Thinking of going on anti-depressants

[DAGTA]

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 girlfried. 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.

Excellent personal example. Congrats to you!

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Why not just try and deal with life instead of running for drugs?

I have, for the last year, everyone reaches there breaking point, and I really don't want to fall behind first year physics due to personal problems.

"Breaking point"? And then you start taking drugs? This is exactly why I wish that Darwinism still had an effect on today's society. The strong survive, the weak take drugs to keep up.

:thumbsup:

aren't you so perfect as to thread crap on his genuine question asking for real help.
sheesh. :|

 

[Proletariat]

Did some of you people go to college?

 

[imported_Reck]

not everyone who suffers from depression can just suddenly "overcome" it. i'd know.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: DAGTA

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 girlfried. 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.

Excellent personal example. Congrats to you!

agreed, keep it up

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: sonz70

Originally posted by: DAGTA
Why not just try and deal with life instead of running for drugs?

I have, for the last year, everyone reaches there breaking point, and I really don't want to fall behind first year physics due to personal problems.

"Breaking point"? And then you start taking drugs? This is exactly why I wish that Darwinism still had an effect on today's society. The strong survive, the weak take drugs to keep up.

:thumbsup:

aren't you so perfect as to thread crap on his genuine question asking for real help.
sheesh. :|

Absolutely, when people come on here asking which drugs to take for temporary problems. Some people have REAL issues that these drugs were designed for, not a "Oh I'm kinda depressed today, I'll pop a few pills" kind of thing. That's called life in general, you have to learn to deal with such things and channel it in a positive way.

Read up a few posts, dullard is a perfect example of someone fixing their life, rather than escaping from it with drugs.

 

[aircooled]

Unfortunately I've seen very bad things for anti-depressants, yet I've also seen very good things.

Whatever they put my wife on made her fall asleep at work and tired while driving. Not a good thing to fight depression.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: Reck
not everyone who suffers from depression can just suddenly "overcome" it. i'd know.

I don't think anything can suddenly be overcome.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Sphexi
Read up a few posts, dullard is a perfect example of someone fixing their life, rather than escaping from it with drugs.

I am just one person with one experience. Sonz70 might need drugs for his situation. Please don't overuse my experience. In fact, the right strategy might be a combination of both.

I don't see any harm in attempting to do what I did AND talking to a doctor about drugs. Maybe the drugs won't be needed. Maybe they will. But at least attempt to face your problems head on.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: Reck
not everyone who suffers from depression can just suddenly "overcome" it. i'd know.

Agreed, but drugs are NOT the answer.

Anyone who turns to drugs is getting short term solution that makes the problem worse in the long run. Drugs can be addictive in two ways: physical and psychological. Anti-depressants are often addictive in both ways at the same time. The physical addiction becomes obvious when you gradually need to increase your dosage to have the same effect or when you try and quit the drugs and suffer withdrawal symptoms.

The psychological addiction is worse. People start believing they must have the drug in order to not be depressed. So, if they go without the drug, they will drive themselves back into depression (and usually deeper) because they believe they can't be happy without the drug.

Finally, there are some studies scattered on the 'net now that suggest that people taking anti-depressants may actually be more prone to suicide than people not taking them. The correlation isn't clear (are people more likely to be suicidal more likely to be on the anti-depressants? or do the drugs actually lead to more suicidal behavior).

All of that said, face the core problem of your depression. If you only cover the symptoms with drugs, it will likely come back later in a worse way.

As an aside: anyone else notice that it's socially unacceptable to smoke pot or do other street drugs when wanting a break from life's problems but it's socially acceptable to run to anti-depressants and other prescribed drugs. The difference? One is obtained from an unlicensed drug dealer and the other is obtained from a licensed drug dealer.

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: Sphexi
Read up a few posts, dullard is a perfect example of someone fixing their life, rather than escaping from it with drugs.

I am just one person with one experience. Sonz70 might need drugs for his situation. Please don't overuse my experience. In fact, the right strategy might be a combination of both.

I don't see any harm in attempting to do what I did AND talking to a doctor about drugs. Maybe the drugs won't be needed. Maybe they will. But at least attempt to face your problems head on.

I think the bold part is what most people are TRYING to say.

