lives which I know my suicide will.

 

[ithappens]

I've only ever been put on SSRIs, and every single one of them has either done nothing or made me feel worse. I'd be willing to try meds that are not SSRIs, but SSRIs are the favorites of all doctors it seems. So now I am not on medication and don't have any desire to see doctors because I'm sick of being physically ill on meds that don't work for me or either of my parents.

 

[WhiteDespair]

I was taking Fluoxetine and Adderall previously. I then got Olanzapine from my psychiatrist as an antiemetic for SN. Imagine my surprise when it fucking worked!

The amount of chatter in my head is down, I've been calmer, I've been more focused, I've started engaging in activities, the desire to CtB is way, way down, and it's been one of the best months I'be had in a long, long time.

So, yeah, they worked. Ironically, what I got to CtB actually keeps the bus away.

 

[LittleJem]

I've only ever been put on SSRIs, and every single one of them has either done nothing or made me feel worse. I'd be willing to try meds that are not SSRIs, but SSRIs are the favorites of all doctors it seems. So now I am not on medication and don't have any desire to see doctors because I'm sick of being physically ill on meds that don't work for me or either of my parents.

I'm currently finding Selegiline really helpful. I am part of a few Nootropics groups and their advice really invaluable. Dopamine is more needed for me I have discovered. It helped on day 1. I hope it keeps working. It's an MAOI B inhibitor. I got fed up with doctors and found it myself.
The groups are on FB.eg one called Nootropica

 

[Mm80]

I've only ever been put on SSRIs, and every single one of them has either done nothing or made me feel worse. I'd be willing to try meds that are not SSRIs, but SSRIs are the favorites of all doctors it seems. So now I am not on medication and don't have any desire to see doctors because I'm sick of being physically ill on meds that don't work for me or either of my parents.

Have you tried an snri (one that works on norepinephrine as well as serotonin) i
Find them more helpful for anxious depression.
Thanks

 

[devil]

medication is nothing but a false reality

 

[Holacanthus]

I have taken---and am taking---an absolute laundry list of pills. I don't even know where my baseline is anymore. I'm a tough case though. The pills work until they don't, or they never do.

Despite that, I would encourage you to try them. I realize this sounds absurd considering what I wrote, but your brain chemistry isn't mine. What do you have to lose? The big thing is finding a psychiatrist you trust. Don't be afraid to try two or three. When you find the right person, you will sense it.

 

[Mm80]

All the medication does imo is help you function. Make you wanna get up in the morning, eat and enjoy food, want to socialise, have sex etc. This can help if people have fell below that level and are quite badly depressed. I personally think they are overprescribed to people who are not clinically depressed. The problem is that a lot of depressed people are actually quite intelligent and antidepressants cannot solve tge complexity of peoples thoughts opinions and ultimatily reasons for not wanting to be alive. I agree with the posts about them making people numb at times, but sometimes that is needed for a period and they can certainly save lives(have mine) and are worth trying.
Thanks