Oh cherry, that wasn't aimed at you.

I've been on different anti-depressants on and off for the last ten years. Not all of them have worked, but I've been on Wellbutrin for the past year without problems. I also recently started seeing a therapist because of anger issues. It's a slow road that sucks, but I think that by sticking with it, I'm going to be fine in the long run.

So, I'd say that you should stick with therapy and stick with the drugs for now if it's working. Honestly, whatever keeps you alive is what you should do. I've been going to my doctor every three weeks for six months and have tried numerous drug combinations. I don't care if that makes me weak or a pussy, but that's what keeps me going.

And Konst., that's some pretty sound advice you gave. I hope to jeebus that no one ever comes to you in a real time of need because I'm guessing that "advice" from you would push them right over the edge.

Sorry dude, but stuggling with depression DOES NOT MEAN you're nuts.

It's actually interesting that you wrote "biz" because it IS a business---a big money generating one at that.

I could go on at quite a length about this topic... My Mom's a Psychologist, and quite a lot of my very close friends have struggled with depression and/or panic attacks... some with the help of drugs and some without.

Feel free to PM me if you want. In terms of success stories I coudl tell you about my brother, um and another friend mine, both of whom are doing just fine.

One question that might seem off-topic: do you do art of any kind? (visual, writing, music, etc?)

wow. telling someone to quit their therapy and meds on a message board is crazy. mental health works the same as physical help. some people have health problems. medicine can't fix them all, but aside from the fact that mental health care is not as advanced as physical health care, there's no reason to assume that mental health care professionals are only after your money.

You're so right. Yes, there are some people who eally are seriously, clinically depressed and who might need meds to help them "get a foot in the door", but from my experience (both personal and from friends), there are just some people who are "stamped" from birth with a certain experience of life: more ups and downs than other people, (I'm not talking about manic-depression here which is a more dramatic and easier thing to diagnosis than depression). It can be tiring, and can make you feel like a weirdo, but there can be beautiful aspects to it as well, for example I know that the same hyper-sensitivity that makes me depressed also allows me to a super aware and intuitive when I'm creating music or drawing.

Anyway, I don't want to say more without knowing your particular situation, just know that a) you are not alone (in fact I'd say you're in good company), and that b) you can get through this.

Take care.

So true as well.

Not gonna get into this argument too much, but do wanna say that even if you don't believe in or want to be on drugs for mental disorders, if you are on them you should absolutely not just stop taking them without consulting with your doctor so you can be eased off them properly.

Whatever the benefits or harm of these drugs, it is not in question that they affect brain chemistry. Drastically altering your brain chemistry suddenly is not good and studies have been done to show a spike in suicide rates for people going cold turkey off such medications.

So, if you want to stop taking drugs for mental disease, talk with your doctor who can recommend a safe way of easing off them.

Sorry but each person is unique and has a unique life experience and therefore unique reasons why they are dealing with depression in the first place...

You can't tell someone whether or not to take psych meds. Sorry, but you just can't. Taking them or not taking them is not a light matter. (i.e. what nobody said)

Some of them can help some people. This is true. But that's as far as message board advice can go.

After that it's a process of figuring out what's right for you. Do you have a good psychologist? Each one has different approach--e.g. my Mom doesn't really believe in giving people labels or in treating mental issues as seperate from the rest of the person (i.e. physical & spiritual). Some other psychs would say drugs are the only way. The best thing would be to find someone who will help you figure out what you feel is right for you.

And I'm sorry Konstantine, but not everyone can just pull themselves up "by their boot-straps". That's why we have friends and support networks. The worst thing to feel is that you're alone.

Ring The Bell
[Songs: Ohia]

help does not just walk up to you
i could have told you that
i’m not an idiot
i could have told you that

in every serpent’s eye watch you go where you go
every serpents double tongue takes a turn with your soul
if you let them ring your bell
they’re ringing the bell

why wouldn’t i be trying to figure it out
everyone tells you that
everyone tells you not to quit
i can’t even see it to fight it
if it looks like i’m not trying
i don’t care what it looks like

cause i stood at the alter and everything turned white
all I heard was the sound… of the world coming down around me
why wouldn’t i be trying
why wouldn’t i try

cause those double tongues are singing
hear the wail of the choir through the fog
the sound of that choir through the fog
they’re always close they’re always so close always close always so close

if there’s a way out it will be step by step through the black
why wouldn’t i be trying to figure it out
it don’t mean i’m not trying if i don’t make it back

i know serpents will cross universes to circle around our necks
i know hounds will cross universes to circle around our feet
i know they’re close
step by step one’s beside me to kill me or to guide me
why wouldn’t i be trying to figure which one out

I've been battling depression since I was a kid. I finally came to grips with the problem in college. I was on Prozac for several years, but I experienced several negative side effects and felt like I was on an even keel mentally (no ups and downs, just constant) while I was on it. I finally switched to Celexa several years ago, and the majority of the side effects have disappeared. I also experience normal ups and downs (or as normal as I think I should be) on the new medicine. The best advice has already been given in this thread (everyone is unique and all cases are different and require a doctor who you can trust).

For those who think depression is just something you can "snap out of," you are incorrect but I wish you weren't. Believe me, I avoided meds as long as I could... I just didn't want to be associated with the term "depression" and the stigma that comes along with it. Thanks to people like a few in this thread, the stigma will probably live on forever.

