Best Antidepressants?
Replies
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For me, it's sex, shopping, and reading. Not necessarily in that order.0
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exercise. hands down. far and away beats everything else i've tried*.
eta: *lexapro, lithium carb, celexa, uh uh, i guess i can't remember all the pills, and suicide.0 -
Mary Jane.
...and that^.0 -
5htp works well for me0
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I've gained most of my weight since starting antidepressants. I'd say I'm almost more depressed now that I'm so fat. Anyone have recommendations of an AD that worked well and didn't increase weight gain?
I have taken:
Wellbutrin (allergic reaction)
Zoloft
Prozac
Cymbalta
Risperdal
Lamictal
Effexor
Abilify
Xanax (for anxiety)
Klonopin (for anxiety)
Celexa - currently on
While I've never had severe depression, I do have occasional Panic Attacks. I even took Xanax for a bit and all it did for me was make me sleepy. I second the Vitamin D, Magnesium, Exercise and Vegetables, along with surrounding yourself with happy people who can give you frequent belly laughs. Laughter is awesome medicine.0 -
I've found good sleep, meditation and prayer, exercise daily, and eating healthy keep me balanced.0
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I only tried one and only for about a year (thinking of maybe going back on it now) but that was venlafaxine, and it worked amazingly for me. I didn't have any negative side effects, no highs or lows, I just felt more stable over all. I felt solid.0
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I've gained most of my weight since starting antidepressants. I'd say I'm almost more depressed now that I'm so fat. Anyone have recommendations of an AD that worked well and didn't increase weight gain?
I have taken:
Wellbutrin (allergic reaction)
Zoloft
Prozac
Cymbalta
Risperdal
Lamictal
Effexor
Abilify
Xanax (for anxiety)
Klonopin (for anxiety)
Celexa - currently on
Sorry to hear about this - tough situation.
I have almost 20 years of experience with depression. My son (now daughter) was diagnosed at age 8, received from relief starting at age 16, was symptom free for a year at age 20, but is now prepping for ECT. My former wife (I'm a widower) was diagnosed in 1998 and responded well to Effexor until her death in 2003. I've had situational depression and got relief using Wellbutrin.
Due to work commitments, I've moved quite a bit so I've worked with psych docs in a half a dozen States since 1998, including the folks at Meninger's in Topeka.
Having said all of that, no one here can possibly advise you better than a competent meds doc with whom you have established a relationship.
My belief is that clinical depression is a result of chemical imbalances that can be corrected in most people through one of, or a combination of, prescription medications.
What about a cocktail?
What was the outcome of therapy?0 -
Niacin - (Vitamin B3)
watch Food matters documentary (available on netflix)
discusses the topic of vitamins and depression in great detail0 -
Vitamin D
Magnesium
Exercise
Not being funny, Ive taken many on your list, above is what works for me now.
^^^ this amongst other natural remedies ***wink wink0 -
Mary Jane.
^^^ you are awesome0 -
take a muscle relaxer and two benadryl.
It's like a euphoric sleepy stupor. Totally takes the edge off.0 -
Earlier a few people mentioned St. Johns Wort. I would like to add that if you are going to try it, you really need to discuss it with your doctor first because it is known to have serious adverse reactions when taken with certain antidepressants/anti-anxiety meds.0
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I've found good sleep, meditation and prayer, exercise daily, and eating healthy keep me balanced.
Agree.
Medication is a tool, not a cure. It needs to be utilized to supplement the aforementioned lifestyle along with counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy.
All the medications OP listed have multiple side effects, not just weight gain, including chemical dependence and suicide.
I've been a nurse for over 25 years and have doled out more drugs to anxious, depressed people than I can count.
I've given doses of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents and other mood altering substances that would snow a horse.
Without lifestyle changes, counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy, they're still anxious, depressed, miserable people.0 -
I've found good sleep, meditation and prayer, exercise daily, and eating healthy keep me balanced.
Agree.
Medication is a tool, not a cure. It needs to be utilized to supplement the aforementioned lifestyle along with counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy.
All the medications OP listed have multiple side effects, not just weight gain, including chemical dependence and suicide.
I've been a nurse for over 25 years and have doled out more drugs to anxious, depressed people than I can count.
I've given doses of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents and other mood altering substances that would snow a horse.
Without lifestyle changes, counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy, they're still anxious, depressed, miserable people.
Want to explain that to my mother who despite all of that 'therapy' she was still schizophrenic, or to me where I am borderline manic.0 -
take a muscle relaxer and two benadryl.
It's like a euphoric sleepy stupor. Totally takes the edge off.
