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Taking drugs for depression is like turning up the radio so you can't hear your engine knocking....... >>
Actually, you've got that backwards. Taking a pill for depression is like turning down the radio so you can hear the source of the knocking.
jonnyGURU,
I took paxil (either 40 or 60 mg/day, can't remember for sure) for four months for depression. It worked fairly well, but the side-effects were a f*cking nightmare. Cold sweats, nausea, lethargy, tremors, weight gain (about 35-40 pounds), change in appetite, chattering teeth, severely dry mouth, and major sexual side-effects. It's not a "happy pill", but it did seem to turn down the volume enough for me to regain control and feel "normal" again, even after discontinuing the drug. Most often, it's prescribed for 6 to 9 months the first time.
I currently take serzone (400 mg/day) for panic attacks, mild OCD, and mild paranoias. The side effects (dry mouth and eyes, extreme lethargy for two months, blurry vision, less disruptive sexual side-effects) are much better, but a little less than 1% of those who take it suffer catastrophic liver failure. Most doctors are becomming a little reluctant to prescribe it, especially for older people and heavy drinkers who are much more likely to have existing liver damage. It works very well in decreasing the intensity and frequency of the symptoms enough to allow me to overcome it permanently.
If you or someone you know is considering taking an anti-depressant, make sure to read up as much as you can.
WebMD's drug library is a good start, and do a google search for depression. There are plenty of other options besides drugs, like exercise, change in diet, avoiding alcohol, etc. IMAO, unless the depression is severe (constant daily interference in your life for more than just a week or a month, inability to enjoy any activities, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, etc.) anti-depressants should be a last resort.
If the problems also include anxiety and/or panic attacks, then definitely pick up a copy of
The Anxiety Disease. It does a better job of explaining anxiety disorders than any physician I've ever spoken with, and takes less than two hours to read.
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