well i have depression, adhd, and i have a strong feeling that i have social anxiety as well. currently i am taking strattera but not anti-depressants. what i am wondering is are ssri's really worth it with all the possible side effects? i am slightly freaked out by the whole list of side effects.
* nausea
* drowsiness or somnolence
* headache
* clenching of teeth
* extremely vivid and strange dreams
* dizziness
* changes in appetite
* weight loss/gain (measured by a change in bodyweight of 7 pounds)
* may result in a double risk of bone fractures and injuries
* changes in sexual behaviour (see the next section)
* increased feelings of depression and anxiety (which may sometimes provoke panic attacks)
* tremors
* autonomic dysfunction including orthostatic hypotension, increased or reduced sweating
* akathisia
* liver or renal impairment
* suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide)
what are your experiences with ssri's and what are your feelings on them? i dont want to get on large amounts of medications just to fix the side effects of other medications.im kind of freaked out by the concept of the issues with erectile dysfunction and anorgasm seeing as that i have QUITE a few years ahead of me. i want to help my depression and social anxiety but i don't want to make my situation worse. what are your opinions on these things? While I am neither a pharmacist, nor Dr, I am a patient who takes an SSRI, have taken it successfully for years. Your body is yours and will act and react in your own way. All I can do is to go through this list and make note of my own experience with my medication.
Nausea -- only in the first week
drowsiness -- I need a nap (not sure if its the drug or my body)
change in appetite -- some desire to eat (before no interest)
weight loss/gain -- some gain, but weight stays stable
Change in sexual behavior -- less desire
(decrease in anxiety, depression, and anxiety attacks)
(thoughts of suicide stopped when taking drug)
My opinion -- If it were not for the SSRI I'm taking, I would not be alive today. My depression is completely under control, and my health is predictable. My outlook and hope in life are great. I am able to participate in relationship with friends and family. My creativity has returned. Several people have come up to me and said "I can see a difference in you - you're not disabled any more"
My Dr has told me that the larger portion of people taking anti-depressants only do so for a short period of time (less than a year or 2). Only some of us have had permanent changes in brain function/chemistry requiring a lifetime of dependence on medication to replace what our body does not make any more, in order to function, participating in life somewhere near a normal level.
So, just because you have the need for an antidepressant now, does not mean you will still need it years from now.
Your Dr's goal for you should be to use medication sparingly.
In the areas where you are not able to function - to address those with the least medication possible to gain the largest of effect toward returning you to a normal level of functioning.
Do not discount the use of Counseling / Therapy. Use of medication is often used to contain symptoms while in therapy as you learn new ways to handle your life that will minimize or eliminate your symptoms -- ending your need for the medication.
There is hope in the future. Get your depression under control first - then work on other areas - you'll find your overall health will improve. Go to therapy and it is more of a permanent change in a positive direction. Please remember all the side effects and things that you have concerns about regarding SSRI's are not a common occurrence in everyone.
The drug manufacturers are required by law to list ANYTHING reported during clinical trials. This could range from something like a blood clot to a bout of hiccups! I am not trying to say that these side effects do not occur in people, but take it with a pinch of salt as not everything listed will happen to everyone in the population. If that was the case the drugs would never make it into mainstream human consumption.
I do not think you will be making your situation worse. Remember the SSRI's balance out the neurotransmitters in your brain. The feeling of depression is basically an imbalance of the neurotransmitters.
When you start any SSRI or medication you will experience the side effects first and then see the therapeutic effects later.
SSRI's require about 4 to 6 weeks minimum to see any therapeutic effect. You need to give your body time to start adjustment once on the medicine.
Will you experience any side effects? You may. But, if it was me, I would prefer to balance out the neurotransmitters in my brain before I worry about other things going wrong.
The side effects will not be life long, they will eventually even out once your body has adjusted to the medication. And as soon as you stop taking the medication (therapy on SSRI's is recommended for about 1 year on average). The side effects if any that are persistent will go away. They will not be permanent.
I hope this helped a little. Take care and I hope you feel better. Give yourself time and patience! |
