I'm being prescribed antidepressants

[Project Delta]

I was wondering what do they actually do, make you feel differently? Think differently? Change your mood? Etc.etc.

[BuryYourFlame]

Anti-Depressants
What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants are medications aimed at relieving the symptoms of depression.
There are three main classes of antidepressants –MAOIS, tricyclics, SSRIs, plus others that are referred to as having novel actions. Regardless of what class they fall into, all anti depressants work on the principle of enhancing one or more of of three neurotransmitters in the brain.

What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are molecules that specialize in delivering packets of information from one neuron to another across a narrow gap called a synapse to receptors on the receiving cell. After a wave of neurotransmitters are released by the presynaptic neuron and absorbed by postsynaptic neuron, the presynaptic neuron vacuums from the synapse any remaining neurotransmitters in preparation for the next wave of neurotransmitters it will release. Two classes of antidepressants work by blocking this “reuptake” action to keep the neurotransmitters in circulation.

What are MAOIs?
MAOIs – monoamine oxidase inhibitors – are old generation antidepressants, Parnate (tranylcypromine) and Nardil (phenelzine) being the best know. They work by blocking the enzyme monoamine ocidase, which allows the neurotransmitters to function as usual. Side effects can be very burdensome, which make these drugs a last option.
These include an outside risk of hypertension, which necessitates extreme dietary restrictions. Some psychiatrists, however, believe these drugs work particularly well for atypical depression, and should be regarded as a viable treatment option. Somerset Pharmaxeuticals has just released EMSAM (selegiline), a transdermal patch that is not supposed to have the usual MAOI side effects.

What are tricyclics?
Also called TCAs, tricyclics are old generation drugs that work by blocking the reuptake (or absorption by the neuron) of the neurotransmitters serotonin and the norepinephrine, Elavil (imipramine) and Pamelor (nortriptyline) the two best known. Like MAOIs, the side effects can be burdensome, but because the drugs operates with equal force on two neurotransmitters, some psychiatrists believe they may be more potent than the more popular single-actions SSRIs.

What are SSRIs?

SSRIs – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – work by blocking absorption of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The SSRIs include Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), and Luvox (fluvoxamine). Although these drugs have been hyped as breakthroughs for treating depressions, they are no more effective than their MAOI and tricyclic predecessors. Their one advantage is their more benign side effects profile. Nevertheless, the side effects can be considerable, including weight gain, dry mouth, drowsiness, disturbed REM sleep, and sexual dysfunction.

From: http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22585

[Project Delta]

Cheers declan, ANyone got any first hand experiences?

[Gumleaf]

hmmm, its hard to describe. the important thing to remember is that it doesn't stop depression, but it does help me for reducing it. its affected my sleeping patterns. my sleeping is quite unpredictable. apart from that i have had no other side affects that i can think of.

[OnlyByTheNight.]

Like Stephen said, its hard to explain. It makes you feel less down basically. They don't stop the depression but they do reduce it a bit.
Honestly I don't find them very effective. I still get depressed alot.
As for the side effects.... It has totally messed up my sleeping, I am sleepy most of the time and my sleep is very broken up during the night, I usually wake up like 4 or 5 times every night.
That is the main side effect I've had, another one is that I don't get major high moods either. Its basically keeping you on a level mood with decreased lows and decreased highs.

[Shalom]

My sister takes them, she always cries on days she hasn't taken them. I guess thats a second hand opinion! I believe you shouldn't be on them forever, get through what you need and then end the depression. Be happy!

[Beautiful Obsession]

I havnt got experience from them, but basicly, they make you feel less down, they dont totally stop depression, but they help reduce it, and once you'v completed the course of taking them, you should basiclyy stop feeling so depressed.

Hopee they work for youu babess ;x

[deadpie]

I was wondering what do they actually do, make you feel differently? Think differently? Change your mood? Etc.etc.

They do nothing positive for me. They make me what people want me to be, i loose all artistic abilities, and feel lazy, tired, and just plain emotionless. That's why they use antidepressants in hospitilizations so much.

[Delusion15]

really i just felt less down and not as pissed off or as sad as usual. then yeah they did affect my sleeping patterns but other than that noting really

[overcome.]

I've been on two different types of anti depressants, the first type was an SSRI (explained above), citalopram. For me, while taking these I had insomnia often, strong lack of appetite and sexual desire, and lack of desire in general. I don't feel like these worked for me at all. However, a symptom of depression is increased/decreased appetite and lack of sexual interest. These two things could be from the tablets, or the reality that I was in a very dark place.

The second type of anti depressant I'm on now is much better, it's more like a sedative. But they do vary from person to person. I have an appetite again, I sleep 11-13 hours a night like a baby lol. I still feel very fed up in myself, this sort of medication doesn't make you feel great, it just means for me I get a proper nights sleep and in theory rest more - and I can eat properly again.

[Holding On*]

They helped me a lot... LAst week we decided (me and pyschiatrist) to see if i can try and stop them and see how i go without them. let me tell you. i have felt down EVERYDAY. and Ive been thinking about sh, whereas before it hardl came into my mind, well i may think about it but not in a way that i wanted to do it, just a 'oh yeh i rememebr when i did that but oh well ohh whats next lesson' sort of thing... if i make any sense? but now im having to fight it off :/ I am gnna ask him to try them again cos i can see it ending badly. :/