Antidepressants

[Damon Gant]

Originally Posted by Huggies1998

I completely agree. I can't stand those self-diagnosed Aspies!

BTW, I have emetophobia as well!

Emetophobe high-five!

(oh god I am not looking forward to the norovirus making its rounds this winter)

[dprdinky]

Let me point out from my posting about my particular need for medication.

I do not proclaim that the use of medication is for everyone. There are alternatives. My suggestion is to listen, do your research on the options, to where you are able to be healthy.

[Raccoon]

Originally Posted by Damon Gant

I'm probably going to get flak for this but I would never take anti-depressants or anything of the sort unless I absolutely had to, i.e, the regulation of serotonin in my system just plummeted for one reason or another and I absolutely needed to get something going in there

.

Well, as mentioned before, drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, recreational, herbal: yes I think a psychoactive substance is a psychoactive substance however "natural" it may or may not be) won't ease your poverty, make your divorce easier, or pass your test for you. And I agree, that if a non-drug approach addresses the root cause of one's problems or eases symptoms - with less associated risk - go for it. Better your other wears the tight, shiny leather catsuit than your taking viagra, given the choice; if wearing a diaper or petting a cat works to relieve anxiety then that's a better way to go than popping valium, and certainly surgery.

But there really are issues for which drugs are the best available option, in a given person's situation, especially in the short term. Often medications can stabilize mood - or other cognitive functions (say, concentration, quality of sleep) to allow a patient to explore other approaches, such as pet therapy, talk therapy, hypnosis, light boxes (for seasonal affective disorder) or moving to the country.

I just usually think it's a generally bad idea, because I have friends who have been on them and wish they hadn't been. For them it either didn't solve the problem, or it eliminated not only the lows, but the highs as well.

Yes, many meds seem to be like taking an axe where a scalpel is needed. Still, it may be a matter if trying different meds - in combination or sequentially - and fiddling with doses.

Some people will convince themselves they have depression or bipolar or ADHD of all things when nothing is wrong, I've also seen this happen and just facepalmed when they actually get medication. It's basically like the self-diagnosed Aspergers people, sometimes they seem to think that "it isn't my fault something is happening, it must be this disorder I read up on and well tough luck I can't do anything about it because of my syndrome that is to say I won't do anything about it".

Well, first of all, this self-diagnosis is always suspect; even when symptoms are correctly identified, the auto-diagnosis can be incorrect: some symptoms may be seen in an exaggerated way; normal sadness doesn't necessarily indicate depression, hallucinations can indicate tumors, not schizophrenia, and so on. Doctors see doctors for a diagnosis (or confirmation of one) as a rule for a reason.

As to having a syndrome or some kind of malady, even if true, doesn't absolve you of anything. The problem isn't your fault, but the solution is your reponsibility. And I don't mean self-medicating.

I'm not exactly in mental tip-top perfect shape, and I do have the odd thing wrong here and there, but I won't sit there and pop pills for it. I'll either live with it and just deal with it as it comes, or I'll work at destroying the root instead of doing as medication does and cover the leaves with a sheet and wonder why it's not going away.

on a slightly related note, same goes for my emetophobia. (which unlike most popular "disorders" is a little more quantifiable, and it's probably half the reason my silly nuances exist, anyone else who suffers from it will know what I mean with the whole not going out as much, social life suffering somewhat, hardly ever travel, somewhat reclusive, every stomach ache means you think you're going to throw up) There are people who are popping anti-emetics and anti-depressants almost daily and I never want to be like that, in fact I make an effort to try and beat a little bit of it day after day, which I've been getting better at as time goes on.

I spent some time lately upchucking daily and not addressing it directly; I coped, ntil it went away. It had to do with my forcing a sleep schedule on myself, and not being well-rested on getting up. I didn't like it but didn't want to add anti-emesis drigs to my present coctail.

For general advice, if I do take anything to level me out, I take one Cod Liver Oil capsule a day. It's been said that some mood-swings and depression and even hyperactivity are due to a low proportion of Omega 3 in the diet (usually found in fish, cod liver oil, etc.) against Omega-6 (commonly found in cereals, eggs, nuts, wholemeal bread, most types of vegetable oil). Google it if you get bored. Or I'll have a cup of Ovaltine, since it's got tryptophan from the warm milk, (tryptophan = serotonin) and B vitamins and minerals and some other vitamins from the ovaltine itself. Also seconding Mugiwara in suggesting 5HTP. It's also good if you're an MDMA user. There is also St. Johns Wort but I'm not touching it because of most of the side effects and interactions centre round feeling nauseous and I am not keen on that as I may have inferred above.

