Help has anyone here seen any real benefits from antidepressants?

[twin size mattress]

They definitely do work, although different meds work for different people. I've been on a few different antidepressants, some of which made me worse and some of which made me better. They definitely aren't a cure-all but if you find the right one they'll probably help you be at least somewhat functional.

 

[daley]

I didn't think I did. I came off them without consulting anyone. It wasn't until I went back on them a year or so later that I realised what a horrible person I'd been during that time. It's up there as one of my massive regrets. Sure, I don't feel "better" while I take them but they do stop me from being the worst version of myself. I know that now.

I had a similar experience. I was taking Seroxat for years, and then I thought that they didn't really help me that much because I still felt down.
I was taking the highest possible dose, so I gradually weened myself, for about a year.

A few months after I stopped completely, I realized that I am feeling much worse, and was reminded of how I felt
before taking meds. So I got back on meds.

What I did learn is that I don't need to be on the highest dose. A low dose was just as good for me.

So without meds I felt awful. With meds I just feel "meh" - which isn't great, but is a world of difference for me.
I still have negative thoughts, but I brush them off much more easily, and they are less frequent.

 

[indefinitesleep]

I guess you could say Im not in despair 24/7 thinking abou the things that happened to me but nah didnt do much still overwhelmingly depressed and anhedonic

 

[Lost Magic]

I take prozac. They numb my emotions, but the depression still lingers. I am less prone to the same level of mental breakdowns that I had in the past though. I told the doctor that they are not the magic bullet, but I would rather be on them than not. I take 20mg a day.

 

[Anhaedra]

Been taking antidepressents (ssri) on and of since 2018 mainly for my body dysmorphia. Havent seen any improvement yet but I guess Im to blame because I stopped taking them so often. Im taking new meds for 3 months straight now and I certainly dont feel better, actually I think I got worse (dont know if its because of the meds or not)

 

[sisyphean-nightmare]

After having gone through the withdrawal, quitting any other addiction has felt like a breeze. I suppose that's positive.

 

[needsomeoptions]

I've been of 3 different ADs over the course of 12 years. I've very shortly been on mood stabilisers. Im not sure the ADs work for me. I have tried slowly and sensible try and come off 4 times - and each one has ended in disaster. I'm told my the medical processionals its relapse - but I'm convinced it's withdrawal. I
Im presently exploring whether I'm asexual - but also question whether this is the ADs. I think they may work for some but for me I wish I'd never started on them.They perhaps stop the downs but there are also no ups - just flatness.

 

[snow-angel]

had my venlafaxine increased to a higher dose in the last few months, definitely numbed my feelings, and impulses. I think it's called 'emotional blunting'. rather feel like this than out of control but I'm kind of sedated with it

 

[Old]

The only thing it did was give me dysfunction.

 

[Roadrunner]

The only thing it did was give me dysfunction.

ED?

 

[Mywill]

Taking venlafaxin, eplim and quetiapine for 3 years, killed my sex drive entirely, brains gone numb and dumber each day.

 

[Old]

ED?

Yes

 

[Roadrunner]

Yes

Has stopping the use of them helped that, or is the damage permanent? I'm going through that now myself

 

[Old]

Has stopping the use of them helped that, or is the damage permanent? I'm going through that now myself

You will get a bit better, and yes, stopping it will get rid of it.

 

[Gangrel]

was taking the highest dose of sertralim, 200mg all it did was make me numb and not be able to cum

now i'm on escitalopram 15mg and i feel nothing different, actually i feel worse

i have others for anxiety and i actually like them