Thinking of going on anti-depressants

[Zebo]

I wonder why Americans use all these things? I heard some really shocking number maybe it was 20 - 30% of americans take anti-depressants.

anyway I know what gets me down and don't let it happen.

Desire- I avoid it like the plague. I shut down TV magazines and other heavy media campaigns that drills desire home with crap you don't need, unrealistic beauty I can never get etc, so I don't feel miserable what with all the feelings of inadequacy, failure, and the like since I can't have everything.

I run- I found when I don't get excersize I get down. After running 2-3 miles I feel great and even sleep better.

Gluck bro

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: dullard
I'm not a medical doctor, so I won't give medical advice. Speak to your doctor.

However, I can give personal advice. I was here as well as other forums almost a year ago asking about drugs for my depression / anxiety / problems. It was a very severe depression with near constant thoughts of suicide. The posts were about 50/50 split over taking the drugs (this is only counting people who have taken them). I thought and thought, and eventually I decided not to take them.

Instead, I turned my life on its end. I analyzed everything about my life and attempted to improve it. Even if it meant pain. Even if I didn't want to do it. Even if I'm broke from it. I did it.

I dumped my problems. I dumped the things I liked but that prevented me from being truely happy (this was the hardest part, the temporary pain for the better good). And I can't be happier given my situation. Sure I still have some problems - but I see them as minor problems now. But my severe depression(s) is gone and I walk around with a smile on my face all day long.

I divorced my wife (the source of much of the depression), divorce was a temporary pain for the better good. I stopped playing computer games, another temporary pain for the better good. I socialize everyday instead of sitting at home wallowing in my depression. I've called up old friends. I've traveled and visited family. I found a wonderful new girlfriend. I've (slightly) changed my eating habits. I'm exercising and I really like the changes to my body (130 pound weakling became a 130 pound muscular guy, I just need to gain some weight now...)

Depression gone. No medicine. It can work. But still talk to your doctor. Good luck. There are those of us on Anandtech rooting for you.

wow, that's amazing. congrats.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

from what i'm reading it doesn't seem like the OP is really suffering from depression at all, he just wants an easy way out from his troubles. if that's the case, be a man and face it all head on. there are people who've gone through much worse than you without the aid of drugs.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: 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?

Despite the impression that many people get, I'm not 100% anti-drug. Drugs can be useful. They have their place.

My main focus is that most of the people in the USA turn to drugs immediately for almost every problem. That's a direct result of the mass marketing of drugs. Many problems can be fixed easily through nutrition.

So, my stance is, "Try fixing it naturally. If all of that fails, then look into drugs."

 

[Zebo]

Oh another thing that program said is really smart people use more.. So at least you got 1 point positive.

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: dullard
I'm not a medical doctor, so I won't give medical advice. Speak to your doctor.

However, I can give personal advice. I was here as well as other forums almost a year ago asking about drugs for my depression / anxiety / problems. It was a very severe depression with near constant thoughts of suicide. The posts were about 50/50 split over taking the drugs (this is only counting people who have taken them). I thought and thought, and eventually I decided not to take them.

Instead, I turned my life on its end. I analyzed everything about my life and attempted to improve it. Even if it meant pain. Even if I didn't want to do it. Even if I'm broke from it. I did it.

I dumped my problems. I dumped the things I liked but that prevented me from being truely happy (this was the hardest part, the temporary pain for the better good). And I can't be happier given my situation. Sure I still have some problems - but I see them as minor problems now. But my severe depression(s) is gone and I walk around with a smile on my face all day long.

I divorced my wife (the source of much of the depression), divorce was a temporary pain for the better good. I stopped playing computer games, another temporary pain for the better good. I socialize everyday instead of sitting at home wallowing in my depression. I've called up old friends. I've traveled and visited family. I found a wonderful new girlfriend. I've (slightly) changed my eating habits. I'm exercising and I really like the changes to my body (130 pound weakling became a 130 pound muscular guy, I just need to gain some weight now...)

Depression gone. No medicine. It can work. But still talk to your doctor. Good luck. There are those of us on Anandtech rooting for you.

props
I'm going to have to try to be like ya.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Oh another thing that program said is really smart people use more.. So at least you got 1 point positive.

Intelligent people are more likely to be aware of the negativity of the world and allow it to bring them down. This does not apply to everyone; I've know several intelligent and cheerful people. However, it's true often enough to be noticable.

There is some truth in the saying, "Ignorance is bliss.".

