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Should I go on antidepressants?

90 Answers
Last Updated: 02/25/2020 at 12:43am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Elaine Kish, LMSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

My goal is to treat clients with respect and compassion. I am a supportive, strengths-based therapist with experience in treating mood disorders, grief, and trauma.

Top Rated Answers
Arun
June 14th, 2015 7:24pm
Antidepressants are one option for treating depression. They help people with moderate and severe depression. However, these medications can have side effects. While your doctor may explain all the pros and cons when prescribing antidepressants, here are some startling revelations about antidepressants you might not have heard about. 1.All antidepressants are equally effective. 2.Although the efficacy of antidepressants is very similar, the price is not. 3.Antidepressants are good (and bad) for your sex life. 4.Antidepressants may damage sperm. 5.They may be bad for the bones Some researchers have found that SSRIs are associated with lower bone density and more hip fractures in older people, suggesting that people taking SSRIs have regular osteoporosis screenings. 6.Antidepressants could help fibromyalgia. 7.Antidepressants take weeks to work Some pills have a quick effect. However, it can take up to eight weeks for SSRIs to build up in the brain and body to the point they can affect mood, psychiatrists say. This phenomenon is known as the “Prozac lag.” consider these facts while you make your mind to go on antidepressants !
helps101
April 19th, 2015 11:22pm
if you really want to i mean your decision but i also think they are very easy to get addicted to and that is one of the bad things
SweetLittleBear92
September 5th, 2016 1:14am
You have to check with your family doctor and a psychologist before anything: it's very important to follow medical advice, antidepressants come with a large array of collateral effects so you have to monitor them closely. If they deem you in need of them, then you can decide what to do.
brightDreamer6922
February 25th, 2020 12:43am
If a psychiatrist recommends; then don't be afraid to try antidepressants. They can elevate your mood and get you to a place where you can actually help yourself or find professional help. Know that there are many different drugs, and it may take trial and error to find one that works, or works without side effects. Also know that antidepressants may not be a long-term solution, and can stop being effective eventually. Either way, monitor your progress and side effects closely with the psychiatrist, change meds if one's not working, and know that simply trying is taking a control of the situation and working towards a better place.
Anonymous
April 16th, 2019 10:51pm
There is no one right answer to this question. Different people have different situations and different things will work for them. Personally taking antidepressants made a big difference in my life. I had more energy and they helped improve my mood. If you think antidepressants could help you talk to your doctor or psychiatrist, they will be able to help you find a medication that works well for you. And remember, finding the best medication or combination of medications for you can take a little while. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the results you were hoping for on the first try.
KaoriShimizu
January 21st, 2019 3:26am
Antidepressants are a good option for many, including myself. You may have to go through a process of trial and error to find the one that suits you and your needs. But just know that it's not a cure all. Issues in your life still should be addressed properly. Medication paired with therapy or counselling may be helpful. Taking care of oneself is important as well. Antidepressants help a lot, but there's no replacement for eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and surrounding yourself with a lot of loving and positive people! And perhaps even a change of environment..
Anonymous
July 2nd, 2018 6:07am
First, you should always consult a doctor when it comes to taking medication. I would try to use John's Wort, or other plants with antidepressant effects, to just see what effect they have on you and how you feel. If they help a little (but not enough) then I would ask for antidepressants. If they don't help at all, try to consult your doctor/psychiatrist
naturalBlossom98
April 30th, 2018 7:31pm
If you’re thinking about the possibility of starting on antidepressants, the best person to speak to is your Doctor. They will carefully go through your history and the treatment methods for depression that may be suitable to you.
Lunamara
January 22nd, 2018 11:39pm
This is a personal choice, an answer for it and not for it could be found with a little research. But from my own personal history I found that researching your choices and understanding what works best for you at a pace that works best for you is the right way to go. You are the only one that can make health choices for yourself and whatever you decide it will shape your life. I also feel that mental health is a life time battle we all face in one way or another, so what may work now, could need to be revised and increased or decreased a few years from now, so whatever path you pick keeping an ear to your health and what is working and is not working is going to be the most helpful.
Anonymous
April 11th, 2017 1:37am
That question is completely between you and your doctor. For some people, therapy and a good support system are the best medicine in the world, while others need additional chemicals in their brain to feel okay again. Talk to your doctor about what you should do, but NEVER go on any kind of medicine without checking with him/her first; this is very dangerous and could be very bad for your health.
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2017 3:44pm
I have gone full circle whereby I struggled to get by to taking antidepressants and then coming off them as I felt worse on them. I feel exercise and having good support networks is much more effective that popping pills. Antidepressants should only be used as a last resort
SilvariAetherheart
October 17th, 2016 3:56am
only if you need them, and they are prescribbed by a doctor. dont go getting random stuff you dont know anything about and taking them
Anonymous
September 6th, 2016 9:39pm
If your therapist/doctor recommended that you be put on antidepressants, then yes, you definitely should.
Plink
March 1st, 2016 8:59pm
