I have recently discovered that I have Clinical Depression...?

It has always run in my family. But recently I went through a situation where I really put myself through excessive stress and guilt. That situation has resolved itself, but I found that I was not able to pick myself up and be " normal". I have really started having sleeping problems, haven't really had an appeitite much for almost 2 month, and have consequently lost 20 lbs. My doctor prescribed Zoloft for me, of which I am on day 12. I know they say it can take 2 to 4 weeks for it to be effective, and I am trying to be patient, but I need some positive reassurance from other on this medicine, that it will eventually help me return to my normal self, and I will actually have interest in daily life, and being able to sleep restfully again. I am also starting couseling next wk on the advice of my doctor. I know that if this med doesn't take for me, there are others, and one is bound to work. I am would just really appreciate some positive encouragement! Thanks in Advance!! =)

Answers:
You need to pat yourself on the back for getting yourself to the doctor and getting help. It takes a lot of courage to do that for yourself.

You should know putting people on anti depressant medication is not an exact science - meaning that it is trial and error. You have to try them until you find the right one for you. But when you find it, you will feel 100% better. And sometimes it does not take the full 2 - 4 weeks to get it started. You may start to feel the effects sooner.

Don't give up and if you get to feeling impatient or like you cannot handle it, call your doctor - call a friend - call a counselor or call a hotline. Do whatever you need right now to make it through.

Good luck.

Hang in there. You will not BELIEVE how bright the light is at the end of the depression tunnel! The meds *really do* work.

Take care!
the meds DO work. Give it a little bit longer. If after the two weeks is up and you are not noticing a difference, call and ask if the dosage can be increased.

there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will feel better soon

best wishes
I've been on Zoloft for a couple of years and it helps. It's not a "magic pill", but it keeps my depression at a low level and prevents me from slipping back into the deep, deep depressive state I was in before I started taking it. Among the anti-depressives, it is the one that best stabilises your anxiety levels too.

I hope there are better days ahead for you. Cheers.
Hi! I suffered with the same problem about 10 years ago, also severe anxiety disorder and OCD. It took quite a few medication trials to find the right one for me, so if Zoloft doesn't work for you, DON'T get upset about it, as there are so many others out there. Good idea to start counseling, as the family doctor really doesn't handle things like that. Don't worry though, you will come out of it, and you will be amazed at how much better you feel. Another thing that really helped me was exercising. That can help with mood and attitude while you are working on your meds:) Good Luck!
It worked for me for awhile (3 years) then stopped helping. Everyone is different and you may have to try others before you find the right one. It's important to tell your doc how you feel- don't sugarcoat.

In the meantime, try learning some breathing and meditation techniques. They can really help you feel better. Good luck to you.
Two to four weeks? Hell, hunny, try SIX MONTHS. You may "improve" slightly in a few weeks, but don't expect miracles any time soon.

There are no guarantees that it will even work. Different meds work for different people. And you can't just take a pill and get better. You also have to be engaged in doing work on yourself, 7 days a week, every waking hour.

Also, if you drink ANY alcohol or do drugs, all bets are off. The Zoloft (or any other med) WON'T WORK, and you're wasting your time with it.

Sorry to make it sound so bleak, but I don't want you to be set up for disappointment. For YEARS I did meds and therapy, expecting things to get better quickly. When they didn't, I kept giving up. That's why it's taken so long for me.

This time I'm doing it right. I expect to spend a solid TWO YEARS (at least) working on my recovery before I make any decisions about whether it's working or not. But if it does work, then two years isn't really that long, as opposed to 7 or 10 or 20.

Love, Jack.
I was on Prozacs, it worked immediately I tried Zoloft but only a few times but i prefer Prozac. I don't think counselling will work because it's not what you need I have a friend that tried counselling for years and I tried counselling but it was the pills that worked not sitting their talking about my personel life that helped me.
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