Do anti-depressants actually heal depression or is it just a short...

Antidepressants for Major Depressive Disorders

The Use of Antidepressants in Treating Bipolar Disorder

Medications Used to Treat OCD

Depression Drugs for Nerve Pain

Mood Stabilizers Vs. Antidepressants for Depression

Depression Drugs & Weight Loss

Stopping Anti-Depressant Treatment

Why Do People With Clinical Depression Gain Weight?

Search for Answers

Browse Members

The last question was answered in just

minutes Let our thousands of members help!

Antidepressants

Question:
	Do anti-depressants actually heal depression or is it just a short term thing and once you stop taking it you will be depressed again? also when you take the med does it really work that well? And any side effects? By Strength Asked May 12 2009 2:51PM	12 Pts Rate Question

Answer Question

Help someone!
Get the latest questions in Antidepressants

Welcome to Answerbag, a community of people sharing what they know.
Sign up now to ask a question or help someone else by giving an answer!

Sort answers by: Rating | Date Arrow Down

Top Answer out of 7

by Scrappy on May 12, 2009 at 3:38 pm Permalink

They are short term only and usually after a few months have to be changed cause they quit working. It takes about 6 weeks for them to work initially. Side effects vary..most have weight gain and all of them have sexual disfunction as a side effect. They change my whole personality..not just not make me depress..actually change my personality

Pts

Rate Answer

Comments

Strength May, 12 2009 at 03:43 PM

Why do you take them then? they sound rubbish

Scrappy May, 12 2009 at 03:54 PM

I don't take them. I used to but now I refuse to

Answer 2 out of 7

by Life Not Faith on May 12, 2009 at 3:09 pm Permalink

Anti-depressants don't cure depression anymore than painkillers can cure a broken leg. They just hide the symptoms so that you can continue to function as well as you can.

Pts

Rate Answer

Comments

Strength May, 12 2009 at 03:13 PM

thanks. there is no point in me getting them then if they wont cure it lol

Life Not Faith May, 12 2009 at 03:17 PM

It depends. I personally would never take them, I don't like the way mood altering drugs affect the brains chemistry, but they do make coping with depression easier.
The only cure is to find the root(s) of your depression and to formulate coping strategies that you can employ. This is where MAOI's and the like can help.

Strength May, 12 2009 at 03:20 PM

thanks :) i will look into it

Answer 3 out of 7

by Pete on May 12, 2009 at 3:45 pm Permalink

I don't know. I had a traumatic event and my doctor said I was depressed and prescribed Wellbutrin. I just stopped one day and didn't feel a difference. That's me. I can't speak for anyone else.

Pts

Rate Answer

Comments (be the first to comment)

Answer 4 out of 7

by Scifisuz on May 12, 2009 at 3:42 pm Permalink

Most anti-depressants increase seratonin to the brain and that makes you feel better - or more OK... It does not "cure" depression. Yes, there are side effects.

If you take these meds for a while and decide to stop, I understand there are also negative side effects. You should check with yer dr.

Pts

Rate Answer

Comments (be the first to comment)

Answer 5 out of 7

by Im Alec on May 12, 2009 at 3:37 pm Permalink

They worked for me. And I am now on 1/4 of the dose I was at the worst time, hoping to drop them completely by, say, the end of the year.

And yes, some do have side effects. I had to switch around a bit to find the right one. My problems were drowsiness - too much to drive safely - and loose bowels. But when I found the right one, it worked spectacularly well. It allowed me to get on with fixing my life, which is why I now need less.

Pts

Rate Answer

Comments (be the first to comment)

Answer 6 out of 7

by gtravels loves her life penguin on May 12, 2009 at 2:57 pm Permalink

Anti-depressants are a tool used to help in the fight against depression. They are said to help restore the balance of certain chemicals in the brain. They can be life savers. Some people need them. Some people don't. Some people have to take them for life. Some people don't. Side effects depend on your body chemistry and the particular anti-depressant. Even when anti-depressants are indicated, they are usually best teamed with therapy for the best possible outcome. Psychiatrists and psychopharmacologists are the people to consult for professional information.

Pts

Rate Answer

Comments

Strength May, 12 2009 at 03:02 PM

thanks :)

Answer 7 out of 7

by High Shaman on May 12, 2009 at 3:47 pm Permalink

Various medications have different , although similiar side effects at times ....

You need to ask your Pharmacist for the side effects of ANY medication that you are taking ...

One COMMON side effect for males is that MOST anti depressants do cause weak erections ; if not Impotence.

Pts

Rate Answer

Comments (be the first to comment)

Add an Answer

Do anti-depressants actually heal depression or is it just a short term thing and once you stop taking it you will be depressed again? also when you take the med does it really work that well? And any side effects?

How to write a good answer

Your answer:

Display answer in fixed-width font (good for tables or text diagrams)

Answers must adhere to our Terms of Use

To create links, just type the address with no HTML code. Use the Preview button at the bottom to verify.

You can edit your answer at any time.

Send me new answers to this question
Send me new questions in Antidepressants

Important: Answerbag cannot guarantee the accuracy of answers submitted by members, and we recommend that you use common sense when following any advice found here. Read full disclaimer.

Have a question? Ask it! Know an answer? Share it!

Do anti-depressants actually heal depression or is it just a short term thing and once you stop taking it you will be depressed again? also when you take the med does it really work that well? And any side effects?

Site Links:

Additional Links:

Partner Sites: