[4everANDever]

I’m beginning to feel like I have no control over my self esteem and need medication. It’s like I have been depressed since I was 7 (I’m 22 now) and my whole life has been almost ruined by it. My question is what are some of the side effects any of you all have experienced? I wanted to know because I know they affect libido (that’s okay I haven’t “been” with anyone in three years), but do they affect hair growth and or cause weight gain? These two issues are very important to me, but any other side effects I need to know about too. Thanks in advance to all that reply to this and please, and if you feel comfortable, let me know the name of the mediation you are taking (or have took in the past), just want to be specific. Thanks again.

[wi_fighter]

I've only tried three, and none of the newer ones.

Prozac caused me to not sleep, and when I finally could, I had bizarre dreams. The side effects were worse than the depression, and lack of sleep worsened the depression.

Zoloft made me absolutely numb sexually. I felt sort of zombie-ish too. Nothing was good, nothing was bad. I just felt kind of .....blah.

Celexa was the one that worked for me. No side effects other than a little stomach upset the first couple of days. I could still feel emotions, just not to extremes - especially the lows.

None of them caused any weight problems for me.

[Wants2Fly]

I ran through a list of anti-depressants in several categories -- about 12, I think. The effects and side-effects can be highly idiosyncratic to the individual's biochemistry.

For example, many people love Wellbutrin and even comment that it gives them energy. Even a low dose of Wellbutrin put me to sleep. I could hardly keep my eyes open during a business meeting, sprawling over a conference table (lovely that must have been!), and almost falling asleep at the wheel on the drive home.

Right now I use a dose of Effexor that's on the low end. I don't know if it affects my sex drive or not. I think it probably does, but since I'm middle-aged and "not looking" it's not terribly important to me.

I hope you will check out the Forum about medication in addition to this one. Perhaps some people there will have some comments, too.

A good med can be like a miracle! Good luck getting what you need.

[4everANDever]

Thanks for your replies, they have helped. Right now I meet with a T at my school and I'm not sure how to tell her I think I need medication, any suggestions??????????

[pebbles]

your best bet is to let your T know your fears on medication and just ask if they could give you something that don't have much side afects that would be the best thing I would do if it were me.good luck

[Parker10]

Hi ! Like Wants said - meds affect everyone differently. Some of the newer antidepressants have much less chance of causing side effects than the older ones. I have never known of people saying hair loss was a side effect, but unfortunately, some report weight gain on some - however, other people have weight loss on the same med.

I think u just need to tell your T that perhaps you want to try a medication, since this depression seems to have been lasting so long in your life. T's cannot prescribe meds, so they would refer you to a PDoc, or sometimes your family Doc will prescribe them. In my humble opinion, (having taken am antidepressant many years ago that cause a LARGE weight gain), I would certainly rather be happy and functioning, enjoying life and "plump". than miserable and skinny. I used to tell my husband he had a choice - a plump happy wife, or a sad skinny one.......he was A-OK with the plump ! :-) After going off that particular med, I lost weight without trying, and am no longer in need of any antidepressant.

Good lucK !!! You are very wise to take action now while you are young , than to put it off, and possibly have your depression/lack of self esteem etc worsen.