Can you still be depressed on anti-depressants?
To make a long story short, I chatted with my therapist yesterday about concerns I was having about changes in my productivity, creativity, and just enjoyment in things I used to love. I've been on an anti-depressant for several months now, and while it really eased my anxiety, and sort of got me over the hump with depression, I'm noticing that I'm unsatisfied with almost everything I do.
I make goals that I end up giving up on because i don't see the point. I'll start a creative project and give up on it within a few days. I've even replaced the occassional 'going to bed and staring up at the ceiling in anxiety driven insomnia' with 'going to bed but staring up at the ceiling for awhile feeling nothing but still unable to go to sleep'.
My therapist mentioned that it was still possible that I was depressed!
Is that a thing?
Unfortunately, yes, it is possible to still be depressed while taking anti-depressants. Not all anti-depressants work for everyone and its not unusual to have a partial response. I would suggest speaking to the doctor that prescribed the medication to you. After evaluating your symptoms, he/she may suggest you continue on your current treatment plan, may increase your dose, may add a medication or may change to another medication.There are lots of options out there. Sometimes it just takes a little time to find what works best for you.
@exuberantMaple397 I agree. It is entirely possible but there are lots of ways to move forward.
Charlie
@exuberantMaple397
Thanks for your reply. It's something I'm going to have to talk to my doctor about during my next appointment.
@exuberantMaple397
That's so true. Thank you for commenting!
@integrityblues
It is possible. You may need a higher dose, or a different type of antidepressant, or a combination of meds, or even change to a mood-stabilizer (which are not only pescribed for BP, but also in case of unsufficient response to antidepressants). Talk to your doctor about it :)
@admaiorasemper
Thanks for your input! It was hard enough to start taking Lexapro since I had a bad enough reaction to Prozac years and years ago, but I'll have to speak to my doctors about what to do next.
@integrityblues
Yes, medication never worked for me...
@feelitinyourbones
I'm sorry that the medications never worked for you.
@integrityblues
My being a freak exception does not mean medication does not work for mst of the other people...stick to your prescribed programs for medium&long term, switch if they do not work till they work.
Tgem not working for me left me with the gut drenching feeling of oh my gosh I'm on my own again...so from then on I embraced depression and somehow am on parlays and diplomacy with her, depression to come to terms on how we go forward without destroying each other...every day I have to live with delression...
@feelitinyourbones
I've very sorry that you've had such a hard time finding a medication that helps your depression.
@integrityblues some anti-depressant make if feel even more depressed..so yes is posible
Yes- meds are only one part of healing. It would be fantastic if a pill simply made us feel better. However it only helps us in one aspect - the correct med/dose is crucial. Being able to move forward out of depression is multi-faceted and hard work. I am saying this to convince myself too. It really is a lifelong journey. Have heart- and a big hug.
@barncat
Aw, thanks!
Guys, please, try not to be depressed! The life is great
@NastyaJones
I'm sorry, I know you're probably trying to be positive but I can't completely agree with the 'The life is great' comment as you tell people to try and not be depressed. How can you be sure that the challenges of everyday life aren't making a person's depression worse?
