Stress Center Peer Support

I was wondering if anyone who has/had depression has had a good experience with an anti-depressant? Just wondering if anti-depressants actually work for depression.

Hello Holly J,
In my case anti-depressants are working for me. They have helped alot but each person is different. If that is something you are considering, you need to check with your doctor to see what is best for you. My depression hasn't gone away totally but with the program and medication I handle it a whole lot better.

All my best,
Inside Man

Hello Holly, Inside man is right, medications work differently for everyone. I have not found any relief from using paxil, but rather, I have suffered with alot of side effects. Be sure to speak with your physician before making a decision.

Best Regards,

Ben

Originally posted by Holly J:
I was wondering if anyone who has/had depression has had a good experience with an anti-depressant? Just wondering if anti-depressants actually work for depression.

Hi Holly:
Yes,and as mentioned by others, everyone reacts differently. I can only speak of my complete success with Celexa, an anti-depressant that I started taking three months ago. Within three weeks after starting the medication I was feeling better and off the anti-anxiety medication. I've not had a panic attack since starting the medication and practicing everything offered in the course. The medication coupled with the skills I'm learning from this course has helped a great deal! I was reluctant and even scared to try any kind of anti-depressant, but I was more scared feeling the way I'd been feeling for so long. My Dr. assured me that, in all likelihood, I could be off the drug in six months, that they've found it takes that long to break the cycle of depression, all has to do with raising the seratonin level in the brain. So investigate and speak to your doctor, because there is hope!!! Above all stick with the course and follow its lead and before long you'll find yourself feeling much better. You'll get there!
best,
Catherine Anderson

Lexapro alleviated my depression completely and helped with the anxiety so that it was 75% gone. I used that time to work the program and am now off meds and "flying solo". I'm doing well overall but I have my bad days. I'm grateful for having taken the Lexapro, but long term med use wasn't for me. Over time, you have to up the dose, change meds, or go off because they become less effective and/or come with side effects. In my case, I started to get irritable and gained weight which I believe was due to Lexapro's ability to take the good away as well as the bad. I was too monotone all the time and missed my "highs".

My cousin is having a good experience on Zoloft and I believe she would have been considered profoundly depressed and she swears there are no side effects whatsoever.

Good luck.

I have also found had some good results with Zoloft and hope to be off of the meds soon. I did have some problems with it initally, but as my body got used to them, it got better.

thank you all. I was considering zoloft but afraid of the side effects. . . anyone ever take 5htp and have good results??

I've had good success with anti-depressants. I haven't tried or used 5-HTP, although I do know that people use it as a mood enhancer, among many other things. I guess I'm stuck with the prescription meds. Good luck! Rob.

Medication worked for me, but the side effects suck!!!
that's why I have this program to stop taking the meds.
they helped with the anxiety attacks that i have as well, but it doesn't help me deal with what is causing the attacks. the meds mellow me out and put me on an level emotion coaster ride which is great, but then I finally realized that the meds are only helping me cover up my problems not deal with them in a healthy way.
I am currently using 5htp and sam-e, it does help some, but in my case i have to deal with the problem of the anxiety, to make it stop.

Yes medications do work. Don't let side effects go on too long without talking it over with your Doctor. Try to document for yourself and your Doctor what you are feeling before starting a med and be as detailed as possible. Definetly track how you feel after starting with a prescription. (Yes, do start)!