Are antidepressants worth trying? I've been struggling with

>>18131902

I've gone through many different meds, the only bad side effect of some are you'll feel even less motivated to get out and do things. Meaning you'll probably gain a good amount of weight.

But hey, if they keep you from blowing your brains out, it's worth it.

>>18131902
The work if you stick to them. Don't listen to the fags that took them for like 2 days and acted like "why didn't they magically fix all my problems?" That's retarded.

Think of them not as cure, but more so as ammo. It won't fix those issues, but it'll sure as hell make it easier to fight back against it. Just don't be a dumbass and quit because they didn't immediately fix your entire life.

As for side effects, they are mostly rare and mild. Either way, which would you rather, some side effects, or to keep being depressed?

Antidepressants are most effective when combined with counselling/cbt and healthy lifestyles.
However, every single person reacts to each drug differently, and also it can take some time to get the correct dosage. Add to it that there is an initial 'settling in' period when you start most antidepressants (2 weeks for most SSRIs) and the result is that there is no simple answer here. The truth is you just have to work through them with your doctor, although usually things are fine after the first tweak.

I personally did not do well with SSRIs (brain zaps and felt like a zombie) and instead moved on to a strict exercise and healthy eating plan, however I have about 5 friends who swear by Citalopram in order to function. Neither of them seem like 'zombies' or whatever, and they are all doing fine.

In short, please talk to a doctor or counsellor

>>18131909
this. it's a crutch to help with the bad times. its there for when you need it most. use the crutch to get on with the lifestyle changes you otherwise can't do.
>>18131917
+1 to talk to a doctor. go to your gp and say how you're feeling, maybe ask to see a specialist. whatever you do, don't talk about medication. let a professional decide if you need medication or not. it's your life, but you have to trust the doctor in whats best for you anon.

>>18131902
Psychiatric drugs are an experimental crapshoot and you should never let a doctor trick you into putting those chemicals in your body.

I was in a similar situation, afraid to look for jobs and go places because of social anxiety. One day I went to my doctor, he gave me paxil and the anxiety just went away. It changed my life and I am doing much better now.

Go to a doctor and be honest. Meds can help a ton.

Stay off SSRIs if you value a functioning penis. I was on and off them from 2006 to 2015 and the last time it never went back to normal. Taking viagra in my early 30s now.

Last year I started running. Did more for me than pills ever did because it lifts your mood but also gives you a sense of achievement and gets you out of the house.

Give yourself the 9 weeks it takes to do Couch to 5k and if you don't feel any better then try the drugs. You can cope with another 9 weeks.

(this advice is exclusive to SSRIs btw - I don't know about other antidepressants and I still take benzos in the worst times)

>>18131902
Combined with professional help they got me through heavy depression. Sideeffects were on the mild side but some has become permanent and to add to it I suffered one not listed/expected which, if not permanent, is still there five years after I stopped being medicated. Worth it ? Definitely. I would have eaten a bullet otherwise and today I like being here very much

>>18131902
no, just do hard drugs. best case scenario it fucks your brain for the better. worst case scenario you develop a crippling addiction that eventually kills you. but at least you'll die high and happy.