Anti Depressants - where to start?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been experiencing waves of depression for about a solid year now. There are highs and lows, mainly I have absolutely zero desire to engage in daily tasks.

I function as a mother, attend work, eat healthy and attend the gym. However, I cannot shake the sadness.

FWIW, I’ve managed this through many outlets. And I think it’s time I look into alternatives.

I’m afraid of any adverse reactions, I’m scared not to be the person I am capable of being when I’m “normal”.

Any insights or recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Start with your PCP. As someone who has been on an SSRI for 20 years, my experience has been life changing. I can’t believe I suffered so much before. I’m glad to live in a time when we have effective medications for this. No real side effects, they’re just part of my normal life now.

[Anonymous]

Make yourself busier. These are first world problems. In third world nations, no one is anxious, depressed, etc. They are busy just trying to survive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make yourself busier. These are first world problems. In third world nations, no one is anxious, depressed, etc. They are busy just trying to survive.

This is absolutely horrible advice and completely wrong.

[Anonymous]

Talk to your doctor. PCP may want to start you on something (SSRI, SNRI, Wellbutrin, etc), or may want you to see a psychiatrist. Whatever you do, don't put it off. Some antidepressants take a long time to kick in, and if the pcp wants to refer you out, finding a psych without a long waitlist can be challenging. In the meantime you could see out therapy; outcomes for depression are best with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Take this seriously, and get seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make yourself busier. These are first world problems. In third world nations, no one is anxious, depressed, etc. They are busy just trying to survive.

You are so ignorant. I come from a third-world nation and plenty of people are depressed and anxious. They just turn to alcohol and drugs.

[Anonymous]

Start with your PCP. They will probably prescribe a low does of anti depressant. But you should also find a psychiatrist if you can. They are much better versed in the types of drugs that might help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make yourself busier. These are first world problems. In third world nations, no one is anxious, depressed, etc. They are busy just trying to survive.

This.

The big pharma shills will be along quickly to tell you to destroy your brain with SSRI/NSRI/anti-anxiety drugs though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make yourself busier. These are first world problems. In third world nations, no one is anxious, depressed, etc. They are busy just trying to survive.

You are so ignorant. I come from a third-world nation and plenty of people are depressed and anxious. They just turn to alcohol and drugs.

"Medications" are drugs. Same as street drugs, but with a larger price tag due to all the government involvement.

[Anonymous]

I'm following this, too, and would like to know what works for people. I was on Zoloft for a while, but it just made me numb. I wasn't depressed anymore, but I also didn't care about anything.

[Anonymous]

This sounds more like dysthymia and research shows meds are not always overly effective for persistant mild depression. Are you exercising regularly? Regular exercise can have a similar effect on neurotransmitters and be as effective for mild depression as medication.

Definitely worth a conversation with your PCP to see what they think might be most useful for you.

Antidepressants only help to manage symptoms and they don't work for everyone - going to therapy to also discuss what potential psychosocial factors or cognitive emotional factors might also be contributing can also be helpful.

[Anonymous]

I take lowish doses of both Lexapro and Wellbutrin daily. I no longer have any depressive symptoms at all—it’s like I can’t believe I was ever depressed. In terms of anxiety, it takes the edge off, but I find if I medicate myself to the point of being anxiety-free I also lose my motivation. I have come to accept slight anxiousness as a good thing for me.

[Anonymous]

Not sure about this, so check with your PCP but I think there is a DNA test they can do now to narrow down the number of trials you’d have to do with different types of medications. Check with your PCP and hoping things will improve for you soon, OP.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP re keeping busy. OP, do you drink alcohol? Depression can rear its ugly head a couple of days after you drink.

Some alternatives:
Yoga
Light therapy
New pet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been experiencing waves of depression for about a solid year now. There are highs and lows, mainly I have absolutely zero desire to engage in daily tasks.

I function as a mother, attend work, eat healthy and attend the gym. However, I cannot shake the sadness.

FWIW, I’ve managed this through many outlets. And I think it’s time I look into alternatives.

I’m afraid of any adverse reactions, I’m scared not to be the person I am capable of being when I’m “normal”.

Any insights or recommendations?

How old are you?