<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I've recently been diagnosed with major depression. I'm going to start medication soon. Does anyone here have experience with depression? How long do people recover? </p>
<p>The worst part is that it's affecting my mind. I study economics and I used to be able to visualize theorems effortlessly. However, now I feel like a zombie.</p>
<p>Yep. It can take a couple weeks for the medication to kick in.</p>
<p>Supplement it with regular therapy sessions. That’s arguably the most effective method of combating it, at least in my experience.</p>
<p>i’ve never dealt with it personally, but i know people who have suffered from depression, and for what its worth, i dont really think medication is the best path, its not really my place to tell you, but based on people i’ve known and things i’ve seen in them, i think there are better ways to cope with depression, like exercise as has been mentioned and making small changes to your lifestyle to make things “happier” - whatever those changes may be for you</p>
<p>Here we go :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let people on the internet decide what the best path for you should be, at least medicinally.</p>
<p>But, everyone reacts to different antidepressants differently. If you feel like the drawbacks outweigh the benefits, talk to your doctor about it. For me, it’s helped me view the world in a more realistic manner, so it’s been helpful for me.</p>
<p>Every single situation is different. Medication may help you, and if it does you should feel better in a few weeks. Therapy can speed that process as well. Sometimes people don’t need meds. That’s how I was. Sometimes people need a change in circumstances or location, and that’s fine too. Whatever works for you is good, though if you’ve been prescribed medication, then that’s probably what’s best.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>+1 million</p>
<p>If you want to hear people’s experiences here on CC, thats great. Depression is extremely common, and I’m sure it would help to hear how others have dealt with it. But with regards to your treatment, that should be between you and your doctor.</p>
<p>My mom suffers from major depression, as do three of my five uncles, as well as my grandpa (whom I’ve never met, he died a year before I was born). Depression runs deep throughout my family. But oh well, it’s not cancer so we should count our blessings. Everyone in my family is on antidepressants and, even though one medicine might not work, it’s definitely worth it to try and work with your doctor to find the medicine that’s right with you. I also agree with the person who says you should supplement your medicine with therapy because I don’t think you want to rely completely on a pill to make your life livable. What I don’t agree with is when people say ‘just exercise’ or ‘make your surroundings more happy’. Depression is a disease and a lot of people don’t seem to realize the seriousness of major depression. It’s just feeling down, where you can work out to make it go away.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I completely agree, TomWolfe. Depression is definitely a serious disease which often can be helped with medication and therapy. But it can also be helped by doing specific work on changing your attitude or surroundings. Many people with depression can’t be helped that way, but some can. I had major depression for several years, but then when I got to college it got so much better because I removed myself from many situations which were unhealthy and I changed my attitude and got new surroundings which were much more suited to me. I never took any medication or went to therapy beyond a few cursory sessions. Depression is a disease with many causes and many cures. It’s highly serious and should be taken seriously if symptoms arise. But medication is not ALWAYS the answer. (However, those who are prescribed medication should take it. I am not against medication in any way.)</p>
<p>I agree it’s not always the answer, but it seems this person’s doctor thinks it is for her case. I saw my therapist several times before he prescribed me medication.</p>
<p>I wonder how much of the medicine is placebo.</p>
<p>I was never diagnosed for depression by a doctor, but I’m pretty sure I’ve been depressed for at least 1 year before (if not 2 or 3). I never went to anybody and never consulted a doctor. My recovery was extremely gradual. Because I never tried medicine, I wouldn’t know. But what helps is to have people around you, be it family, friends, or even just a doctor. It helps a lot. I didn’t talk to anybody about being depressed, not even my parents because they always make things worse. (I wanted to talk about it, but it just didn’t happen) As a result, I was in a hole for quite a while.</p>
<p>try to find some close friends. I know it’s hard when you’re a zombie, I know exactly what you mean. People prefer the cheerful and un-depressed type. Maybe you have an old, true friend you can rely on. If not, then put on a fake smile and pretend you’re happy. You got nothing to lose so might as well just let it go and be outgoing.</p>
<p>love how everybody’s an expert.</p>
<p>I’m kind of expecting that they will decide some day that depression is not “one disease”, kind of like MS. I know that for my daughter, a perfect storm of events led to a MAJOR depressive event in her life. She has worked hard through years of counseling and has had antidepressants as part of her treatment. She will tell you that she took her antidepressants because they helped her through some times where she was a danger to herself, but ultimately, it was counseling and changing life practices that have made the most difference to her. She really didn’t like how meds made her feel. Shes a highly creative type and the meds made her feel “dull”. I was never so happy as I was just the other day when she told me that she really does not feel depressed any more. My advice…get help that you trust…put getting better at the top of your list…and do EVERYTHING you can…whether it is medication or therapy…whatever it takes. It really CAN get better!!</p>
<p>^^^
I actually want my doctor to give me placebos instead of the real medication. However, placebos only work if I believe that I’m getting the real drug. So it’s technically impossible for me to get the placebo.</p>