Anybody got some experience with anti-depressants?

[Skaterkid]

I'm just curious if anyone here has any first or second hand knowledge on ant-depressants. Just how much it helped, and if it made you feel "funny". Like a robot, or stoned or something. I've been doing some research, but some outside input is always good. It seems my family history and current mental condition is putting me in the position where I'm going to be taking them.

[HondasTrail]

No anti-depressant will ever make you feel funny if you're actually clinically depressed. What you get and how you feel after taking it totally depends on how retarded your doctor is. Clinical depression is determined by a series of tests. The compilation of those tests is your score. The higher your score the more drugs they pump you with or they will give you a way stronger anti-depressant at a lower dosage.

[THRICE]

They tried to put me on acid reflux meds and the side affects were nausea, diarrea, and indigestion.

No thanks, I'll take the fucken heartburn!


EDIT: I wouldn't recommend anti-depressants. My aunt takes them and when she skips a day...she's an emotional rollercoaster.

[stu]

What were you diagnosed with? Be as specific as you like.

[cherrybombcivic]

Skaterkid, in my own personal experience you wont 'feel' anything. Thats the whole point. it makes you feel normal again. You may become extremely happy, but thats not really an effect of the drug, its because youll be overjoyed youre not depressed anymore. IM me if you like, although im not too embarrased to admit on here that i am bi-polar.

[Skaterkid]

I'm going to the doctor to see what "it" is. It's either depression or a chemical imbalance that makes me more inclined to be depressed. My mom's dad had the imbalance, my mom has it, I have a lot of my personality from my mom, I think I have it.

Basically, I am sad a lot. Think I'm worthless, I have a lot of guilt (ex: if I screw up with my g/f I can't get past it for a while), low self-esteem. I also can snap and have wildly delusional thoughts, I can go on irrational tangents with things (mostly this is related to relationships with anyone), and of course, I think of death and suicide.

[THRICE]

and of course, I think of death and suicide.

EDIT : Wow, sucky.

[cherrybombcivic]

I get the wildly irrational thoughts alot, its kind of like my mind goes on a roller coaster and i cant control it. Then i come back down to earth for a while and im extremely happy and relieved because its over, than it starts again (usually right around when i forget to take my medication.) When you say wildly dellusional thoughts, what kind of stuff do you think about really?

[cherrybombcivic]

Thrice, im not trying to be a prick, and i do have a sense of humor but i seriously think you should delete that last post of yours.

[KooK]

They just calm you out really... I took them for about 3 months and quit, you can do it without the help of freaking pills. Theres something causing that depression, correct it and give it time. You'll be fine.

[THRICE]

Thrice, im not trying to be a prick, and i do have a sense of humor but i seriously think you should delete that last post of yours.


Hahaha, yeah I thought it was a little out of line at first also, but then again...I'm an insensative jerk.

But, for the sake of being human and having a heart...I'll edit it...

[LeonZ]

Robbie, try getting out and hanging out in a circle of people a little bit more. This stuff isn't fun but hanging around close friends makes a difference.

[cherrybombcivic]

sweet. thanks man, with most people that are going through this kind of stuff, its a very senstive touchy subject, he's being brave enough posting about it online.

[Skaterkid]

I don't mind Thrice's post, I do have a sense of humor.

Wildly delusional? Mostly its with relationships. I'll think of something bad that either I said or they said. Then I start thinking about it. Soon I find little things in that that can be exploited into something huge. Then I get very angry at myself or the person, when in reality nothing big has been done. It will consume me for anywhere from an hour to a week. It really hurts me with relationships cause I make something wrong, where there is nothing.

[THRICE]

Indeed. Good luck Robbie. We are here for ya buddy. ;)

[cherrybombcivic]

I don't mind Thrice's post, I do have a sense of humor.

Wildly delusional? Mostly its with relationships. I'll think of something bad that either I said or they said. Then I start thinking about it. Soon I find little things in that that can be exploited into something huge. Then I get very angry at myself or the person, when in reality nothing big has been done. It will consume me for anywhere from an hour to a week. It really hurts me with relationships cause I make something wrong, where there is nothing.

