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Antidepressants are just fine after you have tried everything to resolve the depression naturally. Diet, exercise, relationships, career, etc. Most often this w
by justinko 5y ago
Antidepressants are just fine after you have tried everything to resolve the depression naturally. Diet, exercise, relationships, career, etc. Most often this will work.
Eventually you may need a heavier hammer. Antidepressants can do the job but they are not meant to be used for long term use. The reason is side effects, long term withdrawal/dependency, and the eventual “poop out”. One year should be the cut off.
Fluoxetine, for example, induces neurogenesis. This is the method of action that cures depression. Exercise can do the same thing, which is why you’ll see studies of “cardio is just as effective as antidepressants”. Psilocybin as well.
Chronic stress will reduce your neurogenesis. There are many, many ways in this modern world to experience it.
The stigma of antidepressants needs to end. They can be very useful tools under the right circumstances.
Another thing you have to watch out for is mental illness, such as bipolar, that is not treatable with antidepressants (they can induce mania) nor any holistic method. Mood stabilizers and possibly an “antipsychotic” will be required. I’m bipolar and Lamotrigine has improved my world that no lifestyle change ever could. It’s been nothing short of a miracle drug for me.
- MobileVet 5y agoThanks for sharing your struggles and laying out some of the ‘action’ pathways. Also really appreciated your follow up with the caveat for antidepressant use with bipolar. Many people don’t know this and hiding it from your family can literally be life threatening. Regarding psilocybin, I have seen lots of cautions regarding use by bipolar folks. Most of the studies specifically avoid including bipolar so far. Clearly an n=1, but have you had success with it (if you feel comfortable sharing)?
- justinko 5y agoWhat substances a bipolar person can consume will vary by the individual. Some can use alcohol moderately, others must completely abstain. Bipolar is a progressive illness. I have taken psychedelics a handful of times and experienced the purported benefits that last a lifetime. Other times I have experienced extreme paranoia. I guess it depends on what state I’m in (mania, depression, mixed, stable). I used amphetamines and THC for many years to self medicate before being diagnosed. Self medication is extremely common for bipolar folks, especially alcohol. It only makes things worse. I’m still figuring out what I can and cannot consume, along with dosage. Since being on a mood stabilizer, I absolutely cannot consume any amount of THC, as it will induce mania. Alcohol will make me incredibly depressed the next day. Medication is new to me this year.
- MobileVet 5y agoThanks again for your candor. Everyone is definitely different and even within a person is their current state, so it is no surprise your experience has been mixed. Great to hear you did have some positive experiences, I have heard they can be seminal. Hang in there, glad Lamotrigine has been so successful for you. I wish everyone could find a single med that could bring them relief. Many end up on a cocktail with plenty of side effects etc. it’s a never ending game of whack a mole and it sucks.
- kayodelycaon 5y agoBipolar is already correlated with psychosis. (Mine is more pronounced than average.) Taking substances that induce psychosis seems a tad dangerous.
- MobileVet 5y agoRight... which is why the studies have avoided folks with bipolar and focused on straight depression. As one with a loved one who suffers, the ‘magic’ solution of psilocybin is still a big pull to give it a shot.
- pseudalopex 5y agoDepression seems to have different underlying causes in different people. What works for someone might not work for someone else. And how long to stay on medication varies from person to person. Especially if they have recurring depression.