One of my closest friends is going through a depression, he's been like that for 2 years now. He says he always feels down and even thinking about suicide somethimes. He said he wanted to start taking antis but I quickly tried to change his mind (I don't know if I did the right thing) Because people say they don't work in the long run and make you even more suicidal after using for some time.

TL;DD: So, is there anyone here using/used anti depressants? Are they good?

I'm taking Pharmacology classes, but I didn't get there yet, so I can't answer you how it works. Try it in a couple months

But they won't sell anything that produces suicidal effects (although is an adverse reaction to many drugs that passes the brain barrier), if the drug was indicated by his psychiatrist and he checks eventually, it's fine.

Yes, they help me have a normal life.

Yeah they do. Especially with anxiety. It stimulates serotonin production, how could something like prozac possibly be responsible for further suicidal thoughts? Sounds like the horror stories you've heard are from people too deep in the hole or unwilling to keep fighting.

They only can make you more suicidal initially because they boost your energy before they can fully correct the chemical imbalance in your brain.

You're not a doctor, please don't give your friend medical "advice" like that.

Yes, but they should only be used as a last resort or else you'll become too dependent on them

I've never taken them, but I know people who have and I've seen stuff written online and the majority of people seem to feel as if they don't help .

They do work, but they affect different people to different degrees and often in different ways. In general they help, but for some they don't or can have adverse affects. Nobody can really predict how exactly they will affect them until that person tries to use them to help whatever problem they have.

Of course they do. If they didn't work at all than doctors wouldn't prescribe them.

You should encourage your friend to visit a doctor

Well, I did my research on the internet (yahoo answers) and I was horrfied I know I'm just worried for him

I was prescribed Zoloft but the result was me only feeling worse and more depressed/irritable as days passed. I stopped taking it and replaced it with organic antidepressants/anti-anxiety and have been much better ever since ~

This is the best answer. If a doctor determines they could help, they should be taken.

They say you get even worse for a few weeks after starting to take them,but it gets better after

Take him to a doctor or someone specialized in this kind of disorders, there's always a way out even if meds don't work. No one dies from pure depression, but the actions you take from feeling that way.

What works (or doesn't) for Yahoo answers users isn't true for your friend. Everyone has different circumstances and every doctor will have a particular way of treating those circumstances. The best thing your friend could do is see a doctor and try whatever treatment they recommend. It's way better than letting his current state continue (and potentially get worse)

Yes, they do help. You need to be carefully prescribed and have the right dosages and the right medication. Sometimes the side effects are too overwhelming, so you lessen the dosage, try a new med, or a new combination of meds. It can take people a long time before they find the right pill.

But believe me they help

There's a lot of people who do get out of it with meds, actually the majority, some special circumstances don't. It's all about how you threat it.

Yea I took that last semester, mostly for anxiety and it worked for the most part. I would suggest trying them because they usually start you off in small amounts anyways.

I was such a emotional drunk when I drank and took that medication tho (which was allowed)...