Ssri And Worsening Depression

[Sazza]

Hey all you lovely peeps,

I am just wondering if any of you out there are more tuned in medication wise than me about how these meds work. I have just recently started back on the SSRI citalopram at a low dose, which is helping with anxiety to an extent but most certainly not with the depression.

I know SSRI work on the serotonin levels but if an SSRI is not helping depression wise, could it be that its a different chemical pathway that i am low on? such as dopamine. I just wonder if anyone else has found SSRI make there apathy and depression more pronounced or maybe its because the anxiety is settling the underlying depression is now coming to the forefront.

For those who have not responded to SSRI what have you found to be effective? I am happy to stay on the citalopram for the anxiety issues but feel i either need something to lift the depression in the form of a different medication.

Just find it hard to suss out how a drug used for depression can actually make it worse, which makes me think are we all lacking in different chemicals that cause the depression? Any thoughts welcome.

Sazza

 

[Ted Moen]

Different medications work dirrerently with different people. Many psychotropics take several weeks to stabilize, so sometimes you have to be patient. I have PTSD with Depression. After a few tries and much research, I tried Paxil. It is an SSRI. For me, it takes away most of the persistent anxiety symptoms and does not let me spiral into depression, that is I can feel sad without it becoming depression. I've been on Paxil for about 10 years now with good results and no complications.

It takes research and open, frank discussion with your psychiatrist and psychologist to find the medication that works for you. Even then, there is still an element of trial and error.

Ted

 

[Kris1984]

Some meds help some people and do nothing for others. Like the above posting says, it is a trial and error method and takes clear communication with your psychiatrist. Don't forget that it can take 4-6 weeks for an SSRI to be completely effective, so if you have not been taking it long try to give it a chance and see how you do. Unfortunately with any antidepressant, they can cause suicidal ideation and can give a person the energy they did not have previously to commit the act. So if you ever feel that your depression is worsening reach out to the proper resources for help.

I personally take Zoloft and find it very effective for me. The first 2-3 weeks were tough and it actually worsened my depression during that time. I have seen patients react very well to Celexa and Paxil, as talked about in the previous posts. My best advice is to give it time if you have not been taking it for long, hope that helps you!

 

[Sterre]

I know SSRI work on the serotonin levels but if an SSRI is not helping depression wise, could it be that its a different chemical pathway that i am low on? such as dopamine. I just wonder if anyone else has found SSRI make there apathy and depression more pronounced or maybe its because the anxiety is settling the underlying depression is now coming to the forefront.

For those who have not responded to SSRI what have you found to be effective? I am happy to stay on the citalopram for the anxiety issues but feel i either need something to lift the depression in the form of a different medication.

Just find it hard to suss out how a drug used for depression can actually make it worse, which makes me think are we all lacking in different chemicals that cause the depression? Any thoughts welcome.

Sazza

Hi Sazza,

As other people in this topic allready wrote, it can take a while before the AD's kick in, maybe it will work better for your depression within a couple of weeks, maybe not.

At this point in time, I am really critical about SSRI's or any other AD. I've taken AD's for almost seventeen years now, ( different types and brands) and I've found that it made my depression worse in the long run.
While I was on a high dose of AD, I didnt hit rock bottom anymore, but stayed floating just right above the rock bottom point for a longer while then I ussually did.
In the long run they made me more depressed and lethargic, the AD's made my feelings of depression more muddy, slimy and thick. I dont know the proper words to descibe it.
Eventough they prevented me from hitting the lowest point, they prolongated the feelings of depression.

 

[Sazza]

Thanks for the replies and thoughts, i know its early days but last time i was on them i was on them couple month and the depression was getting no better. I think for me there is a huge sense of feeling numb on them which i don't like, i guess to calm the anxiety i should expect numb as being good but i don't like it. I just feel in world of my own at moment feel like everything is surreal as though i am dissociating permanantly since starting them. Someone could smack me in the face and i would not feel a thing.

Whilst the anxiety is settling i am finding the thoughts bothering me more, they are more intrusive as the rate my head is working at is slowing so thoughts more bothersome now than before don't know if that good or bad.

I am with you though Sterre not a lover of antidepressants long term, because of the numbness they have always resulted in for me,. I still wonder if i am lacking is dopamine rather than serotonin, will discuss with my GP when next go in couple weeks as i am not under a psychiatrist.

 

[mamachick]

Hi sazza, like others have said, trial and error and what works for one, may not for another. After a head injury, lexapro/celexa actually made me worse depression wise. I was changed to pristiq and that helped alot. However, I still seem to be a bit apathetic, but at least not depressed.

 

[Jurriaan Plesman]

It is my opinion is that generally medication for mood disorders only mask symptom without addressing the underling biochemical abnormality that is responsible for depression. For an alternative search the internet for: "Depression is a Nutritional Disorder"

 

[BloomInWinter]

A search on google for Plesman reveals a longstanding history (decades) of repurposing his same 'medical opinions' over and over all over comment sections on the Internet for self-promotion. He's given the same advice about everything from anxiety to milk thistles.

Normally I'd tell him directly that he owes the forum an apology, but the kind of person who trolls groups of vulnerable traumatized persons to hawk his wares and fill his own pocketbook isn't likely to feel shame.

Troll alert.

 

[Sterre]

It is my opinion is that generally medication for mood disorders only mask symptom without addressing the underling biochemical abnormality that is responsible for depression. For an alternative search the internet for: "Depression is a Nutritional Disorder"

:poop:

 

[Jurriaan Plesman]

I am simply quoting studies by psychiatrists. But I am not allowed to quote here.

 

[BloomInWinter]

By seeding the names of his 'articles' - full of bias, improperly cited, non peer-reviewed as they are - Jurriaan Plesman is attempting to use the forum to increase his search engine rankings and send more traffic back to his website.

He is an example of the far too prolific Quackery now trying to peddle his decades-old magic 'cure-alls' riding the wave of the now-hot topic of PTSD...at our expense.

I think he owes us all an apology.

 

[mamachick]

I am very disappointed to hear this. The last thing we need is someone with a personal agenda here. Thank you for warning Bloomin

 

[Nicolette]

Jurriaan has been banned for self promotion.

I am simply quoting studies by psychiatrists. But I am not allowed to quote here.

I have Googled some of your suggestions Jurriaan and they all come up as articles by you or related to you.