Long-term Use of Antidepressants?

i have recently discovered that i have been suffering from depression almost my entire life. I am 39 now and might have to be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. I would like to know of other people who have been on antidepressants for a very long time and if they have been able to have a normal life.

sincere wrote:

i have recently discovered that i have been suffering from depression almost my entire life. I am 39 now and might have to be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. I would like to know of other people who have been on antidepressants for a very long time and if they have been able to have a normal life.

Just because you've been depressed for a long time doesn't mean that you will have to be depressed for the rest of your life or-be on antidepressants for the rest of your life. Healing doesn't come in a bottle, dear heart. Take comfort and hope in that. You can be well for the rest of your life.

Jessie wrote:

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Just because you've been depressed for a long time doesn't mean that you will have to be depressed for the rest of your life or-be on antidepressants for the rest of your life. Healing doesn't come in a bottle, dear heart. Take comfort and hope in that. You can be well for the rest of your life.

Thank you Jessie. I believe that you are right. That although i've read about people possibly using antidepressants for a very long time; doesn't mean that it will be the case for me. i understand that i might need the medicine for sometime but, with effort on my part i can be well and not have to take medicine for ever. Thanks for your response :)

I believe it can be helpful for people to use antidepressants for short time.

In my own experience, I wasn't warned that long time use can be counterproductive. I was put on them for years!

Please read the fine print and be aware that antidepressants can lead to suicide ideation.

Looking back on this dark period of my life, I realize now it would have been helpful,(and healing) to get my focus off myself and my misery and onto something-anything else!

I was so wrapped up in trying to find a way out of my pain, that I only made it worse by keeping my attention on how miserable I was.

Reaching 'outside' myself in prayer was the way out for me.

Best wishes

There's many ways out of depression. According to many studies exercise, changing your thoughts,
stopping rumination, taking action on meaninful, important, and pleasurable activities, getting proper sleep, hanging out with your social network eating lean protein in the morning
seem to work as well or better than many antidepressants. All of the listed activities have effects on your brain chemistry.

Here's some ideas on depression:

http://www.emoclear.com/depression.htm

sincere wrote:

i have recently discovered that i have been suffering from depression almost my entire life. I am 39 now and might have to be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. I would like to know of other people who have been on antidepressants for a very long time and if they have been able to have a normal life.

Antidepressants ruined my life . I took them for less than one year and I now have tardive dyskinesia chronic pain , mental fogginess and other side effects. Antidepressants don't work;they dont pass double blind tests at least not when properly analyzed. You should read bookd by Peter Breggin MD and Joseph Glenmullen MD before you ruin your life . Also look at http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com
The pharmacuetical companies lie about the effectiveness of these drugs . Doctors get their drug info from pharmaceutical reps

The effect of antidepressants depends on the cause of the depression. Of course, there are people who are more depression prone than others. That said, you may have periods of depressions depending on your life experiences. Those people who have brain chemistry issues, such as being bi-polar, will need to be on medication for the duration of their lives. Other people may find relief from exercise, meditation, faith in God, or a change in their life circumstances. So, it really depends on you. Only you and a good doctor can determine the your best course toward healing.