 

[sonz70]

Like I said, I have worked at it for a year now, I have too many things that I cannot drop (taking care of my mom, who keeps getting worse from the MS and epilepsy, friend who is staying here as she goes through cancer treatment) those might be only two things, but they affect me alot, ontop of that, I have work and class, while class is 1st year Physics in Uni, which I really don't want to fall behind on. Like I said, last time I got off them, I went off cold turkey, I hate the idea of doing them, but some things you cannot just run from.

 

[CellarDoor]

I had anxiety attacks which caused me to throw-up every morning for a year. I took paxil and it did the trick. Actually, it did too much. I became so outgoing and stopped caring about my grades (at 40mg pills). Good thing that was senior year of high-school. Now I've been off the paxil for a while and have a good balance. I don't get anxiety attacks anymore and can focus.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: sonz70
Like I said, I have worked at it for a year now, I have too many things that I cannot drop (taking care of my mom, who keeps getting worse from the MS and epilepsy, friend who is staying here as she goes through cancer treatment) those might be only two things, but they affect me alot, ontop of that, I have work and class, while class is 1st year Physics in Uni, which I really don't want to fall behind on. Like I said, last time I got off them, I went off cold turkey, I hate the idea of doing them, but some things you cannot just run from.

Then talk to a qualified doctor, not us. I agree that SOME people may need drugs to handle extreme problems, I just don't think that you're one of them. Discuss it with a doctor, talk to a psychologist, ask advice of close and trusted friends. See if you can get some help with your problems on an individual basis rather than just diving into drugs to make them seem less horrible. That would be your best solution.

 

[CellarDoor]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: sonz70
Like I said, I have worked at it for a year now, I have too many things that I cannot drop (taking care of my mom, who keeps getting worse from the MS and epilepsy, friend who is staying here as she goes through cancer treatment) those might be only two things, but they affect me alot, ontop of that, I have work and class, while class is 1st year Physics in Uni, which I really don't want to fall behind on. Like I said, last time I got off them, I went off cold turkey, I hate the idea of doing them, but some things you cannot just run from.

Then talk to a qualified doctor, not us. I agree that SOME people may need drugs to handle extreme problems, I just don't think that you're one of them. Discuss it with a doctor, talk to a psychologist, ask advice of close and trusted friends. See if you can get some help with your problems on an individual basis rather than just diving into drugs to make them seem less horrible. That would be your best solution.

Absolutely. I would go talk to a psychiatrist and see what they think.

 

[lrad50]

talk to a doctor, prozac works well

 

[xSauronx]

my brother prefers ganja

maybe its just cause he hates doctors?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: sonz70
So, thinking of going back on anti-depressants, I went off them cold turkey about a year ago, and have been fine since than, thinking of going back on, as school/mom/some other things are starting to get to me pretty badly. I hate them, but they help specially when you are tyring to concentrate on school. Any suggestions of ones that will work, but not turn me into a walking smiling zombie?

Hrm./..


school/mome/some other things aka butsecks for money?

Actually maybe you wouldnt be needing these drugs if you stopped taking it up the rear for money...

 

[moshquerade]

if they were working for you before why did you go off them?

 

[SagaLore]

Or, remove the Internet from your life.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Or, remove the Internet from your life.

werd

the internet is one of the biggest catalysts for depression

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
if they were working for you before why did you go off them?

Hated them

 

[BudAshes]

Originally posted by: DAGTA

Originally posted by: Reck
not everyone who suffers from depression can just suddenly "overcome" it. i'd know.

Agreed, but drugs are NOT the answer.

Anyone who turns to drugs is getting short term solution that makes the problem worse in the long run. Drugs can be addictive in two ways: physical and psychological. Anti-depressants are often addictive in both ways at the same time. The physical addiction becomes obvious when you gradually need to increase your dosage to have the same effect or when you try and quit the drugs and suffer withdrawal symptoms.

The psychological addiction is worse. People start believing they must have the drug in order to not be depressed. So, if they go without the drug, they will drive themselves back into depression (and usually deeper) because they believe they can't be happy without the drug.

Finally, there are some studies scattered on the 'net now that suggest that people taking anti-depressants may actually be more prone to suicide than people not taking them. The correlation isn't clear (are people more likely to be suicidal more likely to be on the anti-depressants? or do the drugs actually lead to more suicidal behavior).

Actually anti-depressants are not addictive. But good job on trying to sound smart when you have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

If you think you need them, then you are well enough off so that you don't.

 

[Smackem]

Talk to more than one doctor.