Any body out there take anti-depressants.? If you don't mind can you share yr experiences before and after.?

...c'mon folks, it's the 21st Century. Everybody is on em'. Nobody will judge. I take 40mg's of Prozac and 100 mg's of Seroquil daily for depression and OCD.

I am not currently on them (well, except the occasional trazodone when the insomnia kicks in really badly). I've taken Zoloft and Lexapro at various times in the past, would take them again if the need arose.

Is there something specific you wanted to know? Or just general impressions?

I don't have any questions per se. I've been on em' off and on for years. I'm just interested to hear others experiences with em' and I'd share mine.

For instance...when I don't take them I avoid going outside, refuse to talk to other people, cut myself, drink, and spent hours on pointless compulsive rituals.

O.K....I went out on a limb here with some possibly embarrasing personal information. Anybody.....?

I was diagnosed with depression I don't know, about 10-12 years ago, they believe it's been an ongoing problem since my early teens. I've also been diagnosed with PTSD. Most of the time, I don't have symptoms and if I do, they're mild and managed without meds. Every so often, though, I have a bout of depression that knocks me for a loop, and it's mostly combined with panic/anxiety attacks from the PTSD. Mostly, what happens for me is that my thinking spirals out of control, I'm aware of it but don't seem to have much control over it. My feelings are completely disproportional to the situation. I'll cry easily sometimes or, more often, will get irrationally angry and over-sensitive. Sleep becomes a problem. Lexapro, for me, works pretty quickly and usually within a few days I'm back to "normal." It sucks. I'm blessed to have people in my life who are willing to deal with the episodes and help me get back on track. Thankfully, those don't happen but maybe once or twice a year and are usually fairly short-lived.

I think the whole world should be on Prozak! It would be a much calmer place!

Thanks for sharing. I've experienced similar symptoms. Your description on what happens during a panic attack is extremely accurate.

Mine are mild, compared to some people I know.

And I agree, Mry, I think most people could use a dose of something and some therapy, at least for the short-term. It can do wonders for your outlook

I was taking Paxil off and on for a few years, for depression.
Then I heard someone say, 'You are only alive once, Don't you want to be awake?

At the time I had doubled my dose because of my brothers death, I tapered off, haven't been on since. I had considered it during the first year of separation and divorce.
Daily exercise and Vit-B work just as well for me.

I had a breakdown when I was 23 and 2 mo pregnant with my 4th child..I was in the hospital for 12 days while receiving 7 electroshock treatments for depression.. When I got out they tried many meds but nothing seemed to work so I did it by myself.. Took me about 2 yrs to feel "normal" again.. Promised myself never to let myself go there again.. Have only had to go back on meds for a very short time after having a trauma in my life..death, divorce, etc...

This is great. I appreciate ya'll sharing. There's a lot of myths surrounding these medications.

I just started on Celexa 20 mg- just having problems keeping it together- i moved to another states- started a new job- have no family or friends here and its just really hard dealing with the transition

i cry at the drop of a hat and im just waaaaaay too oversensitive- i just needed some help to get me over the transition- it seems to be working

I had a similar experience when I moved here 2 years ago. I was without a Dr. and quit taking my meds. I knew nobody, didn't have a job, no phone, no internet and a tv that got 2 stations. I spiraled out fast and became suicidal. Checked myself into the hospital and immediately got back on my meds.

I was on Prozac when I was in high school and it actually made me WORSE. I was very suicidal back then and the meds made me even more like a zombie and wanting to die. I rebelled alot more also. I haven't been on anything since. I've been medically diagonosed with severe depression and social anxiety disorder but I can't afford or get help to get meds. Although I'd like to think I'm doing ok without them!

Depending on where you live, there are resources. Check to see if there's a sliding scale clinic. Once you get a prescription, many drug companies will provide the meds free or at a reduced cost. It's not advertised but most have a patient help program for people with no insurance

I say No to drugs.

I respect your position, Mr. Music, and I agree to some extent. They are greatly overused by many people. But, for some of us, they are a great tool to use and unfortunately necessary.

Alot of the side effects from antidepressents are worse than the symptoms themselves..
So many doctors prescribe them today.. I know they have helped many but I have seen them make things worse.