Antidepressants?

people used to going to "meds" for issues won't even try any of my suggestions. I offer these only because I have tried them and they do work.

In the case of depression, it doesn't occur over night, it is a condition built up over a long period of time, years. How can any pill counter act years of a condition in hours???

Some simple things should be looked at first, and yes it makes a great deal of internal difference. If the depression is caused by internal chemical imbalances, start with your diet and sleep patterns. Get off of junk food, stimulant food etc. If you don't sleep long or well, try to change your sleep habits. Remember reversing depression is not just looking at one thing.

Next look for deficiencies, such as Vit. D deficiencies. There is much contemporary research being done now linking Vit. D deficiencies with many problems including depression.
I have heard of depression being addressed with Vit. D, Flax seed oil, and Vit. E. Also look at your trace mineral levels, bad bacteria in your gut, which can be addressed again through diet.

If the depression is caused by circumstance, change your position on the issue. Stop thinking all the time about it. Do hard physical work, take a short trip away from your current setting and focus on looking all around you, talk to people, not just doctors. If everything looks bleak, then almost anything could be a better change of focus.

As I said before, there are many alternatives I'd look into before analysis or daily medication. Lastly I would look at a case of OVER medication and combination reaction side effects. Over use of antibiotics can imbalance the good/bad bacteria balance in your gut. Poor nutrition or a focus on stimulants/sugar, caffeine, power drinks etc. can imbalance your whole physical processes. The opposite is true, opiate drugs, alcohol, etc. works the same way. Not getting good sleep can disrupt psychotropic brain chemicals and cause all kinds of problems.

If you did your own "pathology" and paid attention to some of these issues, you just might affect your depression BEFORE having to resort to "meds." Sometimes more likely than not, addressing the elements I've mentioned here help more than meds and with zero side effects.

For me, I always address these areas first.

I know it is hard to live with depression. Believe me I do!! It took 2 years of trials and trips to the hospital to get the combination right, and when I did finally get it right it was like night and day. I wanted to dance in the street and yell, " I am free. I am finally free!" Taking a pill every day is such a small price to pay to be free of this beast! If you feel like a zombie, you are on the wrong pill or you are taking too much. Do you see a psychiatrist or an MD? You need to see a psych. They are the experts in this area. There are also other types of pills to regulate this problem.

Ignore the idiots who say it is all in your head, or just snap out of it.

Never give up!!!!!!!!!!!

My doctor had me try Paxil, Cymbalta, Zoloft, and Wellbutrin. Nothing seemed to help so she sent me to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist was much more knowledgeable about depression meds and had me take both Zoloft and Wellbutrin together. Seems like that was the magic combination for me. It took about 6 or 8 months to get the right mixture and dosage, so you've got to be patient...I know, easier said than done when you are feeling bad. Good Luck!

What a long story. I've been on too many to count. Not one was a happy pill. I don't believe in them, but I'm currently taking Abilify and Lamictal because they're supposed to keep me stable.

I'm on Sertraline, a quite gentle antidepressant with not too many side effects. I feel the odd wave of nausea now and again, but maybe I'm just lucky, other people may be affected differently. It took about a month of taking them daily before they began to work though.

The side affects vary with each individual - it is best to see a doctor and/or psychologist to help you make the best decision. Sometimes it is trial and error, but seeking appropriate medical advice from someone specialized in this area is very effective.

Some people already mentioned this, but even simple lifestyle changes can help alleviate anxiety and depression (i.e. food, exercise, hobbies, etc.) But even with these healthy changes in one's lifestyle, some individuals need additional help. I don't see taking medication as a sign of weakness - it can be helpful if administered appropriately.

My advice would be to make basic lifestyle changes. If that doesn't help over the course of time, then consult a physician/psychiatrist. Just be careful with some medications - sometimes the side effects are worse than the depression/anxiety. I would recommend something well-tested on the majority of patients and in a small dosage.

Antidepressants are NOT supposed to take away all feeling and emotion, who wants to live like that. For me, it was a case of bipolar disorder that just looked a lot like depression, cause those were the only symptoms I would complain about. I went on lithium as a mood stabilizer. After I could recognize the ups and downs I had a much more successful time treating the symptoms of depression. I have been depression free for the first time in my life for 2.5 years. Good luck.

Have you tried St. John's Wart? maybe it's "wort"

i am on Wellbutrin XL, its okay....i dont break down and cry everyday like i used too, but its not that great ethier...it just makes life...more bearable i guess, i dont feel like i dont wanna exist anymore but im not really happy ethier...

I take venlafaxine In the morning and it gives me the feeling to get every thing done that i have in my mind,if you know what i mean.In other words i don't sit home and mope i start to do things what ever comes to mind. And at night i take Trazodone which is a anti.dept. and a sleeping pill it gives me a full 7-8 hours of restfull sleep

Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors like Strattera-(atomoxetine) and Endronax(reboxetine)-are generally more stimulating, but if you have anxiety or seizures they can make it worse.

Multiple reuptake inhibitors like Wellbutrin are also more stimulating, but carry the same risks if you have anxiety or seizure disorder.
Wellbutrin works on two neurotransmitters - dopamine and, to a lesser extent, norepinephrine

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors like -Prozac, celexa, lexapro, zoloft and paxil are usually more sedating and are good for depression with anxiety disorder..They are usually a big no-no for those with bipolar illness as they may induce a mania.

As already mentioned though, antidepressants work differently for each person. Follow you doctor’s advice...

What I have tried and what has worked for me are-

Prozac-works for me
Stratterra- works for me
Wellbutrin-works a little for me
Endronax-works for me
Celexa-makes me too tired
Lexapro-makes me too tired
Paxil-makes me too tired
Cymbalta-makes me gain weight
Effexor-make me too ill
Lithium-induced mania and I am not bipolar

A good site to check out is crazymeds.com

Never, nothing that could lead to erectile dysfunction. Life is my anti depressant.

Hi Elegy... sorry you seem to be struggling at the moment.
There's lots of good answers here and hopefully, some of what has been said will be of some help for you either now or further down the line.
as has been said (or not) anti-depressants aren't the 'be all and end all' of coping with your depression. for me... they give a base from which to work from (or to just stay steady?).
You say that you've tried a few different types and , so far, none have worked...
have you stayed on them long enough?
when you've been taking the tablets have you tried anything else alongside them (eg talking therapies, exercise, cognitive behaviour therapy)
have they all been the newer SSRI types? maybe an idea might be to talk to your doctor about different types?
Probably the most important point El is YOU are getting by... you're here writing, you're doing the best you can (although you might not feel it) you're getting through the days (hours and minutes) and I know it's so so hard and tiring and downright MISERABLE but , if you can, think (feel) about how well you ARE doing.
sending you some good thoughts
barry

I've been on Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, and Lexapro. The best two for me were Effexor XR and Pristiq.

I cannot risk traditional antidepressants because of mood swings, so I take the atypical antipsychotic Seroquel. The newest drug in that category is Saphris, which is not supposed to have the weight-gain effect of Seroquel. My insurance doesn't cover Saphris yet, it is so newly approved by the FDA. Anyway, I take one tablet at night, and an hour later I am sound asleep and stay in that dreamless deep sleep for nine hours. I wake up groggy but within 15 minutes I'm fine and feel nothing but positive effects from the medicine the rest of the day.

I have been on Cylexa for years and have had no problems. I used to be on Zoloft, but it only made me more depressed. It alll depends on the individual what will work, tho.

the reason there are so many is because the work differently in different people. you have to keep trying until you find a combination that works for you. it's frustrating i know.

I have had success with Effexor, but what works for others won't necessarily work for you.