Anti-depressants not work for some people?

I feel like I've tried every anti-depressant out there with little to no effect. I have been either mildly depressed to majorly depressed for over 15 years. I have worked with some great therapists, but that to has not had much effect. I've been on effexor, prozac, wellbutrin, lexapro, adderall, ritalin, provigil, etc. Of course not at the same time, but none seemed to help. I'm so desperate to feel better and not sleep all the time, but nothing seems to help. Am I just immune to anti-depressants or will they ever find something that will actually make a difference? After all these years between seeing psychologists and medical doctors, I ready to just give up

Hi Jenb2,

Sometimes it could be the dosage levels, or the need to be on more than one AD (or other drug) simultaneously.

It sounds frustrating, trying so many different kinds of ADs, but unfortunately it seems to be that way with some people.

You *could* be drug-resistant, which is something that happens. But only your doctor can say if you are, and there are other options you could try instead.

I have tried many meds and sometimes two or three together. You mentioned their are some other things I could do? Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

There are herbal medications that might work (like St. John's Wort) or ECT, or you could use them (antidepressants) in conjunction with a SAD (seasonal affective disorder) lamp/light.

Still think you may wish to talk to your doctor.

Yes, A recent study says that antidepressants only work for severe cases. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...dy-787264.html

Make sure you are taking in good nutrition. Omega 3 fatty oils are essential. A deficiency can cause depression.

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I think I read a study that said anti-depressants (without therapy) only help about 1/3 of the people (with major clinical depression) who try them. That number is not one that the drug companies promote. Have you tried tricyclics (TCAs) or MAO Inhibitors?

When I was in the pysch hospital last year, there were several patients on my ward receiving ECT for drug resistant depression. I saw major improvements in some of them.

There is a whole body of research on "treatment-resistant depression"; unfortunately, it's not all that uncommon. There are stimulation treatments that have shown some success and that are a lot less invasive than ECT, but they are still in clinical trials. I, too, have been trying various drugs for years. About 6 mos. ago, I was so disgusted, I just quit everything, even non-psych meds. I don't recommend it. I'm at the point where I don't know what to do anymore either, so you're not alone.
Take care, Jen

Have they ruled out any medical reasons or maybe mineral / vitamin deficiency? I've had ECT and its not too bad. A bit of short term memory loss but not enough to stop me functioning. It did help me for awhile but the depression did return. I hope they find something to help you soon. Good luck. Rachel

I chose to discontinue meds. I tried many different meds and different combinations. They primarily made me emotionally numb, which felt "better" and relieving at first. I discontinued when I discovered I never cried. At one time I felt like I might feel less depressed if I could just have a good cry. I was unable to. Being unable to be moved to cry is not emotional health, it's abnormal.
I also began to worry that there was no long-term research to say if taking drugs that affect the brain are safe, or not. I'm not willing to be a test subject.

It was a bit difficult getting the meds out of my system and then beginning to experience feelings I hadn't felt in a long time. It was a time of adjustment and discomfort, but now I'm back in therapy (and a type of therapy and type of therapist that I researched and chose myself) and for me therapy is the answer. I feel like I'm working on myself instead avoiding the things I need to know about myself or stuffing my feelings to avoid them.

Do they not work for some people? Probably. I guess you could say they 'worked' for me as long as I was willilng to accept the way they made me feel. It's always our choice.

I feel exactly the same way you do. I keep hoping that one day my therapist, Dr's and I will find the right combination.

Depression sufferer for over 20 yrs. Best of luck to you!!

I hear ya on having tried a whole slew of antidepressants to no avail. I was depressed for years and probably was on every SSRI under the sun. I went to doctor after doctor since I was 7 to try and figure out the right combination of meds for me to be on, and I, at one point, ended up on 7 different meds! Still, all I got were side effects, and no positive effects. Now, at 27 years old, I came across a different approach to treating my depression with Orthomolecular Psychiatry, which basically means they help taper you off the meds, do lab work to see what your body needs, and then give you a regimen of nutrients to take. Believe me, I thought this was BS when I heard about it, but since then, I've gotten the lab tests, food allergy tests, brain chemistry tests, taken some reccommended supplements, and my depression is gone!

I feel the same way. I was on anti-depressants for about 3 years, and I tried at least 5 or 6 different kinds and different dosages and none of them helped much and all of them had side effects which I couldnt handle (weight gain, no sex drive, no emotions, etc.) they helped with my severe clinical depression for a while but still I didnt even feel like a person anymore.

I have been off anti depressants for over 2 years now. I have been looking into other things and I have tried most of them, but none helped completely. I tried getting exercise, multivitamins, Omega 3, healthier diet, more sun, pretty much everything I can think of. But I havent tried St. Johns wort yet. Im still looking for something that can help me. On top of my depression I also have pretty bad anxiety and went through episodes of psychosis, and panic but all of this is probably connected with eachother.

You know, I feel your pain. It is difficult, very difficult. I lie awake at night wondering how long I can go on like this. Nothing helps me either. I've been on everything under the sun and they only make me numb....not better...but worse in some ways.

I'd be interested in finding out about the Orthomolecular Psychiatry....