Considering Antidepressants

[Karlton]

Hello friends,
I'm going on 13 years of success with finasteride, but for some reason I have begun to have some pretty intense depression and anxiety this year. I'm not blaming the medication at all. I think it may have more to do with the fear that it may stop working or cause harm to my body, since there are so many unknowns. My mind has now created a really bad cycle of anxiety and rumination over this.

So my question to you guys, is whether any of you has had any success with any natural antidepressant supplements, or prescription medications? I started taking some natural mood enhancers and I'm hoping they will lift me out of the funk I've been in for the last six months. I am trying to go the natural route for a while, but I am willing to eventually try an SSRI if it means getting my emotions under control. The only thing that scares me about SSRI's is of course the hairloss when going on or coming off the medication. Does anyone have any experience in this area? I could really use some advice by guys that have been in my situation.

Thank you all

[chicago99]

A common side effect of anti-depressants is hair loss, specifically telogen effluvium, which is not permanent hairless, but will continue until you stop the meds. It does not effect everyone who takes anti-depressants, but it does for some. A google search will confirm this. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of this before taking the meds. Good luck

[baldduders]

for me i had bad aniexty/depression and for some reason I lost it by getting a small inflatable boat and spending as much spare time as i can outdoors. Really did the trick for me.

If you haven't tried so yet, I think you might want to try a radical lifestyle change like 6 months as a monk in thailand (your hair will fit in too lol) or backpacking or something new .. sounds like your body and mind are warn out and sometimes the cure is something that is also life changing and fun.. maybe a new career path.. what ever something that turns your crank.

Stop thinking of yourself too that means charity work or something that is for someone else.

[Karlton]

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone have any experience with taking an SSRI?

[mitchellthesuper]

SSRI can cause hair loss.

[Karlton]

SSRI can cause hair loss.

Thanks for the reply. I understand that a small subset of patients have complained about hair loss with SSRI's. Have you had personal experience with this issue?

[kamakmalik]

Hello Karlton. below is the info I found on internet:

"The vast majority of antidepressants list hair loss as a possible side effect. Tricyclic’s, serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SSRI’s have been found to be responsible for hair loss. The common Tricyclic’s responsible for hair loss include amoxapine, amitriptyline, desipramine and nortriptyline. There are two common SSRI’s also responsible for the same effects, namely fluoxetine and sertraline."

[beetee]

When anxiety really sets in the cyclical way you describe, it can be very debilitating in a way that many people are unaware of. If you've been experiencing it for a significant period of time, I would definitely recommend getting some treatment with a therapist and considering taking an SSRI. The most important thing to do is to do your best to find a good psychiatrist or a general practitioner that is willing to start you at a low dose and to gradually increase the dose to determine the best level for you. While SSRI's can theoretically cause telogen effluvium, which should be reversible and is different from male pattern baldness, it is not common. Start on a low dose and monitor for any significant changes and you should be fine. Lexapro is a common first line treatment for anxiety and depression and generally has less side effects than other SSRIs. I would recommend considering it.

[Johny41]

Any medication can have different effects on different people. Some people may experience such side effects as hair loss, others don't. I suggest you to consult your doctor regarding the use of antidepressants. It will be a great frustration if the 13 years old success will be affected by the meds from depression.

I agree with baldduders that a lifestyle change can be of help against depression. I mean even small changes can change the situation, for example change the ordinary route to your work, this trick will fill your mind with other thoughts passing off the hair loss concerns.

[25 going on 65]

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone have any experience with taking an SSRI?

Yes. Fluoxetine, citralopram. They helped with depression but made my mood flatter.....lower highs, higher lows. Citralopram had bad sexual sides for me. Do not remember them changing my hair

They are good for some people, not for others

[AnnaM11]

Taking antidepressants for hair loss would not be an ideal option. Antidepressants including SSRIs have been linked to hair loss, and at this point this is the last thing you will need. However, possibility of this side effect is very small like in 1% of cases. So you need to weigh your benefits vs risk. If you are sure depression is not only due to hair loss, in my personal view, you should go for it. Alternatively, you can think of fluvoxamine, after discussing with your pschyo, risk of hair loss, is only 0.02%, I read.

[ChrisA]

I think hairloss is one of the last things you should think about when it comes to anti-depressants.

There are several natural alternatives you should try before you consider a prescribed pill.

- up your consumption of foods rich in omega-3's like fish
- foods with 5-HTP in food like turkey and bananas can lift your mood
- St. John's wort is great for low-level depression
- spices like saffron can elevate mood
- foods high in folate, B6 and B12 like eggs, buckwheat, lentils and spinach can benefit those with depression

Obviously if you have a severe case of depression than you should consult with a health care professional. I would suggest you speak with a naturopath before you turn to prescription medication.

[RanDave]

I think hairloss is one of the last things you should think about when it comes to anti-depressants.

There are several natural alternatives you should try before you consider a prescribed pill.

- up your consumption of foods rich in omega-3's like fish
- foods with 5-HTP in food like turkey and bananas can lift your mood
- St. John's wort is great for low-level depression
- spices like saffron can elevate mood
- foods high in folate, B6 and B12 like eggs, buckwheat, lentils and spinach can benefit those with depression

Obviously if you have a severe case of depression than you should consult with a health care professional. I would suggest you speak with a naturopath before you turn to prescription medication.

I'd like to physical activity to the list of natural remedies for depression. "When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain." I can confirm that it works, as helped me to manage the depression caused by hair loss.

[Y gwningen llwyd]

I've been on a high dose of Sertraline (Zoloft) for over a decade (I'm also taking Zyprexa), and it has never caused me any hair loss. In fact, I've had very minimal side-effects. I started losing my hair in the typical MPB pattern about four years ago. I knew from the manner in which my hair was being lost that it was MPB rather than a side-effect of either of the psychiatric medications. And, sure enough, after a few months of using Dutasteride, my hair began thickening up amazingly well, showing that DHT was indeed the culprit for my hair loss. As far as I know, hair loss is very rare as a side-effect of psychiatric medications. I've known dozens of people who are on antidepressants or other psychiatric drugs (including several extended family members), and none of them have any hair loss other than a few with what is obviously MPB.

[Odam]

I would agree with Chris here. Sure you can turn up to prescription medicines in severe case. But there would be no harm in trying an alternative therapy first at least for few months. Though hair loss is rare side effect of antidepressant, you cannot rule out its possibility completely. As every individual react to every drugs differently, even your doctor would not be in position to confirm on this.

Exercise, mind-body therapies, and herbal supplements may have the power to affect your outlook and even alter your brain chemistry. Regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive way. Cut way back on or completely eliminate sugar and refined carbs; both high and low blood sugar cause your body to release a surge of adrenaline and cortisol, which are stress (fight-or-flight) hormones. Hope it helps.