That doesnt sound wildly delusional. That sounds completely normal. A little obsessive, but normal. Wildly delusional would be like thinking and actually believing you were jesus christ or something. You sound like you need therapy, not medication. That is NOT meant to sound like an insult, its actually better for you in my opinion.

[DrJones]

I think the people you hang out with and what you do in your free time can make a big difference with this kind of thing. If you hang out with people who are a bad influence or depressed themselves then it's more likely to happen to you (I'm not an expert but that makes logical sense).

People tend to pick things up from who they are around, if those people are negative it's more likely to have negative effects on you.

The good news is most the people here would be positive, as would I assume others you know.

[Skaterkid]

Well, again, this is why I'm seeing the doctor. I seem to have symptoms of depression, and there is a history of chemical imbalance problems with my family. I just want to stop being so down and depressed. I can't really remember being happy for more than a few days at a time, at least not since age 10 or so.

My circle of friends are actually rather positive. Especially the girls I know.

Also, on the thoughts thing, I have noticed that some of the stuff I've thought on the relationship tangent is really out there. It has no foundation with logic. My brain just sort of takes the problem and goes nuts with it.

[Bedlam]

Been there..done that. I have a lot to say about this subject actually..and I'm too fucking tired to even get started.

Later tonight perhaps..I need some sleep.

-Bedlam

[-=[Juztin]=-]

I've taken the friends approach over medication. I still bout with depression on my own, and I definately have my moments. But being around friends make a night & day difference in my opinion. But unfortuantely man, I have no advice on medications, I was always and still am.. too stubborn/insecure to go to a doc. Like someone else mentioned, were here for ya, so take it easy bud. :cool:

[monicle]

maaaaan....... anti depressants ah' fo' suckahs'. Seriously. What do you have to be depressed about? From the sounds of it youre only dealing with highschool relationships that dont mean shit anyways. If your troubles are centered arround girls then curb the chicks for a while and get your shit together. spend some time on your hobbies or something that gives you a sence of worth. mowing the lawn, building a puzzle, painting a piacture, are all good examples of thiss. I personally dont believe in all that "chemical imbalance" crap that the medical media tries to feed everybody. How many times does medical science change its stand on everything? its rediculous. for example.... The sun light is good for you.... then the sun is horrible it causes skin cancer... then its ok but only for a little bit at a time because its been known to ward off skin cancer. and eggs... eggs are good and healthy (body builders even ate them raw for a long time), then they are bad and cause high chelesterol and heart attacks, and then they are ok again because the cholesterol they make is "good" cholesterol. hrmm sounds like all those bitched should get fired.

[stu]

If he really has a depressive disorder, it's not as simple as you guys are trying to believe. If you could just talk your way out of being depressed, then you wouldn't have a mental disorder now would you?

[stu]

I personally dont believe in all that "chemical imbalance" crap that the medical media tries to feed everybody. How many times does medical science change its stand on everything? its rediculous. for example.... The sun light is good for you.... then the sun is horrible it causes skin cancer... then its ok but only for a little bit at a time because its been known to ward off skin cancer. and eggs... eggs are good and healthy (body builders even ate them raw for a long time), then they are bad and cause high chelesterol and heart attacks, and then they are ok again because the cholesterol they make is "good" cholesterol. hrmm sounds like all those bitched should get fired.


You are comparing two different things here. People who talk about eggs are different from people who talk about clinical depression.

[monicle]

Im just trying to make the point that scientists and the like have very limited knowledge of how the human body actually works. They dont even know what the appendix is for and they are trying to suggest that they are experts on the human brain. Trail and error, and simple observation of application and reaction, is all that they know.

[Th3Cleaner]

My bosses daughter is 21 now I have seen her through the Bi-Polar for the last 3.5 years.

I hang out with her she seems normal, but she is far from it..
It has cost them more money then I have seen in a long time, somtimes I feel the doctors keep wantning them to comback for the $$ not because they really want to help.

Life is a tough road to follow, and belive me EVERYONE gets depressed time and time again.
It does cause mental, phsyical & emotional break downs but it is a part of life.

good luck

[cherrybombcivic]

An actual chemical imbalance is NOT something you can just talk your way out of or just hang out with friends and have it go away. These things help, yes, but the disorder needs to be treated with medication. It is a sickness no different than diabetes, etc. etc.

