Which Antidepressant Is Best For Me

You are diagnosed with depression and your doctor is suggesting medication, now what? The decision to take antidepressants may seem simple ... you take them and they make you feel better, right? Not necessarily. There is so much more you need to consider before taking that first pill. Antidepressants have helped many people get back on the road to recovery, but they arent always the perfect solution.

Antidepressant drugs are touted to help reduce the extreme sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in life that are typical in people with depression. But if antidepressants work at all it is by numbing out the patient to the pain they are experiencing. I can look into peoples eyes and tell if they are taking the drugs. I can see that they are in a pharmaceutical coma and not able to really experience life to the fullest.

These drugs have become the modern day equivalent of snake oil and are used to treat conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, premenstrual syndrome, chronic pain, eating disorders, and bed-wetting. Some of the side effects that can be caused by antidepressants include dry mouth, nausea, nervousness, insomnia, headache, sexual problems, unable to sit still, fatigue, runny stools, diarrhea, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, and impaired thinking. The side effect that is the most potentially deadly for a depressed person is suicidal ideations (thoughts of and making plans to kill yourself). Side effects can be as bad, if not worse, than the depression that the medication is intended to treat. Long-term side effects of antidepressant medications are unknown.

In rare cases the use of an antidepressant may be the right choice. But the patient must understand that the pill will not cure them. It is merely covering up the symptoms. A better approach would be counseling because antidepressants have a unique way of controlling your life. You fear that without them you will be worse off. My doctor had so thoroughly convinced me that I was sick and that I would have to take these drugs forever that my life centered on my doctor visits and getting my prescriptions refilled.

Depression is a serious issue. It darkens vision and distorts thinking while draining joy and pleasure from life. When depression interferes with your work, play, and relationships, its time to take action. The decision of how to treat depression should be made carefully and will be different for different people, but personal action is the key to recovery.

Deciding to take antidepressants is a major decision. If your doctor suggests that you take an antidepressant, make sure you have all of the facts and weight the possible benefits against the side effects. I am not suggesting that you avoid medication but my hope is that you will ask questions and get informed so that you can stay safe.

Jeffrey Wilson is a survivor of 23 years of psychiatric drug treatment, a former executive in the pharmaceutical industry and the author of Irrational Medicine: The Antidepressant Crisis and How To Avoid Unnecessary Behavioral Drugs. He is a recognized expert in overcoming depression and is passionate about each person's ability to recover and create a life full of joy and meaning. For more information please visit http://www.irrationalmedicine.com

Antidepressant Side Effects - What You Need to Know
Antidepressant side effects can be quite serious for some patients, so it's important to learn about all the potential adverse reactions before taking...

3 Little-Known Facts You Need To Know About Antidepressants
It is widely believed that antidepressant drugs are the best treatment for stress, depression and anxiety. After consulting with their health professi...

Suffering from Depression? There is Hope and Help Available for You
It may surprising to learn that as many as 20 out of 100 people experience clinical depression every year. These aren't the normal blues most people e...

24 Tips To Help You Overcome The Side Effects Of Anti-Depressant Medication
Antidepressants are a wonderful answer to people who have major depression. New drugs have been developed that are safer and more effective. But even ...

Antidepressant Depression Treatments
Antidepressant Depression treatments are very effective in treating depressive symptoms. There are classes of these medications and each class works i...

Revealed - The Myths That Fuel Anxiety and Depression
When you enter into an episode of anxiety or depression, it's so important to get the right treatment as quickly as possible. Sadly, a number of myths...

Tis the Season to Manage Depression
The holiday season brings a range of emotions, including euphoria and excitement. This is also the time for depression, and many people dread December...

Treating Depression: How To Get Help If You Are Suffering From Depression
Depression has always been a big taboo in most societies. There are a lot of people who feel they are suffering from depression but don't know what to...

What Does It Mean To Be Depressed?
Depression is an overused word to describe how someone may be feeling. It is often used to describe moments of sadness or disappointment, where those...

7 Facts About Antidepressants the Pharmaceutical Companies Don’t Want You to Know
1) SSRIs cannot cure depression - Nor are they designed to. Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors are designed to block the bodys natural re-uptak...

Panic Disorder - Am I Suffering From Panic Disorder and How Can It Be Treated Effectively?
Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden onset of intense fear. Your heart starts beating fast, you become short of breath and you are dizzy. It fe...

Herbs For Male Depression
Male Depression? Yes, men do get depressed and in fact over five million men a year are affected by Depression. The reason it is not so well-known is ...

Treatments Depression Info - Facts About Treatments Depression Info
Treatments (for) Depression information are available from a wide variety of sources. Medication, Holistic, and Herbal Treatments will be the focus he...

Demand for More Florida Drug Detox Services Could See Relief Through Prescription Drug Monitoring
Florida pharmacists, doctors and law enforcement favor a statewide prescription drug monitoring program to help curb crime, save lives and protect pat...

Is S-adenosyl-L-methionine a Miracle Cure For Depression?
People who want more natural solutions for depression often wonder if there is anything available in a health food store that can cure depression.Alth...