I have severe depression and Ive decided to go get some from the doctor. However, I’m reluctant to take them because I know some of them have side effects like sexual dysfunction and rapid weight gain. So can you suggest any that won’t screw me up that much but do actually work?
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February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Wrong approach. Don’t request a particular medication, unless you’ve been through medical school and have an informed reason for doing so.
Instead, approach your physician like you did here – be honest about your needs and fears. Your physician can try an antidepressant that is less likely to affect you in those ways.
He or she also needs to look at the larger picture – your other medical conditions, medications, medical and psychiatric history, for example, will play a role in which medication to try.
Each of us responds differently to medications. Keep in mind that most antidepressants take a good 2-3 weeks to kick in, and during that time, you may have side effects that will go away if you stick with it (sleep problems, nervousness, nausea, etc.) Ask your doctor what to expect with any medication you are prescribed.
Good luck, and I hope you get the help you need.
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
amitriptyline works really well. at least it did for me.
was really hard being depressed when I was smiling all the time.
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Fish oil.. worked for me .. lots of it.. also walking alot, or exercising – it does work but when you’re depressed you dont;have the patience or motivation, if you start doing it j-ust start it it will kick in and work!
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I took prozac, continued to feel lousy and often worse, and gained 40 pounds, but I’m a seventeen year old girl. Your best bet is to go to a psychologist (NOT a psychiatrist) and get some advice from them first. Because psychologists can’t perscribe drugs, they’re less likely to throw them at you. Plus, it may actually resolve something. Depression cannot be fixed by drugs. Talking to therapists can be difficult and it often takes years to form a relationship where you’re comfortable sharing anything of significance, but drugs alone will not do anything. Almost all of them have negative side-effects anyway.
Counseling isn’t free, but neither is medication. Perhaps you’ll learn that you don’t need the drugs, or at least learn what will best suit you. From there you can go through your ordinary physician to get the medicine and avoid the psychiatrist all around (sorry, I’m slightly biased towards them).
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I’m sorry you are depressed, I heard someone say that a Bible study had its participant make a list everyday of things to be thankful for, and she said it helped her see the good in life. I’m a follower of Jesus and my hope is in him, he brought me through a time of severe almost suicidal depression. So I would say turn to Jesus. But that is my opinion.
The best thing you can do with the doctor is to write down your questions before hand, and research all the major brands of medication. Also, no one medication causes the same side effects for everyone.
My wife was on one popular brand of birth control, and it made her crazy, then she changed to another brand and is now herself again. I know it is a different type of medication, but they both deal with hormones.
I wish you the best, talk to your doctor about all the options and ask him why he thinks a specific medication is best in your interest.
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Congrats on being ready to take steps to help yourself overcome depression. Don’t be afraid of what you have heard about side effects: there are new meds out there and if you work with your doctor and give him/her feedback, you will be able to find something that works well for you. Everybody responds differently to meds. I lost weight and my libido improved when I started on Prozac 14 years ago. My 13 year old daughter is proof.
BUT don’t expect a pill to solve everything either. Short term, cognitive/behavioral counselling can work with meds. Also, exercise, sunlight and good basic nutrition will also help.
Good luck.
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I take Luvox and its ok it works but not to my likeing but better then anything else
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Honestly, the best way to get the most appropriate treatment from a doctor is to tell them your situation. Tell your doctor what a typical day is like in your life right now. Talk about your week. Talk about depressing triggers you are trying to deal with. Say that you want to try some medical intervention. Your doctor, based on the information you give them, will suggest one, maybe two, anti-depressants that you can try. Unfortunately, the success of anti-depressants depends very much on the individual. What works for one doesn’t always work for another.
All the best and I hope you have a good experience from your endeavours to get the right treatment. =)
February 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
fluoxetine, AKA Prozac