I'm trying meds but nothing works so far I'm on paxil now 8 days praying it helps severe anxiety depression and PTSD need feedback do they really help nothing so far has helped yet
Do antidepressants really lift your mood and improve anxiety help?
Question posted by theresa06 on 20 Aug 2013
Last updated on 20 November 2022
11 Answers
nikkishaf
23 March 2018
I am also dealing with severe depression and anxiety I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and I’m currently on the Duloxetine 60mg which has really helped for my depression, sometimes it takes a while to find an antidepressant that’s a good fit for you everyone’s body is different . With the right medication and therapy sometimes can be a faster healing process .
WildcatVet
20 May 2017
Yes, they do... IF you respond to the particular drug you're taking... 2/3 of patients have to try several different medications or a combination that works uniquely for them... and you have to be patient and allow 4 ~ 6 weeks for the benefits to begin to appear and 6 ~ 8 weeks for the drug to reach therapeutic blood levels.
We've become used to a world of instance fixes. Your mental health is far too important not to wait and be patient. You could be talking about the happiness of the rest of your life.
Babygirl3129
20 May 2017
I mean I know they do I wonder if they will work again. I'm not sure mine is working for me don't feel myself like I used to my head feels weird. Aware of how long they take. That is true I hope we can find a cure in this life time.
Jmckenzie
9 May 2018
There’s a myth embedded in your post.
it’s got nothing to do with reaching therapeutic blood levels - you reach therapeutic blood levels as soon as you take a therapeutic dose - but regardless of the dose or blood levels - it takes several weeks for the medication to affect the various receptors. It’s got nothing to do with building up blood medication levels - and everything to do with the neurons being exposed to the substance for a minimal period of time.
WildcatVet
9 May 2018
That is NOT a myth. Do your research... and not on the psychobabble websites. Try psychopharmacolgy for instance.
Jmckenzie
9 May 2018
I’ve done my research thanks
It’s a common misconception that blood levels of a medication increase over weeks If the dosage is static, in fact the converse is more likely as the liver will become more efficient at breaking down a substance - it adapts
Just thought I’d point it out - it’s healthy to keep check the proliferation of distorted info in these forums
Jmckenzie
9 May 2018
For your edification, even science is not totally sure why theirs a lag in the effect of antidepressants - here’s an extract from a scientific journal ,,,
More resent research (link is external) suggests an analogous explanation of why SSRIs don't kick in right away. The reason suggested is that SSRIs don't target the serotonin transporter directly. Although some SSRIs (for instance, Lexapro) bind directly to the transporter, the direct binding is not the underlying mechanism of action. Instead antidepressants target our DNA, in particular the genes that code for the serotonin transporter. They make these genes less active, so fewer serotonin transporter molecules are available in the brain. This, it is argued, explains the delayed action of antidepressants.
Since our brain has plenty of active serotonin transporter molecules when we start taking antidepressants, it takes a while before a suppression of the genes that code for the transporter has an effect on serotonin in the brain. When we start taking the medication, our brain is like a refrigerator stocked with our old food choices. It takes a few weeks for us to get through that food and replace it with the healthier alternatives that can ultimately stabilize us and make us function optimally.
WildcatVet
9 May 2018
" it’s healthy to keep check the proliferation of distorted info in these forums"
I agree with your last remark... and that's why I replied to your comment.
The fact remains that it can take 6-8 weeks to achieve full benefits no matter what you care to attribute it to.
NAMI: "Although the claim is made that some people may be able to start to feel less depressed/anxious within 2 weeks of taking one of these kinds of antidepressants, most people won't start experiencing the full positive effects of the medication until 6 to 8 weeks after beginning it."
Good enough information for the average patient.
Babygirl3129
20 May 2017
Do you guys think anti depresspants are really helpful. I don't feel happy my head feels weird i don't understand why
jancat310
8 Feb 2016
Hi, I was put on zoloft after my mom passed. It really helped with everything. But the doctor never told me what could happen if I stopped taking it. When I knew it was time to get off of them. It was one of the worst things in my life that had happened to me. I had a pyscodic episode and ended up in a mental hospital. My family thought I would be in there forever. I don't remember everything I did or said. My family won't tell me. The only thing they did tell me was I was very violent. That's never been me. I did research after that. Found out that's one of the things that can and often does to people. I will never again iin my life take anykind of antidepressants again. So many people I talked to went through the same thing. Best thing is to stay drug free. Unless of course it's heart meds, or something you have to take to stay alive. Not to mention these drugs really harm the mind.. Good luck to you. Please go to a holistic healer. They work wonders for almost everything. Please let me know hoy your doing.
Calmyogi
2 Nov 2016
I'm curious, did you stop taking them abruptly or wean yourself off?
MeggieGirl
8 Sep 2015
There's something important you should know, and I wish I knew this years ago. I started taking antidepressants when I was 12, and I'm now 42, so I have 30 years of experience, and its' only in the last 6 months that I found relief. That is a lifetime of pain, and I never should have endured this. The entire time, I was in counseling - literally, the ENTIRE time. My issue was a chemical imbalance, truly.
We have THREE neurochemicals in our brain that affect depression and other mood disorders - and as a result, there are different classes of antidepressants. Most people have taken SSRI antidepressants, being told that depression is a lack of serotonin in the brain. That was me, from 12 to about 38 - and I tried them all. I finally tried an SNRI, and this works on the second neurochemical, norepinephrine, and my depression was responding to it, but not quite enough.
