> So I've been diagnosed with chronic depression, and am
> thinking of going on a treatment of antidepressants for it.
> Any comments about them from people who've used them or just
> generally have knowledge or advice to give?
My suggestion.....don't unless you REALLY have to. It also depends on the type you get prescribed. From my experience, it doesn't really make you "happy," it just makes you not care. Instead of worring about everything, and being suicidal....it made me just not care about anything....and just pretty much made me too tired to think about any of that shit. Of course, drowsiness was a side effect, but it literally drained me for the whole day. My inial problem was that I couldn't sleep....I'd get maybe 4 hrs of sleep (along with other indicators) so they prescribed Trazadone. It was an older drug (not "new" like Prozac) that would induce sleep. Yes, it put me to sleep, but it wasn't restful...that and I could never get up in the morning....or for the rest of the day for that matter.
It got rid of the "bad thoughts" but at what price? I became a slug and did nothing outside what I needed to do, and was tired 24/7. I ended up gaining over 50lbs from the time I started taking them to the time I stopped...and that ain't fun (weight gain is also a side effect of antidepressents....as well as reduced libido...so yeah...use with caution) I eventually just stopped taking them b/c I was sick of being tired all the time, and being so lethargic and apathetic. Am I better off now? Eh, tought to say....but I did learn from it. I learned with ways to deal with the depression outside the meds. Do I still exhibit signs of "clinical depression?" Yes....but I try not to let them get to me...but it doesn't always work.
Basically, what I'm trying to convey is that, they may not be as nessary as you think. There are a myriad of different ways to deal with depression outside medication. I'd say give them a go...and a real try, not half assed, and see how that fairs. If it doesn't help (or it is SEVERE depression) then I'd say go ahead with the meds. But remember, they aren't a miracle pill that will make everything all happy....they take time to work, and they don't always work was well as they do for others. Also, you're looking at a MINIMUM of a year's worth of a prescription. I did a year and a half and got fed up with it and stopped. Its a tough thing to deal with, I'm not going to lie to you....there's nothing more depressing than being told you're clynically depressed. My best advice is, don't deny or try to avoid it...accept the fact that you have this disease, and take a proactive stance against it, and take preventative measures starting with today. Some things may seem ridiculous when you read them (like aroma therapy....but hey, dont knock it before you try it....Rose scent worked well for me), but try them anyway.
I hope I haven't depressed you more with this, but remember....never give up....even if you can't possibly see the reasoning behind the need to keep going. I never quit on anything, and I wasn't about to quit on life...even though I wanted to. That's my ending piece of advice....never give up. I hope some of this helped....if you need to talk about anything else, or want more info...please feel free to PM me.
Best wishes.
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