Thinking of going on anti-depressants

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: moshquerade
if they were working for you before why did you go off them?

Hated them

i think they all suck. i mean if you need them, you need them. they do have their place. but the people i know who have went on various ones went through different degrees of feeling like ****** on them.
and then coming off them sucks even more.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I've known a few people who have used (and still use) anti-depressants. In all cases the drugs provided them with an immediate improvement in outlook.

The problem was that the situations that caused them to seek a medical solution to their depression didn't go away. Eventually those problems overcame the efficacy of whatever drug they were on. I saw one friend change from one drug to the next. Now she is what I would call a non-fucntional human being. She can't work (has a bs hypochondriac's list of ailments/excuses as long as your arm), can't have any kind of relationship (even with her kids). She doesn't even try anymore. It's sad.

I'm no expert but I've seen some of this stuff in action and it scares me.

I personally think it is better to end those relationships that are bringing you down be they personal, professional, a substance or an activity. Then seek out positive activities and relationships.

It sounds a lot easier than it is. But curing the root cause of the problem > masking the symptoms.

 

[Baked]

You weaklins.

 

[Sust]

Dont take this the wrong way, but you can always have electrodes inserted into your cingulate if the drugs dont work.
Stimulation of cingulate for treatment resistant depression

They are making some really astounding advances on figuring out depression.
If you feel like contributing to the cause, maybe you can contact Dr. Mayberg who is the first author of that paper.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally posted by: sonz70
So, thinking of going back on anti-depressants, I went off them cold turkey about a year ago, and have been fine since than, thinking of going back on, as school/mom/some other things are starting to get to me pretty badly. I hate them, but they help specially when you are tyring to concentrate on school. Any suggestions of ones that will work, but not turn me into a walking smiling zombie?

A High Quality liquid fish oil and a seriously good B complex and equally good multivitamin has helped me tremendously.
The fish oil is lemon flavored and tastes nothing like fish.
The fish oil is made by Carlson's.
The b complex and multi are made by wellness resources.

 

[BudAshes]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Why not just try and deal with life instead of running for drugs?

I have, for the last year, everyone reaches there breaking point, and I really don't want to fall behind first year physics due to personal problems.

"Breaking point"? And then you start taking drugs? This is exactly why I wish that Darwinism still had an effect on today's society. The strong survive, the weak take drugs to keep up.

:thumbsup:

yeah and idiots like yourself would be long dead.

 

[Turnpike]

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: Reck
not everyone who suffers from depression can just suddenly "overcome" it. i'd know.

Agreed, but drugs are NOT the answer.

Anyone who turns to drugs is getting short term solution that makes the problem worse in the long run.

Finally, there are some studies scattered on the 'net now that suggest that people taking anti-depressants may actually be more prone to suicide than people not taking them.

As an aside: anyone else notice that it's socially unacceptable to smoke pot or do other street drugs when wanting a break from life's problems but it's socially acceptable to run to anti-depressants and other prescribed drugs.

Using drugs is part of our society. You say its socially unacceptable to smoke pot. I disagree, I know of many groups of people who find smoking dope very acceptable and the norm in some circles. Illegal? Yes. Deviant? Not always. Next time you go to the dentist tell the doc you don't want any anesthesia for your root canal, or any vicodin for your toothache. Diabetics take insulin. Cancer patients go on chemo. People with high blood pressure or heart failure go on anti-hypertensives. Are all these people too weak to deal with their problems? Depression has been shown to involve "chemical imbalances" (whatever that exactly means) and these drugs have been shown to help re-balance them.

And I'd like to see a link to these studies scattered on the 'net. I'm assuming they aren't from a scientific journal?

 

[TBone48]

It sucks that you're feeling so badly. I think if you've been on meds before and feel like you need them again you should try to work on why you need the meds to cope. A psychiatrist is probably a good way to go, to get some therapy along with the meds.

I hope it works out for you, it sounds like you've got a lot on your plate. Don't let the people making the dumb comments and jokes get to you.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: Xafgoat

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: Reck
not everyone who suffers from depression can just suddenly "overcome" it. i'd know.

Agreed, but drugs are NOT the answer.

Anyone who turns to drugs is getting short term solution that makes the problem worse in the long run. Drugs can be addictive in two ways: physical and psychological. Anti-depressants are often addictive in both ways at the same time. The physical addiction becomes obvious when you gradually need to increase your dosage to have the same effect or when you try and quit the drugs and suffer withdrawal symptoms.