[karbon2001]

If at all possible, avoid anti-depressants.

Try ANYTHING that you think might help, I would only use anti-depressants as a last resort. I have seen these drugs destroy those close to me.

Anti-depressants oftentimes become a "crutch," an easy way out. Too many times have I heard the excuse "it's because I didn't take my pill today" for something very very wrong.

You most likely will be taking them for the rest of your life, since it is near impossible for some people to get off them without hitting a serious rock bottom.

Personally, I don't believe the whole chemical imbalance deal. It's just an easy answer for science.

[TXKompressor]

Trying to "Avoid" Anti-Depressants sometimes is not an option. I have been there and tried to avoid them, did not work the slightest. It got worse I developed Panic and Anxiety disorders and that was worse then anything I ever experienced, I could not even drive it was so bad. I have tried alot of the common AD's and some are good, some were bad. The anti-depressant I liked best was Celexa and Depacoate...
I was one them for about two years and have been off them for about two years now with no feelings of Anxiety or Panic, sometimes I get a little depressed but nothing too horrible. First to try is Paxil, if that gives you a low sex drive or no sex drive I suggest getting off of it, it will ruin your relationship with your Significant other. Depecoate worked perfectly for me and gave me no side effects... same with Celexa. If your regular Personal Physician doesn't seem to knowledgable, ask them to refer you to a Psychiatric Doctor that can prescribe meds, I had the best luck getting the right drug for my Disorder. Good Luck Robbie, if need to talk about pm me and I will give you my number. I am here for ya man...

[Skaterkid]

Monicle: I have moved past high school relationships, in fact the last one I was in was very mature. But we are all humans, and as much as I try to not have girls affect me, I am a very passionate person, and at times a slave to my emotions.

As far as the anti-depressants go, I'm going to see if there's a way I can survive without them. I have been dealing with this "problem" for well over 6 years now, and it has only gotten worse and worse. This isn't something I can just talk myself out of. I've tried very hard to do that. I just need something to help me break out of where I'm in. Mostly, I've just kept it inside, and hid it from everyone I know cause I don't talk about my personal problems. But things have been getting worse, and I think its time I seek professional help, whether it be psychiatric or medical.

I'm aware that an AD will not be the silver bullet. I'm looking for it more to take the edge of what I'm feeling, maybe allow myself to start thinking more positively and bring my self esteem back up. Cause that just isn't possible right now.

[Storm Girl]

Hey Kid....I understand what you're going through, but I wasn't the one having these problems. My ex-husband had very serious depression problems, and he refused to get help, in the end result was our divorce. While I was trying to help him, I did a TON of research, and found that there are a lot of herbal and therapedic remedies that replace the medicine that doctors always rush to prescribe. I also found remedies help me with my ADD problems.

My suggestion is to go to the library and do a search on homeopathic remedies for depression. Also, check into meditation, yoga, and those types of natural therapies. I know it sounds gay, and I know most guys would be like "OMG, I'm not doing Yoga!" But you'd be really surprised how well it works. Another friend of mine has a bi-polar wife, and she was interested in my research, did some of her own, and has been doing the yoga, changed her diet to all organic, and takes herbal medicines, and she's doing fantastic. If you think about it, all the processed foods that we eat have chemicals in them, and if you already have a chemical imbalance, they surely don't help you out any. So the organic foods help keep you in balance, and to keep your mind focused.

But whatever method you chose, you have a very tight group of friends with HAI, and we'll be here for you if you need anything!

[computingfuture]

It has cost them more money then I have seen in a long time, somtimes I feel the doctors keep wantning them to comback for the $$ not because they really want to help.


I was hoping someone would mention this, doctors feed mental problems, especially when they need to get paid. When I went to school in Florida I found it alarming how many people went to Physciatrists, Phsycologists, Chiropractors, etc.. on a weekly basis. People in Europe just dont do that shit, and since we dont go and see all these quacks we dont have any of these problems.

[MKIII-Shoopra]

I'm going to the doctor to see what "it" is. It's either depression or a chemical imbalance that makes me more inclined to be depressed. My mom's dad had the imbalance, my mom has it, I have a lot of my personality from my mom, I think I have it.

