From my experiences, with the what seemed like 10 or more depression medications, when starting the medication I would be super anxious...total opposite of what my MD told me the medication would do. He would tell me give it time or up the dosage! UGHHHH! After the anxiety finally wore off, I would eventually find myself depressed. Yeah, weird stuff, but that is how I reacted. I was told I was depressed before with GAD(general anxiety disorder). Well, I had never been depressed until I took the medication. Not sure if this is breaking the Rules, but here are all the meds I was tried on over several years...prozac, zoloft, lexapro, effexor er, cymbalta, celexa, and paxil from what I can remember.
In my case paxil was the worst on making my anxiety worse...not that it will someone else! It has worked great on others!
Zoloft...I was on it the longest and I fell into a deep depression on this med...to the point where I just didn't care about nothing! Not everybody will experience this, as everyone is different!
Celexa seemed the same as the zoloft and the lexapro as well
The effexor er...I felt like I was given speed, seriously it worked differently than all the rest, but it was just too much for me....I already had anxiety out the roof...so not for me!
cymbalta and prozac....they made me anxious, not as bad as the others, but I started getting depressed.
Finally my doctor realized that I didn't have GAD alone. I have a panic disorder with some GAD...anxious, but sometimes in some situations I was going into full panic mode. I have social anxiety and agoraphobia....yeah, not as serious as those that you see locked away in their homes and scared to leave. I just don't like crowds...walmart, busy streets, elevators....I kept a journal of all my episodes and when they happened and what I was doing, who was around and time of day....basically as specific as I could be and finally after 8 years of suffering was diagnosed.

These medications have worked wonders for some people and are needed for some that refuse to get help, but if you are just having an off day every now and then you are probably not depressed. I have researched into these meds and well what I found is that those that are in need because of a chemical imbalance are usually those that are severely depressed...not wanting to get out of bed, suicidal idealization, not bathing, just don't care about nothing....but there are so many people that take these meds because their doctors think they are depressed....even if you have symptoms for a month on and off, more off than on(not talking about the suicidal thoughts), it could be you are having a bad month. As someone posted earlier, could it be something in your mind thinking the meds are working....and the studies showing placebo being just as effective...well, we all know the power of the mind works in mysteries ways. Those that have a positive way of thinking and try to look on the brighter side of things would probably think the medications are working, which in turn would show drastic change in their behavior...those that have a negative way of thinking....well, probably not going to work. My views on depression are a lot different than others. I am not trying to push my views onto anyone....I do believe there are some people with depression that do and will benefit from being medicated, but there are some that are being prescribed these medications that really don't need them.

I have to share this...I went to the ER once with a migraine. The doctor asks me how have you been feeling and I said my head is throbbing and I think I have to puke....my exact words. BTW I did puke, and he says you look like you are depressed. I looked awful been in the bed all day in the dark trying to rid myself of that demon of a migraine and puking in a garbage bag beside the bed. Sorry if TMI...it is funny to me now...lol I couldn't laugh or reply I just gave him a look. Next thing I know I am being prescribed prozac and of course a shot of something that knocked me out. I laughed later about the prozac....the guy didn't know me. He didn't know my history with migraines. He did know I had a mini stroke just a year prior to this migraine.

People make judgement calls...doctors do and so do nurses, but you know your body (or should) and when something isn't right or isn't working, you should write these things down and discuss them with your MD...they are just like everybody else(don't be afraid of your doctor, just be honest always). My doctor told me give them 4 to 6 weeks and then if no progress he would say give it 4 more weeks or he would up my dose and say give it 4 to 6 weeks, if initially it didn't work, then go onto the next med and so on....these are my experiences.....at this time I did not completely understand how to communicate with my doctor efficiently, I do now. I just keep up with everything and write it down and discuss it. After being correctly diagnosed and treated we had a good patient/doctor relationship and I realized he was like everyone else, no better. I agree there are few compassionate doctors in this world left. I am a nurse now....after getting being diagnosed and all the research I did on medications I decided to get out and do something with my life. I love people and am a believer in behavioral modification therapy. Sometimes it only takes retraining your way of thinking. Stay positive, even when things seem doom and gloom....somebody out there has it worse and some go through the same things daily. Be thankful for what you do have and focus more on the good....that is with me though and of course something for panic attacks, hoping someday they will just disappear completely! Positive thinking

For me, I did not and still do not need an antidepressant.
Everybody is different. Sometimes after a series of unfortunate events happen someone may need an antidepressant, just depends on the person and their coping mechanisms. If you have good coping mechanisms, then you should be fine, but as always if you even have the thought cross your mind of hurting yourself or others please go in and be seen by a MD or ER doctor. Get the help you need for yourself. Taking your own life is the most selfish thing anybody could ever do and it hurts those that love you more than you will ever know...even if you think they don't love you, like most that convince themselves of this, they do love you.

