Discussion Do antidepressants actually work?

[*Hope*]

Question to everyone who takes or used to take antidepressants- does it actually work? Does it make your mind less clouded ? Are you able to sleep calmly? And if yes, then which ones are good?

I had a checkup with my doctor and he appointed me to a psychiatrist. Im just wondering, before they even describe me anything, is it worth it? If not then I will just cancel my appointment
Also should I be honest and tell them that im suicidal? I dont want to end up in a ward
(Ps. I want to live, but im in a bad state from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, so thats why im trying to do my best to recover before giving up)

 

[WornOutLife]

They used to work for me but now my tolerance level seems to be TOO HIGH and I just can't sleep now.
My psychiatrist doesn't want me to take a higher dose of the pills I'm taking so I dunno what will happen but I remember and miss so much those days on which I could sleep for 8 hours.

I think it is worth to give them a shot. They might help you and if they don't, just don't take them anymore.

Oh about the suicidal part, I wouldn't say that. Just tell him/her that there are days in which you're very depressed and can barely leave your bed.

 

[*Hope*]

They used to work for me but now my tolerance level seems to be TOO HIGH and I just can't sleep now.
My psychiatrist doesn't want me to take a higher dose of the pills I'm taking so I dunno what will happen but I remember and miss so much those days on which I could sleep for 8 hours.

I think it is worth to give them a shot. They might help you and if they don't, just don't take them anymore.

Oh about the suicidal part, I wouldn't say that. Just tell him/her that there are days in which you're very depressed and can barely leave your bed.

But if you were to stop, will it have some type of negative effect?

 

[WornOutLife]

But if you were to stop, will it have some type of negative effect?

If you go from taking many pills to zero it will.
For example, if you take lorazepam 4mg, you should take for a 1 week 3mg, than another week 2mg, than another one 1mg, then one more 0,5mg and then you can stop taking it.

 

[booray]

Based on my own experience, I have yet to find an anti-depressant that actually works. But then I'm pretty sure that I have treatment-resistant depression. Still, I have a friend who is a scientist at J&J and even he admits that anti-depressants are just a huge scam between big pharma and the psychiatry profession.

Mental health professionals will invariably ask you if you're thinking about suicide or harming yourself in some way. Always say that you have no specific method or plan to ctb if you wish to avoid being sectioned. In your case, this would not be lying because you stated that you are looking to recover.

 

[DetachedDreamer97]

I'm going to be as impartial about this as I can.
In my experience, antidepressants has actually done more harm than good in which when I took SSRIs and SNRIs, it made me more anxious, irritable, and I ended up gettkng serotonin syndrome. The only antidepressant that didn't cause me anxiety was mirtazapine. Which actually killed my anxiety and my desperate wish to die. However, while it worked in that regard, it worked too well as it killed my emotions and made me lathargic and hungry. It's more useful as an antiemetic and a sleep aid than anything else (in low doses don't get any bright ideas).

Honestly, it depends on the individual, so mileages may very. It depends on why you're going to take it. But know the risks. Antidepressants aren't good for you long term, and can be detrimental to your health in ways that it'll increase the chance of an early death or ruin your quality of life. And contrary to what doctors tell you, it is important to know the side effects. And KNOW that it won't be easy to come off of it.

In my opinion, it's better to go with natural remedies unless you're desperately needing the pills, but I'd take psychedelics over pills.

 

[loopylou]

I have taken various ones but my brain isn't wired right from trauma and I'm not in a position to go through CBT ( doctors say my BPD can be cured) with this. Unsure why I bother to keep taking them to be honest

 

[NodusTollens]

It didn't work for me & had a bunch of side effects. I used it to its max before eventually stopping this medication.

Venlafaxine (37.5, 75, 150, 225): Felt numb/emotionless (resulted in periodic bouts of SH to feel, worsened with increasing dose), sleep issues, memory problems, "brain shocks," no/low libido, agitated, weight gain, night sweats!

 

[*Hope*]

Im just so lost right now. Im trying to really improve my life and climb out of this big hole ive dug up, but one bad moment and im back where I first started.
Im so desperate right now, and hearing that antidepressants arent as helpful as I thought is just heartbreaking.

Tried working out - it failed.

Tried meditating - obviously failed.

Tried learning about philosophers and their "way of living" (stoicism etc.) - failed aswell.

Found a new hobby - still failed

It truly boils down to genetics. Ive done everything I possibly could and found no results.

 

[loopylou]

I think maybe trying a combination of things can help. It's not a total loss if they haven't helped others. Everybody is different and respond differently. What's good medicine for one maybe totally incorrect for another . The fact you still wanna try get better is amazing!

 

[NodusTollens]

Im just so lost right now. Im trying to really improve my life and climb out of this big hole ive dug up, but one bad moment and im back where I first started.
Im so desperate right now, and hearing that antidepressants arent as helpful as I thought is just heartbreaking.

Tried working out - it failed.

Tried meditating - obviously failed.

Tried learning about philosophers and their "way of living" (stoicism etc.) - failed aswell.

