Do antidepressants really help?

[Sadie31]

Feel down and not much motivation. Get nervous in some social situations. Was wondering would antidepressant help? Just want to feel happy again and enjoy life.

[smallwolf]

Hi Sadie,

Welcome to beyond blue.

You probably know that ADs require a prescription, and therefore a chat with your GP. But this does not mean that you should or should not talk to them about what you are going through. You mentioned feeling down, lack of motivation as well in your post which could be depression related (or not).

There a one thing about ADs to be aware of. Finding the right medication can be a bit is trial and error. I am onto my 3rd medication which is working better than the other ones I was on. You may be side-effects from the medications, or you might feel they are not working. This was the case for me.

You can find more information here...

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/treatments-for-depression/medical-treatments-for-depression

If you have any questions or want to share more of your story, please come back and post some more. This is a caring and supportive community and you would be most welcome here.

Peace and blessings,

Tim

[JessF]

Hello Sadie31, that's quite a big question and smallwolf has given you some information on that side of things. One thing I can add, they are not a magic solution for fixing mood, motivation and nervousness, or indeed happiness (even though they sometimes get referred to jokingly as happy pills). I am wondering whether you might be able to post back and tell us what you have been trying already to try and improve your mood, motivation and anxiety in social situations. I am guessing you may have tried a number of things already that haven't been successful.

[Sadie31]

Hi Tim. Thanks for that. Yeh I know I suppose my next step is to go see a doctor and have a chat with them. Just wanted to hear some peoples thoughts on how the medication helped or didnt help. Thanks again

[Sadie31]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Yeh I've been feeling this way for years probably like on and off. So I've tried living normal life working socializing exercise etc but sometimes just gets on top of me like at the moment I have no motivation to work feel myself dreading having to get up sometimes. I've always thought about seeing a doctor regarding this and always put it off. Sometimes I'm ok but never really feel my happy self anymore. Certain part of it seems to be gone. Have trouble remembering things too. Just wanted to hear peoples thoughts on AD meds if the doctor does put me on it. I know talking is great therapy. But I think sometimes talking isnt always enough. I cant fully control how i feel like if i feel sad its not that easy to just snap out of it like it would be for other people. I dont know. I know it's not a miracle pill but just wanted to hear peoples thoughts that have taking AD. Thanks for your reply.

[Guest_7403]

It really depends on whether your depression is from a chemical imbalance or if it's the way you process thoughts as too whether they'll help

[JessF]

Hello Sadie31, theborderline makes a good point. If you read through the posts here you will find the whole range of experiences of people on medication, some bad, some good, some better, some worse. Ultimately it is a decision you will make yourself in conjunction with your doctor after a full assessment of your current state. There is a depression and anxiety test somewhere on this website that you can use to give you an idea of where you are at, it is the same test that doctors use to assess your levels of depression and anxiety.

In my experience, medication alone does not make all the difference, it requires 'rehab' of the mind and body and working on changing your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Seeing a psychologist can help because it means you sit down with an objective person and do an assessment of your life, to work out what exactly is going on and what might be contributing to your lack of motivation, your low mood and your anxiousness.

For example, you say you are nervous in 'some' social situations. Which ones? Which ones are you not nervous in? What is the difference between those scenarios? You may find by talking some of these things through and doing a bit of detective work (more than just talking) that you uncover some answers, and this thread might be a good place for you to do that.

[Tashh]

Hi there, This is my first time on forums so hi. I am sorry you feel that way it is an awful feeling. I was diagnosed with depression in 2015 and spoke to my GP and she recommended a psychiatrist who then put me on AD. They definitely helped me out, I was on them for 9 months. They helped me level out my mind definitely. But I do agree with others here saying that working on yourself mind and body really helped me. The AD helped me get started but then it has been up to me. I do think talking to my GP about my mood was the best decision I ever made!

[Sadie31]

Hi Tash. Thank you for your response. That's what I would be hoping for too. I'm trying to work on myself mind and body by making little positive changes and it does help. How did you feel after the 9 months when you came off the AD? Thanks for sharing your story.

[geoff]

Hello Sadie, is it Ok if I butt in, although what has been said has been very good so I don't need to say much?

If you take someone who has just taking antidepressants (AD) these aren't meant to balance your mind, full you out of the black hole, but they won't fix your depression until you start talking with people, especially a psych.

You need to discuss the trigger points that spark a reaction leading you down into the hole, ways to avoid them or at least cope with them because they are invariably going to happen again, so you need to build up your strength.

The AD may not suit you, due to the side-effects, so your GP will change them, and you may have to try 3,4,5,6 or so different types before 'the one' is found.

After saying all of this, it's possible that your depression has a lot of fog to go through before you start to feel better, much you have to talk about, and yes, one day you may feel great, but the next day not so good, please don't worry, that's how depression works.

I hope I haven't confused you.

Geoff.