Finally, I got on Wellbutrin, which works on the third neurochemical, dopamine, and my depression REALLY responded to it - but even then, to find complete relief, I had to add a mood stabilizer, Lamictal, because even though my depression was lifted, I still had the problem of getting upset or angry over the little things. Lamictal helped me to where I get upset or angry over the things that are truly appropriate.
I wish I hadn't spent over 25 years chasing every SSRI - in some cases spending 5 or 8 years on one, thinking "this is supposed to help," maybe I just have the wrong attitude. Definitely give an antidepressant good time to do its' work - even if that means staying on it for 6 months if you need to - but if its' not doing its' job, move on. And know that there are other classes of antidepressant out there.
Like you, I thought "nothing works"... trust me, you haven't tried "everything"... you just may not know that they're not all the same. Don't lose faith - keep plugging away - and we're here for you. Please keep in touch.
hippiesticks
20 Nov 2022
Thank you, MeggieGirl, for sharing this information!
seanmccloskey
4 Sep 2015
i take paxil for anxiety 20mg/day it works
quinnellabella
1 April 2015
Ativan is currently my emergency anxiety medication. It helps me be less depressed when I have less anxiety on board.
Anti depressants help.
i have been on anti-depressants for 16 years. 16 years in counseling as well.
When I started feeling better, i went off all medication and stopped counseling.
I feel i have learned a lot from counseling all those years.
However, after being 3 years off medication and finally admitting to myself I need them again, I am headed right back to the psychiatrist. But not the counselor. I can deal with the eternal learning experiences. I cannot, however, change my chemistry, so I do need help there.
Yes, they do work. Give them time. Don't quit cold turkey, and keep a medication diary so you know what the medication is or isn't doing for you.
It may take a few tries to find the right one, or you may get lucky with one right away. Give each prescription time-- say 6-8 weeks..
smileyhappy
21 Aug 2013
Hi Theresa,
Try to not get discouraged! It took me 6 months of trying different antidepressants before docs found something to work. It takes time to try and then get off and wait a little and try again etc...
theresa06
21 Aug 2013
Thx but how did u feel was it like one day you just started to feel good when u were on the right med?
smileyhappy
21 Aug 2013
Started to fell like myself little by little every day
quinnellabella
1 April 2015
One day it will suddenly occur to you that "I think I might be doing a little better."
You won't even have noticed you were possibly getting better.
Give it about 3 weeks for this epiphany to occur.
RonMan
20 Aug 2013
Antidepressants change your brain chemistry. Since everyone of us has a different brain chemistry, some drugs are more effective, or effective at all, on some of us than on others. Paxil, and other medications like it, can stabilize mood and improve anxiety. By themselves they can really help. If you also get a good therapist, you can see significant changes, perhaps even permanent ones that may let you use fewer medications.
As with all things brain related, your milage will very. Good luck.
RonMan
theresa06
21 Aug 2013
CAn you please tell me I have tried several antidepressants like Zoloft celexa Effexor abilify and zyprexa as add ons and every benzo except valium nothing helps my severe anxiety and depression so far Iam now on paxil 9 days its not helping yet do you think this can help me if the others haven't I'm so desperate for relief I know it's all trial and error but it seems all I keep getting is error any help would be appreciated
RonMan
21 Aug 2013
Yes, there is a good chance it will work. First you NEED to relax a little and give it a chance. I know how difficult that is, but please try. It may take a few weeks, but the odds are good. Please see a therapist, if you are not doing so already. Your anxiety levels are clearly high. A therapist will help you deal with them, thus allowing the medications a better chance of working more effectively.
Keep us posted.
RonMan
quinnellabella
1 April 2015
When you first get on medication it is important to see a therapist while taking it. It helps someone keep an eye on your, helps you learn to keep an eye on yourself, and educates you.
Knowledge is power. You owe it to yourself to see a therapist when starting medication.
Janet149
1 March 2017
My mom recently got zoloft and this waiting for it to work it's so hard
Janet149
1 March 2017
My mom recently got zoloft and this waiting for it to work it's so hard
purplerain269
20 Aug 2013
Paxil does work but sometimes it takes about a month until you can tell a difference but I had to get on something else to take with the paxil but give it a month before you get on something else
theresa06
21 Aug 2013
Hi did it take you a month to feel better on paxil or did you not feel better at all so they added something else? What did they add if you don't mind me asking?
wanthelp52
20 Aug 2013
It generally takes a good month to get an adequate blood level to notice a difference, but that doesn't help u right now. I have suffered from both depression & anxiety. But when I was in the middle of severe anxiety, I needed to take a short acting anti anxiety for a few weeks go get me through. But I also have problems with addiction so I have to be careful. I had to switch from Paxil after a while because I got to the point where I had no emotions... just very flat. Hope u feel better soon :)
theresa06
21 Aug 2013
Hi that is how I have been for over a year flat with it without meds just feel miserable. I have tried every benzo but I still feel severe anxiety ( not attacks but anxiety 24/7) the only benzo I never used was valium did you ever try it? Also did pAxil work for you?
Related topics
paxil, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety and stress, antidepressant
Further information
- Paxil uses and safety info
- Paxil prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Paxil (detailed)
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