Do antidepressants "artificially" lift your mood? Im on antidepressants for 4th day now and I cant cry anym..
538985
Antidepressants or SSRI are serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. They help to level the serotonin in your brain for depression,anxiety and/or panic attacks.\n\nIt is highly unusual that you would react so quickly to this medication. It usually takes 3-6 weeks to get the full benefit from these meds.\n\nIf you are on the lowest dosage prescribed by your doctor,I would suggest contacting him/her to let them know how quickly you reacted to the dosage and the med. You could have a very sensitive system to medication or you were misdiagnosed.
516261
I'm taking Lamictal 200mg and it seems like it has stabilized my mood to some degree, i still get moody but not as bad.
571857
Yes. Years ago I was sooo suicidal; I tried many antidepressants; but they didn't help enough. I ASKED for ECT and after 7years I am still alive and, and the quality of life is much better. It sucked at the time cuz I woke up with a headache and didn't know where I was. It screws with short term memory, yet it gets better over time as does the depression-if you are taking an antidepressant
518557
The advice of exercising and eating healthily is very good.  However if you are depressed then you should see a doctor.  Why are you hesitant to do so?  It is a medical condition, like a broken arm, only not so visible.  There is no shame in it.  However, if you go out and about with friends, take up a new interest and go walking especially in the sunlight if possible, these things will all raise your mood.  Listening to up-beat music helps as well.  If you go for a 30 minute walk every day, it is impossible to become clinically depressed, because the levels of serotonin in the brain will not dip to that level.  I hope you feel better soon.  Remember that family and friends will want to help you to feel better, don't think that you will be burdening them by talking to them about whatever is troubling you.  They will be only too happy to help you because they care about you.
29727
Is this a normal reaction for you? If so, it could be one of the signs of depression (crying easily, mood swings, etc), and you should talk to your doctor and tell him how you feel. He might be able to prescribe you medication.\n\nIf it's not normal for you, it could be just female mood swings or PMS, or it could be related to other stress in your life. Do you have a lot going on right now? If so, try talking to someone older who you trust, maybe a school counselor or somebody from your church/job, etc.
731612
perhaps admitting you have a problem and calling your doctor. Sometimes you cant help but feel depressed and have anxiaty (?) It may be a chemical imbalace. Might not have anything to do with you directly.
281864
I have some medical background and am a nursing student right now. I don't think that antidepressants change your personality, or restore it.  They mask it. They change the chemical effects of your brain, and try to suppress what ever chemicals that are being overproduced, that are affecting your mood. Some antidepressants are so strong, they make people appear intoxicated. I think that is very sad. I think they are horribly over perscribed.  Many people truly need them, most people don't. You can't solve your life problems with a daily pill. Face what is bothering you, and make the changes you need to to better you life, your decisions, your family, and your health. Society is so over medicated as it is.  (I think short term antidepressants are a good idea, but not long term).
237549
If your change of mood is a reaction to external factors (harsh words, nasty behavior)-it is not "bi-polar", I think you are just "thin-skinned" and sensitive. It is difficult to be like that. I am like that, and I am a woman. As I understand, you are a guy, and it is even more difficult. You may try to cope with is yourself - for example, saying to youself after you hear something unpleasant:"It's only an opinion", or "Poor girl/guy, he's really unhappy if he behaves like that".  Do not take antidepressants - only in dire straits.It may seem easy - you take a pill, and life is beautiful and nice again. First - they do not make you happy. And mood swings can persist. And then - antidepressants slow you down, ruin your muscles tonus etc. Only in case of real neurosis and/or  depression you can take them, and never without a good doctor's advice. Try do fight your mood swings yourself. It requires  some kind of moral discipline, but it is possible. The moment you are unhappy -try to think about something good and beautiful, some good experience, for example. If you can think of nothing good -it may happen -try to stop thinking at all. Blank your mind for a while. Make efforts in order not to ruminate negative thoughts and bad things. If you can not make it on your own - go to a psychologist, a good one, again. But remember - no doctor can help you if you do not make your own efforts. It's about YOUR LIFE
314110
I take anti depressants.  I know a lot of people do too.  You still have emotions but, there not as bad and it is a lot easier to cope.  Just listen to your doctor.  You'll be able to handle stress and depression mush better.  Just don't suddenly stop taking the since, the side effects are terrible.
