Antidepressants: Lifesavers or sugar pills?

I'm posting this because, at the age of 53, I've been through numerous depressions and I've know alot of people with the same problem. I have never been helped by an antidepressant and I don't know anybody else who has. I'm not talking from some Church of Scientology view or anything religious at all. I don't have any moral objections to people taking what they have to take to get better. I'm just saying that, after going to my doctors and desperately asking for help, paying for this medication and trying to manage the terrible side effects of every single one of them, they don't work. And, sometimes you have to wait two months for the damn things to "take effect", by which time you're ready to throw yourself under a bus. Sometimes I think they're prescribed just to give the patient hope. But that's just my opinion and my rant. Anybody out there have any opinions on antidepressants?

and in a very literal sense. Not me but people I am very close to.

I got lucky- I've only had to try one type (Zoloft) with an average dose (100 mg) and that cleared up my anxiety for the most part. Sometimes folks have to try different types of meds to find the one that works best for them. They are not a cure-all, however; you must take a holistic approach to depression, including changes in diet, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc. Best of luck to you!

literally. I was in a suicidal depression due to perimenopausal hornmone changes. I was smart enough to get myself to a doctor and got on Celexa. Within 48 hours they had started to take effect -- it was the first time in three years I hadn't been crying almost constantly. I also got into therapy with a wonder LCSW -- the combo has allowed me to manage my illness for the past three years and to feel confident I can continue to manage it.

My side effects have been few: weight gain and yawning.

I thanks the gods that I live in a time when I have access to such a medication, instead of having my uterus ripped out and being put into a home for "hysteria", as would have happened a century ago.

My Mom also fell into a depression after a series of illnesses -- she was helped tremendously by antidepressents.

I'm sorry you have not had such success with your treatment. :(