K, another rambling session....if I broke the Rules, sorry, just putting out my opinion...delete if I did.

Even more reason not to take it. Benzodiazepines can make comprehensive diagnosis difficult by masking it, as well as possibly causing dependence; MAOIs seem to be superior to SSRIs in terms of treating anxiety, especially at induction, though nervousness is an uncommon side-effect. Anxiety is a more common side-effect with the SSRIs.

Dawnmn, SSRIs are known for producing or exacerbating anxiety during induction. It is one of the more acceptable reasons for prescribing benzodiazepines in the short-term.

It is surprising that some doctors suggest to their patients that they might be depressed. The more the patient thinks they might be depressed, the more they probably will be depressed, or think they are, which is probably just as bad.

Paxil and anxiety disorders do not mix. No matter what the literature says, Paxil is quite possibly the worst AD med, for people with dual diagnosis of depression and anxiety. That stuff made me violent and want to pull my hair out. Even with 3mg's of Klonopin/day, my anxiety level went through the roof!

Now, Prozac on the other hand, has all the appetite suppressant and energy boosting effects, of Paxil without the extreme anxiety. This may just be my experience but after 1 month of Prozac I'm beginning to come out of my shell and actually generally enjoying things again.

I was diagnosed with depression and medicated at age 12. I'm 32 now and often wonder if the medication, at such a young age, created my Refractory Depression? Sort of like treating strep with amoxicillin, from childhood and creating an amoxicillin resistant strain of strep from repeated or negligent use of meds. Of course this is just my own over analyzed opinion of my situation. I could be wrong?

Nephro, I was told I was depressed and forced to take medication at age 12. To this day, I still feel I was just a normal kid. My parents had just divorced and I was always shy. A brilliant Psychiatrist diagnosed a 12 year old with a Borderline Personality Disorder and under threat of state hospitalization "enticed" me into taking anti-depressants. Because of that I will forever wonder "what if...?" and "was I really ill or was she( the Psychiatrist who years later I was subpeonaed to testify against and subsequently had her license to practice medicine pulled )?

I was just thinking about what to say to that, and trying to think of some justification, but still can't. How long had you had the symptoms for before they told you that you were depressed?

You just made me think of my soon to be 10 year old step son. His psychiatrist tried him on Lexapro....2 weeks later he said his stuffed animal came alive and tried to kill him, so he tore his arm off and made a noose with a shoe string and hung the armless stuffed animal by the neck from his brothers top bunk. He was ummm taken off that med immediately! OK, so the psych wanted to try risperadol, now my step son is also ADHD and then tenex(BP med) along with Vyvanse 70mg. This last visit the Vyvanse gets canceled, the tenex gets canceled. He is being tapered off the tenex, and now taking max dose of concerta 72 mg, upped the risperadol to 2mg @ night and then added wellbutrin xl 150 mg.....UGHHHH! He went through some really bad things with his mom. She abused him severely. He is emotionally scared from it all and trusts no one. He is very hard to get close to. He is so impulsive...breaking windows, starting fires, threatening to kill himself and other family members. The psych said give it time and if it doesn't work this time we are moving on to mood stabilizers....he shows signs of being bipolar, which some antidepressants can antagonize manic behavior. I am at my wits end and want to help him desperately. I know your case is different.

Oh and Nephro, they do suggest you may be depressed a lot! Especially when the SSRI's made it big. Research it and see how drug reps promoted to doctors to give out their samples and how they would give those doctors bonus' for having so many prescriptions written per year. Money, lavish vacations....and God only knows what else!

As I mentioned before some do need these medications. I don't like giving this child these meds, they are not approved for children for depression, but at this point I am grasping at straws, so he can find his inner peace. Behavior modification is working wonders with his brother, but the other is as stubborn as they come and such a witty boy, so bright, but he doesn't see himself like that. I remind him constantly of how smart he is, and all four of the children that they can be what they want to be. I just wish he would come around. My two girls are ADHD, but they don't act out at school and not even at home anymore, and have great grades, so not going to medicate them.

A few months. Best part is 2 years later I was hospitalized for depression and anxiety - not a Borderline Personality Disorder. The new shrink, at that time, told me I was suicidal even though I constantly denied it and hadn't thought of or felt it. This institution would place the suicide risks in orange jump suits, restrict their visitors and mail/phone contact, but never took any of those steps against me. I was so depressed and such a suicide risk that I didn't warrant any of the standard procedures or precautions. They based their entire diagnosis on an IQ/psych eval., my Mothers comments and my constant truancy from highschool. Again my shyness and social awkwardness (and extrodanary insurance ) landed me in the wrong place, for the wrong thing.

