My mother-in-law is taking trazodone with other depression meds. Will it

[Sarah]

affect her mental health & stability? She often seems "zoned out" and she will forget what she's saying or doing. One of the other meds is cymbalta but there are others. I am worried about her mental stability especially around my children. I know these medications affect the brain. Should I be worried about her? Are there cases in which its better to take fewer medications or none at all?

[La La]

Anti Depressant medicine usually builds up in your system after a certain period of taking them, a gradual process, maybe weeks maybe a month to see any actual results, if any.
With mental stabilizing drugs, the only affects that could take place are the side effects, they are a very individual based drugs, this is also why they might have a giant list of occurring problems, including fatigue.

There are plenty of suppliments which are not prescription, to be taken into consideration, one i have come across is St. Johns Wort

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/
* St. John's wort has been used for centuries to treat mental disorders and nerve pain.
* In ancient times, herbalists wrote about its use as a sedative and a treatment for malaria, as well as a balm for wounds, burns, and insect bites.
* Today, St. John's wort is used by some for depression, anxiety, and/or sleep disorders.

Taking too many depression medications is not a very balanced (personal opinion) in it's approach as they could counteract in their attempts to stimulate the similar or same brain chemicals , which can lead to what i claim to be a zombie like state, dependency & even worsen depression.

No one online can fully evaluate what would be appropriate for her, approach her about your concerns and try to provide other suggestions (especially counseling if she currently does not attend any sessions) as well as encouraging her to speak to her doctor to go about other ways.