Question:
What side effects do antidepressants cause?
I have recently sought out treatment for depression. I have had it many times in the past, but it usually would only last a month or so, but this has been going on for about 6 months. I have hit the bottom of the barrel, and my PCP suggested antidepressants and I was curious if anyone had any comments as to side effects or efficacy. Thanks in advance. — Tara J. (posted on June 17, 2002)
June 17, 2002
hi. It's great you are seeking treatment. Each anti-depressant has their
own side-effects, so it all depends what one you will be put on. Look for
an e-mail from me.
— Lezlie Y.
June 17, 2002
I agree that it is good to be getting help with your depression, and I
agree that the side effects do depend on the medication - and can vary from
person to person. You did not mention whether you are post-op or pre-op...
If you are Post-op make sure the doctor (psychiatrist?) is aware of it, as
it may affect how your system absorbs the pill. Some common side effects
in general - weight gain or loss... Some shakiness in hands... dry
mouth... And if it is not working - it can effect your moods a bit in
unexpected ways. Also remember it can take a couple of weeks for the
anti-depressants to kick in! Hope this helps!
— Heather S.
June 17, 2002
I took zoloft for two years. In the beginning it made me sick to my
stomach. that lasted for about a month and i took it at night so i didnt
have to feel it. I also experienced dry mouth...but for only a couple of
weeks. and the dreaded lack of sex drive. However, all of these side
effects went away after a while. The benefits of the antidepressants
outweigh any side effect that I experienced. They are not magic happy
pills, and they do not take away all depression. The best way I can
describe it is that they pick you up and take you to a point where you can
and want to help yourself. It also lessened the extremes in my moods.
Meaning, you can still feel when you are getting depressed, but it is more
like a very slight down mood, and you can snap yourself out of it pretty
quickly once you recognize it. Your friends and family will notice the
drugs effect long before you will. It was a lifesaver for me. Good luck
— RebeccaP
June 17, 2002
I also want to add, that Zoloft has a wicked withdrawl. If you forget to
take it a couple of days in a row, you get very dizzy and not quite with
the real world feelings. Be sure to take whatever drug you are prescribed,
every day!
— RebeccaP
June 17, 2002
Rebecca said something that took a very long time for me to find out during
a recent battle with depression. "They are not magic happy pills, and
they do not take away all depression. The best way I can describe it is
that they pick you up and take you to a point where you can and want to
help yourself. It also lessened the extremes in my moods. Meaning, you can
still feel when you are getting depressed, but it is more like a very
slight down mood, and you can snap yourself out of it pretty quickly once
you recognize it." Unfortunately, my progress was delayed by a doctor
who was "playing" psychiatrist (a pulmonlogist I saw for sleep
apnea). For a year and a half he had me convinced I was not simply
depressed, but that I was manic depressive. He had me on a host of
antidepressants and anti-psychotics, mood elevators, whatever. I am now
simply on 40mg of Celexa and feeling better than I have in several years.
When I first saw the pulmonologist I was on 20mg of Prozac. Come to find
out, from my own research and dealing with an actual psychiatrist, Prozac
can sometimes make a depressed person feel a bit manic. Plus, I was under
tremendous stress from my failed marriage and a job loss -- I needed stress
management/counseling. You really DO have to work at it with your meds and
often with counseling...or at least someone you trust to open up to. Some
people are able to work at it without meds. I have come to accept that
right now I do need a little something to help. But who knows, I may not
need it after weight loss surgery? If I still do, then I will be prepared
to deal with that. The best advice I can give is to know your body and your
mind -- know yourself. Trust your instincts, and speak up for yourself.
Many of us with depression really do have low self-esteem, no matter how
good we may be at hiding it sometimes. Best of luck to you. - Anna
— Anna L.
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