I learned a great deal of communication skills and how to lie and manipulate really well, while I was in there. Because of these early experiences, I have little faith in psychiatry and a great deal of difficulty trusting and therapist. Then there's the ever constant questioning of my own sanity due, in large part, to being told I was depressed and suicidal when I felt neither. It left me scarred emotionally and planted the seeds of self doubt, that stay with me to this day. Ain't life grand!?

Such a lot can change in the teenage years. Depression, invincibility, self-doubt, and all the range of feelings that come with wanting to shag every female in a short skirt.

What sort of effect can things like SSRIs have on a teenage boy going through all this, even if he does have other problems? I have no idea, but if it dampens them down, could it affect normal development? Kids that age can change their personality almost overnight, due to hormones, their friends, and things that happen in their life.

most of my problems seem to be anxiety related, all ssri's have only made my axiety much worse.

This forum is not to discuss suppliers. This thread is to discuss antidepressants and not the companies offering it.

Thanks for your support

Amitriptyline has always been as effective as the newer drugs; the side-effect profile is the reason it fell out of favour. It certainly helps sleep and appetite. Now (along with dosulepin) it is not recommended for depression. I am assuming this is because of potential heart problems and/or high overdose risk.

Still, if you have been on it for a while, it may be worth staying on it, but it's worth also trying to get a doctor's opinion if possible.

From what I've experienced, yes and no. They made my depression go away, but they also killed my sex drive and every other emotion I had besides depression/sadness. I felt very similar to a how I suppose a zombie would.

Your relationship with the psychiatrist is as important as the medication they prescribe. Sadly, most don't have time to really listen to you, the side effects your having, education about lifestyle etc. to make adjustments to meds or doses.

It's become "take this...see you in 30 days Buh-bye..."

Sadly, I must agree with Salty1.

Even if you find a psychiatrist with skills in talking therapy, they have become little more than drug salesmen, in America.
A 15 minute "Med Check" and out you go.

I came to regard it as "Stopping to get my ticket punched", by my drug dealer.

I recall the days when a psychiatrist appointment was generally 50 minutes and only 5 of those minutes were spent writing a prescription, maybe.
The majority of the time was talking about ones life and the Doctor offering insights, till one was able to develope "insight" of ones own.

Now, it's just "Take a happy pill" and come back in 30, 60 or 90 days.

There is no "Cure or Healing" expected. Just take these pills from now on.
It's as though psychiatry has given up on healing and is only treating the symtoms?
And why not ? They have an endless supply of patients, this way.

The news today is that the FDA is going after Benzo's, as well as Opiods.

In 10 to 20 years, I believe the FDA will be going after SSRI's as an experiment that failed the majority, (but made big money for big pharma).

Just one persons experiences over a long time.
If the SSRI's are working for others, good for you !

Cheers

Well said and true, NiceGuy. My Dr. had given me Xanax for anxiety caused by chronic pain. After a few months, he asked if I would care to see a psychiatrist because he was only able to give them to me for a few months. He said psychiatrists were better equipped to give those kinds of meds. The first visit was pretty long. He changed my antidepressant from Lexepro to Cymbalta and prescribed Dalmane, a sleeping pill, and added Xanax xr to the regular Xanax. After that, he asked a few questions, said "see you in 3 months" and I was out in 15 minutes.
K

In General - In patient acute psychiatric facilities aren't so much treatment, as they are places to warehouse someone either until they are no longer a threat to themselves,gravely disabled or their insurance runs out.

Emergency rooms workers often ask (behind closed doors) about the patients "wallet biopsy" in terms of prognosis. Cynical but true.

What's more, insurance panels often pay Ph.D.'s only $10 an hour more then masters level therapists. The big money makers? Psychiatrists...much cheaper to see someone once a month for 15 minutes then once a week for an hour.

Prozac = cheap. Psychotherapy = expensive.

That is where I met Popo and the love story began.

So when is the wedding? Seriously, Prozac has helped me through some very trying times, esp. when my Dad was on life support and after his death.

I agree with Salty1 and NiceGuy. SSRI's did nothing for me. The worst of them- the SNRI's made me feel like I was on speed. It was horrible. I had the worst case of road rage and could not sleep at all. I'm taking a little Zoloft to appease my psychiatrist so she'll give me Klonopin without feeling like a drug dealer, but it is useless. Total placebo. At least it doesn't have terrible side effects. Just nothingness. I'd give a lot to find an antidepressant that really worked.

