Wondering about peoples' experience with antidepressants and whether anyone knows what proportion of those with CFS have used antidepressants at some point? I have read the persuasive argument that the increase in rates of chronic depression may be related to antidepressant use. Historically, depression was temporary -- it lasted about six months. Since antidepressants have started being used, depression is very often chronic, lasting years or decades, and requiring constant medication for many people.
When my own CFS problems started they included not only severe fatigue, but anxiety and depression. As fatigue is considered a symptom of depression the first thing my doctor did was put me on Prozac, and when that didn't work I ended up on many different antidepressants. I was on about a half dozen for four years of the first ten years of my CFS.
Curious how common this is with CFS. Anyone else have a similar response from a physician, or know of research on the prevalence of antidepressant use in the CFS population?
Thanks all!
When my own CFS problems started they included not only severe fatigue, but anxiety and depression. As fatigue is considered a symptom of depression the first thing my doctor did was put me on Prozac, and when that didn't work I ended up on many different antidepressants. I was on about a half dozen for four years of the first ten years of my CFS.
Curious how common this is with CFS. Anyone else have a similar response from a physician, or know of research on the prevalence of antidepressant use in the CFS population?
Thanks all!