Basically, sometimes if you feel crap, your body is wanting for something as opposed to your mind.

Also, commonly, another reason one can feel low and lethargic is either because you're dehydrated (drink more) or you're low on minerals (there's a seven seas mineral tonic for this). Or maybe you just need to get outside or do some exercise. I hate to sound pedantic here, but I would be interested to know how much the proportion of people who suffer from depression have a crap diet and don't exercise and don't do anything except sit on WoW all day.

anyway, my point is, I'm no depression polemic but I don't like how some people have taken to thinking throwing prozac makes everything work.[/QUOTE]

Lifestyle and diet changes can be key, which mostly come down to eat right and exercise more.

But when all these are doing what they can meds are a last resort before invasive stuff.

[AbsoluteBedlam]

I feel that antidepressants can be useful for certain people in certain situations. However, I feel that the medical community is far too quick to prescribe medicine with the guise of that it will largely solve all of your problems due to fixing your "chemical imbalances."

I personally was prescribed one by my family doctor during an angsty teenage phase when I was moody more often than not. Suddenly my suicidal thoughts turned into suicidal actions and when we informed my doctor of this he simply wanted to up my dosage, thus making things worse. Only when I secretly stopped taking my meds did the people around me start telling me that I was getting better. Though stopping cold turkey like that sucked because I had formed a dependence on them.

This is why I don't trust doctors to this day.

Honestly, I feel that in 98% of all cases medication is NOT the answer. However, if you are given an antidepressant do your research. Find out what side effects are being reported by the users and look for any class action lawsuits that may be surrounding that particular medicine.

Otherwise all I can say is good luck and I hope you get better.

[Jeepme]

My soon to be ex-wife was diagnosed bipolar as a child. The past 5 years of our marriage have been a series of extreme ups and downs. The last extreme 'up' resulting in the end of it. But she spent the first 2 yrs severely depressed, and was prescribed medication. I could tell they were very beneficial to her emotional stability (when she was taking them). I have heard from some of her psychologists and psychiatrists, that exercise is a very beneficial way to increase endorphine production in the brain. Especially types like yoga that center on relaxation and meditation along with the stretching and exercising. So you might try mixing it up a little bit, seeing your therapist AND practicing yoga or pilates or whatever is best for you.

[Raccoon]

Originally Posted by babymick21

There MUST be somewhere where you can see someone for free.

If you are under 18, certainly under 16, Family and social services should be able to offer advice. The suicide hotline might also offer advice on where to go. I expect some churches (Mormon? Catholic?) might offer in-house services to members.

When I was at university, all students got medical benefits, including cheap dentistry and psychologists.

Keep an eye out for clinical trials looking for volunteers, and try calling up your nearest teaching hospital/university with a medical program. They may or may not be able to offer you service but are a good place to try to see what other places might be able to help.

Battered womens' shelters, the John Howard Society (for ex-convicts) and similar charities are also a good place to call.

[ShippoFox]

If you're in the USA and over 18, there's no help for you unless you have money. Sure, there are churches, but that's not for everyone. And dental?! Lots of decent jobs don't even have such great dental plans.

[WildThing121675]

I was on anti-depressants when I was in school and I despised them. I also had suicidal thoughts and almost in 1993 commited suicide. Something made me stop and I stopped taking that med.

I never liked drugs. They can be beneficial but they can also screw you up. I was as recently as of two years ago on Strattera for my ADHD and it was a way to help me regroup, and deal with some issues. It helped, but it also made me sick. I took a break from the drug in '07 and I found that I could function well without it. I have not been on it or to therapy in some time as I feel I am right where I should be in my life.

I would NEVER go back on an anti-depressant as I distrust those damn things with a passion and I do not EVER want suicidal thoughts again. It's a scary, and dark place if you ask me.

[1magus]

I have to take Lexapro for Anxiety, OCD is not fun

[Gizmoman]

I take a high dose of antidepressants, anxiety meds, painkillers and sleeping aids (sometimes) for my illness. In my case I do need these medications because I recently was hospitalized due to self harm. In group therapy we discuss why we need these meds and for us (people with severe problems) need them to help us function healthy in society. I you are depressed go to a psychiatrist and discuss your options and symptoms. You may not need medications. Mental health is very important to you in your job, relationships, socializing and just life in general. I did not want to be hospitalized, but when I got out I felt that it was the best thing to happen to me because I got the help I needed. You need to take care of your self. My two cents