Should I listen to the SSRI horror stories?

[SadLoser]

Depending on where I ask, I sometimes get told by people that say they used them that they weren't truly suicidal until they started taking them.
Other times I hear people saying that SSRIs saved their life.
Which one is it? Does it depend on the person?

I'm just sick of the constant soul-crushing lows. I want them numbed as much as I can. I don't mind if my "highs" are also numbed because they are basically non-existent. Nothing good happens in my life except for a few super rare occasions.
Don't know what to do.

 

[_Gollum_]

Their effectiveness does indeed depend on the situation and the person, as well as the competence of the psychiatrist. If you are okay with being numbed out then they might be an option for you. Just make sure to inform yourself about all the potential side effects AND, importantly, about how hard it will be to get off the medication if it doesn't/stops working. Some medications are worse than others on this front; bad withdrawals can be debilitating.

Before getting on SSRIs, I would also recommend analyzing the circumstances of your life and finding out if there is something that could help without medication -- all medical interventions are trade-offs, and if you can get better without them, imo that's the best path. For example, is your job crushing you? Are you lacking social connections or a healthy relationship with a romantic partner? Are you getting enough sleep? etc.

Not saying these are "causing" your depression or will necessarily "fix" it, but improving them might have the effect of at least making the lows not quite as low.

 

[noname223]

I am only a layman take every advice you get online with a grain of salt.

SSRI are often given to people with Borderline or eating disorder. With this group they can have the best impact.

Personally, I was concerned with PSSD. This is why I would prefer a SNRI like Venlafaxine (however, my impulsiveness was stronger when I began to take it, in the longrun it helped though). Or a tricyclic antidepressant for example if you struggle to sleep.

Overall, my life quality increased a lot since I started to take medication. I would recommend giving it a chance. But consider the potential advantages disadvantages of each medication.

In the clinic there was a woman that said SSRIs saved her life. And she felt happy again.

 

[muu]

there's always going to be an online negativity bias towards ANY pill for that matter, not just SSRIs.

there's always going to be more people writing negative reviews on it because there's more people actively searching for that and seeking confirmation towards their fears about it.

you'll never know for sure until you try it, but it's up to you.

 

[SadLoser]

Their effectiveness does indeed depend on the situation and the person, as well as the competence of the psychiatrist. If you are okay with being numbed out then they might be an option for you. Just make sure to inform yourself about all the potential side effects AND, importantly, about how hard it will be to get off the medication if it doesn't/stops working. Some medications are worse than others on this front; bad withdrawals can be debilitating.

Before getting on SSRIs, I would also recommend analyzing the circumstances of your life and finding out if there is something that could help without medication -- all medical interventions are trade-offs, and if you can get better without them, imo that's the best path. For example, is your job crushing you? Are you lacking social connections or a healthy relationship with a romantic partner? Are you getting enough sleep? etc.

Not saying these are "causing" your depression or will necessarily "fix" it, but improving them might have the effect of at least making the lows not quite as low.

My main problems are anxiety and feeling of worthlessness from my lack of romantic success, but I feel that they're largely due to my depression/ anxiety. I had an abusive mother growing up, got bullied and I desperately want to be loved now.

 

[fedup1982]

SSRIs probably have helped my suicidal ideation overall. It's certainly never made it worse. It sucks have floppy dick syndrome but otherwise yeah I'd say they've helped me. Not taken away my problems but it's helped with my mood a chunk once I found ones that actually do something, it took a few years

 

[SadLoser]

SSRIs probably have helped my suicidal ideation overall. It's certainly never made it worse. It sucks have floppy dick syndrome but otherwise yeah I'd say they've helped me. Not taken away my problems but it's helped with my mood a chunk once I found ones that actually do something, it took a few years

Does viagra or cialis help with that? Not like I use it anyway haha

 

[fedup1982]

Does viagra or cialis help with that? Not like I use it anyway haha

It probably would actually, but I don't fancy a hard on for several hours

 

[SadLoser]

It probably would actually, but I don't fancy a hard on for several hours

with cialis you actually need to be in the mood lol. If you're not thinking about it it'll go down easily. I prefer it to viagra.

 

[fedup1982]

with cialis you actually need to be in the mood lol. If you're not thinking about it it'll go down easily. I prefer it to viagra.

Thanks for the tip! I told my psychiatrist about problems getting hard and she did nothing about it, sigh

 

[CynicalCyanide]

Thanks for the tip! I told my psychiatrist about problems getting hard and she did nothing about it, sigh

Wait she didnt try to make it hard? How disappointing