Short term use of anti depressants
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| Before I began talking an SSRI (class of antidepressant), I never even took Tylenol & grew up in a "walk it off environment". After a series of traumatic events in a short time, I was having trouble functioning as I struggled with paralyzing sadness & fear. Medication for me is not a "happy pill," as I still have all my emotions, just not the crippling despair & mood swings. I have been on medication for 8 months (smaller dose now than before). Antideps can take 4-6 weeks to have full effect, so you don't feel a drastic change right away & may have to try dif meds to find the right one for your body (I tried 2). The research shows that having talk therapy in conjunction with medication is the best way to improve & have lasting recovery. My suggestion is to have grief or general counseling if possible & not to focus too much on the endpoint ("when will I be off meds & be cured). We all must live one day at a time & thinking too much about the future can be overwhelming when we are struggling. Whether or not you choose to take medication is your business & that of your healthcare providers. You'll find a lot of people have strong opinions on the subject & can be unintentionally hurtful. I wouldn't wish a major depressive episode on anyone, so when someone in my life seems dismissive ("everyone gets the blues"), I simply think/say, "Wehave different experiences/views & that's ok". I'm deeply sorry for your losses & wish you the very best. Keep your furries extra close. My Sheepie & kitty are excellent medicine too  Marlee |
| Not personal but runs in family. Prolonged "blues" can very much be a change in brain chemistry which can't be willed away. Don't be afraid of going on meds, as said above, don't look at time line, just work on getting everything realigned. I'm glad you are looking into this. Also you'll need counseling, it's part of the realignment procedure. You'll learn techniques not only for over coming this but also to avoid it in the future or to notice it sooner so treatment can begin promptly. |
| I go on antidepressants after every pregnancy. Its a different situation from what you're facing, but when you consider that extreme, prolonged stress alters your brain chemistry, as does major hormone changes, you can see similarities. I've had good experiences with antidepressants. I find that I go from bare survival to actual productive life. I don't get back to fully enjoying life until after I wean off of the antidepressants. There's kind of a midpoint where you don't suffer as much as you were, but you don't have the joys that might be there too. You won't erase the grief or stress, but you'll be able to start to deal with it better and its not what colors everything in your life. I've been on a couple of different medications anywhere from 4 months to 9 months. You do need to account that it takes a little while before you start noticing it and different medications have different rates of "kicking in". I've been on a couple of different formulas of Effexor and Zoloft, all have worked well for what I needed. I hope that you can find something that will work to help you. |
| Many years ago, I had a very serious depression following a series of traumatic events that tore apart my family, just as I was finishing high school and beginning college--not a great combo for an 18 year old. Unfortunately, there were no real anti-depressants on the market at that time and unlike much of my generation, I was vehemently anti-drugs which for the most part were tranquilizers in those days. It is honestly something of a miracle that I survived but I did. I mean that literally--the depression was that bad. I would not wish what I went through on anyone, so I would not hesitate to recommend meds plus talk therapy for anyone struggling with depression. Unfortunately, I can't tell you of my own experiences on anti-depressants but I can tell you that trying to just suck it up and be strong is a bunch of hooey. I think you are wise and absolutely right to make this move. Fortunately, there are better alternatives today. Having struggled with depression, I can say that your ability and willingness to talk about your struggles and to seek out solutions is evidence of great strength. Marlee above offers very wise counsel: it may take trying more than one medication and it will take time but it can be very effective. I also echo her suggestion at talk therapy as well as being proven as more effective than either alone. Specifically talking about your recent losses is important. |
| As mentioned, there are so many more decent drug options out there. It's still not by any means an exact science in treatment, but huge improvements have come along. Mental health is certainly a medical issue. I would see your situation similar to my blood pressure issues. Several years ago I was in a period were things were stressing me, working 12 hour nights, I was heavier, and just not able to get my B/P under control...and it hugely runs in my dad's side of the family. So I met with my Dr (I was feeling the elevated pressure, and started monitoring actual values at work...oh the joys of being a hospital nurse and having all that at your fingertips.) I was started on a med. Then I was able to work at what was causing the elevated B/P in a safe way, and luckily it turned into a short term run of my meds. It was like a temporary bridge, and it worked! I bet you can do the same. |
| ^^^All good advice. When you can't climb out of that black hole its time for meds. I've been there and pretty sure it will happen again. There's no shame in letting the medical community do there part in making your life better. GOOD FOR YOU!!! |
| Paula... Everyone of these posters have good advice ~~but, you must follow your gut. We ALL need help once in a while. I am glad you are trying to get the help you feel you need. Antidepressants have a place in our world and I know they help. You have our support, friendship and love. Lean on us, talk to us...we are here.  |
| Just one more thing to consider is the withdrawal symptoms if and when you decide to stop taking them. I took Effexor for 2 years longer than I needed to, simply because I could not handle the withdrawal. I have read that many docs are unaware of how difficult it can be. I quit smoking many times before finally being successful 12 years ago, and none of my quits was a difficult as getting off the meds. It wasn't being addicted to how they made me feel, it was actual physical withdrawal. I finally used my two-week Christmas break from work and just toughed it out. Toughest thing I've ever done, and I'll never go back on them because of it. I even got to the point of cutting a very low dose pill into quarters, and still had agonizing withdrawal. Your results may vary, but I would certainly research what others have experienced with whatever particular med your doc is recommending. |
| Susan is right, Effexor is much harder to wean off of than Zoloft. It probably saved my life, but it was difficult to get off of. |
| I started Celexa on Friday and I swear it has made a difference in how I feel. I don't have the highs and lows--I'm a bit more leveled. Yesterday I was able to talk about Bob without sobbing. It's not without side effects but I know those are short-term and I can handle that. I also have an appointment next month with a psychiatric nurse practitioner specifically to discuss when to go off the meds and the whole withdrawal thing. I appreciate all the replies and PMs I received. Mental health is a difficult subject for a lot of people. It's o.k. for your body to be sick, but not your mind! |
| That's encouraging! I hope that it helps and things continue to improve. |
| My client's elderly mom (92) was put on that last year for a bit, and she saw good results. She's now off it and had no issues with stopping it. |
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