What is your stance on anti-depressent medication, do you think it is good or bad for us?
131041
in my opion i dont belive in them but i am not a .dr. he has a better insite on this matter. my opion ?
655455
well, its a choice. but i do beleive that they are one of the most overutilized and overprescribed classes of drug out there. everybody feels a "little blue" once in awhile, and everyone thinks theyre depressed so they run to the doctor who says "uhh, ok whatever, take this"\n\nbut some people really do need to be on them
182991
My best friend and boyfriend's antidepressants had one of those rare side effects on him and he ended up killing himself by sticking a knife to his throat.\n\nI found him on his kitchen floor in a pool of blood and that is pretty much the worst thing that I can think of to happen to anybody. \n\nI would never wish the sight on my worst enemy... and the only reason I can even talk about it now is because I want people to be aware that anti-depressants need to be taken responsibly! Check warning labels, read the side effects, make sure you look out for signs.
110423
St. John's wort worked for my wife, didn't work for me, but it's a place to start.\n\nI was almost certainly clinically depressed for a while in college and toughed it out instead of getting help, which I've decided was a mistake.  I had a relapse a few years ago and got counseling, but I resisted anti-depressants for over a year.  It was totally irrational, and I regret stalling.  Judging by how I reacted to going on and off the meds, it was obvious I had a chemical imbalance, and being ashamed of them or resistant to them was as foolish as a diabetic refusing insulin.  I did not become dependent and I tapered off after a couple of years.\n\nIf you're opposed because of potential side effects, keep in mind that the arsenal of anti-depressants has increased in recent years, so it's more likely than ever that you can find something without serious side effects.\n\nAlso keep in mind that depression that doesn't go away in a reasonable time is terrible for other aspects of your health, so toughing it out with exercise and comedies can jeopardize other systems in your body.
546025
I feel for you. I have the same problem you have and I have refused to use medication. I've got a great husband, great kids and no reason to be depressed but I am. I've been taking fish oil and I am reading a book that comes with a workbook called battle of the mind. Great book. It's been working and I actaully feel motivated and I have been feeling less depressed.
46629
That is a great question - you hit the nail totally on the head at the absolute ridiculousness of the supposed "war on drugs". \n\nWhy are we telling people not to take "illegal" drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, etc., when "legal" drugs such as prozac, seroxat and zoloft are used in pretty much exactly the same way.\n\nIt comes down to money and control. Pharmaceutical companies make billions of dollars from psychiatric drugs and GPs seem to hand them out to people like candy. And what do these drugs actually do? They certainly do not cure anyone of anything. Mental illnesses are not physical diseases. Taking prozac for "depression" is not like taking insulin for diabetes. Psychiatry is total junkscience. All these drugs do is simply change the normal chemistry of the brain to create a false psychological state. Long-term use, like any other drug, can be seriously harmful, both physically and mentally, and yet many people swear by them as some sort of modern day wonder. These same people, i'm guessing, at the same time, are probably telling their kids about the dangers of smoking weed or snorting coke...! It's totally crazy.\n\nAll psychoactive drugs are harmful, whether "legal" or "illegal". Instead of fussing about the legality and costs of recreational drugs, or being blinded by the giant pharmaceutical companies' propaganda regarding "psychiatric medications", governments should look into what is missing in society for people to turn to mind-affecting drugs in the first place.\n\nMike\n\n--\nDecoding Psychiatric Propaganda\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters\n\n\n--------------\nNOTE ADDED: 03 Feb 2006\nFairyNanook, Of course... anyone who has even the slightest criticism of Psychiatry must be a Scientologist! LOL! Do me a favour! And as for your claim that "depression is a physical disease, just like every other disease out there" I would simply say this: PROVE IT! Provide me with some SCIENTIFIC PROOF! No one has been able to so far, including the NIMH, NAMI or the American Psychiatric Association. Only last July did the president of the APA, Dr. Steven Sharfstein admit that "We do not have a clean-cut lab test". Check the DSM IV and it even says it in there. There is no evidence that ANY mental illness is a physical disease. If you have been told differently then know this: YOU HAVE BEEN LIED TO. Check http://groups.msn.com/psychbusters for more info.
237995
It is an anti-depressant. For chronic depression.
396056
Well as far as I know they are not allowed to tell your mom anything about what you are taking or what you are doing.  Aside from that you should tell them that you do drink occasionally.  Drinking does have a negative effect on anti-depressants as in it totaly negates the effect the anti-depressant will have on your brain.  Be honest with your dr.  its the only way he/she can help properly.
