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Original poster

How many people do you know on anti depressants?

63 replies

NotFeelingRight · 26/11/2018 17:59

I've been on them on and off for 10 years. I know many people won't tell you they're on them and I don't tell anyone but apparently it's so common?

OP posts:
HowlsMovingBungalow · 26/11/2018 18:02

Reckon 1 in 5. Used to be on them myself 19 - 35 yrs old. Thankfully they helped but were very difficult to come off of ( dreaded seroxat ).

Original poster
NotFeelingRight · 26/11/2018 18:03

I'm considering going back on them but feel ill be on them for life

OP posts:
TillyVonMilly · 26/11/2018 18:05

Five that I know of, one has them for treatment of something other than depression. One has been on them for many years, has tried to come off them several times but he quickly goes down hill, his wife has also been on ad but I’m not sure if she still is. One was on them following marriage break up and still birth, she is trying to come off them and so far she says she is feeling ok Smile

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Millie2013 · 26/11/2018 18:05

Quite a few who either take them or have taken them in the past, me included
And that’s just the people I know about, they seem to be widely prescribed!

Millie2013 · 26/11/2018 18:07

Ps I was chatting to a lady I know recently and she’s been taking them for almost 30 years and doesn’t feel she can stop, as every time she tries, her mood plummets

Hefzi · 26/11/2018 18:07

I'm the only person I know, with the caveat that I only have two friends and I don't discuss it elsewhere. I reckon, though, as I can spot the signs of depression in other people from fifty yards, probably a third of people in my profession, and probably a third to a half of my students.

It's an epidemic, but I don't know if that's because of better diagnosis nowadays, less reluctance to prescribe ADs, or if there is an actual increase in the numbers of depressed people, measured objectively (if that's even possible) against previous generations.

SugarTwist · 26/11/2018 18:08

Does it matter if you need them for life? I’ve accepted I will, that thought used to scare me but now nobody could prise them off me! I can’t function without them.

Hefzi · 26/11/2018 18:09

X post - OP sorry things are tough: honestly, though, if you need them, you need them. Please go and talk to your GP - after all, don't forget that the best predictor of mental ill health is previous poor mental health. There's no shame in needing medication - if you were diabetic, you'd take insulin all your life, if it was necessary, right? Flowers

Original poster
NotFeelingRight · 26/11/2018 18:11

I plummet without them too

OP posts:
redsky21 · 26/11/2018 18:12

I'd be more than happy to stay on mine for life. Only problem is they seem to stop working after a few years then have a huge ordeal of swapping to different ones.

MrToadHasSwallowedHisNoustache · 26/11/2018 18:15

I'm on them, and I know of at least two other people at the moment. To be honest if anyone asks I'm completely open about it. It's not something I'm ashamed of and I need them at the moment. I was on them years ago and used to keep them on my desk to remind me to take them, if anyone asked what they were I told them. It was remarkable how many people said they took them as well.
I hear your concern about being on them for life, but also firmly believe that if you need them then take them for as long as you do.
I hope you're ok, I'm happy to chat if you need any support. Depression and anxiety can feel very isolating but you're never alone. Sorry if I'm overstepping the mark but sometimes all people need is to know you're there.

britnay · 26/11/2018 18:17

I work in a pharmacy. They are very very common among all ages and both genders.

Original poster
NotFeelingRight · 26/11/2018 18:20

thanks all. I may want another child and would worry about affects of medications on pregnancy.

OP posts:
BackIntoTheSun · 26/11/2018 18:22

I am and most likely will be for life. Know two people who have been on them at some point

bumblebee39 · 26/11/2018 18:24

I'm struggling to think of many who either aren't on them or are probably on them but I just don't know...

I have some family members who are and some who aren't but most of my friends are on them or should be

I am on them. I have come off them during pregnancy before but they are keeping me on them this time. I take them for sleep issues- insomnia, night terrors, restless legs- as well as for my MH

I'm not sure they help my depression if I'm honest but they do help my sleep. I'm lost without them because my sleep is so terrible, and the alternative is to be on benzodiazepines or z- drugs in high doses which are obviously worse in pregnancy although I am still prescribed Diazepam in a low dose as needed in pregnancy. I think my health issues are pretty extreme though because I haven't met many women who they want to keep on these drugs.

I don't question it anymore, every time I come off my ads I stop sleeping and the restless legs come back, the intrusive thoughts, the fear, the despair, etc. I don't care if I'm on them forever.

I would rather be as stable as I can be mentally and physically. I wish I hadn't spent years coming on and off and had just accepted they are part of my life now.

babysharkah · 26/11/2018 18:28

From my circle of 9 girlfriends 6 have been or on them. I probably should have been but didn't recognise it at the time. Mostly PND related. One has been in them since age 16.

Original poster
NotFeelingRight · 26/11/2018 18:51

How do you know you should be on them?

OP posts:
TimeIhadaNameChange · 26/11/2018 19:51

Definitely 1, maybe 2 others.

I was on them, but reacted badly (ended up in hospital) so came off them and didn't go back on. They would probably have been useful last year, but I was too scared to try different ones.

bumblebee39 · 26/11/2018 19:58

Previous experience? Medical advice? Advice of those around you?

Cailleach · 26/11/2018 20:06

Four - all are work colleagues.

Sums up our workplace really!

NameChanger22 · 26/11/2018 20:08

I only know one person, there are probably more, they just don't advertise it.

KatyN · 26/11/2018 20:25

I’m in them, know loads of people who take them. Some don’t Say anything until you offer that you take ads. Others that I know take them still don’t say they are even after you ‘confess’. For me I tell lots of people to reduce the stigma.

FWIW, I took citraloplan through both my pregnancies, and quite a lot of diazepam in the second one. All fully sanctioned by my gp and neonatal my team. Children are both fine. Without the drugs I couldn’t be their mother.. I don’t think i’d Exist at all actually!

Penguinsetpandas · 26/11/2018 20:28

Almost all the Mums I knew took them, don't know if it was the type of person I was friends with or something like 80% of Mums are put on them.

vampirethriller · 26/11/2018 21:40

Myself, my dad, my youngest brother, my best friend. If I'm not on them I want to die, so I don't care how long I have to take them, it's worth it.

Somewhereovertherainbow13 · 26/11/2018 22:02

How do you get prescribed these? My oh is severely depressed and each time he sees a doctor he gets told to see a counsellor with a 6 month waiting list which then never happens. I want to say to our go “try living with him for a week and see what you think then”