Happy Pills

[Nubclear]

Mrmitchell: I used to have that philosophy that all this stuff was a bunch of **** and that I should just toughen up. Consulted with a few friends, and they said drugs were the easy way out...So I didn't take them.
I tried my best to lead a happy life. I did some chairty work, etc etc. Spent more time with family. But none of it helped. I tried facing my depression but..it always came back. But it was nothing.
That is, until I began seeing dead bodies in my house and people materialize out of thin air.

Needless to say, I'm much better now. Most people who say "tough it up" have no idea what its like (or a VERY mild one). Why should i let my life crash before my eyes when I can escape the building? I'd much rather lose some pride than lose my sanity.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by mrmitchell
But there really is little knowledge of what these drugs do 30 or 40 years down your line

Some information is beginning to come to light. Most anti-deprssants work by preventing the proper function of seratonin re-uptake receptors. They are called re-uptake inhibitors. This initially causes a higher level of seratonin in the brain. Seratonin is essential in preventing depression. The problem that is emerging now is that the brain adjusts to the elevated levels of seratonin and begins to produce less and therefore higher doses or changes in the anti-depressant is required. Additionally, there is emerging evidence that the re-uptake receptors may "shut off" and not function properly once the drug is removed. This could result in long term changes in brain chemistry.

For most people, depression is a temporary thing. Brain chemical production changes for a large variety of reasons. For most, it will readjust itself in a period of from a few weeks to a few years (depending on the cause and severity). The introduction of anti-depressants and their effect on long term brain chemistry are now being thought by some to be creating life-long chemical dependent people.

The bottom line is...If you can avoid taking antidepressants, the don't take them.

Good Luck.

[Unspeakable Horror]

I think if the source of depression is really from a bad synapsis (sp?) in your brain then you can´t fix it by "facing your fears", "tough it up" "whatever" IMHO, same as you can´t fight a bad infection without antibiotics (well you can try but...).

Edit: But I agree with this too,

...If you can avoid taking antidepressants, the don't take them.

If the problem isn´t severe, wich is something that a profesional should judge, not a bunch of people in a web forum , then you don´t need them... as somebody else said meditate or something, spend more time with your family, friends, etc.

[mrmitchell]

Comrade, it sounds like you're one of the few tough cases (a fluke in the land of taking any drug for any reason). However, they're might be different things entirely.

Depression is not really "druggable" in my opinion. The correct fix is to make yourself happy without drugs.

Seeing dead bodies? Get yourself to the friggin doctor this instant damnit!

[Asher]

The people out there who oppose people using medication to help their depressions (or other disorders) simply don't understand, and probably can't understand unless they're in the shoes themselves.

Just because they can "pull themselves out of a depression" doesn't mean everyone else can. The reason these people tend to be in a depression is because sh*t is going bad in their lives. Other people have chemical imbalances that lead to severe depression even if everything is honky-dory.

So would the people like mrmitchell kindly can it and stop being insensitive dolts, it'd be much appreciated.

[mrmitchell]

Okay, I'll admit, I've never had a serious depression problem. But I still think the majority of the prescriptions are for temporary things but turn into permanent prescriptions. REAL chemical imbalances need it, yes. But I'm under the impression that "real" is a much smaller crowd than thought.

(Seeing dead bodies is one example of "real" depression.)

[Elok]

Originally posted by Asher
The people out there who oppose people using medication to help their depressions (or other disorders) simply don't understand, and probably can't understand unless they're in the shoes themselves.
Just because they can "pull themselves out of a depression" doesn't mean everyone else can. The reason these people tend to be in a depression is because sh*t is going bad in their lives. Other people have chemical imbalances that lead to severe depression even if everything is honky-dory.
So would the people like mrmitchell kindly can it and stop being insensitive dolts, it'd be much appreciated.

Amen to that. Depression was the closest to insanity I can imagine anyone getting, and I was a pretty mild case.

[Asher]

Personally, my life has been made immeasurably better since I started Celexa.

1) I am no longer socially avoidant and excessively shy
2) I have a SO of over 3 months and counting, going great
3) I got a job in my field that pays great, mostly due to my ability to actually have a job interview coherently now
4) I enjoy playing video games, listening to music, watching movies, just hanging out with friends again
5) I'm not afraid to try new things at all anymore, just got a new Acoustic Guitar last night that I'm teaching myself
6) Academically my marks have improved, my concentration is better, and I have goals and work ethic

So it's somewhat disheartening for me to see a bunch of people who don't know what the hell they're talking about discouraging other people from seeing experts that may decide to put them on something too.

Where are your morals, I ask you? It's their life, not yours.

[PLATO]

Asher, in many cases medication is indicated. In many it is not. The problem is that the medical community is predisposed toward medication. In your case the medication may be the best solution. It is not insensitive to suggest that in other cases medication may not be the best answer. Given the emerging data on the long term effects, one would be wise to consult all options before deciding on a treatment option. Simply going to see a professional and letting them decide is an abdictation of you responsibility to yourself.

[Asher]

A professional tends to know more about the issue than you do, and more about the options.

My doctor wasn't predisposed to medication, he actually suggested therapy first -- biggest waste of money, ever. $135/hr to listen to some guy ask "How do you feel about that?" "Why do you think you are sad?" "Does anything in particular make you sad?" GRRR.

Self-help works for some, therapy works for some, medication works for some.

People usually try to get themselves out first before asking for help (tried that for like 5 years ), then go seek help which is either therapy or medication, or both.

It's up to the person and for the doctors to decide which is probably best for you, not some people on Apolyton talking of "morals".

[mrmitchell]

Plato explained my idea better than I would have.

[mrmitchell]

Aha. Crosspost.

My point is, Asher, is that medication is viewed as a "cures every ail on every person" type thing, and a lot of the time it isn't.

[Unspeakable Horror]

It's up to the person and for the doctors to decide which is probably best for you, not some people on Apolyton talking of "morals".

What I tried to say but a lot better .

[Nubclear]

$135 an HOUR?!

When I told my therpaist of my money problems, she did something that surprised me greatly. She simply said "Okay, I'll do it for free". And I haven't paid a dime ever since.

[Brundlefly]

Originally posted by Boddington's
Pull yourselves out of it.

This may sound harsh but it is the truth. Take it from someone who tried every anti-depressant + therapy in the 90's. THe answers to your depression are, always have been, always will be, in your own head. The sooner you achieve mental discipline and are willing to train yourself to have a positive outlook on life the better you will be. I can only speak for myself, but psych drugs were only a crutch that gave me an excuse to stay depressed. They elevated my mood somewhat but I was still stuck in my neurotic behavior patterns. And psych drugs filter your sensations so you are not fully experiencing life sensually while you use them.

Follow this advice to get out of your depression without drugs:
1) Accept full responsibility for yourself and your actions;
2) Make no excuses or apologies to anyone for your actions;
3) Assert your rights as an individual as necessary;
4) Exercise regularly and eat right;
5) Build and maintain social relationships;
6) Think positive thoughts at all costs - even when it seems foolish to do so. This doesnt mean you have to be a glassy-eyed optimist, but very simply there are two ways to view anything: positive & negative. Always find the positive in everything and everyone.