anti-depressant forever?
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I was on zoloft for a year. It was the longest and roughest year of my life. I needed it just to function. But through that year, I learned better coping mechanisms and things of the like and I was taken off zoloft. It was quite the adjustment, but I've been without antidepressants for over 8 years and I haven't had any issues. Just have to remember my skills I learned:)0
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I was on zoloft for a year. It was the longest and roughest year of my life. I needed it just to function. But through that year, I learned better coping mechanisms and things of the like and I was taken off zoloft. It was quite the adjustment, but I've been without antidepressants for over 8 years and I haven't had any issues. Just have to remember my skills I learned:)
I have been on that one too (amongst a million others) and i think i might have finally found ONE that works. Kinda worried that I'll have to start all over again whenever I get off of them. My coping skills and religious insight helps a lot and takes me along way honestly, but sometimes i need the extra boost to take the sting off of things. SO now, im worried of some sort of "relapse" later... ugh. lol0 -
I took them for migraine prevention, I lasted like 2 weeks. I hated the way they made me feel so I stopped taking them. I felt like I was high on happiness, it just felt wrong.0
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The biggest fear of a lot of people is that they will be on them forever.... how long have you or someone you know have been on them? (and when you get off of them is it again a struggle to deal with certain things)
I was on effexor and xanax for 4 years (lowest dosage). I weaned myself off xanax first. I had no problems or adverse effects, it was actually quite easy. As for the effexor since I was on the lowest dosage capsule weaning is awkward so I quit cold turkey. I was horribly sick for the first week, second week still kind of icky but by the third I was fine. So glad to be off that stuff. I will add something very important - my doctor had given me the OK to stop both medications. Xanax first and then effexor. Stopping any type of psychotropic drug cold turkey is dangerous. Always speak to your doctor first!!!!0 -
My mother was "depressed" most of my teenage life and I always thought it was quite pathetic to allow yourself to be so unhappy all the time. Find something you love to do, do it. Think of all the positive in your life. Just. be. happy.
Not as easy for everyone I know, but it's something that I'll never understand.
ETA: I did not mean anything rude against the OP, as I don't know her or anything in her life that could be causing depression. I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy.0 -
I've been on different antidepressants for 12 years. I've been taking Celexa for about the last 4 of those years. I don't see me ever getting off of them. I've tried, but when I do, the anxiety and depression returns with a vengeance and it takes longer each time to get it under control. I feel sorry for people who have to be around me a lot, because they can't understand why I'm like this. Heck, I don't even understand why I"m like this. I know it started when my dad was terminally ill with cancer in 2000, when I was 31. Maybe someday I'll be free of them, but not today.0
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I am a survivor of a 30 year physical and mental abusive marriage. I know what your thinking why does anyone stay in something like that for so long(there are reasons I'm not willing to share with strangers) so unless you have walked in those shoes I would never be able to make you understand just believe me when I say you don' t see and feel a lot thru it I guess it's a function mode. That being said have been divorced now about 6 years a lot of therapy to reclaim my identity as that is the first to go and medication. I can now function as a normal person but, without the medication I cannot function in society. I expect I will be on medication for the rest of my life but, that's OK because I like being normal and being ME. I found out I'm not as bad as I had been brainwashed to believe.0
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I was prescribed zoloft but I had the fear of even beggining to take it. I've still got the bottle unopened. It wasn't really prescribed to me for just depression though but I think my doctor decided to prescribe it because I got a little emotional at the office. (I had a bunch of things going on with my family) So I just never took it and went to a different doctor a month later and tried to stay busy. My mom was on them for half a year and didn't seem to have many problems when she stopped.0
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My mother was "depressed" most of my teenage life and I always thought it was quite pathetic to allow yourself to be so unhappy all the time. Find something you love to do, do it. Think of all the positive in your life. Just. be. happy.
Not as easy for everyone I know, but it's something that I'll never understand.
ETA: I did not mean anything rude against the OP, as I don't know her or anything in her life that could be causing depression. I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy.
lol. no offense taken here. In all honesty things have brightened up without them, but something to help with the sting of things is helpful. And i understand wht u mean about feeling high on happiness, a psyc (who was not my fav) had me on a bunch of stuff, i felt bad taking them and worse off of them)0 -
Not specifically anti depressants, but I was on Klonopin for ten years for panic attacks and anxiety. I hated the thought of being physically dependent on a benzo. I did exactly what my psychiatrist told me what would happen. I forgot to take them, add that with exercise and nutrition and a few Ativan to help me through the transition, I am now drug free.0
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The biggest fear of a lot of people is that they will be on them forever.... how long have you or someone you know have been on them? (and when you get off of them is it again a struggle to deal with certain things)
Been on and off of them for over 10 years now. I go through cycles of takign them and not. Wellbutrin has been the only thing to really work, and recently it wasn't even doing so great of a job. Right now I know I could be happier, but I'm managing it on my own without the drugs and hoenstly, I haven't noticed much of a difference between being on them and off them recently, so I think that's an improvement
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I am a survivor of a 30 year physical and mental abusive marriage. I know what your thinking why does anyone stay in something like that for so long(there are reasons I'm not willing to share with strangers) so unless you have walked in those shoes I would never be able to make you understand just believe me when I say you don' t see and feel a lot thru it I guess it's a function mode. That being said have been divorced now about 6 years a lot of therapy to reclaim my identity as that is the first to go and medication. I can now function as a normal person but, without the medication I cannot function in society. I expect I will be on medication for the rest of my life but, that's OK because I like being normal and being ME. I found out I'm not as bad as I had been brainwashed to believe.
