When to start taking antidepressants

I started taking antidepressants last winter for the first time ever. I'm not sure whether I will need them again this winter or when to go back to the doctor. I'm usually ok until the end of September, then symptoms gradually get worse, until December when they're the worst. Does anyone have a set time when they go to their doctor to get AD's, or do you take them all year round? I left it until I was really low last year, should I wait until I really need them or start them early? Any advice would be appreciated.

Generally speaking that is what I have come to do.

After a couple of years with starting to take medication when it became necessary, my doc suggested that it might be helpful to start taking it at the beginning of the winter, to try and avoid me getting into that 'dark abyss'. I have done that the last couple of years and it has worked well. I start taking a low dose at the autumn equinox or thereabouts (blast, only a month to go!) and increase the dose as we get towards Christmas. I'm usually at my worst in January, so start decreasing again after that.

Last winter was pretty well Ok within the limits I try and live within. Not like I am in summer or anything, but do-able. I just had a couple of days off work. I am getting better at gauging the medication though, much better.

I think I will try and get my light box(es) into position this week, as my workroom at home isn't well supplied with natural light. If the lamp is in place then it means I don't have to go and find it when I'm wanting to get on with something, just switch it on.

As others have said it up to you. However all anti depressants take at least 3 weeks for you to start to see a difference.

I've started mine 2 weeks ago due to feeling blue. I need to be on them a month then I will up the dose from 20-30mg. Am feeling blue today so can't wait to increase the dose. I would advise you not to leave it till the last minute but this comes with experience. It is my third winter on them and I wouldn't change it as they are my savior!

Hi Bagpus! No I don't have any problems coming off them. I start by lowering the dose gradually before coming off them so it's all good on that part ;-)

I have requested a prescription for my AD's because I can see the edge of the beast appearing and this year I want to get started before the beast is in the room!

Hi Boys and Girls.

When to start taking anti-depressants.....that will be tonight I'm afraid. Sunk quite a lot over the last 24-36 hours, so seems like a good plan. I was supposed to go over to Yorkshire for a meeting early evening, normally really enjoy these trips, but couldn't face it today.

LM at work been a stressor, that hasn't helped.

Hope the rest of you are feeling OK.

Sorry to hear you have been feeling bad Ivy. It's so awful when it starts.

I just got from the south of France yesterday & am feeling the cold :-(

About to up my dose from 20mg to 30mg very soon!

Got some course to do in Novemeber which I am dreading also an essay. Hope I manage it then. Oh dear!

Must keep up the exercise otherwise I will fall. Good luck everyone, here it comes again but got to fight it & not let it beat us ;-)

Hi, I feel I might have SAD, and was wondering if any of you ever experience crazy, maniac, energy sometimes as well as the depression, or is it only the depression?

Hi everyone...been gone a while
Nanuk - it's not unusual to get hyper in the spring and/or early summer. If you can channel that energy it can be a very productive and positive time. I use it to good effect, but I have to guard my thinking because I can make some crass decisions if I'm not careful.
If, however, there is no seasonal link in your ups and downs, then you may be bipolar.

Hi I just found this site. Both my son and I have been diagnosed with adhd, bi-polar,depression, anxiety disorders, and everything in between. We have also tried and taken some with success meds of all sorts, Zoloft for me for 15 years but I thought I was not being depressed but a lot of anger is oozing out which I recognize as depression, It's not just seasonal but I am very happy on warm sunny days but one gloomy day and I am in the pits. My Dad used to cry on cloudy days. I have taken all the "conventional meds and nothing touches the sad until recently the Dr prescribed Adderall which is just a pure amphetamine. I am taking it with caution but I have been very pleased, bright minded can concentrate and even want to participate if I feel I need to take more I just lay off it completely for a day or so and then It works again. This also helps alleviate a lot of the pain I suffer from RH My only problem is I feel guilty about taking meds of any kind and more so when they actually label it "Amphetamine" so I just wanted to check in with a group to get some feedback other than Don't take that which is all I get from AA even though there is only 2 or3 a meeting that say that it's enough to keep me away. Thanks

Hello, I don't want to butt in but after reading this long thread i suppose it feels like i need to :) I think Sir Serotonin is right in the fact that you should not feel guilty for taking medication. However, it is something that is only a crutch to what is underneath. True, this may not be what some people want to hear, but medication only helps with symptoms and can sometimes mask the real problem. I know, as i was on medication for a brief month trying to cover up anxiety. I am not saying that medication shouldn't be taken, but i am saying that you should never rely on it completely. You should aim to find out about yourself whilst taking them, your triggers, fears, phobias, where you avoid but really want to go, where you avoid and you wouldn't go if you could. What makes you happy, or would normally etc. These may not necessarily lead you off medication but at least you'll learn more about you and be content in the fact you know why you feel that way instead of blaming it completely on a condition. I hope this makes sense, i'd hate to come across as arrogant or not understanding. Believe me, i do. But i'm also happy with the fact that i got over a mountain in my life without meds...and it was hard work facing some truths. It is a personal decision, yes. But really think through it before going to the doctors. :) We all have heroic strength inside.

You have my deepest sympathy which is possibly more than you'll get from most GP's. Some smile at you as if you really ARE SAD, whilst the more ruder tell you to get over it! I have a treble this year. As well as SAD I've a very painful ulcerated leg & have to be very carefull of the medication I take & my wife is off to Australia for three weeks just before Christmas to see our new grand daughter. (I was going but the leg put paid to that). I've just bought a Lumi lightbox & await delivery. My wife is frogmarching me to the doctors Tuesday & insisting they do something for the SAD/depression. I never thought I would suffer from depression until this week when things came to a head. Grey leaden skies, 3 weeks on my own, a painfull leg. I found myself in the middle of Waitrose's last night crying my eyes out. Don't let anyone tell you depression is for wimps or losers, but be careful with the medication.