It truly boils down to genetics. Ive done everything I possibly could and found no results.

I understand what you mean, it starts to feel fruitless after a point. Especially after putting in so much of your time & energy. If you've never tried them, I would say maybe it's worth trying.

I personally didn't like the anti-depressants that I've tried, but you never know- you could find one that works for you. Especially if you have the option to really discuss the different medications with them. I once researched a med & ask a psych directly for it because I was hoping it would work for me. It helped, but I hate being medicated because of how numb it makes me feel long term, so I eventually stopped all meds.

Typically meds are combined with therapy for optimal efficiency, so if there is free therapy or counselling that you can try- maybe it could help you too.

 

[*Hope*]

I understand what you mean, it starts to feel fruitless after a point. Especially after putting in so much of your time & energy. If you've never tried them, I would say maybe it's worth trying.

I personally didn't like the anti-depressants that I've tried, but you never know- you could find one that works for you. Especially if you have the option to really discuss the different medications with them. I once researched a med & ask a psych directly for it because I was hoping it would work for me. It helped, but I hate being medicated because of how numb it makes me feel long term, so I eventually stopped all meds.

Typically meds are combined with therapy for optimal efficiency, so if there is free therapy or counselling that you can try- maybe it could help you too.

Thing is, after all these "philosophies" and "meditations", I dont believe that words/therapies are going to help anymore. Somehow bad words hurt me, but good words dont heal me. Hard to explain, but I lost my trust in Philosophy.

But I will still try antidepressants, just to see for myself if they truly help

 

[loopylou]

Thing is, after all these "philosophies" and "meditations", I dont believe that words/therapies are going to help anymore. Somehow bad words hurt me, but good words dont heal me. Hard to explain, but I lost my trust in Philosophy.

But I will still try antidepressants, just to see for myself if they truly help

I found if I was working out a few times a week, a session of yoga a week and some time in the hot tub I felt so much better. Talk therapy doesn't work for me I just feel more pathetic as the session goes on

 

[NodusTollens]

Thing is, after all these "philosophies" and "meditations", I dont believe that words/therapies are going to help anymore. Somehow bad words hurt me, but good words dont heal me. Hard to explain, but I lost my trust in Philosophy.

But I will still try antidepressants, just to see for myself if they truly help

Definitely do what works best for you, I only mentioned therapy because it's typically recommended to do it as a combo.

I'm not currently in therapy myself. It's hard to navigate through the sea of therapists looking for the diamond in the rough that gels with you.

A holistic approach tends to work best IMO anyway- multifaceted, you make changes to multiple different aspects of your lifestyle. Exercising, diet change, medication (optional), therapy (optional), self care, sleep etc., that whole jazz. It's a lot of work, but can be helpful if you can find what works for you.

Wishing you the best :)

 

[nolongerhuman]

I have been cycled through several dozen antidepressants over the past ~5-7 years. The only ones I remember doing anything positive was the benzo that they took me off of because of the extreme reluctance of psychiatrists in my area to keep people on benzos long term. Most of them didn't seem to do anything. Some of them made me feel worse. I've kind of given up on the idea of being described an antidepressant that's going to help tbh. It's different for everyone though and I've heard some people say they really help them, so I'd give them a shot instead of taking too much stock on my personal experience.

As for telling therapists you want to ctb, all of the therapists I've interacted with are extremely reluctant to actually send anyone to a ward so if you super duper promise to call someone if you think you're actually going to do it this usually reduces their sense of liability enough for them to be reasonable. And if you're trying to recover it would help for them to know just how bad the problem is. I have heard that some professionals can be very 'hands-on' about that topic though so approach this subject extremely carefully.

 

[Silver]

Antidepressants have helped me to a limited extent over the years. Some have worked for a while and either stopped working or I forgot to take them for long enough that they stopped being effective.

If you haven't taken them before, you should try them, they might really help.

 

[Disappointered]

If you experiment with a bunch you might find one that has some beneficial effect but the odds of it being anything beyond mild are extremely low. For some people that in itself is still worth it, especially if they don't have negative reactions/side effects from the antidepressant in question. some of the side effects however can be terrible. it's always a bit of a gamble but that doesn't mean it won't help at all. just don't expect it to really change your life much.

 

[Trisolaris]

For some they work, for some they don't. It's not an exact science.

 

[Lifeaffirmingchoice]

Im just so lost right now. Im trying to really improve my life and climb out of this big hole ive dug up, but one bad moment and im back where I first started.
Im so desperate right now, and hearing that antidepressants arent as helpful as I thought is just heartbreaking.

Tried working out - it failed.

Tried meditating - obviously failed.

Tried learning about philosophers and their "way of living" (stoicism etc.) - failed aswell.

Found a new hobby - still failed

It truly boils down to genetics. Ive done everything I possibly could and found no results.

I'm sorry. If you've tried everything this is no shame in giving up. The world is evil and earth overpopulated anyway. Plus, ctb is an achievement of sorts in and of itself. If I were especially fearful I'd go with SN.

Question to everyone who takes or used to take antidepressants- does it actually work? Does it make your mind less clouded ? Are you able to sleep calmly? And if yes, then which ones are good?

I had a checkup with my doctor and he appointed me to a psychiatrist. Im just wondering, before they even describe me anything, is it worth it? If not then I will just cancel my appointment
Also should I be honest and tell them that im suicidal? I dont want to end up in a ward
(Ps. I want to live, but im in a bad state from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, so thats why im trying to do my best to recover before giving up)

No they don't work for everyone

 

[willitpass]

For me, not at all. I've tried more than I can count. None have helped. I stopped taking them about a year ago after being on them for most of my life. However, some people try one anti depressant and it works wonderfully for them. You won't know if it works for you unless you try it. Everyone is so different.

 

[Throwawayacc3]

Question to everyone who takes or used to take antidepressants- does it actually work? Does it make your mind less clouded ? Are you able to sleep calmly? And if yes, then which ones are good?

I had a checkup with my doctor and he appointed me to a psychiatrist. Im just wondering, before they even describe me anything, is it worth it? If not then I will just cancel my appointment
Also should I be honest and tell them that im suicidal? I dont want to end up in a ward
(Ps. I want to live, but im in a bad state from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, so thats why im trying to do my best to recover before giving up)

No. They are mass produced and thrown at everyone - it's never done on an individual basis. Had to take Sertaline. When they weren't working they said up the MG dosage. I said no, couldn't take it any more. This is what they did to me:

- lack/no sleep
- sore muscles and joints
- no energy
- extreme headaches (frontal area of brain and right temple).
- violent stomach aches

 

[*Hope*]

How did my old thread get attention now all of a sudden? Seems like someone did a check on me lol

 

[losing altitude]

Question to everyone who takes or used to take antidepressants- does it actually work? Does it make your mind less clouded ? Are you able to sleep calmly? And if yes, then which ones are good?

I had a checkup with my doctor and he appointed me to a psychiatrist. Im just wondering, before they even describe me anything, is it worth it? If not then I will just cancel my appointment
Also should I be honest and tell them that im suicidal? I dont want to end up in a ward
(Ps. I want to live, but im in a bad state from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, so thats why im trying to do my best to recover before giving up)

There are many many different ones and you may have to try several to find the right one but they can. Zolfoft helped me with OCD and depression. It just makes you not dwell in your head as much for me anyway.

 

[divinemistress36]

How did my old thread get attention now all of a sudden? Seems like someone did a check on me lol

We are stalking your page

 

[helicoptero]

Question to everyone who takes or used to take antidepressants- does it actually work? Does it make your mind less clouded ? Are you able to sleep calmly? And if yes, then which ones are good?

I had a checkup with my doctor and he appointed me to a psychiatrist. Im just wondering, before they even describe me anything, is it worth it? If not then I will just cancel my appointment
Also should I be honest and tell them that im suicidal? I dont want to end up in a ward
(Ps. I want to live, but im in a bad state from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, so thats why im trying to do my best to recover before giving up)

I'm sorry you're going through this.

I've been taking medication for more than 5 years now. I've tried a lot of different stuff, sadly it didn't work for me, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work for anyone

All these years and time in psych ward or therapy taught me that every body is different. What harms me, can heal you and vice versa. It's hard to believe how much difference there is from one body to another.

I could give you some recommendations:
-Ask your doctor about the most common side effects of the meds you're taking. Try to keep an eye on those, but avoid getting too paranoid since it can be counterproductive.
-Try to take notes of any changes, even if they're subtle, just so you don't forget later (This includes appetite, sleep, weight, etc). If you can note what meds and dose you're taking, that would be great. I always thought I would remember but time passed and I forgot most of it.
-Be patient. This kind of medication takes months to see results, if any.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope this works for you since you wish to get better. In most cases therapy is very helpful too, so have it in mind. Hugs.

Edit: I just noticed the date of your post now lol. It popped up on recent activity

 

[asian.neet]

Question to everyone who takes or used to take antidepressants- does it actually work? Does it make your mind less clouded ? Are you able to sleep calmly? And if yes, then which ones are good?

I had a checkup with my doctor and he appointed me to a psychiatrist. Im just wondering, before they even describe me anything, is it worth it? If not then I will just cancel my appointment
Also should I be honest and tell them that im suicidal? I dont want to end up in a ward
(Ps. I want to live, but im in a bad state from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, so thats why im trying to do my best to recover before giving up)

No.
They actually make depression worse.

 

[hellispink]

If you want to be sick forever, be addicted dependent, damage your intestine, your microbiome , brain damage and your nervous system more fucked ruined than what already is, then take antidepressants.

 

[Kurai]

No they don't work for me, my sleep is actually a lot worst I get too many unwanted vivid dreams. It just makes me numb

 

[Abyssal]

Almost answered this thread then I saw the date

 

[Dark Moon]

I don't like the side effects of antideppresants, it didn't really do anything for me.