Anyone on antidepressants since breakup?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2007
Anyone on antidepressants since breakup?
1
Mon, 03-24-2008 - 7:31pm

I was just wondering what the effects of anti-depressants are? Do they make you happier? Do they push bad thoughts from your head? One of my best friends is going through a divorce and started taking some and her sister has told me that she is now "acting like herself again".

Its 3-months into my breakup and I have been thinking of my ex constantly. I'm wondering if I should start seeing a psychiatrist and possibly start medication. I also would like to know if while taking them you may be ok, but as soon as you get off will you just end up feeling as bad as you did? Do they mess up the grieving process?

Anyone have any info or experience, I'd like to know.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2008
Mon, 03-24-2008 - 8:51pm

I am in the psychology/ social work field, and have been on antidepressants, so I can try to give you a little bit about them Marcie...

Antidepressants usually boost the chemicals in your brain which control your mood. So, if you have lowered levels of serotonin (a chemical in your brain that ups your mood) taking an SSRI antidepressant boosts the levels of this natural feel-good chemical that your body should be manufacturing plenty of by itself.

When you experience depression, your serotonin or other chemicals can lower greatly in number and antidepressants get the levels back up to normal. It is not at all like being "high" or anything; it just sort of makes you feel normal.

When you get off the medication, assuming you don't have any medically-based depression, you just feel like yourself. It does not diminish your ability to feel or grieve or anything; it just makes it more bearable.

That being sad, antidepressants have MANY side effects: teeth problems, drowsiness, dimished sexual interest (which can be good if you are not getting any right now due to a breakup! haha), etc. so check with your doctor before you take them, if you choose to.

I know how you feel! Believe me, I help people all the time and it's sooo different when it is you that is going thru something. I am around tonight if you want to chat!

Good luck!
Liz