Basically, I am sad a lot. Think I'm worthless, I have a lot of guilt (ex: if I screw up with my g/f I can't get past it for a while), low self-esteem. I also can snap and have wildly delusional thoughts, I can go on irrational tangents with things (mostly this is related to relationships with anyone), and of course, I think of death and suicide.
I have the same exact thing... I constantly think im worthless and try to be like everyone else... I am sad everytime something bad happens and get irratated very easy.. I have a extremly low self of steem and take everything serious...

I didnt know this was a condition... but I get depressed all the time and am extremly shy because I always think im not going to fit in..
What do you do about this I have thought it might be something before but have never asked anyone about it..

[stu]

Well, there is a difference between having a unique personality and having Major Depressive Disorder.

[MKIII-Shoopra]

Well, there is a difference between having a unique personality and having Major Depressive Disorder.
Well, I've also herd of this social anxiety disorder and im starting to belive I have it because I just try to fit in with everyone and care so much about it its rediculus.. I am still rather shy around some HAI people... I have ALOT of trouble meeting people at my school and always end up having people introduce themselves to me... I havnt had a recent girlfriend due to the fact im to scared / shy to get turned down... Its probably this reason I am depressed because I dont have hardly any friends because im scared to introduce myself to people....
Im so shy it took me 2 days to work up the balls to call up the auto parts guy to order my bov :-/...
I wont go in for a job interview because im shy and scared of doing something wrong...
The only real way I can communicate with people is over the internet... I have problems with my communication when im having a normal conversation. Sometimes I will not think about what im going to say and end up where nobody knows what the hell im talking about. The Main reason I got on hai was to try to find a group of friends...

[Richard T]

I find it disturbing that many of you are trying to talk him out of something based on personal belief rather than first hand experience.

I take Celexa to help battle depression. This is the BEST thing I've done for myself in my entire life. My wife, family, co-workers, and close friends ALL agree. The only thing I regret, and this will sound like a commercial, is not seeing my doctor sooner.

There is NO shame in taking a medication like this and fuck everyone that thinks you have mental control over depression.

[gjcivic]

ok, this thread is out of control... If you do not have a disorder, or first hand experiance with a disorder, then get the fuck out. seriously, the internet, particularly a car site, is the WORST place to ask advice about something like this. Ask what kind of car people like, you'll start an argument, and have all kinds of people give you their "Professional " opinion. "yeah, my freind's sister's boyfriend's mom's aunt's brother had one of those, it was a total piece of shit..." what they don't tell you is that the owner thought the revlimiter sounded cool, and changing oil is a waste of time...

If you feel that you have a problem, go to a doctor. half of the idiots in here probably haven't graduated high school, I'm positive none of them have made it through med school. If you do not like what the doctor says, go see someone else. You may not like the answeres you get though. I suffer from depression. the way it was explained to me is that life is like a rollercoaster, there are always ups and downs... my problem was that the ups were REALLY high, I was ellated... but that means that there is just that much further to go down to a normal level, but my problem was that I would n't stop there, I would sink to the very bottom. This also has effects on other parts of your life... I can't sleep, cause I lay down, and now there is nothing to keep my mind busy, so I start to obsess about things, and worry, untill I am worked up enough that I can't fall asleep, and if I do, I have very restless dreams. Then its time to wake up, except I'm tired. So I oversleep... guess what, now I'm late for work. Time to meet with the boss. As if I didn't have enough to worry about, now I am worried about my job... Its a bad cycle.
I take 2 meds, one at night that also helps me sleep (not doped up, I can still wake up with my 9 month old son, make him a bottle, and function normally), and a different med in the morning. Trazadone is the nightime pill, and Fluoxdine (sp?) is the morning pill (a derrivative of prozak. The only way that my wife who's been with me for over 9 years can tell if I quite taking my meds is I get irratable, and grumpy... The stuff takes a while to build up in your system, and again to go away, so I've actually gone about 2 months of not taking the morning pill before she starts to question me (I just forget to get it refilled, and when you go to work at 0500, you tend to not remember to get it filled untill the next morning, and so on...). I do not feel dopey, quite the opposit, cause I'm actually sleeping :)... I really honestly don't feel any different, but my wife says I'm a lot easier to get a long with, and some of my closer co-workers will ocationally say things. Its not a "high".

really though, go see a doctor. My family doctor prescribes my meds, and I go for routine checks. first it was after 3 months, then after 6, then another 6... I'm actually do for another checkup this month. He always asks if I want to continue, and reinforces that I should eventually try to go without when I feel like it (which I tried, didn't work :) ) You don't necesarily have to go to a shrink, I did that to, and didn't feel like it helped me... but everyone is different.

