Have you ever taken medication for depression/anxiety/obsessions?

[Thinkalot]

Have you ever taken medication for depression/anxiety/obsessive thinking? Has it helped? Were there side effects? How long did you need to take it?

 

If not, perhaps you know someone who has.

 

It's something I'm considering, but I am usually wary of resorting to drugs, over say, counselling, meditating, sports, herbal/natural remedies and so on. I don't think I am clinically depressed, but I suffer obsessive thinking, and have been crying/feeling down a lot because of it...I seem to be able to almost conquer it, but not quite. I'll be OK for a while, and happy and confident, then the thoughts/fears came straight back at me. My relationship is under threat because of this. My thoughts/insecurities revolve around my bf's past and his ex-wife. I have received counselling and read books which have indeed helped, but not entirely squashed the problem. I am still intending to see another psychologist.

 

I should add, that I have come through a few life/family dramas in the past year also, which I found difficult to bounce back from. And in the past, I have suffered from eating/food control issues (obsessively counting calories, exercising etc...losing weight), so I do have a tendency to fight for control in my life and worry etc. I managed to overcome that through cognitive therapy, with immense support from my partner and family.

 

Thanks in advance for the feedback.... I'm seeing a GP tomorrow, and would like to go with some information already. I have looked on the internet, but am interested in personal experiences.

[moimeme]

I don't have a tale of me, but I do have several friends who've told me at one time or another that they were on antidepressants. They didn't seem like 'zombies' to me or 'out of it' or whatever someone else posted on the subject. They were fine and they were pleased with the results of taking the meds.

[Thinkalot]

Mmmm...thanks again moimeme. My closest friend has a similar tale, but I used to think she should have looked to other alternatives, as I was of the opinion drugs are no good. I am looking with a more open mind now.

[moimeme]

We're just bags of chemicals and water, Thinkalot. Whether the ones you have in you were made in a lab or manufactured in some organ, the chemicals run the show.

[meanon]

I have not had such treatment but have a close friend who is a psychiatrist who has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which she has suffered from for many years. Earlier this year during a particularly stessful period she started drug treatment along with Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and now says she is cured. She's been on drug treatment for around 6 months and intends to stay on it for several months more before coming off. OCD responds particularly well to drug treatment combined with CBT. I was going to ask you about other obsessions when I responded to your previous post but was not sure I should. I would certainly ask for a referral to a specialist if you have a tendency to worry obsessively about things other than just the bf and if especially if the worries seem more like ruminations that you find hard to get rid of.

[Tony T]

I caution you that getting medical information from strangers on the Internet, particularly those who know little about medications, is dangerous. It is also dangerous to get information from people who are on any given medicaton because there are different medicines for different people, circumstances, etc. and side effects, if any, differ from person to person.

 

As for obsessive thinking, there is a drug that's just over ten years old in America called Anafranil. It does great for some, not so great for others. Use a good search engine to find sites that will tell you all about it. However, your doctor may know of something even better.

 

Side effects of antidepressants vary from person to person and the strength of the medication. Initial effects usually include dry mouth, constipation, some dizziness, reduced libido, etc. Most of the side effects subside with time. It is imperative that you talk to your doctor about your own individual situation and let him answer questions that will be specific to you. Not even your doctor will be able to predict exactly how you will react to any given medication or how long side effects, if any, will last.

 

Again, people can write what they want here but they do you a grave disservice by telling you their own personal experiences that you may interpret as what yours will be and that just ain't so.

 

I strongly encourage you to go on the medication your doctor prescribes. If it's not right for you once dosages are adjusted, he or she will put you on a different medication that will more specifically fill your needs. Anything you read on this forum regarding personal medication experiences will be completely irrelevant to your situation and give you expectations that may even harm your therapeutic experience.

 

These types of medications usually take about two to three weeks to achieve a proper blood level so the full effects are experienced...so don't expect major changes overnight. Discuss this with your doctor.

[moimeme]

Tony's right, of course, Thinkalot but, unless I'm wrong, you only want to hear how people felt about being on meds and whether they were happy or not so with them, am I right?

[Thinkalot]

Originally posted by moimeme

Tony's right, of course, Thinkalot but, unless I'm wrong, you only want to hear how people felt about being on meds and whether they were happy or not so with them, am I right?

 

Yes, I will talk with my doctor about my individual situation and do what suits me, whether that be meds or not, but it is a whole new area for me, and I simply wanted to hear whether others had found them helpful or not, in general.

 

Thanks though Tony, for the caution.

[tattoomytoe]

well i have been taking prozac for about 5 years. i think it has saved my life. i mean it is not like i started it one day and was better, but it helps me not obssess about myself as much. but i had had therapy and stuff too.... the side effect i gotm was i was itchy the first 2 weeks of begining it, but it passed. i was initially on 180 mg a day, that was in the depths of my sickness, now i am much healthier, mentally, physically, emotionally, and i take 40 mg. i am happy with it, my boyfriend hates that i take it, and does not support me in taking it, but i have told him that i am a real person with it, and i would love to not take it, but i think it helps me.

[Caddy]

I've been on and off for a while with antidepressant meds. After my mom died, the dr's thought it would help.

So far I'm still a little b!tch and I have my moods, who doesn't right? The dr's always want to make sure I am not overmedicated because even though I might need the meds, I am still human (according to them, lol) and I still need to experience emotions. So I hope you can get the help that you need. Paxil made me gain weight. Lexapro made me have cold sweats everywhere. Prozac made me lose weight and made me dizzy. Amitriptyline made me catatonic. Effexor Xr works the best so far.

 

Now everyone knows I am a junkie! LOL

[Thinkalot]

Thanks for the input guys.