Should I start taking anti-depressants again to make me more social?

Question

Two years ago I was on anti-depressants for about a year, throughout my last year of high school, 12th grade. During this time period I was friendly, outgoing, funny, and made a lot of friends. It was the best time of my life. The pills made me feel great, all the time. I took one pill every morning. I decided to stop taking the pills when I thought I didn't need them anymore, and I wanted to handle things naturally, instead of relying on upping my dosage every 6 months. I felt the withdrawal symptoms for a few weeks after stopping. My first year at community college was quite a drag, I didn't do as well as I'd liked, so I ended up dropping all my classes. This year I am very serious about dedicating my life to school, I don't want anything to get in the way, but I also want to have fun and meet a lot of great new friends, just like my last year of high school. I've been worrying, and debating weather or not I should go back on medication. My self-esteem is at a low right now, but I wouldn't agree that I'm fully depressed. I don't like the idea of going back on medication, but I want to Just to up my confidence level. The medication will be more of a confidence boost and a social upper then an actual cure for depression. So, should I do the medication thing again or go about it naturally? I'd love to hear your story if you have one. I'm trying to make the best choice for my future, thanks so much in advance.

Answer 1

Depression, other than Situational Depression, is never cured.  It is managed with medication and/or therapy. It is usually a mistake to discontinue the use of an anti-depressant that is effective and causes no side effects.  It is ALWAYS a mistake to discontinue it abruptly.

I advise you to see a psychiatrist, even if family doctor originally prescribed the medication.  

Answer 2

Talk to a psychiatrist.  You may have social anxiety or generalized anxiety and some anti-depressants help with that.  I take celexa for depression and anxiety.  You are smart to be thinking about this before you go off to school, being proactive is sometimes the best thing with this type of stuff.  Good luck!

Answer 3

To complete the treatment of depression, it is necessary to correct understanding of depression, to choose the correct methods of treatment rely solely on drugs is not enough, we must also defeat the spirit of depression, these two articles on depression can help you.