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Original poster

Would you advise medication for depression?

27 replies

Notnowbarry · 29/04/2021 21:24

Short version: Depression. Seen GP. Wants to prescribe something. DH agrees. I don't want to. I've sufferer with depression since I was a teen and although go through waves I've always managed to cope with counselling when I get particularly low. This time I do feel worse though. Its not stopping.

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 29/04/2021 21:28

Yes I really would. It's hard to see how different you could feel when you are so down but for me, the negative thoughts were on a loop. I took the tablets and did CBT. It took a while but I got the old me back and was able to reduce them stop the tablets.

I think from your post it's worth giving them a try for at least 3 months Thanks

Original poster
Notnowbarry · 29/04/2021 21:39

You managed to stop taking them? That's what I'm scared of I think. That I'll be on them forever. Or they'll make me worse.

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 29/04/2021 21:43

Yes, 6 months and I was able to reduce them. They really, really helped me to come out of a really dark place.

GoddessKali · 29/04/2021 21:47

No, I once tried tablets years ago and instantly felt ‘out of my body’ and disassociated....., all they are is a plaster.
So if you choose to use this plaster at a hard time, because if you don’t something worse may happen then ok, but I’d strongly recommend trying every other possible route first as you will have to go through the same pain you’re in now to come off them.
It’s the same as any medication, whether that’s medicinal or ‘self medicating’ with substance abuse.

All of them avoid dealing with the root cause of the pain in the first place. Flowers

Unreasonabubble · 29/04/2021 21:49

They were a life saver for me. I was on them for 2 years and then I came off them. 10 years later I need them again but I have no problems with taking them as the quality of my life is so much better.

MustDust · 29/04/2021 21:50

Absolutely, if you had any other short term illness you'd take the medication to take you better. Or long term if you had diabetes for example you would stay on the insulin for the rest of your life to manage it. It's no different in my mind, which has required medication to make it work right before.

Horehound · 29/04/2021 21:53

No way. I have been on anti depressants and I honestly think they made things worse and then coming off them was hell as well.

Talking therapy helped me in an massive way and I'd always try that first.

PeterPomegranate · 29/04/2021 21:56

I would. Medication has been helpful for me several times. It honestly made a big difference rebalancing things. Full disclosure: been on citalopram since late 2019. Might have come off them again but there’s been a pandemic so didn’t feel like the right time ...

BunnyRuddington · 29/04/2021 22:00

Forgot to mention that I tried a couple of different ones before I found one that suited me, so don't be afraid of trying them and talking to your GP about any side effects.

I've also been on them again several years later and came back off them when the time was right.

AnnaMagnani · 29/04/2021 22:04

Yes. Don't care if I'm on them forever. Better than worrying about when the next wave is coming and having endless courses of counselling for the rest of my life.

Life changers.

After all diabetics don't come off insulin.

TedMullins · 29/04/2021 22:04

Yes, 100%! They changed my life and I didn’t experience any of the numbness or loss of emotions some people talk about. I will be on them forever and I’m fine with that. If you had any other chronic illness you’d take long term medication and antidepressants really aren’t any different. If you don’t get on with them you can try a different type or change the dosage. It’s worth giving them a go but you need to do at least a couple of months on them to feel any difference

Parkmama · 29/04/2021 22:07

I took them for 6 months and I wouldn't say I ever felt like my 'old' self but they certainly provided me with a rest and gave my emotions a break. Perhaps I wasn't on the right brand or dosage, I think it can be trial and error to find out what suits you best. I'm glad I took them as it was the reset I needed, but I'm also glad I came off them too. There were side effects as I got used to taking them and as I came off them. I was terribly anxious and I think they really helped sort that out, now I only get anxious about situations which make sense and it passes quickly. My depression still comes in waves like you describe, I try to be patient until it passes and do what I can to look after myself. If I felt I was getting worse again I would probably take them again but try to keep it to months if possible. For some they can be life changing, I think it's probably worth trying if you have tried all other options Thanks

feliciabirthgiver · 29/04/2021 22:07

I felt just like you, but took a short course (6mths) of anti-depressants and they gave me enough strength to get some talking therapy which really helped and to make some lifestyle changes. They don't have to be a long term solution but can sometimes help you see the wood from the trees.

noideabutstilltrying · 29/04/2021 22:13

I've been on citalapram fro 2 years. They have helped. I'm on 30mg a day. It's taken the edge off the dark thoughts.

I don't feel me though. I still feel very numb to things but better able to function as a mum and employee

AnnaMagnani · 29/04/2021 22:18

I definitely didn't feel numb. I can still vividly remember the week they first kicked in over 20 years ago - it was like moving from a black and white world to full colour.

I kept noticing things like how blue the sky was and the warmth of the sun. It was like being alive again and finally being me.

Sunbird24 · 29/04/2021 22:23

Yes. I was on them for 15 months, they brought me up to a place where I was able to do the ‘normal’ stuff that helps your mood, like eating properly, looking after myself and my stuff, getting outside and doing some exercise. If I needed to go back on them I definitely would

Nannyamc · 29/04/2021 22:31

They did me no harm. Put my life into perspective. 2 yrs on 5 yrs off. Life was dark and now far brighter. A good decision for me

Bagadverts · 29/04/2021 22:42

If your previous strategies have not worked on their own, or are not available (maybe due to Covid) then do try them. It needn’t be either counselling or AD it can be both. Do ask to be put on list for counselling as well.

I’m on AD, in my case long term, but as you see from other posters it can just be months.

AnnaSW1 · 29/04/2021 22:44

As an ex medic yes! Just as I would for period pain or a broken leg.

Apileofballyhoo · 29/04/2021 22:48

Yes.

Spottybluepyjamas · 29/04/2021 22:58

Yes, 100%

Doggitydog · 29/04/2021 23:00

Of course, why wouldn’t you. As to the pp who said you shouldn’t and should just find out the root cause Hmm it could be an imbalance of chemicals in the brain which medication would balance out. Anti depression meds were a life saver for me and I think my brother would be dead by now if he hadn’t been prescribed them.

Bumply · 29/04/2021 23:04

I've been on anti depressants for two different periods of depression.
They were useful for taking the edge off the worst feelings, allowed me to think straight and get back to work and function adequately at home.
After a period of time to recover and CBT to deal with my reaction to the triggers I was able to come off ADs.
I use running to help with my mental health now, but I keep an eye on my mood and if the downward spiral happened again I'd consider going back on them.
Some people need to stay on ADs to stay stable, but not everyone by any means

Original poster
Notnowbarry · 29/04/2021 23:46

Thank you. I might have to accept defeat this time. Just can't get out of it.

OP posts:
Sunbird24 · 30/04/2021 01:09

Don’t think of them as a bad thing OP, if you broke your leg you’d get a cast put on to support your bones so they could heal wouldn’t you? Sometimes your brain needs the same thing. It’s not a sign of weakness to accept a bit of help for a little while.