antidepressants

i was just wondering, does everyone on this site take antidepressants before the symptoms kick in??

I don't take anti-depressants at all.

Firstly I think I'm quite lucky that although winter is bleeding hard going, with the help of a lightbox and a hell of a lot of will power and determination I can get through it without being on my knees.

Secondly, I am such a control freak that the idea of not being in control of my own concious and emotions scares me witless!

Finally, I know a number of folks who've been prescribed AD's and are no better for them and to me seem worse on them than off. I don't think this is so much the case for those who have SAD and are aware of what is going on but where AD's are given to get people through tough times, it often seems to me that they would have been better dealing with the emotions and the problems and then being able to move on.

That is not in any way meant to spark an AD/no AD debate, I do recognise that some people feel much better on them and it's the difference between coping and not.

yeah i take 20mg of prozac half way through august, i find a huge difference as i am able to function but i can still feel the winter depression-im thinking i might start them earlier next year because they take ages to take effect! I dont like the idea of takin tablets for the rest of my life but i can honestly say i would not be able to live in the winter without them! i would just love to feel as confident in the winter as i do on the summer!!

I have geen taking them all year round this year because every year for the last 12 I have got to the beginning of September and have started to go drastically down hill.

It was my GP's suggestion that I take them all year, and I have to say that it has made a difference. I haven't reached the all out panic stage this year and have still been able to function (although I have lost my appetite).

Something interesting that my GP said to me was that if you take them for a continous year, when you eventually come off them, the condition might not come back again as it has before.

Interesting thought, but I don't think I'm ready give that a try yet!

I'm not sure sandy, I think that it has been about the same for me every year, but it just focuses on something different every time.

If anything, I think it might be getting a bit easier as I get older, but that is maybe because I have learnt how to help myself more?

Some people use meds to cope. Some people find other ways. I tried meds out of desperation and would not touch them again. There is a topic here called Nutrition Info which has some ideas about natural things you can do. Ultimately the drugs do not cure anything, but there are other ways of getting to the roots of the problem.

HTH,
Linda.

hi Linda

Thanks for your advice re nutrition - I've read that forum thread with interest, and am considering changes I can make to my diet to help. I have had problems with meds in the past so I'm always wary about using them, but to be quite honest, I don't think I'll survive this winter without them.

Suzie, sadly I feel the same. This is my worst year in the last 20 of having symptoms, and for apparently no reason as I've got no stress in my life at the moment.

I have found Citalpram helpful, regardless of what anyone else here says, it's been a lifeline to me. I would rather not feel the need to take meds at all of course. If it's a choice between taking meds and having a life, or no meds & no life.... no choice to be made really.

You are so right.