How much do antidepressants help?

What makes you think you have depression explain ??????? your 17 you go through every emotion under the sun at 17 not many take ADs for it. I was bipolar at 17 I certainly didn't want to take meds, you have taken ADS before for insomnia ????? ads are not for sleep probs . There needs to be some major problem to start ADS at your age

Many things. I've had people tell me that I should see someone. People suggest that I might have depression.

I'm never happy, either depressed or irritable. I really enjoy things, it's just " blah" to me. I never have fun, ever, even if others have fun. I'm always tired. I contemplate /have thoughts of suicide a lot. There's more,& it's explained better in .other threads. I don't really know what to say to you. , could someone help me out.

No, it isn't for insomnia, nor do I have it. I think AD made me have insomnia when I was on them, & that's why I'm scared to take them .I just thought they would help.

Oh,& im not 100% I have depression.

Even if you decide they are right for you cautious (or scared) is not a bad thing to be. They aren't harmless and long term effects are not well publicized. Plus dependence is an issue.

There are a lot of other ways to help depression. Talking here is probably good. Are you doing anything else?

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Sewer Rats. She has been posting in the depression section for a long time. Has lots of symptoms that seem to be beyond normal teenage issues. Her biggest problem is in telling someone what is going on with her. We have been encouraging her to tell someone. She told her friend which was a big step. Now it appears she is just thinking about or working up the courage to tell others like a teacher or her parents. I would like to see her be fully evaluated to see if she really does have serious depression. I think she is a ways away from actually taking an AD. She has to go through the process of reaching out and getting professional help before that option is even considered. She is just thinking about the whole process.

sorry I never read the depression forum , its frustrating to read with the young reaching an age where I don't want to send them down the med trail to early . I personally don't think I would have had crazy unforgettable time on meds to early .

Why don't want "the young" on meds early?

What's a better alternative?

what have you tried up to now?

Problem with AD and teens is that they actually may cause suicidal urges in some cases, so that is reason to be careful and closely monitored.

I am anxious to see what sewer rats says.

The best alternative is therapy in my view. There are many forms and it would be up to you and a therapist to decide the best approach.

Group therapy. If there was a group for teens and young people available.

Meditation, Mindfulness, Diet, Exercise

Self Help for low self worth, shame, anger, etc. This is hard to do on your own without a therapist.

I think is really depends a lot on what is causing the depression and how severe it is. If I am in a really severe depression then meditation, diet, and exercise won't do a thing. I can't even get out of bed and shower.

If it is moderate to mild then things like meditation, diet, exercise, social activity help me a bunch.

What do you think is causing the depression?
Do you know if you have a family history of it?

These are things that would get sorted out with a thorough evaluation. A big factor in the med question would be cause and severity. You have mentioned suicidal thoughts a number of times so that worries me.

Yes, there is a family history of it I'm not sure what's causing it,& I don't know why i still suffer with it.

So I'm not sure how'd they find out what caused it,

Nothing, beside telling my friend

I already have suicidal, would it make them worse?

Family history would indicate a genetic and biological cause. In that case it is more likely they would give you an AD and it would be more effective.

Then there are environmental factors that can cause it. They would ask you if you have ever been physically abused, sexually abused, emotional abuse and neglect, rape, a major trauma like the death of a parent or sibling. It gets very personal and about your family and its dynamics. If you came up in a very healthy, loving, and nurturing family that would indicate more of a genetic biological factor. You should be very honest about all of this with a psychologist. They can not tell another soul about what you said.

Strictly environmental factors you may do better with only therapy and not meds or a combination of both. A combination of both has been shown to be the most effective.

