Anti-Depressants

[smudge]

I know everyone is different, but if you are suffering from depression, for whatever reason/s, do you think it's best to try to soldier on without taking anti-depressants, or trying to persevere with what the GP has recently prescribed? (Prescribed: Sertraline - Lustral 50mg).

The reason I ask it that anti-dep only mask the problem, it might make you feel happier in time, but it doesn't cure the problems. 

A bereavement councellor once recommended not taking anti-depressants, but instead, to face the feelings of losing someone. This made me wonder if that's best in general. What do you think?

[morg_monster]

I'm no expert and have never suffered from depression, but it seems to me that it depends on the background to the illness. Some people have chronic depression that they will just always have, for this people i would say maybe it is better just to stick to anti-depressants - because nothing is going to cure it.  If depression is brought on by an event such as a bereavement, then I would guess that the depression would ease as you get over the loss or shock from the event.  I can see why for this kind of depression it might be best to stay off the stronger drugs as they can have side effects, and time and counselling could 'cure' the problem.  Being on strong anti-depressants may just stave off the feelings of loss until you go off them and then they just come back again. I think that other options like counselling should be explored though before making a decision to stay on the drugs long term.

but like you say smudge, everyone is different.  Anti-depressants can be used in conjunction with other techniques like counselling; as talking about it all surely must help.  I would just make sure to keep up a dialogue with your GP so he/she is aware you do want to come off them at some point and can give you the necessary support.

[Englishbird]

I think this sort of thing is very individual.  In my own experience, when depression takes hold logic and reasoning go out the window.  To mix a metaphor - you can't see the wood for the trees and it's nigh on impossible to drag yourself up by your own boot straps.

Therefore all anti-depressants did for me, was lift my spirits just enough to be able to start the healing process.  The length of time used should be monitored closely and under no circumstances should they be used or even concidered as a long term solution.

I think it is also dependant on the type of depression whether it is situational (as in bereavement) or clinical or unexplained depression.  The former reacts far better to councilling than the latter.  Good luck xx

Sorry - would also say, this has touched a nerve this morning as i think i have been suffering again for the last couple of months (i've been a sufferer most of my life) but I have been eating very healthily and exercising a lot this year and i think these have also helped keep a bit of a lid on it.

[mfewell]

If you are in full-blown clinical depression, then modern anti-depressants do help, a lot.  There is a world of difference between depression and 'feeling a bit low'.  Remember too that drugs take 2-3 weeks to kick in.  Pull yourself together is not good advice in my view. If you have religious beliefs this can help too. Thank goodness Spring's nearly here !  Winter is not a good time to be low. Ultimately though, time heals, stick with it.

[smudge]

Thank you so much for all your replies - I'll get back to you later -x-

[justmeagain]

hiya smudge,sorry to hear things no too great(just now),I have suffered depression aswll on and off over the past17 yrs,ive found that like the rest of the replys its down to the individual,antis worked for me for a short while before I was strong enough to think that deep eown I wasnt sure if it was me getting better or just pills makin it seem that way,I have therfore struggled on through each bout with a mixture of self help remedies and the belief that in time it passes over...having that thought helps loads!! xx

[portocat]

hiya it is worth bearing in mind that once you have depression on your medical record, and if you have been precribed medication for it, you may be rated by life companies if you apply for life cover or critical illness protection etc in future.

[Guinevere]

I think it is very difficult in this society for people to accept that depression is an illness and has to be treated as such (coz it's inside, and can't be seen I guess)  I changed my lifestyle and took St Johns Wort (may be a placebo, don't care, it worked) so never got to the stage where I needed medication.  But I have known other people that have been helped immensly by taking the treatment.  I mean if you have a headache you take an aspirin right? Unfortunately there are still people that think that because you're on Prozac etc your either a 'looney' or malingering!

I think if you're still having doubts, get a second opinion. Otherwise just say, "something's not right with me at the mo, and these pills will fix it, so I'm gonna take them!"

[andy hughes]

Hi Smudge

I know from past correspondence that you and I know what we are talking about here so -

I firmly belive that modern anti-depressants are sophisticated and do a lot to alleviate the symptoms of depresson. Of course, they will never remove the root cause(s) but can be in tandem with what ever practical solution is available to reduce, or remove the root causes. These may require therapy and counselling, but neither of these can be effective while the gorilla of depression has you in its vice-like grip.

Unfortunately, lots of people confuse 'depression' with 'being depressed' and they are simply not the same at all. To use a metaphor - if 'being depressed' was a sprained ankle, then 'depression' is amputation with a rusty tin lid and no anaesthetic. It sounds dramatic, but those who know will understand that it is true.

