Do anti-depressants help?

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Magsy
(@magsy)
Posts: 90
Topic starter
 

At my therapy session last Friday I said I can't understand what has changed but I feel no urge to gamble. 

But I have been taking 20mg of Fluoxetine daily for 5 weeks now.

Has anyone else found taking anti-depressants helpful?

 
Posted : 16th October 2019 10:15 pm
S.A
 S.A
(@s-687)
Posts: 4883
 

Hi...I have taken them in the past and I remember that they did give me a lift, but then over time I think they start to become less effective..its like your body gets use to them and then you start to have to take more to acheive the same effect. I might be wrong.

If you watch youtube clips about recovery from depression. They tend to say that the most powerful anti-depressants are exercise and social connection, meaning and purpose.

Enjoy the feeling of not wanting to gamble. Regards.. S.A 🙂

 
Posted : 17th October 2019 11:16 am
CalleyWalley1988
(@calleywalley1988)
Posts: 3
 

As a health professional myself you need to make sure you avoid influences and environments of gambling in first place. Anti-depressants can be addictive, i’ve always avoided them myself as having young children i didnt want to be drowsy and keep myself level headed for work.

They work for some people but make sure you have reviews regularly as prescription might need changing or monitoring if its the right one for you. And make sure you are weaned of them properly when your ready as this can make you at risk of having bad moodswings and not in the right frame of mind because of the level changes in body. 

Eating healthy can help depression, its hard with no appetite but believe it or not what we eat can have a big impact on our mental health and hormones in the body. 

 
Posted : 17th October 2019 1:51 pm
(@alkynat)
Posts: 44
 

Hi Magsy, I think I have been through the alphabet of anti-depressants.  I spent about a decade on them, had to try lots of different ones and variations of a couple at once before I found one that seemed to work. I still gambled throughout though. I have been off them about 2 years now and I didn't notice an increase in gambling when I quit. So I don't think they made any difference to me but it's great if they are helping you. I never disclosed my gambling to any mental health professional so I was never treated with that in mind and maybe there was an anti depressant that may have helped..?!

 
Posted : 17th October 2019 9:15 pm
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

Hi there, my anti depressants lifted my mood serotonin that high my gambling became so bad. I just didn't care when lost money. I found it hard to feel a low compared to now not being on them. I say be careful myself. Just my opinion though cheers 

 
Posted : 17th October 2019 10:43 pm
(@jimblob)
Posts: 4
 

I had been prescribed the same as you originally 20mg of fluoxetine about 5 months ago. I have stopped taking them over a month ago on my own accord. I don't think it helped in terms of stopping gambling, I didn't really feel as suicidal or too depressed however I wasn't improved in terms of my day to day. My s*x drive was pretty absent before taking them and on them it was non existent, and unfortunately I don't feel that I am able to bring it back (I'm 26). 

To me gambling just fills that void, I no longer get any excitement from other dopamine sources such as video gaming. I wish I could try and enjoy life in terms of it's natural beauty.

This post was modified 4 years ago by Forum admin
 
Posted : 18th October 2019 2:38 am
Magsy
(@magsy)
Posts: 90
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I was worrying that me having no urge to gamble was only due to this anti-depressant and once I come off it the urge will come back.

I don't think that's the case now - I've been on them before and the urge never stopped then.

I do think they have contributed though, just by lightening my mood. The mind is a powerful thing!

Thanks again x

This post was modified 4 years ago 2 times by Magsy
 
Posted : 18th October 2019 9:11 am
Forum admin
(@forum-admin)
Posts: 5944
Admin
 
Posted by: jimblob

I had been prescribed the same as you originally 20mg of fluoxetine about 5 months ago. I have stopped taking them over a month ago on my own accord. I don't think it helped in terms of stopping gambling, I didn't really feel as suicidal or too depressed however I wasn't improved in terms of my day to day. My s*x drive was pretty absent before taking them and on them it was non existent, and unfortunately I don't feel that I am able to bring it back (I'm 26). 

To me gambling just fills that void, I no longer get any excitement from other dopamine sources such as video gaming. I wish I could try and enjoy life in terms of it's natural beauty.

Hello JimBlob

We just wanted to let you and other forum users know that it is not a good idea to stop using anti-depressants without medical supervision, as there can be serious withdrawals and side effects from some types.

If you feel that anti-depressants aren't working, or you're getting unwanted side-effects, please visit your GP and explain this, and they should be able to transfer you onto some different ones or help you come off them in a controlled and safe way.

Kind regards

Forum Admin

 
Posted : 18th October 2019 9:34 am

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