[Skaterkid]

Thanks Jory, what you described is very close to what happens to me. I was just curious, which is why I asked. I'm gonna do this my way, but hearing some other opinions is good. You just have to know what to listen and what to discard.

[Richard T]

Its not a "high"


Bingo

[gjcivic]

no problem, just becarfull on who you trust. I work with doctors everday, some are good, some are bad, but they all went to school for a verrrry long time. just find on you feel good about, that listens to you and your concerns, and is willing to work with you... like I said, everyone is different, and a good doctor knows that more then anyone.

[DSMlovergirl311]

I was 'diagnosed' with Major Depressive Disorder and given Lexapro. I think it worked a total of 2 weeks, and that might be too generous, because in a way I think it was somewhat of a placebo. Like, "oh Im going to wake up at 8 am every morning to take this pill, and feel better, and then everything will BE better!" I was motivated to become motivated, if that makes sense.

I do believe theres a difference between people with an actual disorder and people that just complain a lot, and want something to relate to so they can blame their problems on a condition, instead of their own faults. I do know how it feels to be depressed, but I also know how it feels to put mind over matter and just kick your own ass into gear. If you think drugs will help, give it a shot. Missing a dose/doubling a dose/etc WONT help. And some drugs/dosages wont work for you, and will work wonders for someone else. If you want to stick with it, and want to get better, you have to keep trying to see what works for you.

Just be sure what youre feeling isnt a phase, or cant be corrected simply by going to the gym or hanging out with the right people, doing things you enjoy, etc. Depression is a serious problem for some, and a serious scapegoat for others.

[MKIII-Shoopra]

Well, im schedualing and appointment with my doctor to see what he says... I saw a commertial on tv today that really had me thinking I have social anxiety disorder.. I would like to know some of your guys opinions on how I acted when I met you... Was I shy? Social Anxiety Disorder pretty much means you think people are always judging you and your afraid to talk to people you dont know so you go hide in the corner and stay out of the conversation... for me insted of going and hiding I will try to stay with someone I do know and meet people that way.. as weston probably saw at the wrx meet... like I said again I wont go in for a job interview because im scared of being judged and turned down :-/...

[STIBungy]

One of my coworker/friend has that. Of course, when he overcomes his shyness to certain people, he unleashes his twisted mind and perversion on them.

Well, im schedualing and appointment with my doctor to see what he says... I saw a commertial on tv today that really had me thinking I have social anxiety disorder.. I would like to know some of your guys opinions on how I acted when I met you... Was I shy? Social Anxiety Disorder pretty much means you think people are always judging you and your afraid to talk to people you dont know so you go hide in the corner and stay out of the conversation... for me insted of going and hiding I will try to stay with someone I do know and meet people that way.. as weston probably saw at the wrx meet... like I said again I wont go in for a job interview because im scared of being judged and turned down :-/...

[Weston-work]

Weston says don't pump yourself full of drugs unless you have a good reason to. It's funny how absoultely anything and everything is a "disorder" now and requires you to be popping pills. It's marketing and the placebo effect at it's greatest.

Being shy is not a disorder. It's all in your head and you already have the power to overcome it. It's just like asking a girl out for the first time... nobody else and no amount of waiting can make things any easier for you; you just have tell yourself that you don't care what happens and get it over with, and it will get easier every time you do it.

[Bedlam]

Sooo..my girlfriend is a nurse, and I have spent a fair amount of time around doctors, so I may have a little insight into this...

First of all, you need to realize that "modern" medicine knows very, very, very, little about how the human brain actually works. 99% of what they think they know is "theory" because they dont really have any way to prove any of their theories correct.

