Like RM95 said...... Does it really matter? Why overanalyze the hell out of it? This is works for me, and I dont really question it. I did my homework on the drug before taking it. I read articles, websites, patient testimony's, and everything in between. I decided to try it out for a month and it worked remarkably well for me. That was a year and a half ago, and Ive been so much better ever since. And for all of you that have a headache right now.... SUCK IT UP!!! For God's sake dont rely on Ibuprofen to relieve your pain. You should just deal with it.
depression is a disease. it can be very dangerous. it can rip apart families..and lives. when i say depression, i'm not talking about, "man, i'm down today" kind of depression. i'm talking about living with a sense of darkness..a sense of hopelessness that pervades everything. drugs aren't always the answer. and often, they are abused. but there are many situations where their use is quite valid. and beyond that...as long as it's an adult making this decision for himself or herself...or parents making this decision for their kids with the counsel of doctors...then it isn't Tom Cruise's place...or my place...or your place...or Betsy Ross' place to tell anyone what to do about it. I've never been in the pit of depression like that...but I've known people who have. I would not wish that despair on my worst enemy. And I can't begrudge those who seek treatment for it.
Drewdog, I feel for you and everyone that has had to deal with that kind of depression. I think what pradaxpimp is saying, though, is that if you're clinically diagnosed with the imbalance, go for it, take the meds. But I know plenty of people who take drugs because "they feel bad" or temporarily depressed. That's when it becomes a cop out, a crutch just to numb yourself to outside stimulants...
It's unbelievable to me that there are people out there who still think this way. Ignorant is a very apt term whether you "find myself to be" or not. Ignorance is the abscence of knowledge and it's obvious you know nothing about how depression works or how drugs effect neurotransmitters or even what a neurotransmitter is. Go work with people suffering from schizophrenia, or bipolar I work with these people everyday and I see how different they act when their medications are changed. I pray to God you don't vote.
Thanks man. I appreciate it. Im a little leary about sharing my personal life with everyone, but this is something that really hits home for me.
yeah, i hear ya. i'm very hesitant to do that, as well. but in this instance, i think you may have helped educate people on something that's really important. that's a good thing!
As to taking the drugs: Does the person try to skip every once in while to see what will happen, do they take them willingly, or do they take them against their will. I always wondered what the tendency was. When I watch that E.R. episode with Sally field I always see the mother not wanting to take her meds. I am curious about the general desire of the person to take or not take the drugs. If that is a collective thought, or an individual one. When I take aspirin I am more than willing to do it most times, but other times I will sit there like an idiot and not take them, for no good reason, hoping the headache will go away.
An individual one. The clients I work with never hesitate to take their meds even though it's a twice a day chore and way more then just one pill. They do this because despite being developmentally disabled, they are fully aware of what the meds do for them and how their behaviors and moods will change for the worse without them. Psychiatrists are constantly trying to find ways to lower their dosages or eliminate the medications altogether. The goal is always to treat the disorder with meds if necessary and slowly ween the patient off until the symptoms are no longer present. Medications are the best weapon mental health care workers have against disorders such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, etc. It's typically the fastest and most effective. In the case of schizophrenia it's the only way to eliminate the positive symptoms. A schizophrenic cannot be helped with therapy nor can they just suck it up when visual hallucinations haunt their waking hours and voices whispering to end their life dominate their nights. Any patient with these symptoms after taking an atypical antipschotic such as clozapine, is typically more than willing to continue taking the drug until the disorder is under control.
It depends on the case. In my experience, people with psychiatric problems seek out the help themselves. They have been overwhelmed so they hope for some help in mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and the like. Not taking the medication obvioulsy won't improve things, while skipping doses is very ineffective in producing significant chemical changes in the brain. But there are quite a few instances when people don't want to or won't take theri medication. For instance, if you've been diagnosed with a psych disorder and have been successfully treated, you may want to stop treatment soon after your mood improves. With an elevated mood, a person may feel that he/she can handle his/her depression without the medications. Often this occurs without the doctor's knowledge. Stopping some medications can cause some serious withdrawl symptoms. Additionally, if the patient has a significant chemical imbalance, the person will quickly return to his/her premedicated state. Another issue is that stopping and starting meidcations tends to decrease the effectiveness of the drugs. Does this mean that a person has to be on meds his/her whole life? No. It depends on the situation but always consult your doctor. Even though your intentions are good, you could do harm to your health. Some people are benefited by a little boost from an SSRI and then they many never have another significant depressive episode the rest of their lives. Good for them. There's no need to take medicine you don't need. If you've suffured from a major depressive episode then a subsequent episode that follows, leaves you more prone for future depressive problems. For example, Bill and John are both suffering from major depression. Both of them start drug therapy at the same time and both recover in the same time frame. Bill's an old pro. He's gone through this four times. For John, this was his first major depressive episode. That means that Bill is at a higher risk to relapse than John. Not only is Bill at higher risk, but he might not respond to the medication as strongly, if he has been stopping and starting it over the years. People in Bill's case usually stay on medications for extended periods of time. If you feel that you are in John's shoes and want to try life again without the meds, consult your doctor and express to him/her your feelings. Knowing your history and current health, your doctor should make an imformed decision in your health.
I'm one of those poor kids that took Ritalin. Actually I didn't start taking it until I was 17 because I had a very hard time staying focused on anything for more than 5 minutes. The stuff really worked wonders for me. My grades improved dramatically and I felt a lot more confident about myself. Plus, it's an amphetamine so it kept me looking great .
Happiness is all perception. Whether or not you kick yourself for your actions is all in your head. There's evidence that shows that cognitive therapy can be just as effective as drug therapy. Though none can really replace the other. You can't hurt the gene pool by surviving. A recent study of Ashkenazi Jews, who borne the likes of Einstein and Freud, shows that their characteristically high intelligence was also coupled with neurological diseases such as Tay Sachs, Gaucher's and Niemann-Pick. Their genetic neurological disorders might've been the cause for their high intelligence, and as a result those traits were selected and carried on. Depression is far more serious than falling into a rut or having a time of doubt. It's systematic and ongoing and can last for several years. It's not my intention to trivialize anyone's struggle with depression.
I suffer from adhd. Dealing with comes from strength and perseverance. Paths are not easy and should not be taken so. The path less taken...
My mom gave birth to still born. My brother to be at 8 months. She didn't take drugs. Sucidal because of what? Problems are not easy to overcome. It is a test of will and u should persevere. It isn't easy picking yourself up and no one said it is, but it is the path to inner strength and stability without outside forces that creates dependecy. That dependency forms from the habit creating tapestry of our reality and society.
I applaud you in your ability to deal with your problems without medication. I also agree that drugs are not for everyone, and that some people look to drugs instead of dealing with some of the root problems. Your posts make it sound like you think drugs are inappropriate for everyone. I think I like many others in this thread take exception to that. People are different. Some people can and should overcome their problems without medication. For others it may be a different story.
Maybe more of the point i was trying to make. Its not a witch hunt for all those who use it, but i believe or want to believe that most of humankind should and try to deal with their problems without outside forces. I believe its the path to inner strength, builds character, and gives value.
first of all, don't assume i don't know anything. It makes u ignorant. Second of all, I am aware of neurotransmitters and how the medicine work. Do i need to be a medicinal scientist to say that, most people are able and should try to work out and solve their problems without medicine?