591741
Mixing anti depression meds is never a good idea.  Make sure it's okay with your doctor before you take Welbutrin and Lexapro.  Lexapro is a good drug though, just don't mix it with other good drugs ;)
450142
I was on the same thing for a little while. It is an anti-psychotic drug, but that doesn't mean your prescriber thinks you're psychotic, both anti-depressants and anti-psychotics are used for numerous conditions not just depression or psychosis.\nI stopped taking it because it didn't do a thing, not that I noticed anyway.\nForget any stigma you may think is attached to certain drugs of diagnosis, focus on being well and getting better and improving these things, what may have caused you to be unwell shouldn't be all you focus on, if you do that it can take over your life altogether, believe me I really do know about that, it's what happened to me.\nYou could also get a second opinion, and probably should, it's amazing how doctors diagnosis can vary so much from each other, I think it's worth seeing  another doctor even if only so YOU can look at your situation from a different angle.\nHope this helps a bit and good luck
571003
I've heard that it works but don't actually know anyone who has taken it. I do know that if you are already on anti-depressants, you need to avoid St John's Wort as it has a bad interaction with them.\n\nAlthough I've been on anti-depressants myself for the past 7 years, I don't consider them a cure or a treatment in themself. I think we are often too hasty to pop pills for everything and expect the pills to do all the work. I think of my anti-depressants as an "assistant" in my healing from / dealing with my depression. \n\nEven if depression is caused by biological or chemical imbalances, there are a lot of personal and environmental things we can, and ought, to do to ease the symptoms. \n\nExercise is one of the best natural anti-depressants. Even if all you can manage is a five or ten minute walk in the fresh air, that's a good start. If you can walk in a pleasant environment like a garden or park or under an open sky (I sometimes go up on the roof of my building and walk there, it's beautiful to be among the clouds and the blue sky, I walk, think, talk to myself and sometimes even sing up there!)\n\nDrinking plenty of water helps, mainly because it's good for your health and fights fatigue - and when you're tired AND depressed it just feels worse. I drink 3 litres a day (it's also great for your skin,  and compliments about how fresh/young you look are VERY anti-depressing!!)\n\nDealing with your stress of course will make a difference - talking to a counselor or joining a support group can give you more comfort and confidence. \n\nAnd oddly enough, I find that de-cluttering, even just one drawer or shelf at a time, has a hugely uplifting effect. My favourite book on the subject is "Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston. It's an amazing book and is more about why we clutter things up, the effects of clutter, and how to get over our psychological obstacles to de-cluttering. (It's not so much about wind-chimes and ceramic animals, in spite of the misleading name which might put some people off.) It's actually been the most impactful book I've read in the last two years (and I read a LOT) and de-cluttering my home has really had an amazing effect on how I feel about my self and my life. I really do recommend it. \n\nIf you're willing to make a holistic commitment to helping yourself in these simple ways, you can make a huge difference in how depression impacts your life. Good luck!
131390
I definately think it should be legalised for medical use but it really can mess up your head if you use it all the time....it totally slows down you reactions, can make you paranoid and so on....i don't think once in a while hurts but if it is legalised in needs seriously regulating so people dont go too far.\n\nHope yr good now
394587
The negatives you're hearing about usually come from an anti-medication contingent trying to instill fear that anti-depressants and ADD medications cause kids to commit suicide....those events only happen when you're not following the doctor's recommendations...like say, skipping the pill every so often.\nI'm on Concerta for ADD and I wish i had it when i was younger...Lord knows how much better i would have done in school.\nUsually, the people trying to make these meds look bad have some kind of "alternative therapy" they're trying to sell....mainly because they went to school for psychology and didn't do well enough to get an M.D. certification....hence, why they can't prescribe these pills themselves to anyone!
297778
Ummm I definitely know people who have gained weight on it.  Most anti-depressants have that side effect.  It depends on who you are...it doesn't affect everyone.
172311
There have been many studies for St. Johns wort, but none have lasted long enough for any real opinions to be made. Personally I have used it and think it helps. If you do decide that you want to take it make sure that you are not taking any other antidepressants at that time, and pregnant women shouldn't take it either. Also if you suffer from sever depression you need to see a doctor. Please remember that it is not monitored by the FDA so watch what you take, there can be a lack of consistency between each pill.
269073
I agree with you,I use it with doctor knowing it is for medical use,the doctor told me it is better then any medicine to make me feel better and he is right!
611516
I personally would recommend trying one of the antidepressants and seeing if they can work for you.  I have been on many different ones, which have worked on and off; the one I'm on now is great. It has bad side effects, but having experienced very deep depression in the past, I'll weather anything at this point.\n\nTalk therapy hasn't worked for me, but the meds have. I know everyone is different, though.  Just my suggestion.