Depression tablets?

[Flower190]

Hi. First post here. Just looking for some advice really. Has anyone been on any depression medication? What tablets did you have and what worked for you?
I'm thinking I may need them, but I want something that's actually going to make me happy and feel a bit more motivated in life and have some enjoyment

I am going to talk to my GP. But I don't want to be put on any tablets that will make me feel even worse.
Thanks for any advice x

Just a quick question—how old are you? Sounds rude, but quite a few of us of perimenopausal or menopausal age have found some relief from mood issues with HRT 🙂

I do apologise if doesn’t apply.

Hey OP, hope you don't mind me joining. I've been on Sertraline for a few months now and the only thing I would change is making the decision sooner. I always had the mindset that I wanted to overcome things on my own/didn't want to rely on tablets to be happy - they have changed my entire life for the better. I kind of see it as jump starting a flat battery in your car. The tablets gave me the bump of energy and motivation I was lacking and now I actually go out with my friends and dare I say it - ENJOY MYSELF

I deprived myself of help for so long and I could've been feeling like this the entire time. By far the best thing I ever did. They'll likely set you up on a low dosage and slowly increase you until you find your balance xx

I'm 20, and a have a daughter who will soon be one a half so I don't want to always be a miserable sod, although I will never be anything but happy around her, I just find it difficult sometimes

@kylieeee I've heard of them! How long did it take for you to start feeling happy again? That sounds just like something I'd need

Mirtazapine has worked for me and it causes drowsiness, so helps if you're not sleeping well.

You must go and discuss this with your doctor though.

Don't forget that therapy also helps with depression and that tablets can take up to six weeks to work.

Is it just one tablet you take a day? Or is it so many throughout? And yes I am going to talk to my GP. I am worried slightly paranoid that they can inform SS? I've not any involvement with them at all or before so is being on tablets something they can then get involved with as I have a child?

@Flower190 I had been on them for a month without even realising I felt different. I then realised that I was handling the small stresses way better than before, the slightest thing would make me feel so overwhelmed and id cry and get irritable - I don't have that at all anymore.

After almost two months I noticed the bigger changes. I used to really isolate myself and make excuses not to go out with friends etc. I hated social situations and would hands down swap it for a night on my own in front of the tv. I still treat myself to those nights in but I realise what an unhealthy habit it had became for me because I never left my comfort zone. Socialising felt like a chore and I was just so tired and couldn't be bothered. I had forgotten what it felt like to actually enjoy myself - and now I'm the one inviting my friends out and I just feel so much more motivated It goes hand in hand really because they help to give me the kick start, but me doing enjoyable things and feeling better helps me to maintain it. I don't plan on being on them forever because one day I'll be able to manage it all on my own, but I needed the helping hand for sure xxx

OP, the response to antidepressants is very idiosyncratic. What works well for one patient does nothing for another, or may cause intolerable side effects.
The best thing is to consult with your GP, who will prescribe the best fit for your particular symptoms. For example, if your depression is associated with anxiety, insomnia and agitation, you would need a drug with a calming and sedative profile, whereas if your depression is causing excessive sleeping and lack of motivation, you’d do better with a more alerting and stimulating type of antidepressant.
Usually you’d be prescribed a few months trial and be reviewed regularly to see how you got on. If the drug seems to suit and is effective, it can be gently increased to the optimum dose for you. If it does not, there are a whole range of other drugs that can be tried.
Be aware that all antidepressants take several weeks to work, so don’t give up on them without a fair trial. Many patients feel worse before they feel better- partly because side effects are worst in the first few weeks, but also because motivation and energy return before your mood actually lifts, so you can become irritable and angry, where before you were passive and indifferent.
Good luck. The sooner you see your GP, the sooner you will be on the road to recovery.

@Flower190 SS don't come into it. I asked my GP if it would have an affect on me when I come to trying for a baby. He smiled and said 'you don't walk out of here with a label on your back.' I'm sure SS would be involved with serious cases such as you weren't washing, eating or caring for your kids. But a tired mama doesn't warrant any nosey social workers xx

Thanks for the replies. @Babdoc yeah that's understandable, it may not work for me at all but others it does. I get that completely:) I am going to make an appointment asap. Thank you x
@kylieeee I'm really glad to hear your feeling much better! I am similar in some ways as in I don't go out, I feel anxious to do new things. But mostly it's bad moods 24/7 and lack of motivation to do anything. And just feeling miserable , about myself especially. Recently I had a few good days got all my washing done etc tidied up everywhere. But then the motivation is gone again for months. If my daughter wasn't here I'd probably just lie in bed everyday and not want to do anything. Which is lazy I know but I just can't change my moods I've tried to change but mentally I can't. So I thought maybe a low dose of something might help me.
I'm glad to hear that. Last thing I'd want is people thinking I can't cope as a mother because it's completely not like that 🙅🏻‍♀️

Yep! My little girl has everything she wants and needs and always will, even if I feel depressed she'd never know or have any effect from it x

@Flower190 it's thoughts like that which stem from anxiety, no one will see you any differently and I think you'll see that when your feeling better. You'd take tablets if you were lacking in iron so take tablets for lacking serotonin

I would also have laid in bed all day everyday if I could purely for the fact the world is exhausting, the fact your pushing past that feeling and caring for another little human just means your smashing it mama. Good luck with it all OP xx

Antidepressants can't make you happy. Unless you are very anxious or depressed, I wouldn't recommend them. Speaking to your doctor is best so they can evaluate your condition.
You can't just change your moods. You need to eat healthily and make what changes you can to your routine.
Sadly, children DO pick up on your mood, whether you think you hide it or not, so do seek some help and support, starting with your health visitor or doctor. CBT therapy or counselling would help.

Why are you depressed?

Crap partner? No job? Crap job? Crap family? No friends?

Anti-depressives don't make you happy btw- they will numb you at first and after awhile you'll feel normal.