The psychological addiction is worse. People start believing they must have the drug in order to not be depressed. So, if they go without the drug, they will drive themselves back into depression (and usually deeper) because they believe they can't be happy without the drug.

Finally, there are some studies scattered on the 'net now that suggest that people taking anti-depressants may actually be more prone to suicide than people not taking them. The correlation isn't clear (are people more likely to be suicidal more likely to be on the anti-depressants? or do the drugs actually lead to more suicidal behavior).

Actually anti-depressants are not addictive. But good job on trying to sound smart when you have no idea what you are talking about.

Is it a pre-req of signing up for AT forums that you have to come off as a condescending prick? Why don't you go re-read some more studies and talk to a few more doctors see just how 'non addictive' anti depressants really are.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: Baked
You weaklins.

Wow, someone with the username 'Baked' calling another person a 'weaklin' because he's considering using drugs. Pot meet kettle.

 

[YoshiSato]

The majority of anti-depressants will kill your sex drive.
To some sucide might be more humane than that effect.

 

[BudAshes]

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: Xafgoat

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: Reck
not everyone who suffers from depression can just suddenly "overcome" it. i'd know.

Agreed, but drugs are NOT the answer.

Anyone who turns to drugs is getting short term solution that makes the problem worse in the long run. Drugs can be addictive in two ways: physical and psychological. Anti-depressants are often addictive in both ways at the same time. The physical addiction becomes obvious when you gradually need to increase your dosage to have the same effect or when you try and quit the drugs and suffer withdrawal symptoms.

The psychological addiction is worse. People start believing they must have the drug in order to not be depressed. So, if they go without the drug, they will drive themselves back into depression (and usually deeper) because they believe they can't be happy without the drug.

Finally, there are some studies scattered on the 'net now that suggest that people taking anti-depressants may actually be more prone to suicide than people not taking them. The correlation isn't clear (are people more likely to be suicidal more likely to be on the anti-depressants? or do the drugs actually lead to more suicidal behavior).

Actually anti-depressants are not addictive. But good job on trying to sound smart when you have no idea what you are talking about.

Is it a pre-req of signing up for AT forums that you have to come off as a condescending prick? Why don't you go re-read some more studies and talk to a few more doctors see just how 'non addictive' anti depressants really are.

Well maybe you have read something i havent but as far as i know todays anti-depressants dont ever cause you to need to take more to get the same effects. And though there may be some withdrawal symptoms when you go off them, they arent considered addictive.

 

[TNM93]

Originally posted by: sonz70
Like I said, I have worked at it for a year now, I have too many things that I cannot drop (taking care of my mom, who keeps getting worse from the MS and epilepsy, friend who is staying here as she goes through cancer treatment) those might be only two things, but they affect me alot, ontop of that, I have work and class, while class is 1st year Physics in Uni, which I really don't want to fall behind on. Like I said, last time I got off them, I went off cold turkey, I hate the idea of doing them, but some things you cannot just run from.

If you think you need them, go back on them. There are tons. Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, etc. I don't see the argument that "dealing" with life means not taking medication when you need it. If you avoid the problem and ignore options, then I would say you are not dealing with life under those circumstances.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: Xafgoat
Well maybe you have read something i havent but as far as i know todays anti-depressants dont ever cause you to need to take more to get the same effects. And though there may be some withdrawal symptoms when you go off them, they arent considered addictive.

Here's a few quick links from a google search.
I'll point out that it's easier to find this info outside of the USA (as these links show).

Link1
Link2
Link3
Link4
Link5

 

[stormbv]

I'm on Lexapro (antidepressant), Depakote (mood stabilizer), and Abilify (antipsychotic). The Lexapro has worked well with no side effects at all. Actually, I don't have any side effects with any of these drugs, and my libido is fine. Thank god for my drugs, otherwise I'd be INSANE. I'd say that they make me stronger, not weaker.

 

[wchou]

NO DRUGS IS GOOD FOR YOU.

 

[huberm]

I take Cymbalta, which treats major depression.

The doctor prescribed it to me to aid in quitting smoking, though it really improves your mood and outlook on life. I recommend it.

 

[dawnbug]

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Finally, there are some studies scattered on the 'net now that suggest that people taking anti-depressants may actually be more prone to suicide than people not taking them. The correlation isn't clear (are people more likely to be suicidal more likely to be on the anti-depressants? or do the drugs actually lead to more suicidal behavior).

I learned about the correlation between anti-depressants and suicide risk in a health class that I had to take for my major. It actually has nothing to do with the actual drug, but with the fact that not all drugs work for every person. When a severely depressed person becomes optimistic about the anti-depressants and they don't work, they sink into a deeper depression, which may lead to suicide.