I do, however, agree that anti-depressants are over-prescribed and I'm sure there are a lot of people taking them that don't need them. But, believe me, some people do need them... desperately.

This is true as well. Overmedication is rampant, but with all due respect to the 'snap out of it/toughen up' crowd, sometimes there's more to it, namely issues of brain chemistry. Frankly that opinion is so ignorant, it's fucking irritating.

I don't think it's advisable either to just 'go off' your meds. If you want to cease taking the medication do so under doctor's advisement. As for personal testimony, my mother has battled depression/anxiety for her entire life. She's never been able to find a combination drugs that didn't have negative side effects, so she's off all medications. She copes as well as she can with it, having up and down times. For yourself, you have to decide how maladaptive and interfering the depression is in your daily life so that intervention, either chemical or electrostim, is necessary.

I could probably benefit from some couch time as well. for now, its the Ritalin.

Who knew Groundskeeper Willie posted here?

Did I give you a hard time? Seriously, I didn't intend that in any way. You're one of my favorite guys on here. Believe me, I'm doing my best to take care of myself, and things have gotten 100% better since last month. I was just looking for some happy endings in this depression meds thing is really all. Instead of feeling like I'm feeding the pharmaceutical cash cow, y'know.

Kon, I'm sorry you feel that way. I suck it up as best I can every day and have a pretty successful life in which I'm able to hold down a job.

Thanks polly. I might be in touch.

a whole hell of a lot i'll bet.

Hey Dalen, I've got a book for you:



While you wait for it to ship, maybe you should also pick up:

no thanks. here ya go:

http://skepdic.com/dianetic.html

Oh, SNAP!

All the best wishes to anyone struggling with this kinda junk...Gawd knows it's tough.

I have kind of a side question - has anyone ever been treated for mental health issues when you actually SHOULDN'T have been? I went thru that once...some quack diagnosed me as being depressed when my problems were actually physical in nature ( COPD - a breathing issue ). He put me on medication after a stupid 10 point "yes" or "no" questionaire.

Thank Gawd I got a good doc who knows what's up.

I'm on Zoloft. Keeps me from having anxiety attacks and swallowing my own vomit during a test, like Carl Lipbaum. They work pretty much as advertised. I call them my "crazy pills."

EDIT AFTER READING THE ENTIRE THREAD:

To a certain degree, I understand where Darrin and Dalen are coming from, but it really is one of those situations where just because overprescription and faulty diagnoses are commonplace, that shouldn't be taken to the extreme position that the entire mental health industry is fraudulent.

I would say although many folks may be looking for a quick and easy fix to personality issues they tend to overdramatize/exaggerate (a.k.a. hypochondriacs/drama queens), there are also PLENTY of people with actual mental health issues who are in legitimate need of medical intervention.

I would say I am uniquely qualified to comment, as I am the only person on this board to have ever met Mike in person. While he was enjoyable to be around and certainly no "sad sack," I'm also pretty sure his situation is quite real and not a matter of him "being a pussy" or anything like that. He's a good guy in desperate search of a solution for what bedevils his mind. So am I.

Try and have a little empathy every now and then, folks.

But even if it were true, would it really be so BAD?

[img][650:488]http://mfrost.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/pick_moi_up.jpg[/img]

That pussy's got it good.


I wish I could spend the rest of my days on a windowsill, absorbing sunlight and watching those ever-enticing birds.

long story short: suffered teenage angst as a kid, did the suicidal emo thing but got tired of the straight up depression so I tried being bi polar to at least get the unrealistic highs. went into hystierics and realized as long as you appear happy people think you're happy. don't matter if you're a nut job.

meds didn't help me in any way, nor did the shrinks. really it came down to wanting the best for myself and allowing my brain to think in different ways.

my best advice is to volunteer/try to help others. learning that even though you feel like crap you can still help others is pretty huge and humbling.

i guess i don't understand the big money business argument.

1. I don't think that psychiatrists get a commission on psychotropic drug sales so them over-prescribing doesn't seem to be linked to the cost of the meds themselves. I suppose the only reason it could be a money thing for them is because when you get someone on meds you create a subconscious need thereby causing the patient to come back for another 60 dollar an hour session or whatever the cost.

2. A large reason as to why the cost of meds are so expensive is possibly because someone can sue a drug company because they stubbed their toe on the sidewalk while using any one of the meds that is supposed to make them perfect again and get an unreasonable amount of money in return. In essence the high price is linked to the idea that one selfish system abuser getting some money-grubbing lawyer can bankrupt a company. Basically, it seems like prices of meds are a result, at least in part, of the company trying to cover insurance costs and liability costs. I am not claiming that all drug companies are honorable and are horribly mistreated victims in all cases. But, there is more to it than just people making money off of it.

I just don't see how either one of these issues, if true, is enough to claim that it is this big business. I have less trust in the ill-compassionate robotic "diagnosis" from an ultimately unconcerned psychiatrist charging you an exhorbitant amount of money for an hour of his/her time than the drug company and their high wholesale price of medication.

On a separate note, although I think there can be environmental changes that can positively affect those with truly diagnosable issues, it seems pretty silly to tell someone with an issue like this to just buck up. "Hey buddy, stop having cancer. Don't get treatment you big pussy. Just will your illness away".

i didn't get that until you quoted it. that's hilarious.