Edge off depression that is not just a 'mood swing' ? Clinical depression...yeah treat it by becoming a spaced out junkie.:noway:0 -
Talk to your doctor. But I take Wellbutrin and Zoloft. My weight problem is 100% me nothing to do with my meds.0
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I've tried most of the meds on your list. I was diagnosed with childhood anxiety disorder at age 5, and severe clinical depression (and other things) at age 14. For me I don't think I gained anything due to the medication I was on, I gained because i was depressed and ate too much. I am currently on Celexa/citolopram (sp?) and I've lost over 85lbs in 8 months while on it. I honestly would prefer not to take medication, but every time I have gone off them over the years, I have slipped back into depression, so I guess I'm at the point where I've just accepted that for whatever reason my brain needs them to function normally. But as mentioned by several other posters, just like a diet and exercise regime, it is so completely individual and although we can say what worked/didn't work for us, it will most likely not be the same for you.
Good luck to everyone!0 -
sex0
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Vitamin D
Magnesium
Exercise
Vegetables
Not being funny, Ive taken many on your list, above is what works for me now.
Also Iron0 -
Effexor caused weight gain for me but currently taking Zoloft and it doesn't appear to have any weight gain side effects. I guess it depends on person to person unfortunately
each body reacts differently to these. I hope you find the right one for you one day. Perhaps a psychiatrist may be able to help a bit? They can better match an antidepressant for you. I know I'm considering that because I have a few other side effects from Zoloft that I'm not too keen on. 0 -
I love how people seem to think things like sex & a walk or massage will 'fix' depression.
No... it MAY fix a bad mood.... but not diagnosed depression.
Being in a bad mood or a slum is totally different.
OP asked about ANTI DEPRESSANTS.... not how can I get out of a mood.0 -
I've struggled with depression ever since I was young. I've been on Lexapro and Xanax, but I don't like doctors and I don't like being on meds, I always look for a more natural solution.
Meditating, exercise, a better diet, and plenty of sleep does help. It may not keep the depression entirely at bay but it decreases it's severity a lot of the time for me. Plus helps keep me focused on and aware of my goals, which distracts me.
One thing I've learned is that no matter how bad it gets, it will get better eventually. This is pretty much my lifeline when I'm having a bad day/week/month. I KNOW it will get better and I hold on to that even when I feel like giving up.
Seeing people mention St John's Wort interested me, I've heard of it but never for anxiey/depression. I'm definitely checking into it.0 -
I've found good sleep, meditation and prayer, exercise daily, and eating healthy keep me balanced.
Agree.
Medication is a tool, not a cure. It needs to be utilized to supplement the aforementioned lifestyle along with counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy.
All the medications OP listed have multiple side effects, not just weight gain, including chemical dependence and suicide.
I've been a nurse for over 25 years and have doled out more drugs to anxious, depressed people than I can count.
I've given doses of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents and other mood altering substances that would snow a horse.
Without lifestyle changes, counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy, they're still anxious, depressed, miserable people.
Want to explain that to my mother who despite all of that 'therapy' she was still schizophrenic, or to me where I am borderline manic.
According to DSM-IV codes (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), schizophrenia is classified as a psychotic disorder.
Bipolar (manic) and depression are classified as neurotic or mood disorders, which may or may not have psychotic features.
Psychosis consists of the presence of hallucinations and/or delusions, marked impairment that grossly interferes with social, occupational, academic or basic day-to-day functioning, and extremely poor "reality testing" or a so-called "break with reality."
Neuosis is a relatively mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, involving symptoms of stress (depression, anxiety, obsessive behavior, hypochondria) but not a radical loss of touch with reality.
Therefore they require different treatment plans and medications.
I have yet to see a schizophrenic stabilize and function well day to day without medication.0 -
Mary Jane.
...and that^.
+1
Happiness is wonderful side effect, and it eliminates anxiety for most people.0 -
I'm trying to determine if the majority of folks in this thread figure you can also mend a broken arm by rubbing some dirt on it and getting back to chin-ups, or if they just don't think that the brain is a part of the human body that can sustain damage.I love how people seem to think things like sex & a walk or massage will 'fix' depression.
No... it MAY fix a bad mood.... but not diagnosed depression.
Being in a bad mood or a slum is totally different.
OP asked about ANTI DEPRESSANTS.... not how can I get out of a mood.0 -
Mary Jane.
...and that^.
+1
Happiness is wonderful side effect, and it eliminates anxiety for most people.
Bad idea.
Marijuana can cause feelings of anxiety and paranoia among other undesirable side-effects:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-school-work-social-life0 -
sex
+10 -
Get off of them…just a bandaid for what is eating at you!0
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I dont know about the sex advice. It only works if it's good sex.0
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