Is it ok to take antidepressants?

^ This is bad advice, I am sorry to say that puni. Reason is as below:

Basically the only person who can say whether medication is good for you or not is a qualified medical doctor. Please visit a good doctor or psychiatrist (MD medicine) and they can assess you.

Without assessing you - folks on forum giving advice based on their 'personal knowledge' is a dangerous thing. Depending on the evaluation, medication can make people healthier but ONLY a doctor can evaluate.

Sometimes not taking the right medication at the right time may actually cause more harm because you waited too long without taking help. A counselor is supposed to evaluate and if needed refer you to a doctor (which the counselor has done in this case). It is part of their responsibility (in counseling) to point out need for a medical consultation.

 

OP,

If your counselor has suggested anti depressants, please see a psychiatrist. Only a psychiatrist should prescribe medication...yes sometimes general physicians prescribe these kinds of medications and some counselors are certified to....but it is always better to see a psychiatrist for that step.

Coming to antidepressants...bouts of depression untreated can lead to clinical depression...where recovery is much harder and prolonged. Obviously you have a lot of stress currently with your academics and limited social life. All these are probably contributing to the recurrence.

Anti depressants can be tricky. When you take any medication, it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to know if it actually works for you. Many times, pele have to change the medication even after 2weeks...because they are having adverse effects from the medication. That doesn't mean it is all bad. It means that that particular medication is not right for you. S you start afresh with another medication to see if that works better. What works wonders in one person can have very different reactions in another.

Anti depressants have side effects...in some it is weight gain and in others it kills your appetite. If and when you see a psychiatrist explain all other issues you have ...for example if you have even a mild form of eating disorder it can impact the efficiency of the medication. (What seems innocuous or unrelated to us can give the psychiatrist a better insight). Similarly with sleep...so be very explicit...don't worry about sounding like a hypochondriac

As for antidepressants and suicide...when a person is in clinical depression, they may have suicidal thoughts. Wen they take medication, and actually starts working they are not totally out of the woods in terms of their mood but they get more energy and motivation to carry out their plans. That is the catch 22 situation with medication...earlier they have the thoughts but lack the otivatn, planning and energy to carry it out into action. They get better (is a range) but not totally...so those thought scome back every now and then. Add to this, they now have more ability to act on their thouts. . This is always the most sensitive time...

You may find that you need medication now...but it is a control tool and not a cure. Just as it is with suicide, a person before medication does not have the energy to engage in the other activities that help manage the depression. So while you may know the benefits of healthy eating, exercise, etc you may n have been able to plan and organize your day or had the motivation to do these. As you find the right medication you should engage in therapy, enroll in some kind of exercise routine, maybe sign up for a creative arts course..it doesn't matter if they are Indians or not...they will be strangers and that si ok...don't look for strong friendships but try to find one activity you do with other people...even if you are quiet and can't manage the art of 'small talk.'

There is no stigma attached to medication...it is only our perception of it. Remember people with BP, Diabetes take medication every day. It isbto regulate a metabolic need...it is the same here. Depression is not in your mind...it affects your mood yes but itbis an organic condition.

At the same time, remember that the role of medication is only to bring you to a stage where you can learn coping skills... coping skills teach you how to manage your mood so you can over come the episode. They teach you how to recocnize symptoms in the event of a recurrence and how to be proactive before it gets to a deeper clinical diagnosis.

Good luck.

 

If you are at a stage where you can't function in you day to day activities, please see a psychiatrist as soon as possible.

 

Anti depressants can be addictive and bad for the system if taken for along time . No medicine can make one confident and happy.But you can take them if suggested by a Doctor and also go for self-help classes. Soon you will not need any medicine.
It will be better if you took personality development classes which will help you lifelong. Improve your social skills, go for a makeover , new haircut , join a hobby class etc.
Maybe you applied for courses which do not interest you.If you don't like science, maths(like me) you will be a nervous wreck. If you choose your subjects to your liking and not because its trendy, you will excel.
One can excel in cooking, painting, dancing and make a career out of it.
Also try and stay away from depressing relatives who make fun of you, they need help themselves.
Even placebos work , its all psychological, all you need a boost to your confidence level.
You are young , healthy and have so many pluses for you, cheer up!

 

No need to be confused. Pick up the newspaper look for interesting classes and join even if they are short term . Once you start something constructive you will be on the road to recovery.Join English speaking classes if you feel bad about your accent.Stop reading stories on the net, go for a walk ,take medicines if necessary but only to get a kick start.
Just thinking and imagining things never helps.