"Do Antidepressants Work?"
Very interesting news article ...
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.a spx?cp-documentid=100202836>1=31009
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.a spx?cp-documentid=100202836>1=31009
Interesting article, Paul - the writer clearly isn't a clinician or researcher (in my completely unbiased opinion LOL).
Not sure what hypothesis she was trying to reach, but interesting that she concludes her article quoting a study where 2/3 of the participants were in "complete remission" of their depressive symptoms following medication treatment. Pretty good results for any medication.
Anyway - thanks for the link. Anyone out there on psychiatric meds, it is SOOOO important to take them as prescribed (they are daily, not just the days you feel "low") - and, to tell your doctor and/or therapist how you are responding (change in emotions, sleep patterns, physical changes, etc).
Alrighty guys - that's my two cents..... Have a great night everyone.....
They worked for me. I have a mild attention deficit problem and the drug I'm on (Cymbalta) has taken the edge off to the point that I can function pretty well at work without having to force my brain to behave.
There is still a pretty strong stigma around antidepressants and mental health as a whole and I think this article shows a bit of that bias. If you're having kidney trouble, you get it treated. The brain is just another organ and getting it taken care of can be seen as weakness.
Another thing to consider is that depression is not only caused by chemical imbalances. Sometimes it's a life even that needs to be dealt with, with the aid of a trained counselor or clergyman. Pills aren't very effective in these cases.
There is still a pretty strong stigma around antidepressants and mental health as a whole and I think this article shows a bit of that bias. If you're having kidney trouble, you get it treated. The brain is just another organ and getting it taken care of can be seen as weakness.
Another thing to consider is that depression is not only caused by chemical imbalances. Sometimes it's a life even that needs to be dealt with, with the aid of a trained counselor or clergyman. Pills aren't very effective in these cases.
 "The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly." -John F. Kennedy |
I have taken antidepressents and have undergone counseling for depression and my take is that there are at least two reasons for depression: one is a brain chemistry imbalance that may be corrected with medication and two is living in an unacceptable situation but not being able to change it. Any amount of medication will not make a person feel good about living in a personal hell. Guidance and outside help can make a difference there.
Chemical imbalance had me on Prosac (now Zoloft) 10 years ago. I've tried going off 'em twice and regretted it.
Due to the malabsorption that comes with WLS, had to adjust the dosage upward; that did the trick.
I figure I'll get off the BP/cholesterol meds soon, but I know the anti-depressants likely are for good.
I'm OK with that. Being down sucks.
Life is good -- and getting better.
My mom is on Zoloft. She says she can't even muster the will to get out of bed in the morning without it.
The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking....... If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog.
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