It seems like a lot of people on this site are on, or have taken anti-depressants. Not long ago someone suggested that I try them for awhile just until things in my life get a little more under control because I have a bit of an anxiety disorder. The only thing is, I'm kind of concerned that I won't feel like myself anymore. I'm afraid that I'll always feel sort of...well grey as opposed to extremes of anything else. What have all of your experiences been with these drugs?

Okay...well I have ranted in numerous places here, but let me just try to consolodate things...

Anti-depressants are HIGHLY addictive. Once you start them you cannot just stop. You need to slowly wean off of them (even if you're having allergic reations). And even then, sometimes 'symptoms' can come back, but worse. If you make the choice to take antidepressants, KNOW that it MAY be a life long choice.

See, there are a few things at play here....More and more people in the medical field are saying that depression et al is a generic disturbance...if that is the case then medicating it makes sense. But that being the case, taking antidepressants for the various 'problems' in life IS NOT a solution. If you do not have biological depression, then antidepressants are really nothing more than a placebo..or they are medicating something that is working fine!

On the other hand...lets say that depression is NOT biological...then there is NO REASON to take drugs for it!

LIFE STYLE. LIFE STYLE. That is the KEY to mastering any if all depression.

I'm with Manu. That stuff is . . . man, don't even get me started.

In my honest opinion, my mother and my girlfriend are the ONLY women I know NOT on Prozac or whatever. It's freaking insane.

I can not and do not and will not believe that everyone in the damn country is depressed. Nope . . . no way.

I tend to agree. The whole idea gives me the heebie geebies! I don't think I'm going to do it. Although I have to say that I've known people who have really been helped by these drugs -- my dad and my room mate for instance. Still, I don't like the thought of becoming dependant on something to keep me normalized.

Let me toss in a personal story...

I was feeling pretyt down a while back...lack of motivation, sleeping lots, not eating as much. Being antisocial...really typical signs of 'depression.'

I decide to call up my HMO and go see a doctor. So I chat with the 'intake specialist' and he says I should see the srhink.

I talk with the shrink for 30-40 minutes...and he decides I am clinically depressed, perscribes me wellbutrin and sends me on my way. Oh, he also said I should see him 3-4 times a month for 'as long as it takes.' I do not discount his belief in my depression. I KNOW I was depressed. But even when I ASKED about alternate therapy...I wasn't given any sort of advice.

I even went as far to pickup the meds...(only 5 bucks with copay) and then realized...I already was starting to get better. I realized I had an issue, and I knew I wanted to fix it.

Bingo. I just spent the next few weeks 'soul searching.' I looked at what I was doing in life, school, friends, work, relationships, and adjustted accordingly. I am not saying that works for everyone, but there are some clear defined stpes ya need to take BEFORE taking any medications...

1. Exercise
2. Eat Healthy
3. Lessen Alcohol intake
4. Stop smoking
5. Reduce Stress

If you feel unable to handle those...then sure talking to a therapist could definatey help...but you NEED to take those steps....

I'm totally in agreement with Manu about this.
When Prozac first came out, people thought this was a sudden magic cure for clinical depression. And it is excellent with the right person.
However, in the UK it now has a terrible reputation because doctors were dishing it out left, right and centre to people who were grieving, suffering from post-natal depression, or who were genuinely abit "down" about life.

These are all wrong reasons for taking anti-depressants. My advice is don't take them unless all other options fail and you don't learn to cope with your moods. Many manic depressants don't take meds at all, they learn how to deal with their mood swings and what helps them.
The suggestions which Manu made are good ones.
When I worked on a psychiatric ward, all the people were on a daily exercise program to try to combat their depression. It was quite successful.

Good luck anyway.

Weel, I'd have to say it depends. From what you're saying about your situation, I'd try other alternatives first. People tend to think of anti-depresants as a miracle cure. Iused to think they were all BS. I was in therapy for years and half-heartedly tried difeerent meds. with no positive results. For awhile I refused to take meds or even discuss them as a n option. I was basically told that I had to take meds to continue receiving my educational benefits, so I tried again. I found a medication that actually works and its amazing the difference. If it comes to the point that you need meds you shouldn't worry about not feeling like yourself.I had this concern too. Just imagine yourself on a good day now. Yes you can still feel overwhelming joy and sadness. The difference is when you hit an extreme you don't get stuck there. Manu is not 100% correct on antidepressants being addictive. Some are, but all the ones I was on I came off of with no problems. I would definitely pursue other options first. Unfortunately, most Dr.'s think that is the first option.

The problem is when doctors hand it out like candy, and people take it because they are a little stress or moody.

My brother had a serious problem, with medical depression. He has been on medication, and except for a few times between switching medications, he has been normal.

I am tired of hearing about druged-out mindless kids. Its not like he sits on the couch drooling and on a mind trip. Before he was taking medication, he couldn't control his moods. But now its like nothing is wrong.

People should take caution to just taking it for little reason. But there are those who really do benifit from it.