depression - need some positive thoughts

I was diagnosed with depression about a month and a half ago although i have probably had it for about 2/3 years.
Since I have been taking prozac for about a month i have seemingly got worse. My mood is all over the place,
I still feel suicidal, want to self-harm, hopeless, tired and have no control over my thoughts. My doctor has said
to give it 2 more weeks. How can i tell if the medication is working. Is there anybody out there who's
got through depression and can give me some ways to deal with it or some positive advice.
I cant seem to think about anything else or muster the mental strength to even get out of bed.

Welcome Jim!!!

So happy to hear that you are getting some help!! Are you in counseling as well as taking meds?? If not, it would be a good idea so that you can work through some of your feelings.

I have been taking anti-d's for several years and I am now taking Lexapro. I have also tried 3 other anti-d's. Each person is different, but Lexapro has been the best for me. I feel like "me" again. I also have a chronic illness and depression just seems to go hand in hand with lengthy illness.

Prozac, like Lexapro, is an SSRI . . . this class of drugs helps your brain to retain seratonin (which has probably been spilling from your body too quickly to be used properly by your brain). That's why the meds take as long as 3-6 weeks or more to kick in fully. YOUR BODY HAS TO ACCUMULATE ENOUGH SERATONIN to make a difference to your brain. The anti-d doesn't 'give' you seratonin, it just helps your body to retain what you get from exercise, the sun, laughing (yes laughing and smiling cause an increase in 'feel good' chemicals) etc. These kinds of brain chemicals help you to think rationally and receive information correctly.

Each of the other three anti-d's which I tried (paxil, zoloft, celexa) worked very well as far as helping with my depression, but they had some side effects which the doctor and I wanted to get rid of if we could.

I knew my first anti-d was working when I started thinking that some people were being extremely nice to me. I thought my kids were behaving exceptionally well and the clients at work seemed less agitated and more appreciative. It took me a while to realize that everyone else did NOT change. I DID. I was finally receiving information correctly. Prior to taking meds, I felt like people were picking at me, yelling, disrespectfull, etc. , when in fact, I was misinterpretting their intentions.

I really knew the meds were working when I started to 'forget' to take them occassionally.

I hope you'll post often to update us on your progress.

Blessings!

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In His Grip,

jimi 5 ive been envolved with depression for 6 years now and when it comes to meds it takes time to "level out" the chemicals in your brain need time to balance but it does get better until then keep chin up stay with the docs and you are always welcome here
ps chat is a good place for first hand experience to

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                          I have walked the road of recovery

 Welcome to our group. I hope you will find peace here. You will definately find understanding and comfort. Depression is such a complex illness and it is a real problem. People who don't understand why we have depression think it's all in our heads. Some are even in denial thinking they don't have it or wouldn't admit it if they were.

Hey, just wanted to add my welcome. Give the med a bit more of a chance. I know that it took a little for the anti-d med to kick in for me, but once it did, wooo hooo did I feel better.

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hi jimi, like everyone says give the meds some chance and while your doing that work on your self and life do something difirent like excersize if u haven't done it before or travel somewhere, take a nice vacation. it really helps to put things intp perspective sometimes.

then after 1 month assess your situation and decide what u gona do , good luck to u :)

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                                                     To be or not to Be

thanks to all you guys for the positive and informative messages. Its good to know that there are others who
take the time to reply and offer advice and assistance. I am gratefull for your warm welcome to the group
and your kind words. Good luck to you all.

jimi

p.s. had a good day today

Glad today was better>
.

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Thanks for sharing that good news Jim (and you are welcome)!!

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In His Grip,