NO judgment from me when i read that. just happy you are better off now tho. And thanks for your input:flowerforyou:0 -
I've been on different antidepressants for 12 years. I've been taking Celexa for about the last 4 of those years. I don't see me ever getting off of them. I've tried, but when I do, the anxiety and depression returns with a vengeance and it takes longer each time to get it under control. I feel sorry for people who have to be around me a lot, because they can't understand why I'm like this. Heck, I don't even understand why I"m like this. I know it started when my dad was terminally ill with cancer in 2000, when I was 31. Maybe someday I'll be free of them, but not today.
I was at a point where i didn't like being with myself either. I understand.
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My mother was "depressed" most of my teenage life and I always thought it was quite pathetic to allow yourself to be so unhappy all the time. Find something you love to do, do it. Think of all the positive in your life. Just. be. happy.
Not as easy for everyone I know, but it's something that I'll never understand.
ETA: I did not mean anything rude against the OP, as I don't know her or anything in her life that could be causing depression. I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy.
You should get your facts straight. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance not by certain events that occur in your life. Certain events can make it even worse.0 -
Definitely not forever, for every one. Some people - yes.
I was on them for about 8 years. Started out with with them for severe Post Partum depression after my daughter was born. Realized I felt so much better on them that I stayed on them. Then stuff bottomed out hardcore and I needed a combination of meds to get through the day. Sadly... That isn't an exaggeration.
Finally got into therapy and started working on me. Changed my diet drastically. Worked out. Lost weight. Got happy. I've been off ally meds for nearly 1.5 years now. This is the happiest I have felt in a long time. I have crappy days - everyone does. I've learned how to cope.
Can not stress enough the power of counselling. I don't think I'd be where I am had I not taken that step.0 -
I have never been on them, tho I was told that I should think about being put on them (that was about 10 years ago). I don't want to have to be dependent on anything to make me feel like I can function. Does life get hard- absolutely. Do I feel like sometimes I need help dealing- absolutely. That is when I exercise more, and use positive self talk to keep me going, and I talk to my husband who has been through things far worse than I can imagine. He helps me put a lot into perspective. As he says, it's all about attitude. You can let things defeat you, or you can keep fighting.0
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Definitely not forever, for every one. Some people - yes.
I was on them for about 8 years. Started out with with them for severe Post Partum depression after my daughter was born. Realized I felt so much better on them that I stayed on them. Then stuff bottomed out hardcore and I needed a combination of meds to get through the day. Sadly... That isn't an exaggeration.
Finally got into therapy and started working on me. Changed my diet drastically. Worked out. Lost weight. Got happy. I've been off ally meds for nearly 1.5 years now. This is the happiest I have felt in a long time. I have crappy days - everyone does. I've learned how to cope.
Can not stress enough the power of counselling. I don't think I'd be where I am had I not taken that step.
I played all my cards, I have to admit starting out my brain was beyond clouded. things went from a 10 (ten being the worst) to about a 4.... but recently i felt myself slipping a little and by therapist decided to try some meds. Just one this time and a lower dosage. So far i feel ok, things are not dropping like they have in the past. now im just like, ugh, I hope this is just a "phase" at this point where i'll need them for a while then good to go later.0 -
I took them for about two and a half years, and have been off them a year. My depression tends to manifest itself as intense irritability and malaise rather than sadness. I'm grumpy and don't want to do anything. Exercise helps offset it, but I probably should be on a low dose again.... I have to push myself way too hard to feel normal. I understand life is hard, but sometimes it seems a little too hard, you know? And I do a decent job of convincing myself that it's my anxiety and depression that makes me feel that way, and that helps, but maybe being on meds again would help. I don't know.
The only problem I had coming off it was the "brain zaps." Those were bizarre and lasted a few weeks.0 -
I take one for anxiety. I've gone on meds, felt better and quit taking them since I was feeling better only to come down and have to get on them again. (usually a different one) My Dr. said that is the mistake a lot of people make. They feel better so they stop. It was the med. actually working and that is why I felt better. I do not want to take a medicine for the rest of my life but after quite a few of the up and down's my Dr. finally told me I would most likely be on a anxiety med forever with my history.
I've made peace with it. For now. ;o)
Edited to add:
This has all been over a 15yr period or so.0 -
My mother was "depressed" most of my teenage life and I always thought it was quite pathetic to allow yourself to be so unhappy all the time. Find something you love to do, do it. Think of all the positive in your life. Just. be. happy.
