[Catlovers141]

So far none of the meds I have been on have worked at all for me, but I was wondering what a reasonable expectation is for them? I am taking them for anxiety and depression. What is a reasonable effect to expect and what would be too much to expect?

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by Catlovers141

So far none of the meds I have been on have worked at all for me, but I was wondering what a reasonable expectation is for them? I am taking them for anxiety and depression. What is a reasonable effect to expect and what would be too much to expect?

The expectation is that not all psych meds will work for everyone and that you may have to try several different ones to find one that helps (or several meds in combination). Some types of psych meds, such as the SSRI antidepressants, may show some effects in 2-4 weeks but not reach their full potential for 6-8 weeks. If you are taking this type of med that takes a while to take effect, talk to your doctor if you haven't seen any improvement by 8 weeks. He/she may want to try you on a different med. There are other types of psych med take effect immediately, such as the stimulants or the benzos.

The effects you would look for are improvements in the symptoms of depression and anxiety, such low energy, feeling down, having trouble with sleep and eating, ruminating (thoughts stuck in your head), feeling panicked, etc.

[Willcat]

I know my experience with various meds to treat my condition is some work, some don't, some quit working after a short time. Then my MI symptoms change...so that makes it hard.

I just never give up hope for a day when all for the better part will be manageable.

[Catlovers141]

Thank you both for your input. I guess what I am asking is, if a medication is working fully, how do you know? How much of a reduction in symptoms would you have? I have heard that they reduce some but not all, or everything should be cleared up. I am just asking so I don't set my expectations too high and so that I won't settle for a medication that has some effect when there are things out there that could do more.

[Willcat]

Originally Posted by Catlovers141

I guess what I am asking is, if a medication is working fully, how do you know? How much of a reduction in symptoms would you have?

For me, when I felt the med's were working fully I guess, is when I began to feel the depression lifting a bit. The susidal thoughts, baffling confusion, total lack of motivation began to lessen. I started to "come out of the fog" so to speak.

The reduction of symptoms that had me nearly incapacitated and extreamely low function lifted to the point where I can start to do self-improvement work. Things like; learning stress reduction, anger management, self-worth development, trigger awareness and the list can go on for me.

[kaliope]

meds for me were like for willcat. i took wellbutrin for depression and started with klonopin for anxiety. i then started buspar for anxiety because i didnt want to be on an addictive drug. both worked very well and probably took away about 75-80% of my symptoms. This allowed me to function again somewhat normally and work with a therapist on my issues. eventually i got skills in place, changed my thinking and now i am off both of them. i still have problems with anxiety, sometimes to the point where i consider getting back on meds, but i am able to work through it. if it gets really bad i take a klonopin as needed. i dont think there is any med out there that will take away your symptoms 100%, but definately you can find something that will help you back to relatively normal functioning.