Is Prozac, or any other antidepressant, effective when used occasionally?!
Question: Is Prozac, or any other antidepressant, effective when used occasionally.?
In a person who is subject to depression but who is pretty much fine most of the time, can Prozac be taken when they just have one or two really bad days, much the way Xanax is taken for periodic anxiety.? If not Prozac, is there another antidepressant that does not require a build-up period to work, something that will tend to elevate the mood without dramatically altering brain chemistry.?
Thank you.Health Question & Answer
Thank you.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
It takes awhile for most if not all sad to say for those kind of medications to adjust to the body and start working so to answer the question, no, you have to take them on a regular basis for them to be beneficial in the long run. I have been through ALOT of different kinds so I understand not wanting to rely on certain meds because of alot of the side effects and dependency issues, but it doesn't work that way. I know you will laugh but diet at least helps in a more healthier way and chocolate I know makes me have a quick pick-me-up lol Exercise helps tremendously too, yoga or just even a run will elevate your mood it works for me. Good luck! Let me know how the person does okay.? ;) <3Health Question & Answer
The class of meds such as prozac require about 6 weeks to reach therapeutic level. If the med is working like it is supposed to then the person should feel better. Of course because they are feeling better it does not mean they should stop taking the med, they should recognize that the med is helping. Depending on the dosage there is also a danger of stopping abruptly could lead to more severe depression and most psychiatrist will reduce the dosage over time if the med is working.
The treatment of depression is far more effective if verbal therapy is used in addition to the med because people need to talk about why they are feeling depressed. However current treatments are limited by insurance payments. Pills are quicker and cheaper (especially in time paid for) than therapy which could help to resolve the actual cause.
If your friend is constantly starting and stopping her meds, and then having her moods go from OK to depressed, then on the surface there appears to be a link. It also sounds like your friend has good potential for resolving her depression permanently by adding verbal therapy. Health Question & Answer
The treatment of depression is far more effective if verbal therapy is used in addition to the med because people need to talk about why they are feeling depressed. However current treatments are limited by insurance payments. Pills are quicker and cheaper (especially in time paid for) than therapy which could help to resolve the actual cause.
If your friend is constantly starting and stopping her meds, and then having her moods go from OK to depressed, then on the surface there appears to be a link. It also sounds like your friend has good potential for resolving her depression permanently by adding verbal therapy. Health Question & Answer
No, antidepressents can not be taken as needed. They work by slowly changing the way your brain handles seratonin, no medicine can do this instantly.
Exercise has been shown to be a good short term and immediate help for depression, but speaking from experience I find it hard to get into working out when I'm depressed.
If your depression seems intermittent, you should tell your doctor, it could be bi-polar disorder, which is frequently misdiagnosed as depression, and is treated in a different way.
Why do you not want to take your medicine daily.? If it is the side effects, there are other antidepressents that have less side effects. I had a lot of trouble with sexual side effects and weight gain on Lexapro, but I switched to Welbutrin which has none of those side effects.Health Question & Answer
Exercise has been shown to be a good short term and immediate help for depression, but speaking from experience I find it hard to get into working out when I'm depressed.
If your depression seems intermittent, you should tell your doctor, it could be bi-polar disorder, which is frequently misdiagnosed as depression, and is treated in a different way.
Why do you not want to take your medicine daily.? If it is the side effects, there are other antidepressents that have less side effects. I had a lot of trouble with sexual side effects and weight gain on Lexapro, but I switched to Welbutrin which has none of those side effects.Health Question & Answer
What you are describing is not clinical depression - which by it's formal definition is a 'persistent' lowering of mood over a significant period of time. Mood changes are a part of normal life - they only become a disorder when they significantly affect our ability to function over an extended period of time. In other words, you cannot be depressed one day and OK the next. Taking antidepressants for what is generally regarded as the normal ups and downs of life is likely to do far more harm than good. When the 'blues' strikes - look for non-chemical ways to give yourself a lift, or simply ride-out the storm - knowing that you will soon feel better. Health Question & Answer
Sounds like you need a mood stabilizer. I'm on Abilify which is labeled an anti-psychotic. But I take it for a mood stabilizing reason not because being psychotic.. Used to be on Xanax and Valiums as well.
Talk to Doctor and discuss which medicines you can change to.. I suggest Abilify or Seroquel.. Both are mood stabilizers.
Good luckHealth Question & Answer
Talk to Doctor and discuss which medicines you can change to.. I suggest Abilify or Seroquel.. Both are mood stabilizers.
Good luckHealth Question & Answer
no, prozac needs to build up in the system in order to start working. if they just have occasional bouts of anxiety there are different drugs that the doctor will prescribe. atavan is a common one they use.Health Question & Answer