Now, Jen has a degree in biology already..and getting a nursing degree soon..so we have lots of talks about this because..when I was in the hospital, I felt like I was "depressed" and asked the doctor if he could give me something for it. Now..most people think I'm a fairly "normal" guy personality-wise..but I am pretty sure I experienced some sort of hospital induced seperation weirdness..and it made me think I was "depressed."

Regardless, I got a nice script for some zoloft..and being the fairly sharp kid that I am, I realized that it totally took away ANY and ALL ambition and drive for anything..including life really, which made me more "depressed" but I really didnt care about that either.

Anyway, so I didnt care about my girlfriend, my health, my life, or even having sex or going out and having fun..talking with some people that actually know medicine..they are like "oh..you felt that way because you were taking the drugs and you werent really suffering from depression anyway."

Sooo..I talked to my doctor..and decided I didnt want to take that shit anymore..and now, I feel better about almost everything.

Secondly, people need to realize that life itself is fucking hard on you sometimes..you just need to find good, healthy, ways to deal with it. Medication is really not the answer in 95% of the cases. Look at kids today..when your kid has a problem, people instantly blame ADD..I know more fucking people that are on ADD drugs than I ever would have imagined in my life..

Its easier to deal with a problem by saying "here is your meds" instead of taking the fucking time to figure out "what is the cause of the problem." Personally..I blame the society here in the US..we are born and raised to think that there is an instant FIX and CURE for everything that should ale us...its fucking NORMAL to be depressed sometimes..everyone gets it, its part of life, deal with it and move on...find things that make you happy, focus on those things, and you can help yourself.

Now...back to the whole drug discussion...if we dont know how the brain works...how in the hell can we diagnose a "chemical imbalance" in the brain? I'm 6'5" 185 and I play games like mad..maybe the chemicals in MY brain are supposed to be different than someone who sits around and likes reading books and quilting. Is that a BAD thing..I say no.

There are no effective results and test on what ADD medication will do to kids..the FDA doesnt even approve most of that shit for use on children..yet the increase in the diagnosis of "ADD" is up like 180% from when I went to school...maybe there is some epidemic or something..and we are all suffering from chronic boredom or something...god knows. Personally, I think a lot of it boils down to lack of personal accountability.

Anyway, I could rant, and rave, and rant some more about this..because I've talked about it a LOT, with many, many, doctors and nurses...and almost all of them agree with me.."we over medicate people."

Which brings me to my final point..because I really dont want to type a thesis here or something...a little analogy....

When you have a fish tank, and its full of sick fish..how do you fix that situation? Do you treat the fish...or do you treat the tank? You could throw a bunch of chemicals in there..and try and make the fish "better" but if the conditions in the tank are fucked up..the fish dont get better right? I feel that the same thing applys to people..you can treat almost EVERY thing you have happening in your body, by taking a minute to figure what is going into it..maybe change your diet, your lifestyle, excersize...and see how those things affect you...dont try and sit on your ass and take some "treatment" before you really know where the problem is coming from.

Treat the tank..not the fish.

*end rant*

-Bedlam

[STIBungy]

So what you're saying is fix the problem with society, not the individual?

[Weston-work]

:werd:

And it can't be good to be filling ourselves with all kinds of medication to fix things that the best doctors and scientists still don't even understand.

[karbon2001]

I was 'diagnosed' with Major Depressive Disorder and given Lexapro. I think it worked a total of 2 weeks, and that might be too generous, because in a way I think it was somewhat of a placebo. Like, "oh Im going to wake up at 8 am every morning to take this pill, and feel better, and then everything will BE better!" I was motivated to become motivated, if that makes sense.

I do believe theres a difference between people with an actual disorder and people that just complain a lot, and want something to relate to so they can blame their problems on a condition, instead of their own faults. I do know how it feels to be depressed, but I also know how it feels to put mind over matter and just kick your own ass into gear. If you think drugs will help, give it a shot. Missing a dose/doubling a dose/etc WONT help. And some drugs/dosages wont work for you, and will work wonders for someone else. If you want to stick with it, and want to get better, you have to keep trying to see what works for you.

Just be sure what youre feeling isnt a phase, or cant be corrected simply by going to the gym or hanging out with the right people, doing things you enjoy, etc. Depression is a serious problem for some, and a serious scapegoat for others.