Not as easy for everyone I know, but it's something that I'll never understand.
ETA: I did not mean anything rude against the OP, as I don't know her or anything in her life that could be causing depression. I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy.
You should get your facts straight. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance not by certain events that occur in your life. Certain events can make it even worse.
Hence the "it's something that I'll never understand" part of my post.0 -
I feel as tho I had a totally mental breakdown less then 2 years ago, i have been on them for about a year and a half, tried to ween myself down only to be exteremely depressed again.. I want off, maybe the fact that I have gained 15 pounds is mostly why. I have a feeling i am going to need them for a long time, but hoping i dont.0
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I was on Prozac for about 3 weeks when I stopped taking them. I didn't feel right taking them and was scared to death of becoming addicted (I have an addictive personality) to them.0
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My mother was "depressed" most of my teenage life and I always thought it was quite pathetic to allow yourself to be so unhappy all the time. Find something you love to do, do it. Think of all the positive in your life. Just. be. happy.
Not as easy for everyone I know, but it's something that I'll never understand.
ETA: I did not mean anything rude against the OP, as I don't know her or anything in her life that could be causing depression. I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy.
"I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy"
This statement was what I was referring to.
You should get your facts straight. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance not by certain events that occur in your life. Certain events can make it even worse.
Hence the "it's something that I'll never understand" part of my post.0 -
My mother was "depressed" most of my teenage life and I always thought it was quite pathetic to allow yourself to be so unhappy all the time. Find something you love to do, do it. Think of all the positive in your life. Just. be. happy.
Not as easy for everyone I know, but it's something that I'll never understand.
ETA: I did not mean anything rude against the OP, as I don't know her or anything in her life that could be causing depression. I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy.
"I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy"
This statement was what I was referring to.
You should get your facts straight. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance not by certain events that occur in your life. Certain events can make it even worse.
Hence the "it's something that I'll never understand" part of my post.
And I respectfully disagree. If my daughter died, I would be depressed, and it has nothing to do with a chemical imbalance.0 -
My mother was "depressed" most of my teenage life and I always thought it was quite pathetic to allow yourself to be so unhappy all the time. Find something you love to do, do it. Think of all the positive in your life. Just. be. happy.
Not as easy for everyone I know, but it's something that I'll never understand.
ETA: I did not mean anything rude against the OP, as I don't know her or anything in her life that could be causing depression. I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy.
"I understand some people go through traumatic events that cause depression, but others I honestly believe are just bored and lazy"
This statement was what I was referring to.
You should get your facts straight. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance not by certain events that occur in your life. Certain events can make it even worse.
Hence the "it's something that I'll never understand" part of my post.
And I respectfully disagree. If my daughter died, I would be depressed, and it has nothing to do with a chemical imbalance.
From what all the doctors have told me, there are all types of depression (it's a crazy world out there, lol)and they said situational depression, such as the death of a loved one, if it stays long enough, can then cause a chemical imbalance...0 -
I was on anti-anxiety medication for 6-8 months last year as I had open heart surgery at 24 years old and was told by the doctors I'd developed post traumatic stress, with a fear of exercising and making my heart rate increase due to prior complications.
6-8 months was enough for me to get me over the hurdle and begin exercising, although I think time has also helped my situation.
My partner however struggles with depression and mental issues and while the tablets definitely help him, I can see him being on them for the long term.
As other people mentioned with the chemical imbalance I do agree and would not wish that upon anybody after seeing what my partner goes through.0 -
Well I've been pretty depressed the last couple of years - I think I have a personality inclined that way, whether you think of it as inheritance or upbringing, but a whole series of very stressful events over 6 years brought me very low indeed at points. I don't think either boredom or laziness is much of a factor in my case; anyway generalising isn't really a good thing to do about mental health issues.
I would very happily be on lifetime happy pills if they worked for me!
However I think that generally the solutions are at least as complicated as the causes. And anyway unfortunately I mostly get the side effects rather than the benefits from anti-depressants. So I take a small dose of something to take the worst of the edge off, and try to figure the rest of it out as best I can.
ETA that withdrawal from some antidepressants can be difficult and requires careful managing. A consultant psychiatrist I lived with once said to me that prescribing practice in his profession made no logical sense "If it doesn't work, we increase the dose; if it does, we discontinue it". If you really need it, it works, helps you function, relieves distress, and doesn't cause bad side effects - then well, it's no worse than taking any other sort of drug that you might or might need for a longer or shorter period, and help to get off when you're ready? It's not only MH meds that have side effects, contra-indications, or addictive qualities.0 -
I've had anxiety issues since I can remember, like around 6 years old. I remember my entire childhood being scared and anxious. Like Lady Gaga, I.was born this way. I will probably be on them my whole life. I'm an f'ing nut job when I'm off the meds.0
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I have been on them 12 years and it doesn't matter to me. Feel great.0
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