anti-depressants, etc.

[Luv2Fall 0]

Right on! Those with a true "chemical imbalance" benefit from meds........

[AggieDave 6]

I personally believe that too many people put too much trust into the drugs. I also feel like they are prescribed WAY too much for stuff that some simple counciling would solve.

But, that's just my $0.02.

You know what really pisses me off? People who aren't doctors, but are on the drugs, that push and push others to get a doc to give the drugs to their friends who they self diagnosed as to having a problem. I, along with everyone else in the world, have had depression before, a former friend was pushing and pushing to get me to go get drugs, it was supposed to be the cure-all. Well, I refused to believe the self-diagnoses, but I did get councilling and that's all it really took, just some help, NOT drugs.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Zennie 0]

Quote

The primary starting point is getting to a good place initially. As long as they are at the bottom, they can't fight it. People with chronic depression haven't got only one problem. It is a combination of several real problems, poor life-coping skills, and incorrect evaluation of circumstances - all at the same time. ... When the meds are working, the over-sensitivity to events is dulled. The groundless fears about the future are quieter. A therapist can then teach a calmer person how to use good coping mechanisms instead of drugs/alchohol/etc. That is why "one day at a time" is the 12-step motto. Dealing with the pieces of life, not the overwhelming "all at once".

This is a really good summation of the therapeutic process.

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[Cajun 0]

Not speaking for anyone else but if you know me, you know why I'm on them

[mouth 0]

I am speaking as a teacher who is responsible for several children on a daily basis who take ritalin or other simular drug.

Many of my kids that take meds seriously need them. When their parent don't give them at the correct time every morning I see the effect it has on these kids until the meds take effect. One particuar child was incapable of writing 2 letters together until his medication took effect. He was in more fights before 8 am than most of us ar in our lifetime. He was then fine until lunch when he simply had to take another dose or literally climb the walls.

My point is most of my kids seriously need the medication to survive an ordinary day in the classroom. I can only think of one child in the 12 years I have taught that I felt the parents had him on the medication for THEIR well being.

I have seen the difference medication makes in my kids and I have to say I'm glad they are available and prescribed for them.

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[steve1 5]

Unless you have suffered from depression youself, you have absolutely no concept of what that person is going through. Do you know what it's like feel like there is no hope for the future? Do you know what it's like to not be able to sleep, or eat, for weeks on end? Do you know what it's like to feel completely, totally worthless? Do you know what it's like to want to die just to make the pain go away? I mean really want to die?

I wish more people could read what Michelle and Zennie have written in their posts concerning anti-depressants and suicide. I agree unless you have been their you don't have a clue what depression is like. I recall a time when I felt so worthless that I wanted to die. Things just seemed to be getting worse and worse. I ended up with a gun in my hand and had every intention of offing myself. I don't think I would have survived, but my wife figured out what was happening and intervened. And this wasn't the only time I had come close. Being raised by an abusive alcoholic father really did a big number on my head. I tried therapy after that, and it helped some, but I needed more. I went on zo-loft and it made a big difference. I still take it and it helps. I never thought I'd be posting all this, but if it helps someone, what the hell.

I've also heard that unless you are in need of an anti-depressant such as zo-loft it won't have much affect. In other words you won't feel any different. Don't quote me, because I don't know if this is true. All I know it has helped me. I'm much calmer, have loads more patience, am more out going, and my wife can stand to be around me, (which wasn't always the case). Steve1

[smiles 0]

Emotions....love, joy, sorrow, fear, apprehension, anger, satisfaction, discontent....provide the meaning of human existance.

Depression is one of the most common and most serious mental health problems facing people today.
Depression can seriously interfere with your ability to function effectively......Thank god for anti-depressants, as long as they are perscribed correctly.
I have found skydiving to be my anti-depressant.

My mom brought up us kids on her own...as a child I remember long long periods where my mom stayed in bed 24hrs. a day except to feed us.... Drapes were always closed and our place dark.
Somehow- someway - (without treatment or medication) she always came out of it. She always said, "if she didn't have us to care for- she wouldn't have anything to live for..."
I came down with type 1 diabetes as a child, then diagnosed with crohn's disease, then hep c, and ostio-arthritis. Spent 10 years in and out of hospitals, chronic pain, surgery, stress, medication....
Also I have been through so many life crisis and picked myself up, carried on stronger than before. I feel the more shit you go through, the more character you develop and stronger you become. Using anti-depressants to mask the rough times, may also mask the development of strength?????

When I started skydiving my whole life changed. Now I was experiencing what it feels like to be healthy...alive,...have energy....
For 15 years now, I am healthy in the summer without any symptoms of my illness, winter sucks as my health records prove.

See-saw/ high-low/....or seasonal affective disorder...(SAD)...or skydive affective disorder??
Regardless, skydiving has been the most awesome medication for me!!

Smiles

[phatcat 0]

They are overprescribed, definately. But if you truly are one of those people falling down the slippery well of depression - they work. I've been there, and it's not fun.

[Michele 1]

Quote

Using anti-depressants to mask the rough times, may also mask the development of strength?????

I can only speak for myself...but no, it didn't mask the development of strength. What it did was stop the spiral (imagine being in freefall without a parachute...you know you're gonna hit hard...and there's nothing you can do about it), gave me something to stand on, and then I could develop skills which I needed to survive the next episode without the meds.

Glad that you found the sky. It helps me, too. The day after my first skydive, I tossed out the prozac and informed my therapist I was done with those. I stayed on the sleep meds, and still occasionally need to use them (maybe once a month or so). But I also credit my own hard work in therapy, a great therapist, and the meds for getting me to a place where I could learn how to deal with some very difficult things. Depression has, thankfully, become something which has strengthened me, deepened my compassion, stretched me in so many ways, and created opportunities to connect with others on a level I had not thought myself capable of.

Last note on this thread (baring someone really not understanding what depressed people deal with)...if you need meds, get them. Make sure they are prescribed by someone who understands them, specializes in them, and have lots of follow-up care. Screw those folks who'll give you a hard time for using them - get well, and then deal with them.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~