Anyone has experience with antidepressants?

Question

Effectiveness, side effects, anything you can tell me about them?

Rawrzz · Accepted Answer

I've been on a lot of antidepressants. Unfortunately, I can't remember shit from back then. Welbutrin, paxil, zoloft, celexa, Prozac, trazadone, cymbalta, effexor. Probably others. I vaguely recall being generally happy then--at least, when i was around other people, but I was also doing drugs and had a strong and exciting social circle. I was also on benzos, probably why i can't remember shit.

The list of common side effects for SSRIs is
nausea
trouble sleeping
nervousness
tremors
sexual problems

Come to think of it, I did have trouble getting it up. Though, I always contributed it to nervousness. And i may or may not have had trouble sleeping, because they put 16 year old me on 350mgs of seroquel for sleep (like, 14X the normal dose). So, that shit knocked me out and made me sleep through a fair portion of high school. Luckily i went to a school that didn't give a fuck.

Common Side effects for SNRI 's
fatigue
Drowsiness
constipation
dry mouth

So, if you want to try one, go for an SSRI first. Although, the DRB Welbutrin wasn't bad, that i remember... yeah, sorry, my memory is fucked.

But, I'd recommend changing your habits before jumping for the Fukitol pill. Eat more healthily, get better sleep, get better exercise, socialize more. If something traumatic happened to you (or not), then seek therapy instead of initially medication. Unless you seriously question whether or not you'll kill yourself, I don't think medications are appropriate. And even then, antidepressants can cause depression. But hey. I'm not a doctor.

Depending on what country you live in, I might have a much more reliable suggestion.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I took them to lower my sex drive... it worked! So that can be a side effect of the one I took. A serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Each one is different, so ask.

In the first weeks/months it had a noticable effect, pretty cool! Over the longer term, it became more subtle and in-the-background, but still kept my mood on a plateau - neither up nor down really. In short, they worked, though perhaps the effectiveness started to wane after 4 or 5 years.

Main issues:
Lowers sex drive
When starting, will probably give you the shits! Thats largely why they start with a lower dose
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS. When you Dont take Lustral, you may get flashes in your head, sort of like electric shocks but where the charge is leaving, rather than entering your body. There are sensations of energy or blood suddenly being 'zapped' from you, and it may cause you to faint. The muscles can tense and shudder repeatedly, its like being electrocuted with a mild charge throughout the day.
So when/if you wish to end the medication, you must titrate gradually down to smaller dosages, which can take a while (could be 3-6 months, or more).

The psychiatrist will look at your condition first and decide on which options to go for, so as I say, different drugs, and different people have different biochemistry and metabolism, so it could be different for you.

KittyImpala67 · Accepted Answer

I have been on and off for a long time, there are some that work well and others that suck. I found drowsiness comes with all of them and it was easier to detach from life on them which is bad when you're depressed. I know I was allergic to one brand but it was generic and I think that's why. Overall if you get a good quality one and you are closely monitored it should benefit you for the short term. Obviously getting to the roots of depression is the long term solution, but not all depression has roots. I can tell you that they are a bit of a thumbsuck science in my opinion, I think most of them depend on you to work and they can't work alone; you need to help them along by doing things to get feelings out and making your life meaningful.

doobie345621 · Accepted Answer

I got horrible side effects. It mostly affected my sleep. I would get sleep paralysis upon waking, every single time. Also while trying to fall asleep I would get 'brain zaps', I have no better way of explaining it. You won't find this written in the side effects but if you look up brain zap there are many people that have experienced it while taking anti-depressants. It feels like a shock of electricity in your brain, I would hear weird and very loud, disturbing sounds in my head during these zaps and odd images/hallucinations. In my opinion, it's not worth it. On top of robbing me of my sleep, I didn't feel like myself anymore.. I was becoming apathetic almost zombie-like and I felt like I was losing myself.