Oh, and the number one thing we learned about depression in that class is that real depression (not just a few bad days) isn't usually something you can just "get over" and you should never tell someone who confesses to being depressed to get over it. Heh.

And depression is often caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Taking a drug to help with a chemical imbalance that is making their life hell doesn't make a person weak. I agree that it's important for counseling of some type to be paired with the drugs, though.

Sonz, I think my sister's on Zoloft right now (she's changed drugs a few times, though, so I'm not sure), and it's working for her, but she experiences the sexual side effects.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: LadyBuggy

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Finally, there are some studies scattered on the 'net now that suggest that people taking anti-depressants may actually be more prone to suicide than people not taking them. The correlation isn't clear (are people more likely to be suicidal more likely to be on the anti-depressants? or do the drugs actually lead to more suicidal behavior).

I learned about the correlation between anti-depressants and suicide risk in a health class that I had to take for my major. It actually has nothing to do with the actual drug, but with the fact that not all drugs work for every person. When a severely depressed person becomes optimistic about the anti-depressants and they don't work, they sink into a deeper depression, which may lead to suicide.

Oh, and the number one thing we learned about depression in that class is that real depression (not just a few bad days) isn't usually something you can just "get over" and you should never tell someone who confesses to being depressed to get over it. Heh.

And depression is often caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Taking a drug to help with a chemical imbalance that is making their life hell doesn't make a person weak. I agree that it's important for counseling of some type to be paired with the drugs, though.

Sonz, I think my sister's on Zoloft right now (she's changed drugs a few times, though, so I'm not sure), and it's working for her, but she experiences the sexual side effects.

The majority of the time (I don't have a statistic but it seems more often than not) that chemical imbalance is the result of a nutrition deficiency and can be fixed by altering the diet.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Ok, then in a nicer, more consider tone, may I suggest you try St. John's Wort before going for drugs? It's natural and it does help people with depression.

What DAGTA said.

If you are uncertain enough to ask an internet message board, St. John's Wort is a safe, cheap, medical bureaucracy free first step. Just know that this natural alternative can taKe as long as two months to have a demonstrable effect, and that no one anti-depressant works for everyone, YMMV.

In the end you have to deal with your personal problems anyway, but a good anti-depressant can help.

As the Firesign Theater sang, "It ain't no use / If you ain't got the juice / The juice you get from Loosener's / Loooooooooseners, CASTOR OIL FLAKES!"

 

[stormbv]

DAGTA, what about people with severe mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia? What's your view about the use of psychiatric drugs to treat those illnesses?

 

[RU482]

zoloft worked for me
it tuned down my OVERACTIVE libido, but everything still works just as expected

before trying antidepressants, I highly recommend joining an rigorous exersize proram and sticking with it for at least a month or two. Seriously, the first question any decent doctor will ask you is how much exersize you get.

drugs are great, but they cost money and have little known long term effects

 

[AbsolutZero]

If you have a good job, do yourself a favor and don't make the mistake my sister did. Do *not* talk to your co-workers or boss about your taking medication for depression. Also, never use sick days to see your conselor if you can help it. This will hurt you unless you work for a big company or city/state/federal government. Sister got let go by a small publishing company with no explanation.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: sonz70
So, thinking of going back on anti-depressants, I went off them cold turkey about a year ago, and have been fine since than, thinking of going back on, as school/mom/some other things are starting to get to me pretty badly. I hate them, but they help specially when you are tyring to concentrate on school. Any suggestions of ones that will work, but not turn me into a walking smiling zombie?

effexor works pretty well when I was on it, it's a b1tch to quit, tho.

 

[Triumph]

I guess ideally the antidepressant would get you un-depressed, so that you can focus on improving those aspects of your life that are making you depressed. If you go in with this attitude, then I think you'll be ok. I'm dealing with this sort of thing right now, but I'm hesitant to try any drugs because I'm afraid of it becoming a crutch.

One thing I do know is that we shouldn't be so quick to judge, none of us know what is really going on inside anyone else's head. That doesn't mean that everyone's problems are comparable, and that some people aren't "better" than others, but it's still true. Example: I personally have no vices or weaknesses when it comes to alcohol. Getting drunk offers no respite for me, I plum don't enjoy it. But I'm not so bold as to look down on those who do struggle with alcoholism. I'm just not naturally prone to depending on alcohol, I guess I'm just born wired that way. And the same goes for depression. Some people are just wired "right", they'll never feel it the way a truly depressed person does.