 

[AbsolutZero]

Originally posted by: Sudheer Anne
from what i'm reading it doesn't seem like the OP is really suffering from depression at all, he just wants an easy way out from his troubles. if that's the case, be a man and face it all head on. there are people who've gone through much worse than you without the aid of drugs.

Did you read the whole thread. He said his mom has MS. Agree that his 1st post isn't clear on his background.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: dullard
I'm not a medical doctor, so I won't give medical advice. Speak to your doctor.

However, I can give personal advice. I was here as well as other forums almost a year ago asking about drugs for my depression / anxiety / problems. It was a very severe depression with near constant thoughts of suicide. The posts were about 50/50 split over taking the drugs (this is only counting people who have taken them). I thought and thought, and eventually I decided not to take them.

Instead, I turned my life on its end. I analyzed everything about my life and attempted to improve it. Even if it meant pain. Even if I didn't want to do it. Even if I'm broke from it. I did it.

I dumped my problems. I dumped the things I liked but that prevented me from being truely happy (this was the hardest part, the temporary pain for the better good). And I can't be happier given my situation. Sure I still have some problems - but I see them as minor problems now. But my severe depression(s) is gone and I walk around with a smile on my face all day long.

I divorced my wife (the source of much of the depression), divorce was a temporary pain for the better good. I stopped playing computer games, another temporary pain for the better good. I socialize everyday instead of sitting at home wallowing in my depression. I've called up old friends. I've traveled and visited family. I found a wonderful new girlfriend. I've (slightly) changed my eating habits. I'm exercising and I really like the changes to my body (130 pound weakling became a 130 pound muscular guy, I just need to gain some weight now...)

Depression gone. No medicine. It can work. But still talk to your doctor. Good luck. There are those of us on Anandtech rooting for you.

Good story. :thumbsup: to you

 

[Pepsi90919]

man you are easily the most fucked up person on these forums

 

[Willoughbyva]

Caregiver stress can be tough. I know it from experience. So perhaps you need to be proactive on your health concerns. Talk to a psychritrist and see what he/she thinks. Also you may not want to hear it, but sometimes the level of care a person needs is more than what a family member can give. Sometimes people need to go to a home or assisted living facility. It might seem like you are letting the person down, but sometimes it is for the better for all concerned. I don't know what the situation is with your mother and friend, but just something to think about. I wish you the best in having to deal with those situations.


Perry

 

[Shadowknight]

See a psychiatrist first. But Paxil works pretty well as long as it's the name brand stuff, not the generic. A mood stabilizer like Lamictal will enhance the effects somewhat. But see a psychiatrist first to see what dosages you should start out at. You might need a little, you might need a lot, but get a professionals' opinion first.

 

[karstenanderson]

i wasn't really going to get involved here but i have to point out that you are dead wrong here. you're confusing 'withdrawal symptoms' with addiction. just because you have negative, and sometimes painful symptoms when you quit a drug doesn't mean you have a compulsive need, either physical or psychological, to keep taking it. THAT is addiction.

it's apparent you're not really informed on these issues and definately shouldn't be giving advice to someone like OP who really needs it. please don't, for his benefit.

karsten

Originally posted by: 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

 

[karstenanderson]

and what do you think these "natural" cures do? in effect end up targeting the same damn receptors that the new drugs do. the drugs are just more effective at it. i'm not trying to sound like a proponent here but even a natural fix is still a fix.

Originally posted by: DAGTA

"Try fixing it naturally. If all of that fails, then look into drugs."

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: karstenanderson
and what do you think these "natural" cures do? in effect end up targeting the same damn receptors that the new drugs do. the drugs are just more effective at it. i'm not trying to sound like a proponent here but even a natural fix is still a fix.

Originally posted by: DAGTA

"Try fixing it naturally. If all of that fails, then look into drugs."

Looks like you also signed up with the pre-req condescending attitude.

The natural stuff is just that 'natural'. If I can fix a problem (for example) by eating more vitamin A (which targets the source of the problem) then I'd rather do that than eat some synthetic drug that will usually only cover the symptoms and has negative side effects.

I have known several people that have taken anti-depressants. One of my friends from high school became addicted. But, I guess he was faking the addiction since you definitely know it all and he must be wrong.

Oh, and I guess all the people in the five links I posted earlier in this thread were lying about addiction problems, too.

