Which one is the best for a person, which anti-depressants
don't mess with the serotonin level.

I believe the only person who can answer that question would be your doctor and your body. Unfortunatly, nobody knows how your going to react to a med until you've been on it. For every person on earth there is a different reaction good or bad nobody reacts to meds any shape or form exactly the same. I consult with your doctor and see what he thinks your best option would be and am wishing you the best of luck.

Cherity

Futs gave a good answer. There are only a few statements one can make about antidepressants in general. One is that the newer ones tend to have a better side effect profile than the oldest ones (tricyclics). But, even that statement doesn't mean much because it's more of a statistical generalization than something you can apply to your own situation.

Finding a psych med that works and doesn't have bothersome side effects is not a fun process. It's like conducting your own personal one-rat medical experiment with yourself as the subject. Unfortunately, your doctor doesn't really know specifically how you'll react to the med, either.

It sounds like you might have had some bad experiences with SSRI meds (weight gain? sexual dysfunction?). If so, maybe Wellbutrin is something to discuss with your doctor. Remeron might be another possibility, since it's one of those "atypical" ADs. You'd probably have to take it at night, though, since it's pretty sedating.

So, basically, I'm back to what Futs said, talk to your doctor, and good luck.

I agree with the above two posters. It's amazing how two people can have two totally different experiences with each medicine.

Personally I've several SSRI's. Each one I reacted TOTALLY different on. Very severe psychotic reaction to Zoloft, and effects from the others such as crazy dreams, some insomnia and decreased sex drive. I've also tried a tricyclic for a chronic itching condition, though I didn't take it in the antidepressant dosage, just a very low dosage. it worked great, but I had weight gain. Unfortunately I have several friends (meaning unfortunately I have depressed friends) who also take some of these same meds, but with no problems whatsoever! This has been an ongoing process off and on for 6 years (not to discourage you).

My dr said to stay on each one for 6 months to evaluate the full effect (if possible), though I don't know how true that is. And that the SSRI's are better for anxiety. It really stinks to have to play around for months to find the best one, but in the long run it will be so worth it! I'm on week 3 of wellbutrin, and though I'm not feeling great just yet, at least I'm not having any real side effects which is a victory in itself.

Talk to your dr! I've had my family dr prescribe my current meds, but in the past have gone through the whole psychatrist/psychologist/counselor route too. Your dr can probably also give you samples to try.

good luck-

I believe the best answer to the question: Which anti-depressant is best? would be....the one that actually works for YOU.

I've found Effexor (Venlafaxine) very good for depression.
I didn't choose it, but here in Switzerland we have the best healthcare in Europe and I was diagnosed with ADHD and Depression.
I am not sure it is helping a whole lot with ADHD but we are still looking at that and finding a solution. I've only been on effexor for a few months but it started working really quickly.

I am add with depression, are you taking anything besides effexor, I have been taking it for 2 weeks, I like it, but I will be adding adderall next week.

While it seems very true people have different reactions to different drugs - what works for one etc. - my Dr. has a very strong bias towards Lexapro. He said it gives better results in more people in his experience but also said some people don't do well with it.

I like it a lot too and it seems to be effective at only 10mg. and I think most take more? Anyone?

I agree with the above comment.. Lexapro is the best I have taken so far and I have played the happy pill russian roulette..

I had good experience with Prozac, then Zoloft when I was breastfeeding. Zoloft can make you eat a lot though, but it was the safest for my baby.

As for the 6 months, that seems too long for me. If they are not causing you any major side effects, I would give it 2 or 3 months. Usually they started you at the lowest dose, then up it if your symptoms aren't relieved much after a month or so. At least that's what my psychiatrist did with me.