767542
I hated Lexapro, just made me feel sick. Why cant these meds work, instead of me feeling sick all of the time? I was soo tired.
393340
Yes! I had to call my Doctor and ask to be put on something else! I could not sleep and was crying about everything! Once I was off that stuff I was just fine! It's good that you are listening to your body because this medicine might be doing\nyou more harm then good even if it's just a few days.
1079751
Well first of all, it takes awhile for the meds to kick in sometimes as long as 6-8 wks, I believe ppl want or think that they should be able to see results right away, and when they don't see the results they quit.  My sister has been on several times and only takes them for a bit and then quits - perhaps ppl are scared to be on antidepressants because there is a stigma that they will be labelled as "Crazy".  Which of course is sooooo untrue.  I myself have been on antidepressants for almost 4 year for anxiety and it really helps!!!  And I used to be one of those ppl that said, I will never take fake crap like that to make me feel better......well I guess I looked at the pro's and con's of them and decided that it would be of benefit to me - I am so glad I started, because the panic attacks that I was having were AWEFUL, and were getting worse each time!!!  So for all of you that are debating whether to take these or not - all you can do is try!!  What works for me may not work for you.  Keep in mind it takes awhile for the meds to kick in.
535875
SSRIs such as Prozac balance out the serontin level in your brain. For a person with (genetic) depression, the chemicals in the brain are inbalanced so as to cause feelings of depression. Antidepressents regulate these chemicals to as to levels that allow a person to cope and function without depression. \n Some people may only have to go on antidepressents for a short time; however, others stay on antidepressents for their whole life so as to regulate the chemicals in their brain to prevent the depression from coming back.\n So, the depression might come back or it might not. Either way, see a therapist during this time. If it comes back, you'll need to get back on meds right away; if it doesn't, you might still need to see a psychotherapist for a little while.
844011
No way. Crying is a natural process. Stop watching all those commercials that tell you you need to be medicated. You're fine.
812567
You are clinically depressed.  I have been there. While everyone feels down once in a while, and most people feel REALLY down for short periods, you are really down for what sounds like a week or so.  If it continues for another couple of weeks, get professional help.  Even if you are not depressive in general, you are clearly experiencing an episode of depression.  Left untreated, if it continues for many months, it can permanently alter your brain chemistry and TURN you into a depressive person.  This is where drugs can help especially; break a non-depressive person out of the cycle before it becomes permanent and then go off of them. \n\n\n\nIt doesn't have to make sense, it simply IS.  People who just say "cheer up" have not experience what this is like.  To a certain extent people can control moods, but true depression cannot be controlled (though you can control yuor environment so that the odds of getting into an episode are smaller.)\n\nCheck out this first link, then take the short little quiz at the second link,  and then get help if it suggests you should.  I think it will.\n\nhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm#intro\nhttp://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html
283425
I have tried alot of the anti-depressant medicines, and all had bad side effects. My seritonin levels are already high, so I learned that positive thinking in everyday and every situation was my cure. Helping other people with their problems is also very uplifting. Physically tell yourself everyday that you are somebody. We all go through depression at some point in our life, just remember that you can handle anything, and most importantly that life always goes on. Tommorrow will be a better day, and the day after that one even better. Best of luck to you and your health.I find this website very uplifting everyday, hope it works for U as well.
1145280
Consult with your prescribing doctor on this feeling that you are having.  Like all anti-depressants, it should be lowered slowly for your body to adjust to not using it.