Taking antidepressants without depression

Do antidepressants really help in fighting against depression? Why am I still depressed while on antidepressants? What is the best anti-depressant with the least side effects? Should I feel ashamed for taking antidepressants?

But as many as a third get depressive symptoms despite medication.

And side effects, which can include weight gain, nausea, and insomnia, are troublesome for some patients. That leaves many people with depression searching for alternatives. Antidepressant drugs were not invented for depression. Researchers used certain drugs to manipulate the behavior of stressed animals, and then concluded (erroneously) that the drugs would be good antidepressants. But chronic stress does not cause the same molecular changes that depression does, making the hypothesis incorrect.

To overcome depression , it helps to know the facts. For many people dealing with depression, prescription medications can be wonder drugs. But others, depending on any number of reasons—like insurance coverage, unpleasant side effects, or personal preference—may decide to stop taking the drugs.

Even without insurance coverage, it is possible to purchase a generic antidepressant for as little as $per month. Fear: Taking an antidepressant is a sign of weakness. If you can start tapering off without much harm, start that first. Plan your week of relaxation for when you come completely off your antidepressant.

Research as much as you can about amino acids and how they affect the brain. You can start with this website. For some, regular therapy is just as effective (or more effective) than medication.

Others may just want to see if they’re OK without medication, Jesse Wright, M. Some people with depression stay on their medication indefinitely. Others are able to stop taking it after a period of weeks or months. The best way to stop taking your antidepressant is to slowly. Most people with depression only have to take antidepressants for a few years, and after they taper off antidepressants , they consider themselves depression free. If you’re one of those people, consider yourself fortunate.

Unfortunately, some people don’t have that privilege. Abruptly discontinuing your antidepressant can make your symptoms of depression reappear or become worse. Additionally, you may experience other symptoms like headaches, pain, or insomnia and other flu-like symptoms.

Nature provides a medicine chest of natural antidepressant herbs, amino acids, and healthy oils that have been studied and shown to work as well as prescription antidepressants.

These types of antidepressants are generally safe, but no medical treatment is without risk. SSRI antidepressant side effects. Some patients taking SSRIs develop insomnia, skin rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. These problems are usually temporary or mild or both.

However, you should keep in mind that researchers who have looked at this have not seen treatment benefits for people with bipolar I who take antidepressants.