Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Do you use antidepressants or things of the like?

My GP put me on Lexapro (aka Cipralex for non Americans) and I'm not sure about it.

I don't think I'm down for artificial happiness. Plus once you start any medication, you can't just stop taking it. I'd much rather smoke some Mary Jane, but it's not legal in my state.

I guess I don't want to get used to the medicine, because it's not real (as in naturally occurring in my brain.) I don't want to be one of those people curled up in a ball shouting, "I need it!" Like a crackhead.

She put me on it because therapy alone wasn't really working. I'm feeling better but, my depression and anxiety numbers were still high. There's also the issue of mania. What if I become manic and don't realize it? I've dealt with anxiety since I was about three, and depression since I was seven, so I don't know life outside of this. I think I'll end up taking it (since I've already paid for it) but I'm weary of it.

Thoughts?

What's your experience (any medication not just this one)? Or no medicine at all.
I hate being medicated.
Keep that in mind.

Take your meds.
It wont make you happy. What it will do is even you out so you can think clearly and make some healthy decisions. It may not need to be a forever thing. But give yourself a fighting chance to get through what you are going through.
3venus · F
👍🏾
PeanutsauntieP1982 · 41-45, F
I am bi polar, and while maryjane is my best gal, I admit I need my bipolar meds. She helps me mellow, they keep me from having so many ups and downs. I feel more like me on my meds. My meds are a combination of mood stabilizers and an antidepressant. It works well for me in combo with my Mary Jane.
3venus · F
😂 "best gal."
SW-User
I have bipolar disorder, and antidepressants gave me mania that ruined my social life, cost me a lot of money and eventually made me increasingly psychotic to the point where I was seeing into different universes and finding a dead deer carcass that I thought was Buddha. No. Fucking. Kidding. Make sure you don't have bipolar! It was some time before I became aware that something was badly wrong, and it took me months of agonizing tapering to get off it.

Instead of an antidepressant, I take a mood stabilizer that actually works very well for my depression. It's nice to not feel horrible all the time.

The decision is ultimately up to you. They're not "happy pills" like people think, they're more "feel less like shit" pills. They can make you feel weird in all kinds of new ways but they do help a lot of people.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
fairone · F
The medication will not make u "happy", it will just make u more likely to be able to handle "life" situations, without that extreme depression or anxiety.. Antidepressants work, give it a try..
3venus · F
It's the unknown that worries me, but I'll never know unless I try.
fairone · F
Try it.. ur body is not going to get "hooked" on an antidepressant after a few months.. If it doesn't work u may need to try another.. but hopefully u will be feeling better very soon.. :)
3venus · F
@fairone: Thanks. ☺️
Pretzel · 61-69, M
buproprion is my drug of choice.

in my mind (your mileage may vary) it is replacing what my body doesn't produce.

when I don't take it for several days I am angry - for no reason but everything irritates me.

I don't know that it is artificial happiness for me - just a removal of a very undesirable part of me.
Pretzel · 61-69, M
I would never dispute your perception - you know how it feels with and without - I hope you will benefit from whatever your choice may be :)
3venus · F
@unclebuckwasagenius: You're not disputing my perception, you just made me think about it differently, more positively. 😎
Pretzel · 61-69, M
wonderful!
I take one Celexa everyday and I am not a raving lunatic and not artificially happy. It helps to balance the brain chemicals that we are lacking. It probably has saved my life and definitely gave a a better quality of life.
3venus · F
That's good. I'm glad you have a better quality of life.
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
Natural methods work as well or better unless the depression is quite severe.

My own experience was that Prozac did not work as well for me as the natural remedies I use now; holy basil (I take 2 capsules a day), bacopa (I take 1 capsule a day) and exercise, preferably in the fresh air (I swim and garden). Also, mentally talking back to my negative, depressing thoughts. Humor helps, too; try a new comedy album or look up humorous stuff on YouTube.

When my psychiatrist prescribed Prozac, I asked him, "What's the exit strategy?" And he had one.

GP doctors often prescribe these kinds of meds without an exit strategy. How long are you supposed to take this? "For the rest of your life" is not an answer I would find acceptable.

Try the natural remedies first. Then, if after a month or two, you really do think they are not helping and you might need meds, see a specialist. Psychiatrists really do know more than GPs do about depression.
SW-User
I do not use them .. just be careful with them
taLking5 · 51-55, F
My mom was put on Lexapro by her doctor. He did not check my mom's allergy list to see if she is allergic this mess. She checked her allergy test herself and seen that she is allergic to lexapro so she can not take it. She is used to taking Xanax and want to continue taking it but the doctor feel that my mom should take it with her Xanax. She was very uncomfortable taking lexapro anyways. Mom had been told by several people including a doctor that it is not wise to take Xanax along with lexapro because of her age.
xxorama · 56-60, M
anti D's almost killed me, so it is medical Marijuanna for me.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
SW-User
I'm planning to try it eventually, it's on my bucket list.
amun87 · 36-40, M
well, I am about four months now on Cipralex , I didn't consult a doctor , and I feel better , was surprised to find 2 meters instructions sheet, one more thing , it is not addictive.
ZefNinja · 41-45, M
Ive been given anti depressants from the doctor for anxiety. Im not taking them though
3venus · F
Why not?
ZefNinja · 41-45, M
@3venus: I did research and got put off by the horror stories. Im treating myself with testosterone instead
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
3venus · F
I know that, but I hear it helps with anxiety. I don't know any stoners anyway. 😅
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
This message was deleted by its author.
3venus · F
She said until our next appointment, which is in late October, and we'll see where we go from there.

 
Post Comment