Antidepressants - Worth it?

[Written]

Hi.
I was diagnosed with depression when I was nine, but only in the past few months have I been given medicine. It's a low dose SSRI, but I can already notice some differences... and they aren't good. First off, a lot of issues like suicidal thoughts and self harm have gotten worse and more frequent. And when I'm not feeling like that, my emotions are completely.. dulled. It's almost like I'm constantly asleep and unaware and unresponsive to my surroundings. Also... I know this doesn't seem as bad as the first two, but lately my creativity just seems to have vanished. Writing has always been a huge part of my life, but lately it's like I've been unable to. And that just makes me feel worse.
So, my question is, are the antidepressants really worth it? Also, is that how the medicine is supposed to work at first? Does it get better?
Thanks,
Carolyn

[Church]

One of my cousins had depression and had problems with medicine, after couple years she was better and didnt need more, so I say keep taking them, also if it get worse they have some prescription drugs that make anti-depressants work better and not cause side-effects, talk to your mom or dad about it and maybe they can get a doctor to get you some

[Hyper]

Their worth it and they work.

Theres not only 1 type of pill out there. Theres different meds for different people, problems etc. You need to find the right one and tell the professional that subscribed you the current meds that their not working for you.. Also be precise describe to him/her whats wrong like you did here

It can take time obviously.. If you haven't been on the current meds for atleast 2 weeks then wait till then or even 3 weeks and if its still the same then describe your problems and ask to try something else

It can take time and alot of different meds but theres one out for everyone that helps

[byee]

I think you'll likely get different opinions on this. Typically, when depression is properly diagnosed, meds in conjunction with therapy have been proven to be effective.

There are side effects to them, however, and it's important to discuss them with the doctor who's treating you. Sometimes, the side effects wear off as your body adjusts to them, sometimes not. And as hyper rightly points out, different trials of different meds are in order when the side effects are intolerable.

If you've been depressed since 9 you might not remember what it's like to feel well. I know that sounds strange, but if you've been depressed for many years, those feelings become 'normal', and it might take some time to get used to the readjustment of your feelings as the meds work.

It takes time to work all this out, getting the meds balanced and talking it thru in therapy. It's a process, it takes time. Just keep talking with the doctor, and mention first about the suicidal thoughts, those aren't a good sign.

[Sapphire]

You really have to talk with your doctor. You are not the only one to notice that while on anti-depressants belonging to the family of SSRIs during your teenage years has increased your desire to commit suicide. This is a known effect and you really need to tell your doctor that you are experiencing it. By discussing it with your doctor, you can both agree on a safer treatment option.

[jacknife]

When you were 9? God, that's going too far. The people who "diagnosed" you should have known better. You weren't just "diagnosed" with depression when you were 9, you were stigmatized. I bet being called "depressed" when you were 9 years old caused more psychological damage to you than the depression itself.


Well, since I know you've never heard this before from any doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, or perhaps even anyone else; let me be the first to say:

There's nothing wrong with you! :D

Come on, say it with me. "There's nothing wrong with me. There's nothing wrong with me. There is nothing wrong with me!!"


How dare they take a 9 year old girl and start calling her names. They are like children on a playground. They find someone that's different and unique, someone that's beautiful in their own way, and they call that person "diseased" and "wrong" and "depressed" and "mentally ill."

Listen, those are words the psychiatric industry MADE UP. "Mentally ill" and "depressed" are no different than the childish names 7 year olds come up with to make fun of the outcast at elementary school. They are not even REAL diseases. Depression is an issue in living, not a problem with some physical part of your body. Therefore, drugs won't "cure" it.


I would recommend you stop taking the drug. ESPECIALLY if you are having thoughts of suicide. Too many people have been victimized already by the APA and its advocates, the world doesn't need to lose another beautiful, passionate, valuable individual to "anti-depressants."

Instead of taking the drug and becoming numb and losing your incentive to create art and express yourself, you should stop taking the drug and spend your time making lots of beautiful, wonderful poems and stories and other writings. You should tell your parents or even your doctor that writing is how you create meaning for yourself. That it is something you love doing and feel passionate about. And that the drug is destroying that passion.


Just remember that YOU are in control here. When you sit down at your desk with a pen or pencil, or you sit at the computer to type on Word, you are creating something unique and valuable. Don't let drugs take that away from you. Not so they can make you "happy" and "normal."


But this is what I think is true. You should definitely talk to your parents and whomever else is helping you right now before making any decision.

[byee]

When you were 9? God, that's going too far. The people who "diagnosed" you should have known better. You weren't just "diagnosed" with depression when you were 9, you were stigmatized. I bet being called "depressed" when you were 9 years old caused more psychological damage to you than the depression itself.


Well, since I know you've never heard this before from any doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, or perhaps even anyone else; let me be the first to say:

There's nothing wrong with you! :D

Come on, say it with me. "There's nothing wrong with me. There's nothing wrong with me. There is nothing wrong with me!!"


How dare they take a 9 year old girl and start calling her names. They are like children on a playground. They find someone that's different and unique, someone that's beautiful in their own way, and they call that person "diseased" and "wrong" and "depressed" and "mentally ill."

Listen, those are words the psychiatric industry MADE UP. "Mentally ill" and "depressed" are no different than the childish names 7 year olds come up with to make fun of the outcast at elementary school. They are not even REAL diseases. Depression is an issue in living, not a problem with some physical part of your body. Therefore, drugs won't "cure" it.


I would recommend you stop taking the drug. ESPECIALLY if you are having thoughts of suicide. Too many people have been victimized already by the APA and its advocates, the world doesn't need to lose another beautiful, passionate, valuable individual to "anti-depressants."

Instead of taking the drug and becoming numb and losing your incentive to create art and express yourself, you should stop taking the drug and spend your time making lots of beautiful, wonderful poems and stories and other writings. You should tell your parents or even your doctor that writing is how you create meaning for yourself. That it is something you love doing and feel passionate about. And that the drug is destroying that passion.


Just remember that YOU are in control here. When you sit down at your desk with a pen or pencil, or you sit at the computer to type on Word, you are creating something unique and valuable. Don't let drugs take that away from you. Not so they can make you "happy" and "normal."


But this is what I think is true. You should definitely talk to your parents and whomever else is helping you right now before making any decision.

Let's assume that there was probably a good reason for a doctor to diagnose her as depressed at 9. That's a long time to be depressed. Thankfully, there's treatment out there that's effective. She should avail herself to it.

Being depressed isn't a stigma. It's a word, a descriptive word, like brunette. However, it does communicate a great deal about how she feels and what she's going thru. The goal of 'labels' is to facilitate the rapid and accurate transmission of info, so it can be accurately understood and treated.

[With.My.Radio]

Everyone is different, therefore, the effect meds will have on people is different. For me, I was put on antidepressants when I was only 10 years old. I was on a very high dose and I took about 10 pills a day. It was awful...I felt nothing...just numb. So I can understand the emotions being dulled thing you're going through.

My advice is to see the psychiatrist or whoever put you on the antidepressants and tell them what you've told us. From my experiences the meds weren't worth it at all. But that does not mean everyone else shouldn't take them.