It would be hard to sort out if you are already having suicidal thoughts but there is an increased risk in teens. 4% of 2200 teens, twice the rate of placebo. Twice the rate of placebo would say real risk. You would have to be really aware of how the med is affecting you. Keep a mood log everyday. My daughter had a suicide attempt at 16. She totally has my genes, we are so much a like. We put her on meds for awhile. She did not want to take them so we didn't force her. She is 21 now and seems to have grown out of it and is doing very well. As a dad I will watch her closely for symptoms. I also worry about alcohol use with here. I am a recovering alcoholic. So I will also keep and eye on that.

Here is an article about it. I suggest you read it.

NIMH · Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers

Yea, I think it is genetic. I am not sure what set it "off" though. For the most I was in loving family.

What about telling psychologist about suicidal thoughts? What will they do if I tell them? How that effect anything?

ADs are not easy meds, whether or not they help they will cause side effects. Sometimes the side effects cause people to have a placebo effect, sometimes they cause mania, sometimes they cause suicidal actions. They are not always effective for every type of depression ( about one third respond to ADs)and you need to be diagnosisd by a professional before thinking about taking ADs. Teens go though lots of physical and emotional changes and your brain is not yet developed so therapy should by the first choice, totally agree with Z.

yeah this. Being in the teenage years sucks, I have no idea why people romantize it.

If you haven't tried "anything" then it's time to start digging up in there... you may make good use of therapy, or some mindfullness techniques.

Don't expect the meds to make it all alright. If you are lucky, they will make you feel better, but you still have to work on the rest. Get to know yourself better... work with the negative/intrusive thoughts. And so on...

Because you are still growing in your young body , all sorts of hormones are running wild. you may not be ill just going through changed in your body and thinking .

You should tell the psychologist about suicidal thoughts. They are not going to do anything. You have to be in imminent danger. Meaning you have a plan and intend to carry it out. For all of us with severe depression we have suicidal thoughts a lot. I even told my pdoc once I had a plan and he didn't do anything. You need to tell them because if you have depression that is a major symptom of it. I know how hard it is. I had an attempt once and didn't tell anyone for a month. It affects something in how they diagnose you.

Mine is for sure genetic and it started when I was 13. I have no idea what set it off either. Who knows what triggers it. Change in biology. Life events.

Hormones can play a big role. They should check your thyroid and may want to put you on birth control. That is pretty common. I don't know that being miserable for two years and having suicidal thoughts and other symptoms is just teenage hormones. It could be though. Maybe they put you on birth control first and see how that goes to regulate hormones.

I suggest you start keeping a mood log everyday. Like a journal. You write down how you slept, appetite, concentration is school, thoughts, feelings, everything you can think of about how you are doing. You bring this with you to the psychologist. I think you need to tell your parents. Have they not noticed something going on?

Yes, my parents noticed my grades keep falling and that I don't care. But not depression related.

SHRINKS have hears suicide stories MILLIONS of times and switch off ZINCO . %99 of suicides don't write goodbye letters or tell anyone they just do it.

Why did my post get deleted? I no see it. At least on my phone.
Fox saw it cuz she answered my question.

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Or maybe I am high. And what is this switch off zinco? Explain yourself man. I say she should tell shrink about suicidal thoughts. AD up for debate. Everything I know about her I say yes to AD.

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And HOW does this have anything to do with this thread? We're talking about suicyde, but not in that way.
I'm not trying to be mean or rude, but you getting be more scared to get help

Zinco - I'm really glad for all the info tog gave me.

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm wanting AD. I'm simply trying to learn & I may sound ignorant.

The shrink asks that question he has to , but then he will explain that everyone gets them at some time its his defuzer . NOBODY would get an Ad if every suicide thought was real , because your AD could push you over the top. NOW THE YOUNG are the most vunerable AD suicides has I said the brain is not fully adapted , so the less likely to get an AD unless monitored like a hawk . thats why shrinks an me don't like kids on AD S well at least in ENGLAND.

Where I live AD are given in the hospital, it's basically the first thing that happens. At least that's what I've heard

doesn't mean it is a good thing though.

Read the article on why they came out with the warning and the science.

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