Should I be on medication?

[lostinstereo16]

I've been depressed/suicidal for about ten months now. I've gone to therapists. They barely thought anything of it. But now, it's to the point where I actually want to hurt someone physically. And I'm scared. I don't want to hurt anyone. And I don't want to think about hurting anyone. I'm too scared to tell someone because I don't want to be put in some mental ward. What am I supposed to do?

[nursegirl6572]

Great!  Just remember it tales up to 4-6 weeks to be able to see how the Zoloft if going to work.  In the meantime, if you have any thoughts of harming yourself or others, seek help asap, okay?

Keep us updated too!!  Fingers cross that the Zoloft works!

[lostinstereo16]

I went to the doctor and she put me on Zoloft. I was taking Trazodone before that, but it was mostly for my insomnia.

[mandy876]

thank you I was confused about that.  did not know Effexor was that.  glad we have a nurse on here to clear things up. mandy876

[nursegirl6572]

Some clarification is needed here.   For one, Effexor IS an SNRI (selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), as is Cymbalta.  Wellbutrin is classed as a Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI).  There are actually many different classes of antidepressant medications (most people are only familiar with the SSRIs).

The SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed ADs, usually initially, but everyone is different and there's no way any of us  could ever guess which med would be appropriate for someone else, based on our own experiences.

Just wanted to make sure we get the right info out there for the readers.

lost..I'm so glad you're going to talk to your doctor, that's very smart.  Please make sure you address this ASAP, having thoughts of harming yourself or others is something that needs addressed.  Please update us when you can!  Good luck!

[lostinstereo16]

Thank you. My mom is taking me to the doctor for a physical and I'm going to talk to her privately about it while my mom is outside.

[mandy876]

I have never heard of SSRIS or SNRIS.  my niece has been on depression meds since she was 13 she is in her 50s I never heard her say anything about these drugs. I will have her ask her mental health doctor the next time she goes In.  maybe this will help us.  thank you for being so sweet. mandy876

[Anneinside]

Yes, Effexor is an antidepressant, so are SSRIs (Selective Seretonic Reuptake Inhibitor) and SNRIs (Seretonic Norephinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor).  They are most often tried first...Treatment Guidelines refer to SSRI and SNRIs as "first line" choices for antidepressants. Effexor, Welbrutrin and Cymbalta are considered atypical antidepressants. That doesn't mean that your doctor can't make that his/her first choice in treating depression. But, usually atypicals are prescribed when SSRIs or SNRIs don't work.

[mandy876]

Effexor is a anti depressant.  my doctor started me on this.  mandy876

[Anneinside]

Most of us do NOT start with Effexor. Perhaps that is your doctor's practice but that isn't most. SSRI and SNRIs are often (but I won't presume to say most) first line antidepressants.

[mandy876]

yes you should be on medication.  talk to your doctor and tell him you need help.  I and most of us start on Effexor 34.5.  this is a very good drug for depression.  you also need friends to talk to.  you will meet some great people on medhelp. you will able to talk things out.  believe that helps.  if you feel like talking there is always some here.  if not it will be shortly.  mandy876