 

[karstenanderson]

um not really i'm a hell of a lot more informed that you are that's for sure. the only attitude i have is making sure this guy gets the help he needs and not listen to some pseudo-hippy wackjob who doesn't know ****** and is a SMARTASS to boot. i have no tolerance for that crap. i've been in both camps in this debate believe me, and i feel i offer a more balanced viewpoint that you do.

as for your friend's addiction, i say bring out the proof and i say you're full of crap. again, feeling crummy when you decide to quit taking the stuff does not constitute addiction. read your own damn hyperlinks you turd its even in there. believe me i'm not relying on them as proof by any means but it really means you have no idea what you're talking about. addiction is a drug-seeking behavior, and a physical/psychological desire to keep taking the stuff. this does not happen with the modern SSRIs. they don't trip the same neurotransmitters that recreational drugs do that give you that high, and reinforce that feeling to keep taking more. you feel like crap when you quit because your system is balancing back out, that is bound to happen, but that does not define addiction. know it all? not really. but know more on this subject than you? yes

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: karstenanderson
and what do you think these "natural" cures do? in effect end up targeting the same damn receptors that the new drugs do. the drugs are just more effective at it. i'm not trying to sound like a proponent here but even a natural fix is still a fix.

Originally posted by: DAGTA

"Try fixing it naturally. If all of that fails, then look into drugs."

Looks like you also signed up with the pre-req condescending attitude.

The natural stuff is just that 'natural'. If I can fix a problem by eating more vitamin A (which targets the source of the problem) then I'd rather do that than eat some synthetic drug that will usually only cover the symptoms and has negative side effects.

I have known several people that have taken anti-depressants. One of my friends from high school became addicted. But, I guess he was faking the addiction since you definitely know it all and he must be wrong.

 

[wchou]

Originally posted by: 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?

psychiatric drugs are lethal to some who are alergic them. What these people need is friendship and counseling. their upset about a lot of things in life, most people don't care about others and so they get like this. who is it to blame? that's like saying I should drink to forget about my problems. so instead of solving their mental instability, we drug them 24hrs a day to make as much money as possible. it's a corrupt world if you ask me.

 

[wchou]

Originally posted by: D1gger
My wife has been on paxil, and it worked very well for her.

No drugs is a cure for anything. That's what you think for now, but what happens when she tries to withdrawal from this expensive drug?

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: karstenanderson
um not really i'm a hell of a lot more informed that you are that's for sure. the only attitude i have is making sure this guy gets the help he needs and not listen to some pseudo-hippy wackjob who doesn't know ****** and is a SMARTASS to boot. i have no tolerance for that crap. i've been in both camps in this debate believe me, and i feel i offer a more balanced viewpoint that you do.

as for your friend's addiction, i say bring out the proof and i say you're full of crap. again, feeling crummy when you decide to quit taking the stuff does not constitute addiction. read your own damn hyperlinks you turd its even in there. believe me i'm not relying on them as proof by any means but it really means you have no idea what you're talking about. addiction is a drug-seeking behavior, and a physical/psychological desire to keep taking the stuff. this does not happen with the modern SSRIs. they don't trip the same neurotransmitters that recreational drugs do that give you that high, and reinforce that feeling to keep taking more. you feel like crap when you quit because your system is balancing back out, that is bound to happen, but that does not define addiction. know it all? not really. but know more on this subject than you? yes

You're more informed than me? Ok. So far I see a pissing contest, no credentials. I readily admit to not being a doctor or having gone to any form of medical school. What about you? If you haven't, then seems to me we're on equal footing in the 'creditials' arena.

I'm only a smartass to people that are condescending to me FIRST, as you were.

Prove my friend's addiction? How would I do that? Ask him to come on here and say, "Hi, I'm DAGTA's friend and I was addicted years ago to anti-depressants."? You wouldn't believe him anyway. Should I get his doctor and kindly ask him to post on ATOT for you? Oh, but that could be anyone making another account. There's no way for me to prove it to you over the internet.

 

[TNM93]

Originally posted by: wchou

Originally posted by: D1gger
My wife has been on paxil, and it worked very well for her.

No drugs is a cure for anything. That's what you think for now, but what happens when she tries to withdrawal from this expensive drug?

Withdraw doesn't last forever, and she/he can taper off the drug slowly to reduce the withdraw effects. And Paxil or any other drug might not be 100 percent effective, but even if it's only 20-30 percent effective, that's still an improvement for a lot of people. As time passes, they can target the illness more effectively with newer medications.

