To wonder why everyone isn’t on antidepressants

[Immyreeves91]

I really don’t mean to sound flippant at all - I realise of course that most people are not clinically depressed and so do not need to take antidepressants and that there are all sorts of side effects. But I’ve been prescribed some medication (sertraline) and I wonder why doesn’t everyone try it and then stop if the side effects are bad (basically in the same way that many people take recreational drugs - taking MDMA on a night out despite the possible side effects) as surely if they are a mood lifter it’s worth it? What does anyone have to lose?

I am guessing like most people you are either going to name change or just not come back.

Having said that I will give you my view on AD's. They either work for 6-8 weeks then we have to up the dose and give that a bit longer, up it again, then keep upping it. Then decide to try something new.

The only one that ever worked for me, knocked me out, as in my partner couldn't wake me up let alone a 4 year old.

So while I will still keep trying I dont think they are for me

Because if someone was already fine and happy, the antidepressant won’t have any effect and they will give rise to likely side effects? Now what’s the point in that??🤔

Oh and you have people like me- I take an antidepressant and I go manic! The joys of bipolar🤷🏻‍♀️ So despite the obvious ‘I have highs and lows’ when I’m low I can’t take any antidepressant. That’s where good old lithium comes in- a mood stabiliser.

Why should I take anti depressants if I don't need them?

Antidepressants made me feel very aggressive, I had to shut myself in the house alone until the effects wore off which was 24 hours. Never again.

After reading this thread I don't understand how drugs which are supposed to cure depression seem to make it much worse for most people. Why are they being prescribed if so?

I suspect this thread is not representative of the population.
ADs do not cure depression.
It's true that most have side effects especially in the first few weeks and it's true that it can take time to find one which suits an individual.

But for many, many people they do help.

Because most people don’t need them. They treat a specific type of depression only. I’ve been through complex ptsd and depression and didn’t use them (medical drugs were a big ptsd trigger for me). I think they are over prescribed as a sticking plaster to avoid the nhs having to fund much more expensive treatments. They have one hell of a lot of side effects too.

'basically in the same way that many people take recreational drugs'

Not a good comparison.

a) many people do not (and even have bpnever) used recreational drugs, so it's not normal/acceptable all round
b) even those who do, do not take one that takes 4-6 weeks before the intended effect is felt.

Sertraline? Why take it if you're not depressed? And who knows what the long term side effects are?

Because anti-D's don't suit me. I'm happier being miserable and healthy, and alive (no thanks to seroxat ).

Because I love my life and don't need them 🤷🏼‍♀️

Antidepressants have permanently fucked up my sex drive and made my brain feel permanently foggy, despite stopping taking them in October.

They work brilliantly for me (fluoxetine).
There is still a bit of a stigma unfortunately but that is improving. I went for years out right refusing anything, then eventually gave in after trying herbal over the counter stuff and it was life changing, never looked back.

There are some very dismissive comments as to why people do not take antidepressants, enforcing the stigma attached to anti depressants. It is not a question if you like your life or not, I love my life but I have a chemical imbalance in my brain. I have had horrendous times due to pms, causing suicidal thoughts, for over a year in my life, the urge to take my life was overwhelming, I could have no issues, now my head is clear I shudder to think I considered leaving my life, my DC.
Taking antidepressants isn't a choice for me, they help me function, think, lesson anxiety, paranoia, I have tried all other methods, I still use fitness meditation and healthy eating with steraline.

Thank you Emerald
I feel the same. My GP has gone to great pains to get me to acknowledge that it's not my fault, that I'm not a failure, or weak and there's no shame in taking medication.

Side effects for me were no periods and massive increase in suicidal thoughts. Along with the more manageable chills.