fauchelevent · Answer

It really depends on what type you take. I was on them for maybe a year, just over, and decided to come off them. I was put back onto them a couple of months ago because things were getting bad again. For me, these work pretty effectively. The important thing is that if yours aren't working, you speak to your doctor and try a different kind, it could take a couple of tries but eventually you do find one that works for you. I haven't experienced that many side effects but I do occasionally get insomnia coupled with drowsiness and I don't think they're great for my acne. But hey, stops me feeling like shit all the time :P

JohnDoeJr · Answer

It varies a lot by individual and the type (SSRI, MAO Inhibitors, etc.) . You may have to try 2-3 different ones before you find one that remotely works for you. It's not a magic pill. It enables you to help yourself out of the rut, but don't expect it to just make all your negative feelings go away. I would describe it as it gives you this internal drive and energy that you were lacking to get your shit together.
Side effects for me: agitation, anger, suicidal thoughts, tremors, headache, less sleep, extroversion, panic attacks.

RJGraveyTrain · Answer

I personally didn't find they were for me, but that was because my ailment wasn't strictly depression. They made me feel tired, a few made me sick, and when they did "work" I didn't feel like... myself.

However my stepmother had a positive experience with them while she was on them. They have to be very personalized for your situation.

Fashionistax03 · Answer

I absolutely hate being on antidepressants they made me feel crazy I had to stop taking them, then after I stopped taking them I felt even more crazy so that's when I realized that I didn't want to take a medication and depend on it for the rest of my life. I use more natural things to calm my anxiety like breathing exercise and exercising has really helped and also natural supplements

JulieXO · Answer

For me, it got worse before it got better.
I mean there are many different types, some work immediately but they don't solve anytihng long-term, but others take a while before they start working but they actually improve your mental status. The biggest "side-effect" for me was that you can't drink. I love going out, and I really enjoy beer, so not being able to do that was a bummer.

Wonderer89 · Answer

I didn't like them. I felt dazed and blank for a few months while taking them - and it was like I could think of feelings instead of actually feeling them.

I found a combination of therapy and exercise helped me much more but they have done wonders for many people

Scrambledagain · Answer

I had a very tough year this year and stress was affecting my work. So the doctor said they would put me on antidepressants to help. So they gave me Zoloft. It fucked with my libido. So I said no. Then they gave me something called Valdoxon. that shit worked well. It's the latest in antidepressants and it helps with sleep with no sexual side effects. That stuff helped me through my rough patch. I'm off it now. I highly recommend it. It did cost more than your average though. But worth it.

peachblossomluck · Answer

I took them for about 20 years and have been off of them for a few months now. Use them when you have to but sometimes they make you tired and gain weight. I think I'm better without them but they give you a good boost when you need them.

gunnshot · Answer

I've been on zoloft for years. My biggest complaint was for a few months while my body was being adjusted to it, it was hard to orgasm. but now that it's in my system consistently, It's just as easy as it was to climax before I got on it. Everybody is different though, so you just gotta do trial and error. Which sucks... but in the end I'd say it's completely worth it.
Good luck darlin'!

zombiebabe · Answer

not personally but someone i knew did; she was sleepy all day and was feeling light headed and was gaining weight

Theodorable · Answer

I don't believe in them. I think that the only way to fix your problems is to strive and improve yourself. But try them with an open mind because they might help.

Anonymous · Answer

The genes in your brain that sense serotonin are very very different depending on the person. Some will be more effective based on your genetics. Try them if you need them, but don't give up or settle if the first one isn't right for you. Work with a psychiatrist to find the best one and good luck

bcromartie · Answer

They work sometimes. They take a long time to work. The side effects are practically random and can actually make depression worse. Sometimes constipation.

Decentguy · Answer

yeah, side effects were the worst, they caused hyper sexual tension

Waffles731 · Answer

I've been on them since I was nine. It all depends on what kind you take

Anonymous · Answer

Ya I take them, mostly you are going to be tired. It going to feel weird at first. Your sex drive might be worse, it will take you longer to cum. But you will feel better.

Anonymous · Answer

I take a small dose of Zoloft.. the only side effect I noticed was loose stolls, but I got useto it.

BDJohnson · Answer

No but I could use some right about now

Anyone has experience with antidepressants?

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