Obesity Discussion Forums

[Erin]

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice so I thought I'd throw this out there to see if anyone has gone through this before.

I lost my dad a little over two years ago, and ever since I go through this depression spells where I have a very difficult time getting out of bed in the morning, I'll sleep for up to 15 hours a day and I will cry at the slightest thing for absolutely no reason. I could be at work, and I'll just be having a really bad day for something entirely unrelated and I will break down and start crying and won't be able to stop. Then I'll be okay for a month or two and it will happen all over again. Depression apparently runs in my family, as it is what ended my dads life (although he gave no signs beforehand) so anti-depressants have been recommended to me on several occassions, but I've kept making excuses as to why I shouldn't go on them. My brother is basically in the same boat as me, if not even more-so.


I'm looking for people who have been on anti-depressants, and information on how it helped/if it helped, how long you were/have been on them for, and what the side effects have been for you personally (not just the stuff they spout out on the box.)

Thanks guys!

[Chrisydj]

I myself have never taken any but my mother and little sister have at one time or another. My sister is actually supposed to still be on them but every time she starts feeling right she stops taking them. I know when she is on them she is a nicer person and a whole lot easier to deal with. I dont have to worry about what i say upsetting her if i use the wrong tone of voice or look at her. She is manic depressive so she is up and down with her emotions if she doesnt take the antidepressants regularly. But you can tell when she is on them. She is so much happier and so much herself. As for side affects, I dont think she had any. I think the first ones they put her on she gained a some weight, but then she might have been gaining before and i just hadnt noticed it yet. She was taking effexor (sp) and didnt have any side affects at all and it helped her alot.
Now I havent had any antidepressants but my doc put me on anti anxiety pills and well they made me worse. They put me on Xanax (sp) and it made me violent. I actually had to call my x to come pick up the kids so I didnt hurt them. If anyone talked to me I would just start screaming and yelling and cussing at them to leave me alone....and well that isnt me. So the doctor put me on Buspar (sp) and it made me paranoid. I thought everyone was out to get me. It was miserable. I finally told the doc to forget about the drugs and I would just try to work through my anxiety on my own. I still have problems going to the mall or walmart or any store during holidays because I cant stand big crowds. I start feeling very anxious and crowded and have to fight the urge to run and hide.
But anxiety is a little different than depression. Not sure any of that helped you but I hope I made sense at least lol.....

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Erin

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice so I thought I'd throw this out there to see if anyone has gone through this before.

I lost my dad a little over two years ago, and ever since I go through this depression spells where I have a very difficult time getting out of bed in the morning, I'll sleep for up to 15 hours a day and I will cry at the slightest thing for absolutely no reason. I could be at work, and I'll just be having a really bad day for something entirely unrelated and I will break down and start crying and won't be able to stop. Then I'll be okay for a month or two and it will happen all over again. Depression apparently runs in my family, as it is what ended my dads life (although he gave no signs beforehand) so anti-depressants have been recommended to me on several occassions, but I've kept making excuses as to why I shouldn't go on them. My brother is basically in the same boat as me, if not even more-so.


I'm looking for people who have been on anti-depressants, and information on how it helped/if it helped, how long you were/have been on them for, and what the side effects have been for you personally (not just the stuff they spout out on the box.)

Thanks guys!

Both my parents and all my siblings are on them. I'm the only one who isn't. It seems to have helped all of them, so why not give it a shot? Have you considered seeing a psychologist at a minimum? Sometimes that's enough for people, but they may be able to help offer other alternatives as well, but at a minimum give you someone to talk to.

[slender tobe]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Both my parents and all my siblings are on them. I'm the only one who isn't. It seems to have helped all of them, so why not give it a shot? Have you considered seeing a psychologist at a minimum? Sometimes that's enough for people, but they may be able to help offer other alternatives as well, but at a minimum give you someone to talk to.

I totally agree about the psychologist. Pills can cure the symptoms in the best case whereas a therapist can guide you make deeper and more solid changes. Choosing the right one is important however. Work with only someone you really trust in your gut. Don't expect immediate improvement but if it's also taking too long you should reconsider.

[Erin]

I've seen several psychologists over the past couple of years. They're the ones that have been recommending antidepressants. They can't tell me anything I don't already know about myself, as I'm in school to be a clinical psychologist. I know all the tricks of the trade, and in this case it works against be when it comes to getting help from someone else.

