Should I take anti depressants?

Hi Rebecca

I understand your hesitation in taking things you don't know if you need them the whole stigma with the likes of Prozac etc is sometimes hard to deal with

But people don't really need to know you know I think antidepressants are good to help you settle yourself down with the ups and downs however you also need to consider that they tend ( well for me and I've spoke to a lot of other people it has the same effect on) they can make you feel numbness like I don't know nothing at all you can doubt your feelings about people etc

I see them as a masking agent if you like the only thing I see they mask everything I think so you have to weigh up the two things for me personally I need them I find strength from them for others they feel that there current lifestyle wouldn't benifet from being almost emotionless if that makes sense you can lose you desiring side also and may seem rather distant to your partner etc I'm not sure if insomnia is related yet to the depression or the medicine but that may come into play too

I sound like I'm saying no don't do it far from it tho I just think you should be informed properly before you make the decision your best speaking to a gp and outlining your concerns maybe bring up a few I've mentioned and see what they say take your time in making a decision is what I'm saying get all the facts about the one in particular ( tablet) and sit with your partner assess it properly and make you read own minds up that will benifet both you and your relationship

Mike

Hi Rebecca. I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. It feels like a downward spiral you can't halt and a quick fix is tempting.

Sadly medication doesn't work quickly. You will be affected by it immediately - there are always side effects of some kind, depending on the individual and the medication, sometimes pretty horrible, but it's at least 2 weeks before there's any impact on the anxiety/depression (surprisingly the same medications work for both) and probably longer - by which time you would be heading for your first CBT session. 

Since you aren't keen on the idea of medication and it's possible it wouldn't work well and then you'd need to change to another (like many of us), maybe it would be wise to wait to see how CBT can help you first? There is strong evidence that it helps, particularly with depression that isn't well-established over years. Meantime you could do some research into the different kinds of medication and decide if that's really what you want.

You're already helping yourself by seeking support and by exercise (again strong evidence it can help if it's sustained over a long enough period). Has anyone suggested relaxation exercises and visualisations, breathing exercises, mindfulness? You can find out about all of these online, find free downloads etc. It's hard to face the prospects of weeks before getting therapy but that's actually a very short wait - I was told there was a 6 month waiting list in my area - and why take medication you don't want to take when, to be honest, it can be pretty horrible even when it's working. Unless you withheld stuff from your doctor, I'd trust his judgment - I doubt he'd withhold medication just on principle if he thought you needed it urgently.

This is only my opinion. I'm on medication which is working well enough and CBT didn't help me - but that's because my problems needed a different kind of therapy which I'm now receiving. We're all different. Good luck.

Hi Rebecca - sorry to read of your situation. I think your doctor is wise in not rushing to drugs to deal with an issue. However, if the situation has not improved through exercise, dieting or talking therapies like CBT, then medication may be an initial treatment to help even out you mood. You have not explained why you think you are feeling this way, what has happened to instigate this disorder? The thoughts you have of your boyfreind leaving is the depression talking, under mining your self confidence and self worth. Crying every night and paranoia are not healthy, usual behaviours. If you have to take meds it will be for the period until you have assessed what is wrong, whether under lying issues  are causing the illness, and these issues have been recognised and dealt with. Anti depressants are a tool to help you through. Don't be afraid of that. Best of luck to you and your future.

I have been on Citalopram since January and they have been a life changing thing for me. The side effects took a couple of weeks to get over and after about 4 weeks I needed an increase in dosage but since then I have began to feel much better. I wish I had spoken to my doctor long before I did. There are still times when I will still have a bad day or two but as long as it isn't all day every day like before I feel I can handle it.