Werd. Smartest Blonde Girl I know....!

[monicle]

damn fine post bedlam. I couldnt agree with you more. As for the whole "chemical imbalance" thing that gets thrown arroud alot lately it goes back to my statement of observation. They look at chemicals in the body of someone who is "depressed" vs. the chemicals of a "normal" person. They see a difference and automatically assume that the chemicals are the problem. Now rather than determine WHY the body chemicals are different between the two (which would be actual scientific work) they would rather artificially introduce the missing or low chemicals to the "depressed" person. Heres something for everyone to take to heart. Doctors are in this world to treat symptoms. If they were to cure all illnesses or ailments they would effectively be working themselves out of a job. Someone gets a cold they give you something to muffle the effects of the cold on your body, however it does not shorten the duration of the cold nor does it reduce the chance of you getting a cold in the future. Its estimated that Americans spend 700 million each year on cold medicine and 7.7 billion on doctors visits JUST FOR THE COMMON COLD. Alot of money to be lost if they were to cure the common cold now isnt it. Just something for people to think about. Lots of money to be made by continuing to temporarily relieve people of their ailments. Zoloft, Zannex, whatever... how long does it say you have to take the stuff before youre better? dont bother looking..... its not there. funny dont you think?

[Bedlam]

So what you're saying is fix the problem with society, not the individual?

Certainly..but not only that. If you want to "fix" yourself..sometimes its best to take a look at what you are doing to your body, not just cramming more stuff in it.

I'd imagine I'd prolly have some serious health problems if I decided to go smoke crack instead of eating food for every meal. I prolly wouldnt be hungry..but my health would certainly suffer.

Just look at the eastern culture vs. western medicine..they take the "treat the tank" method of things more often than not..and I'm kinda surprised that nobody here mentioned any "alternative" medicine yet..I'd be 100% more willing to go try some accupuncture than to take any more meds.. :)

-Bedlam

[Bedlam]

:werd:

And it can't be good to be filling ourselves with all kinds of medication to fix things that the best doctors and scientists still don't even understand.

Exactly. Almost all of the medications we have out there right now that are the popular and trendy meds of the day..have only been in use for the last 5 years or so..how the hell are we supposed to know what those things might do to people long term? For all we know..people that take zoloft chronically for 10 years..may turn into giant squids. Its unlikely..but it could happen. :)

-Bedlam

[Seved]

Well, I've also herd of this social anxiety disorder and im starting to belive I have it because I just try to fit in with everyone and care so much about it its rediculus.. I am still rather shy around some HAI people... I have ALOT of trouble meeting people at my school and always end up having people introduce themselves to me... I havnt had a recent girlfriend due to the fact im to scared / shy to get turned down... Its probably this reason I am depressed because I dont have hardly any friends because im scared to introduce myself to people....
Im so shy it took me 2 days to work up the balls to call up the auto parts guy to order my bov :-/...
I wont go in for a job interview because im shy and scared of doing something wrong...
The only real way I can communicate with people is over the internet... I have problems with my communication when im having a normal conversation. Sometimes I will not think about what im going to say and end up where nobody knows what the hell im talking about. The Main reason I got on hai was to try to find a group of friends...

ok, With calling up the auto parts guy and going in to get a job..hehe your not the only one man, I use to do that all the time... I didnt have a job for a while because i was always to scared to go in and get a application and return it. But one day i just realized that hey its a part of life and im going to have to do this shit some time or later so it might as well be now..So i went out and got a application and got the job that day...was a great feeling.. With the girl situation, my ex g/f ( we broke up like a week ago) she is one of the people that will just go up and introduce and be very energenic to everyone.. and at first i was really shy around her but she would call me every day and she has helped me out a lot not to be shy...
So my point to that is try hanging out with people that are not shy at all...and it will wear off them and you will slowly start feeling a lot more comfortable.

[Richard T]

I have come to the conclusion this is nearly the absolute worst forum/place for this topic to brought up in.

People who have never been truly clinically depressed will NEVER know what it's like and will continue to tell you it's society or that life is hard and to get over it. Bullshit! It is simply not that easy - end of story.