While medicine has come very far in being able to help individuals who cope with issues like anxiety, depression, and more, the only one who can really give you information on if medicine would help in your situation would be a licensed and trained professional. There are lots of different types of treatment and medicines, but you'll want to make a visit to your doctor in-person and explain how you feel/how it's affecting your life. From there, your doctor can talk about different strategies you might want to look into together. They'll be able to give you more information-- but anyone other than your doctor won't have that knowledge. I wish you the absolute best-- and remember, there's nothing bad about it if your doctor says they can help you! Seeking help and appropriate treatment is a sign of inner strength. :)
coolvibes
July 18th, 2016 9:57am
Have you considered talking about this with your Doctor? Going on medication has a lot of variables that need to be discussed and only you and a professional can arrange this in the most safest conditions. I am glad your are curious about different treatment possibilities and encourage you to communicate openly with your physician.
helpfulsam99
July 14th, 2016 5:28am
Only you and your doctor can make that decision. Antidepressants can have serious side effects and can actually make your depression worse in some cases. Be as honest as you can with your doctor so you can get the right meds.
SilentSerenityy
July 4th, 2016 2:33pm
If you've tried other avenues and they've not worked for you and you think they're the best next step, then it's up to you. Personally, they helped me but they don't always work for everyone. It wouldn't hurt to try them.
Lindsaylu
July 4th, 2016 2:23pm
Most Psychiatrists are hesitant to give a patient anti depressants, depending on age and it can also interfere with the process of overcoming depression. To explain this further I'll tell you my story, I have been to see a lot of therapists and counselors and CBT (Cognitive Behavior therapy) groups and I found that nothing was helping, so my psychiatrists and I decided to start me on an anti depressant. So I would try other things first before you go to an antidepressant because it's more of a last resort but they do help and when I started them I noticed a difference in my mood and I was more willing to do the things I needed to do to get help and now I'm on the right track and almost past my depression and anxiety. :)
LexJPT
July 4th, 2016 3:32am
That fully depends on your view on medicine, if you don't feel comfortable taking medication to affect your brain, don't. But if it's heavily recommended by doctors and friends/relatives, do really think about it.
inatcup
May 31st, 2016 7:02am
That's up to you and your doctor to decide together. Though helpful for many, antidepressant medications do have side effects to consider. Your doctor will help you decide if your symptoms outweigh the risks of going on medication.
awesomeFish53
May 9th, 2016 9:46pm
If you really feel like you should, ask your parents. It helps a lot and you can always stop if it doesn't help. You can always come to 7 cups also.
Shawnjohn7682
May 2nd, 2016 9:22pm
The question of whether antidepressants are appropriate will really have to be discussed with your pharmacist or primary care provider. There are numerous side effects and interactions that are associated with antidepressants, and some may seek non pharmacological options as well which may be equally as effective. But the common misconception is that just because one has depression or anxiety, does not necessarily means that the path is exclusively antidepressants. There are many other factors that come into play.
Anonymous
March 7th, 2016 12:01pm
If you have been told by a doctor that you should, then yes. They can be very helpful. But only if a doctor tells you it is safe.
ChrisRabin
October 22nd, 2014 11:05pm
Don't treat them as a prescription, treat them as a reminder of how to feel better, IF YOU REALLY CANNOT HELP IT!
poeticjewel95
November 4th, 2014 8:53pm
If you really feel as if you should, then do what you have to do. But, if you feel like there are other options for you, then I would say to try them first.
molarbear
November 2nd, 2014 11:08pm
I put it off for a long time, but after talking to my doctor it made sense. My parents were always strongly against them as a kid, I hated giving what I was feeling a name, but it has helped me a lot.
stephx
November 2nd, 2014 7:02pm
This is not a decision you need to make on your own. Speak to proper healthcare providers (i.e. a psychiatrist, psychologist, etc.) and get their professional opinions on whether antidepressants would be the best course of treatment. If they recommend it, take their advice, but be careful to continue meeting with them, and be very aware of how your body and mind are reacting to the medications. Antidepressants work wonders for many, but not all.
Gemma8483
November 1st, 2014 1:53pm
Antidepressants can work wonders for some people but for others they may not. You can always come off of them though if they don't work how you wanted to. There are sometimes withdrawal symptoms but they are only temporary so it is often still worth a try. It all depends on the individual, so discussing it with a doctor can help you make up your mind.
kittykat
October 30th, 2014 8:40pm
The use of medication for mental disorders is an intensely personal choice, and it all depends on your feelings and circumstances. Major depression is caused by a decreased serotonin production in the brain, which is a medical issue that can be solved with antidepressants. That's why they work! But some people prefer lifestyle changes and community support to the introduction of medication. Try talking to your doctor or a mental health professional about your unique situation to get their advice, and make the decision that feels right to you. And if you do decide to take antidepressants, be careful to monitor changes in your mood, and to stop taking them / call your doctor if you begin experiencing increased suicidal or self-destructive urges.
Fabyiiana
October 26th, 2014 1:22pm
Before you get to that point i think you should definitely see a therapist, or a doctor. You shouldn't take anything that isn't given to you by a specialist. Antidepressive are a serious thing and you should be always careful with this stuff. Talk to a doctor, explain how you feel and try to solve your problem first whitout any medication. If the doctor thinks that you need them, it will be on him to give you any kind of antidepressive medication.