The randomly crying I can deal with... that's not why I've finally decided to concider drugs. It's more because I woke up one morning and realized that I couldn't remember when the last time was that I had a good laugh. I also couldn't remember when I last had a good time out with friends. I more or less don't feel anything anymore. I never have fun, but at the same time I don't have a bad time either. I just sort of feel numb all the time.

[slender tobe]

The only thing that I can say is that life is not only for young or lean or joyful or healthy people. Yours or mine or anyone else's that's not perfect has the exact same value. So take the best care of yourself.

[slender tobe]

correction "not perfect" inside "..."

[missbeverlyhlls]

it "controlls" you,so your like a robot.and loads of side effects

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Erin

I've seen several psychologists over the past couple of years. They're the ones that have been recommending antidepressants. They can't tell me anything I don't already know about myself, as I'm in school to be a clinical psychologist. I know all the tricks of the trade, and in this case it works against be when it comes to getting help from someone else.

The randomly crying I can deal with... that's not why I've finally decided to concider drugs. It's more because I woke up one morning and realized that I couldn't remember when the last time was that I had a good laugh. I also couldn't remember when I last had a good time out with friends. I more or less don't feel anything anymore. I never have fun, but at the same time I don't have a bad time either. I just sort of feel numb all the time.

Well if talking to them doesn't work then maybe it couldn't hurt to try anti-depressants? At this stage what do you have to lose?

[hollandoforange]

ive had them and hated them except maybe prozac

i take some st johns wort

i have some nurontin for phn -is nurontin an antideprezsant

[Linda]

Hi, I've been on anti-dep's for about 10 yrs. I was in the same situation as you. I was crying a lot, didn't know why and went to 3 different therapists that told me to take anti-dep's. I was resistant, but after the 3rd therapist decided to try it, because my quality of life was not very good.
It took a few weeks for them to kick in, but when they did, I couldn't believe how 'normal' I felt. I thought 'wow, this is how normal people feel!'. I was ecstatic for a little bit because I wasn't miserable anymore, but then that evened out and I felt normal.
I've gone off them a couple of times and lowered my dose on my own. I'm on a very low dose right now, because it's the summer, but I tend to get depressed in the winter and will increase them again.
My recommendation is.. if you've tried therapy and it's not working, give the med's a try. Just take it slow and give them some time. My sister has been on them for over 10 yrs and her comment is 'if these med's take 5 yrs off my life, I don't care, because my quality of life is so much better on them, then off'.

[Mama of 5!]

100% for antidepressants!

They have helped me tremendously. I started taking Prozac 4 years ago. I was sad all the time, didn't want to do anything or leave the house, always crying and irritable, worrying about EVERYTHING, dreaded getting out of bed everyday, weight gain and always tired.
I started to feel different about 2 weeks after I started taking it. It was like night and day. All those things I felt, didn't feel anymore or not as much. I felt serene and calm. SSRI's (the class of drugs that prozac is in) do have side effects.....sleepy, weight gain, and loss of sex drive.
I stopped taking it when I got pregnant with my 5th baby, but started again after she was born. Since then (18mo ago), I haven't felt like it was helping as much so I asked to be switched. Will start taking Wellbutrin, which I have heard is a stimulant (which I need cause all I want to do is nap all day), and cuts your appetite and increases your sex drive.....all of which I could use.

Hope that helps somewhat......best of luck!

[meoops]

Well, they make me feel better, more in control of my feeling but I have gained about 50 pounds since I started taking them.

[hollandoforange]

i liked prozac at times
where you are do doctors give what you want?some take a few a few days a week i think,when they like it

where i live a doctor was saying ill take a high dose or get nothing- i think he is insane

[carinna]

For.
But not forever. Take them to get you back up on your feet. Then walk the rest of the way on your own power. It's much more satisfying.

[Twinkle]

I think they can definitely give you a helping hand, but you then have to address the issues that are making you feel that way too. I hope you are feeling better xxx

[LadySaidy]

I am currently on ADs. They have helped me tremendously in the last few years. I was majorly depressed and suicidal. I finally went to a psychiatrist. He's been helping me come to terms with what is causing me to get as low as I do. I'm getting much better.

It can help you immensely get back to something approaching normal so you can work out the cause of the depression.

Good luck.