[dan0woods]

Hello all,
Well, I picked up my prescription for Wellbutrin-xl today. I'm a 20 year old college student who has struggled with depression ever since I can remember. Lately, it's gotten worse so I started going to a therapist. He told me I was severely depressed and needed to start medication right away. As I said I have never been to anyone about my depression before this so I have never taken an anti-depressant before and to be honest, I'm kind of nervous.

My question is, what should I expect? I've been to Wellbutrin's site, but I want to know what it feels like when it starts working. Do you just feel happier? Do I ignore the problems I'm dealing with? How does it work? Any incite would be great!

Thank you,
Dan

[Puffyprue]

based on my experience using antidepressan its not works that fast it took a time sometimes it took longer but it will worth some people using antidepressan and they live so well right now....

[justfloating]

Hi Dan,

I'm glad you've been to see someone about your depression. That's the first step in feeling better. I've been on anti-depressants (although not Wellbutrin) since last August. To start, I didn't feel much of anything at all. It takes a while for the meds to kick in, and for me, I had to switch meds and change dosages six times before I found something that helped. Sometimes to start, the meds have been known to make you feel worse before you feel better, which is unfortunate, but when you start feeling better, it'll be entirely worth it. I'm starting to feel the positive effects of my meds now, and I just feel lighter, happier, and more energetic. It's been a very slow process and I still don't feel perfect, but I can feel an improvement, and it's definitely taken the edge off my depression.

The best thing to do is keep in close contact with your doctor -- I see mine every few weeks -- so that he/she can monitor your condition and change your dosages to suit your needs. It's a slow process but it's totally worth it! It's also good that you're seeing a therapist -- being able to talk about how you're feeling and where you are with your life right now is going to help a lot too. I think for a lot of people, it's a mixture of meds and therapy (and for me, light therapy as well) that has the best effect.

Good luck with your treatment!

[dan0woods]

Thanks guys! I took my first pill this morning. Looks like its the start of a long and hopefully positive journey.

[byoungusa]

I am very glad you are getting help and meds also. Over the last 25 years I have been on a large assortment of AD's. My experience was that I didn't Feel anything I just would notice a lifting of the blackness, it would be like a few days into it, or weeks depending, I would just notice that the colors would be alittle brighter, I could stay up alittle while after I got home from work, I could do that other chore, didn't say no to that invitation, that a few weeks ago I just wouldn't have been able to face. Its always just kind of been a lifting for me, out of the pit, into the light. Good luck to you, your doing the best thing for yourself that you can, just don't be like me and decide that when you feel better that you don't need meds anymore, I know now that I do, just like you need to take insulin if your diabetic, chronic chemical depression needs meds. It ensures that I have better life and longer periods between episodes.