Sometimes i think im depressed and im constantly negative about myself and sad and when im angry ill just yell at my mom and swear at her like I have a grudge or something. My father died last year and i feel terrible. I have no motivation at all but at the same time there are days where i feel ok where im happy or just fine. So my doctor prescribed me a low dose antidepressant pills but im scared it might harm me or make me like a zombie or i don't know death or make me different or my personality changes i still want to be me.I also fear that if i get off it im gonna be even more depressed then i ever was so i have so many fears.advice please!



ANSWER:

The best doctor is really yourself. Try and look at yourself realistically as hard as it may be and logically figure out if you have a problem or not. If you think you suffer from mild depression than perhaps you should try some sort of psychotherapy before meds. Talking usually helps and is a better and safer way than jumping into the drug phase of it. If that doesn't work than a low dose of anti's may help but simply do your homework and don't let a doctor force anything on you that you don't feel comfortable with. If you don't feel u have a serious problem then get another opinion but if 4 different doctors tell you the same thing, you may want to listen to them Mental health is an ever changing thing that noone really has a handle on and you will notice when you go to a doctor, they simply listen to your symptoms, look up in their little..well big book what you have and prescribe u a drug. Welcome to the world of psychology. Hang in there and know that the world is your healing tool not the people in it. Look at the sky and the birds, breathe the air and realize.... that is where the peace is and you will find the answers I hope. Peace.

P.S. By the way - I am bipolar and on meds and still believe what I write. Always try therapy before Meds. If anyone tells to to immediately start taking this or take that, make sure you do your homework on exactly what it is your about to put in your body first. Meds do help when they are the right ones.



ANSWER:

First, let me say that you have my sympathy. I still have both parents and can't even imagine how horrible it must feel to lose one of them.

The best advice I can give you is to try it! It won't change your personality. You would be amazed at how much better you can feel. If you don't like after you give it a serious try, have your doctor "tweek" your dosage or try another route. Maybe a second opinion from another Dr. but if I were you, I give it a shot. It can't hurt! Good luck!



ANSWER:

Your doctor was right for prescribing you the medications. you are exhibiting signs of depression and that is not healthy for you. As for walking around like a "zombie" you are thinking or associating people who get sedatives; you are getting an anti depressant which does not make you a zombie. you will still be yourself personality wise and hopefully the medication will help you; as you come to terms with all your internal turmoil. Once everything is all sorted out; it does not mean you have to stay on those anti-depressant the rest of your life. I wish you a speedy recovery; life sometimes throws us some big curve balls that are hard to handle.



ANSWER:

My condolences for your father.

If your fathers death triggered your depression, then you would have what would be refered to as a situational depression, which someone would commonly take medication for between 6 months and 2 years. Antidepressants are not addictive but when time comes to stop taking them you must follow the doctors orders in stepping down the amount because they do work on the brains chemical neurotransmitters. They can take the edge off, make you feel calmer, less edgy, less irratible, less negative, they don't solve the problem. Ask your doctor to set you up with a councillor for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT will teach you to adjust you negative thinking and look at the stress in a new way, it can be very effective in combination with medicine.