Discussion Do antidepressants actually work?

[DeadButDreaming]

Yes, for me they help. But I had to experiment with different brands until I found some that work. Not only that, you have to experiment with dosage too.

I definitely would be dead now without them. As others have pointed out, there are side effects. Sleep is harder to obtain.

 

[TiredOfAllThis]

Depends on the case. I have been on Trazodon for months and it seems to be working.

 

[Ash]

I don't feel any different taking them but I do know that when I stopped (without talking to my doctor), my emotions became even more out of control, especially anger. I didn't even realise until I (reluctantly) went back on them over a year later and was a lot more able to regulate my extreme emotions.

At the end of the day, we're all different with different biologies and experiences. What works for one might not work for another. What works for one at one point might not work later on, or vice versa. It's completely subjective and the only way to find out is to try and be honest with oneself.

 

[Forveleth]

I've been on a few and stopped because the side effects were terrible. But also, my life circumstances weren't changing. I could take all of the drugs in the world and go to all of the therapy but I was (and still am) surrounded by people who weren't supportive and drove me lower. Nothing is going to make me feel better until I change my life circumstances.

 

[greebo6]

Sometimes they do but not always. Even when they do work , the initial positive effects often decrease over time.

 

[astonishedturnip]

So far they have worked for me, sort of. I feel 80% better most of the time. But I have good days and bad days and the bad days are like being off them completely. Efficacy has improved over time rather than declined.

They keep me alive and focused enough to work, be present with other people, and enjoy hobbies. But the fear is never far away and I feel more "rational" about my plans to CTB rather than impulsive, backed-in-a-corner, if that makes sense.

 

[*Hope*]

Ok so it seems like this old thread got attention, so I might give everyone some insight at what I experienced with "drugs" after some years:

It definitely helped me greatly. I currently use tramadol (I know its not the usual antidepressant, but it also works similarly) and it definitely made things better. I advise everyone who suffers from depression to go to a professional and get antidepressant prescribed, it helps alot.

 

[throwaway9901]

My mom basically coerced me into taking them. I'll admit they've made me much calmer and my head seems less clouded. I had a serious issue with a voice in my head telling me to off myself, which is basically gone now because of it. The thing is mentally I don't feel much better. Sure, I'm calmer and much less prone to angry outbursts which is a plus, but the only way I think it's helped prevent my suicide is just removing the chances of me doing it irrationally. I still want to die but there's been no instances of me being in a suicidal trance since starting it.

Something people don't really talk about is the queasiness the pills cause. If you take them on an empty stomach you're gonna feel shitty for a while. I made the mistake of taking 100mg of Zoloft after going without it for four days and it ended with me puking everything up. So yeah, if you're on it take it gradually with slowly increasing doses.