Question: does anyone know anything about the new drug Proticq (I know I spelled it wrong). It's an SNRI. I've been seeing the literature for it scattered around doctor's offices.

Ghost

If you mean Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), it's just the main metabolite of Efexor (venlafaxine). So you might as well be taking Efexor. The only people that disagree with this are the people at Wyeth.

Oh yes, and it just came out when the patent for Efexor was about to expire.

Wyeth have been trying to get it approved for post-menopausal symptoms, as an excuse to get it on the market.

Were you seeing a regular MD or a Psychiatrist? I don't trust a PCP to figure out the best antidepressant or antianxiety medicine for me. If I have major issues, I see my Psychiatrist, as my PCP has advised. After all that's what they are trained for. PCPs are general practioners and only know so much about mental health disorders. I had begged my pcp to be my therapist, my doctor is wonderful and sat with me for over an hour while I explained why I was so sad and how certain things that happened I didn't understand. My doctor explained some of the reasons I felt like I did or why some experiences helped but said that's as far as their training goes and I would be better off with a therapist.

I know people who say antidepressants work for them. I tried several and none worked for me. Cymbalta made me feel like I was on speed and I did not like it. Others just didn't work at all. I also didn't like the fact that they prevent reuptake of neurotransmitters so your brain slows its production leaving you low on seratonin or dopamine(for example) making it difficult to stop taking them.

I had taken about a dozen different varieties of antidepressants over a 8 year period--and none of them had done me any good at all. I gave up on ever finding the right head-meds, until I met a girl for whom I have infinite respect--and she told me that it took her doctors 15 years(!!!) to find the right cocktail for her. On her recommendation I tried one more time---and got lucky. The very next thing I tried woked. Not just worked but changed my whole outlook on life. I had always had this hole inside I was trying to fill--with girls, drugs, or money--and finally it was patched.****************************************************************Many people don't believe in anti-d drugs because the doctors themselves can't rightly explain what they do--and thus are just as in the dark as you---but believe me--its a matter of learning to listen to your body and then finding one that works. Its entirely possible that NOTHING will work for you--but unlikely. (situational depression can still occur even when you have conquered other depression issues). Doctors are basically throwing a dart at a board blindfolded ("well, lets try this!"). Thats where you come in---tell them if you aren't 'feeling it'. And keep trying until you do.***************************************I assure you that the effect I get from my meds is no more placebo than the sense of well being you get from an opiate. It is a very real and tangible effect. If I go off my meds for a week or two--my life is balls.----I've done enough trial and error experimentation in the matter to be completely sure of what is causing the behavioral and psychological changes that occur when I go off my meds (I have even gone off them without knowing I was going off them--and got extremely depressed w/o knowing why---long story)************************************people who do not have depression, and people who have had bad luck with anti-depressants--will sometimes try to dissuade you from even trying--don't let them. My life was changed forever in the most positive way possible by finding the correct meds. The only thing to liken it to is a religious experience---the whole world was a hellish nightmare; and it was repaired by finding the right cocktail...(its all a matter of perspective after all---why not improve your perspective?)

(and no---I'm not any kind of rep for the drug companies--I find their practices despicable--but their products beneficial)

I had the opposite happen--my parent did not believe in depression or anti-depressants--even though I was so miserable that I eventually started to self medicate with every street drug I could lay my hands on...I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't wasted 20 years feeling like sh it and instead had just started the head-meds in the 6th grade.

I have lucked out--and my own son doesn't seem to have inherited any of my mental problems (even after his mom died). But if he does--while I would first try whatever non-medicinal solutions I could think of first; I would not hesitate to have him on meds if it was the only way (and believe me, brother---for me it is the only way---I'll be on these things until the day they no longer work, and I live in fear of that day.)

not for everyone but yes, a/d's do work.

It seemed to me antidpressents only worked when I also did some medicinal treatment methods. Working out, some degree of meditation, making sure I didnt ahve depressing things around me like(having the house clean, etc.

after a bad medical experience i was in black depression--my daughter would cry just walking into that black room---really felt like evil lived there---didnt move for hours just sat in my arm chair thinking bad thoughts-----couldnt sleep as well was prescribed Trazadone for sleep---wasnt that great for sleep but put depression back in its bag-----i love ed what trazadone did for my depression-------the realist blackest suicidally motivated depression there was----cured by Trazadone----dont give up there could be something for u out there

I personally know many people who are taking antidepressant.
For some people it works for some it does not work.

A/d works for me.It is just a matter of finding a doctor who can experiment to get you on right drug & dose.