Is it OK to take anti depressants if you arent depressed? Will there be any harmful effects?

Question

Is it OK to take anti depressants if you arent depressed? Will there be any harmful effects?

Answer 1

Of course there will be...there are harmful effects with taking any drug even if it is meant for something.  Doctors prescribe anti-depressants now like they have antibotics for so many years.  Seems they don't care about the effects later, only the short term relief.  Good luck with your decision.  

Answer 2

I wouldn't bother taking them.  All its going to do is allow for more neurotransmitters to be released into your brain, which won't do too much for you if you're not depressed, have an eating disorder, have anxiety, etc.  But for those who do have those things, it allows for more to be released and allows for those people to function properly which is why they are prescribed to them in the first place.

Answer 3

It depends on why you're taking them. A lot of antidepressants can treat other issues like anxiety, ocd, social anxiety, panic disorder (which i have)...you don't necessarily have to be depressed. And from personal experience, an ex of mine gave me a few to take to help me relax (i worry too much) and sleep at night many years ago, and they never had an adverse effect on me.

PS- Not everyone experiences the side effects of the drugs. I had no issues taking them...no decreased s*x drive, no weight gain, no nausea, no suicidal thoughts.

Answer 4

impotence, lack of s*x drive, anger management problems, facial tics, spasms, short term memory loss, confusion, manic episodes...

Please don't take medication to alter your brain chemistry unless it needs to be altered.

Answer 5

If your doctor prescribed them for depression, you need to continue taking them even though you are feeling better. Within a week of stopping them, you will experience the depression once again. So, do not stop taking them unless the doctor states it is ok to do so. Also, by not taking them and quitting abruptly, with some antidepressants, you can do damage to your heart. It is advised not to quit taking them abruptly. In regards to side effects or I think you called it harmful effects ... There aren't any real harmful or negative effects, although all drugs do have side effects. So, please, continue taking your medicines even though you feel alright. I started my meds., felt better, went off of them thinking I did not need them, and ended up in the hospital. The mental ward. Please take care of yourself.