Is Prozac effective? 

 

How about Zoloft or other anti-depressants?  Who should take them?  Everyone gets down or anxious.  It is part of life.  It is only when your depression or anxiety get in the way of everyday life that it needs a closer look.  Anti-depressive/Anti-anxiety medicines can definitely help take the edge off of depression or anxiety, but they aren’t a silver bullet.

  These medicines increase the uptake of seratonin in your brain.  Seratonin is the chemical that your body makes to stabilize your moods and help you feel good.  People on Prozac or similar medicines usually feel that they are getting decent results, that is a lessening in depression or anxiety.  However, there are trade-offs.  If medicines were perfect, the whole world would take it every morning for breakfast.  A lot of people on the medicines complain of becoming ‘dull’.  It makes you feel like a bit numb.  Worries come and go like water off a duck’s back.  That is great, but everything else seems to come and go in the same manner.  It is harder to feel other emotions such as love or humor. 

Is the trade-off worth it?  For those who are experiencing debilitating symptoms, probably so.  For those with more mild symptoms, there are a broad range of alternatives.  Exercise is key.  It can be hard to exercise when you are feeling depressed, but it really helps.  Diet is an important also.  Eating junky foods isn’t what your body needs.  Yoga and meditation are also good ideas.  Sometimes just talking to someone can be what you need.  If you decide to visit a therapist, find one who you are comfortable with.

If medicine seems to be right for you, make sure you discuss the trade-offs with your doctor.  Do the benefits outweigh the costs?  If so, then go for it. 
Life is good.  You can conquer depression.