Do I need medication again?

[Abhijeet007]

Hi,
I am 29 year old guy with some history with depression. In 2002, I got this and i was on medication for nearly 2 years. Later it took great effort for me to come out of it. Through yoga and physical exercise I could leave medicine and its now nearly 10 years that I have not taken any medication. However, i am not sure whether i was all good all these years. I did not have any problem in doing regular work but somewhere I was certainly feeling that something is lacking. During this period i completed my engineering and did 4 years of job. Now, i quit my job to pursue higher education. I came to USA which was a totally different experience for me. I was happy. Surprisingly, i am not doing well in my studies. I am unable to focus my brain and cannot study for long. A kind of subconscious fear persists. Poor memory. I literally failed in every subject which is highly unexpected from a professional who has 4 years of work experience in the similar field. I am very frustrated now. It is taking great effort for me to put into studies. I am really helpless. During 2002 i used to take Fluoxetine tablet and that worked like a magic for me. Do i need to start it? Kindly help. Currently, the major worry is that it takes great effort to study, a kind of sadness, not developing interest in work, sick of other habits that wastes my time. I am looking for urgent help. Hope to get some help soon.  

[Paxiled]

You don't sound depressed as much as having a tough time adjusting to your new challenge.  Drugs won't help you do better in school if depression isn't the cause, and you don't describe it as being the cause.  I wouldn't go on medication if this is true; I'd talk to someone at school who can help you make this adjustment.

[lola200677]

Iv been on antidepressants for far too long, and tried far too many. If you went back on them, would it be short term? Trust me you don't want to be on them long term. Because when you finally come off them, you're worse than when you started. But if your depression is so bad that your life is destroyed then by all means perhaps try it again? But just be careful as these things are poison so you must have good reason to go on them. Iv learnt my lesson the hard way and now I'm screwed (for probably a while to come). Too many people are on these things. Until something bad happens or the drugs stop working. But like I said - for some, they can be life saving :-)