re: How do you feel about antidepressants?

(no message)

This.

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I never really found they did anything for me. I found changing my overall lifestyle is what really helped. Exercise more, eat healthier, cut back on drinking and weed (this was the real big one). Once I did that I noticed my bad anxiety was practically gone. Felt better mentally and physically and found I didn’t need to take pills to help me.

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I think often they just make people kind of numb. Which is better than miserable, and better than self-medicating, but I don't know that I'd call it happy.

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I took a very low dose of zoloft for a couple months, because I was dealing with some bad PTSD. It had me bouncing off walls and exuberant. I was hyper-excited. When you think of the hollywood version of someone on cocaine - that was me.

I got off of it after and returned to a normal state of mind, so I guess there's some value there.

I took Zoloft for a little while when I was going through a divorce. I think it helped with anxiety and depression. But once I started dating again I realized that sex made me much happier than antidepressants so I stopped taking it

I like that I don’t sweat when using and they smell good.

I voluntarily took meds for a bit, they did not work and made me feel terrible.

So, Dad decided to force me into a "hospital." I go in and I refuse to take medicine. So, they go into "we're going to make you take it" mode. I had some weapons (not physical weapons) of my own and I got out.

My health is good. My finances are well maintained as are my living spaces. I am not a criminal and I don't use drugs (and drink in a very moderate manner).

Basically, my skepticism of technology, my dislike of cell phones (which I use very sparingly), and my wariness work against me, but should NOT.

Thankfully, dad has no control over my life so he can go to hell.

Several studies I've read, and personal anecdotal experience, indicate people who exercise regularly and have an active hobby are less likely to need anti-depressants. The same studies show people who are on anti-depressants and start exercising regularly and develop an active hobby successfully stop taking them.

The reasons are not fully understood. The opinions are varied but the results are definitive.

I started taking meds about 20 years ago, and it helped tremendously. It's not a magic "happy pill", but it does keep me from over-obsessing over things, whether it be good or bad. For example, suppose you go bowling with friends one night, and you really enjoyed it and thought, let's do this again sometime. A normal reaction is - yeah, that was fun, in a few weeks or months maybe we do this again. Who knows, we might like it enough to make it a recurring thing, we'll see. An obsessive reaction is - Let's join a league, I'm going to buy a bowling ball and shoes, let's start checking out what shirts we want, etc. There are synapses in the brain that trigger these thoughts to the point of obsession. Anti-depressants can regulate these synapses so you don't cycle between the extremes. Talk to your doctor, and also get a second opinion. If your condition is medical, the pills could help, or some other form of treatment may be necessary. If not medical, then a therapist can help you understand what it is eating you, and how to process those thoughts and deal with it with an honest, healthy, productive approach.

they have their purpose, but they don't fix anything. IMO they more or less just cover up an underlying issue. I think if used properly they can get you through a tough spot, to where you can tackle the underlying issue. As with anything, prolonged and excessive use is not good.

Coupled with counseling, it has helped me get over my mom's death to cancer when I was 16 and my own cancer trials PTSD from my early 20s.

I didn't realize how shut off I was living from the world until I got things fixed. Now I'm enjoying my life and family more than ever.