The argument we don't really know what these drugs do is also Bullshit. My wife is a bio-chemist at the University of Colorado Health Sciences in the pharmocology department. There are VERY specific reasons drugs work and react the way they do to the body. Unfortunately, I am not a scientist like my wife, and I don't understand the minute details of why my medication works. The fact of the matter is that it does.

I still get bummed and depressed, but not anywhere near suicidal as I have in the past. Don't think for a moment it's a constant high and all people take medication because they are weak minded.

[gjcivic]

everyone is different, and people require different things... When people are looking at your life, and there really isn't anything that should be causing you to feel as low as you do about things, then there is a problem. If you can take a little pill everyday, and start to llok back at what was bothering you, and it doesn't seem that bad anymore, then there was a problem. I would much rahter take a little happy pill everyday, then the alternative that I was facing. If I suddenly fall over dead tomorrow because of this little happy pill, then at least it gave me a few more joyfull years then I would have had. Until you guys are sitting staring down the barrel of a gun, or imagining how much better you would feel with your body encased in a car that just smacked a overpass support at a buck 20, then you really have no idea where I, and I'm sure several other people are coming from. When you are at that point, it doesn't matter what you do to be happy temporarely, it ends up falling that much harder. Trust me. And if a little pill can help you to see that things aren't really that bad, then good things can happen. I started feeling much better, then realized that part of the problem was my job. So I made a DRASTIC career change (from a low voltage AV, security, and communications tech to a Phlebotomy Tech...look it up), now I am going back to school to try and get accepted to a Radiology Tech School... When you are depressed, there is no motivation, it feels easier to give up.

I'm not saying that meds are for everyone, and I'm sure there are those that don't need/shouldn't have them (just look at the different ways Alcohol affects people)... I do feel that they have helped me in a big way, I'm still here....

[gjcivic]

I still get bummed and depressed, but not anywhere near suicidal as I have in the past. Don't think for a moment it's a constant high and all people take medication because they are weak minded.

exactly... if you feel really good all the time, there would be no moments of joy, and that would be extremely wrong...

[computingfuture]

It always cracks me up when I hear in the newspaper or on the news about kids killing themselves because they were getting bullied at school. This is happening more & more oten in this country. Why dont they kill the bully and not themselves?

[DSMlovergirl311]

It always cracks me up when I hear in the newspaper or on the news about kids killing themselves because they were getting bullied at school. This is happening more & more oten in this country. Why dont they kill the bully and not themselves?
That is a whole different can of worms.

[HondasTrail]

Well, I've also herd of this social anxiety disorder and im starting to belive I have it because I just try to fit in with everyone and care so much about it its rediculus.. I am still rather shy around some HAI people... I have ALOT of trouble meeting people at my school and always end up having people introduce themselves to me... I havnt had a recent girlfriend due to the fact im to scared / shy to get turned down... Its probably this reason I am depressed because I dont have hardly any friends because im scared to introduce myself to people....
Im so shy it took me 2 days to work up the balls to call up the auto parts guy to order my bov :-/...
I wont go in for a job interview because im shy and scared of doing something wrong...
The only real way I can communicate with people is over the internet... I have problems with my communication when im having a normal conversation. Sometimes I will not think about what im going to say and end up where nobody knows what the hell im talking about. The Main reason I got on hai was to try to find a group of friends...

Heh used to have that problem myself. Forced my self to go out and talk to people and have a good time. I can say I'm alot better at it. Except for the whole dating thing. Still working on that.

[powder311]

I didn't get to read this whole thread so sorry if anything I say has already been said... I have been on all the meds.. I suffer really badly from anxiety (w/a big side of depression) and the meds only make you think your better.. the only thing that worked for me (i was in extreme depression for over a year{wouldn't leave the house, get a job, etc}) was getting out and hanging with my freinds.. It was like free therapy .. I'm just saying I know how it is to dwell on things and feel insane (even though deep down you know it's petty shit).. just give it time..

[powder311]

So what you're saying is fix the problem with society, not the individual? :ring: Being depressed/anxious is kinda like when you lose your keys and tell someone and they are like "well, where'd you lose em???" IF I KNEW WHERE I LEFT IT IT WOULDN'T BE LOST DAMMIT! um thats my 2 cents, okay now? bye bye then....