I think you should take your medication, be it short or long term, and when you feel able, try to assess and deal with the causes of your condition.

If it be that you remian on medication - as I do - for life, then think of it as similar to insulin - a chemical your body needs to redress an imbalance.

Thinking of you always - stay in touch.

A. 

[Kay]

Smudge, I am a member of [email protected]. Sertraline/Lustral is an SSRI or Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.When our serotonin levels fall we get depressed and SSRI's bring the levels back up but they are so addictive and hundreds of people are going through hell trying to get get off these!  I was put on Seroxat 2 years ago,this is my 3rd attempt to get off these horrid drugs.Sertraline also cause side effects and people have difficulty coming off them. If you must take an AD,ask for the older TC types such as Cloripmamine.I would'nt reccomend any SSRI's for a kings ransom. Good luck.

[missoni]

My mother soldiered on for many years and finally, at the age of 73 sought help from her doctor and was prescribed anti-depressants.  They have completely transformed her and I feel like we are only just beginning to get to know the real Mum and, importantly she has finally started to get some enjoyment out of life.  I regret that she has suffered for so many years while life passed her by; all that time was wasted when help was so readily available. 

I say perservere and don't let life and its pleasures pass you by.

[dirtyharriet]

Like others have said it all depends on the person and the reasons behind the depression. I had Depression after my 2nd son was born and it was a truly terrible experience.. I felt that I was losing my mind, had panic attacks and crazy thoughts. My GP wasn't sure whether it was hormonal or reactive depression, I had just given birth but I was also homeless, dumped by my baby's father and nursing my dying mum so it could have been either. All I know is Anti- Depressants were a life saver to me. I can't remember the make but They allowed me to cope with life while I tried to sort things out. I don't think I could have coped with my mum's death and my dad's attempted suicide without them.
It sounds really heavy, and I suppose it was at the time but when the tablets kicked in I was able to cope so much better and they numbed me from most of the pain. I came off them a year later and prefer to take St John's Wort when I feel another bout coming on.
For the record I would avoid Seroxat, my sister in law had a hell of a job coming off them and I also had a bad rection to them myself.

I hope you feel better soon Smudge.

[Hgrove]

Years ago I was very, very depressed and took first Seroxat, then Prozac, in total for about 10 months.  The main negative  effect has been going from a size 12 to a size 22 and finding myself unable to shift the extra weight.  But I think I was so low that therapy was simply not working.  I think you can fall so low that no therapy will help you without some medication. That's my experience anyway.

[calleach]

St John s wart is a herbal preparation that is just as effective as some anti depressants and you may feel more psychologically comfortable taking that, but you will miss out on professional support unless you get counselling from other source.

[crisgal]

sorry FINA, but i have to disagree! I have been on seroxat - on and off- for ten years. I think they are great and have never had any problems. After the bad publicity concerning seroxat a few years ago, I requested a different drug when the depression made an unwelcome return ( in the form of panic attacks) after the birth of my second child. I can truly say that they did not work as well as the seroxat and found it quite a struggle. Everyone here knows that each case is different, but I wouldn't want people to get the wrong impression about seroxat. It CAN work - honest!

[Kay]

Hi Crisgal, Im glad Seroxat work for you and also that you've never had problems in withdrawing from them.I would say however that for the majority SSRI's can be lethal leading to OCD,suicide,self harming the list goes on.My hubby came off seroxat with no problems but lapsed back into depression after roughly 9 months which is not unusual in post ssri.Good luck.

[Robinia]

Hi smudge I see that you've already had lots of great replies & andy in particular has put it very well as always.  As a fellow sufferer (on & off for many years) I've had medication & also done the soldiering on.  Only you know how low you truly feel & if you feel that medication will give you a step up there's nothing wrong with taking it. However, like you, I've started to wonder whether there's another way. I have identified some of the triggers -for example I know that I am very seasonally affected & oddly enough I often take a nose-dive in spring. Sometimes though it just creeps up from nowhere & those are usually the worst bouts aren't they?  Knowing that I'm not the only one, especially since finding this site, & that what I often feel dosn't mean I'm losing it altogether or that I'm any less of a person has helped enormously & I hope it makes you feel better too smudge. The sun might shine this weekend & you'll be able to go out into the garden. x(reading this back there's actually not much practical advice, sorry)

[smudge]

Hi everyone - thank you for all your very supportive & helpful replies. I'm not feeling too brilliant today, so will get back to you later. Thanks again -x- 

[mary2005]

Smudge, i really hope you are ok. I have been feeling low, unsure if depressed, for many months now and my mum has spend most of her life on anti depressants. I dont really know what to sat to you except stay strong and keep busy. xx