 

[karstenanderson]

actually i believe you started the 3rd grade attitude bullcrap first i dont know where that came from. and the fact that i can tell you the menchanics of addiction and know a hell of a lot more how these drugs work, versus you 'oh go take some vitamin A' shows i know a hell of a lot more in this field than you, and what kind of knowledge you possess. go take your advice to any medical board, they'd laugh your ass right out of the room. pissing contest? keep pissing, i'll piss it right back.

sonz: if you need somene to talk to PM me i'm more than willing same goes or anyone out there. dagta whatever your name is i'm through arguing with a fool who won't learn: go back to high school, it's obviously where you belong.

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: karstenanderson
um not really i'm a hell of a lot more informed that you are that's for sure. the only attitude i have is making sure this guy gets the help he needs and not listen to some pseudo-hippy wackjob who doesn't know ****** and is a SMARTASS to boot. i have no tolerance for that crap. i've been in both camps in this debate believe me, and i feel i offer a more balanced viewpoint that you do.

as for your friend's addiction, i say bring out the proof and i say you're full of crap. again, feeling crummy when you decide to quit taking the stuff does not constitute addiction. read your own damn hyperlinks you turd its even in there. believe me i'm not relying on them as proof by any means but it really means you have no idea what you're talking about. addiction is a drug-seeking behavior, and a physical/psychological desire to keep taking the stuff. this does not happen with the modern SSRIs. they don't trip the same neurotransmitters that recreational drugs do that give you that high, and reinforce that feeling to keep taking more. you feel like crap when you quit because your system is balancing back out, that is bound to happen, but that does not define addiction. know it all? not really. but know more on this subject than you? yes

You're more informed than me? Ok. So far I see a pissing contest, no credentials. I readily admit to not being a doctor or having gone to any form of medical school. What about you? If you haven't, then seems to me we're on equal footing in the 'creditials' arena.

I'm only a smartass to people that are condescending to me FIRST, as you were.

Prove my friend's addiction? How would I do that? Ask him to come on here and say, "Hi, I'm DAGTA's friend and I was addicted years ago to anti-depressants."? You wouldn't believe him anyway. Should I get his doctor and kindly ask him to post on ATOT for you? Oh, but that could be anyone making another account. There's no way for me to prove it to you over the internet.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: karstenanderson
actually i believe you started the 3rd grade attitude bullcrap first i dont know where that came from. and the fact that i can tell you the menchanics of addiction and know a hell of a lot more how these drugs work, versus you 'oh go take some vitamin A' shows i know a hell of a lot more in this field than you, and what kind of knowledge you possess. go take your advice to any medical board, they'd laugh your ass right out of the room. pissing contest? keep pissing, i'll piss it right back.

sonz: if you need somene to talk to PM me i'm more than willing same goes or anyone out there. dagta whatever your name is i'm through arguing with a fool who won't learn: go back to high school, it's obviously where you belong.

So, in other words, you have no medical background. Also, the 'vitamin A' was an example, not specific to this thread. Anyway, I'll stop replying to your posts now and you can have the last word in the pissing content.

 

[karstenanderson]

ok thanks i will. and yes i have more experience in this i'm pretty sure.

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: karstenanderson
actually i believe you started the 3rd grade attitude bullcrap first i dont know where that came from. and the fact that i can tell you the menchanics of addiction and know a hell of a lot more how these drugs work, versus you 'oh go take some vitamin A' shows i know a hell of a lot more in this field than you, and what kind of knowledge you possess. go take your advice to any medical board, they'd laugh your ass right out of the room. pissing contest? keep pissing, i'll piss it right back.

sonz: if you need somene to talk to PM me i'm more than willing same goes or anyone out there. dagta whatever your name is i'm through arguing with a fool who won't learn: go back to high school, it's obviously where you belong.

So, in other words, you have no medical background. Also, the 'vitamin A' was an example, not specific to this thread. Anyway, I'll stop replying to your posts now and you can have the last word in the pissing content.

 

[cmdrmoocow]

I was placed on Zoloft as a control for OCD at an early age (<10 years). It did the job well for a few weeks, and then I adapted and it had less and less effect, and then it wasn't worth taking anymore.

I don't remember any of the terrible side effects that everyone here seems to have had with it, but I'm sure being a prepubescent male using it to treat something other than depression might not make it a good example.

 

[sourceninja]

i just learned stress managment skills and do martial arts.

You will be amazed how much better life is when you deal with your problems and not just put up with them.