May I babble for a moment?

[lbelle1214]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I guess I was assuming I was dealing with people who were on an even keel. I apologize. I was clearly wrong, and again, apologize.

Come on now...that's just wrong. If you're sorry, just say so without the strategically placed, implied insult. You know that the people you are speaking with deal with depression and whether or not you have experienced it, or understand it...should just well, leave you without comment. Some of us are honestly trying to help someone...don't turn this into a pissing contest.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

I've often wondered if the amount and types of drugs "we" took in the 70's is in direct correlation to depression?
I digress.

I don't know. We were mostly drinkers. And the whole gist of my post, that got blown waaaay out of proprotion, was that I found it hard to believe that 80%! of my high school clique NEEDED mood altering meds when they were 30.
80%? C'mon. What's wrong with that?

[amber]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I don't know. We were mostly drinkers. And the whole gist of my post, that got blown waaaay out of proprotion, was that I found it hard to believe that 80%! of my high school clique NEEDED mood altering meds when they were 30.
80%? C'mon. What's wrong with that?

That does seem a high percentage, but in a lot of places that's the norm. It's hard to say if they're overprescribed. I suspect they are, a bit, but if they are doing good for the people they are prescribed for, who's to say?
But - I went to my doctor for my knee, and mentioned that I was trying to quit smoking, and that I heard wellbutrin helped. Voila! she wrote a prescription. When I asked her about, you know, is this right for me? What are the other mental effects? She said "I'm not a psychiatrist, I have no idea about that, but it has been proven to help people quit addictions" Hmmm...that was a little too easy, yeah?

Anyway, DavidMN, I agree with GDW - Perhaps you can work with your health care professionals to come up with a medication or other tools that work for you. I think many of us have gone through some aspect of the feelings you are experiencing, and I wish you the best in dealing with it.

Also, Homie, I thought your initial post was blown out of proportion, as well. It didn't seem to me you were talking about anyone on this board, only that the high percentage of your buddies who took antidepressants led you to think that maybe, sometimes (key words here, people) it might be a cop out. Not that you thought it was a cop out for anyone here. Again, I think the inclusion of "maybe" and "sometimes" more than qualified your statement. It's probably true that there are some people on meds who might not need them. As to your later statements, no comment.

P.S. a note about wellbutrin...I have suddenly become much more productive. I've been cleaning and throwing out everything I didn't need. I feel like my emotional energy is not being drained at all, that I can just go about my tasks with little effort. I also felt very focused, in class.
Before, I used to procrastinate more than I should've, because everything seemed "so hard" to me. I don't really feel that way now. I think I feel a bit more confident, too. But I had trouble sleeping last night, so I might cut my dosage a bit.
Anyway, I didn't really think I had many problems before, I knew that I was easily emotionally drained, but no big deal. I have to say, though, I do feel better. Anyway, it's only been a week, and that's just what is happening to me. Thought I'd share, though.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I don't know. We were mostly drinkers. And the whole gist of my post, that got blown waaaay out of proprotion, was that I found it hard to believe that 80%! of my high school clique NEEDED mood altering meds when they were 30.
80%? C'mon. What's wrong with that?

Well, there are theories that people who flock to booze are self-medicating for something. I know that was the case for me in high school. I needed something to make me feel better and no one was helping me. Now that your friends are adults it sounds like they've maybe found better ways of coping. Also, sensitive people are attracted to the arts and may be more vulnerable to mental illness.

Some depression is intrinsic. It is not brought on by any life event, you are born with it. Or at least a predisposition to it. Now say you have this predisposition and you grow up in an abusive household? You have depression through no fault of your own. Yes, you can think your way out of mild and even moderate depression sometimes. But the more severe cases require treatment.

People who seek help and go on meds are actually stronger than those who don't. They actually deal with their issues. Might there be some people who abuse the meds and do not help themselves? Yes, and they give others a bad rap. Most people are just trying to get through their lives with some kind of enjoyment of it. Imagine getting pleasure out of nothing.

I know you didn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings but the types of comments that you've made are the types that keep depressed people from talking about it or getting treatment. I mean, imagine telling a diabetic to just will away their problem with blood sugar? Depression is a disease.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

I know you didn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings but the types of comments that you've made are the types that keep depressed people from talking about it or getting treatment. I mean, imagine telling a diabetic to just will away their problem with blood sugar? Depression is a disease.

Heck no. I'd tell them to take vitamins and read the works of L. Ron Hubbard.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by dissention

Heck no. I'd tell them to take vitamins and read the works of L. Ron Hubbard.

Good lord, stay the hell away from depressed people!

[amber]

Great post, Suze. However, I don't think that depression is always a disease. I think there are other health factors that contribute to low serotonin, depression, etc. For instance, we know that exercise creates endorphins and elevates mood. We know that if you don't feed your body properly, that your brain will not have the proper fuel to run at it's best. Sometimes changes in this direction can go a long way towards helping someone feel better.

And for instance we know that low blood sugar contributes to light headedness, fatigue, short temper, decreased memory recall. Isn't that a change in brain chemistry? But you can mostly fix that by eating properly.

I get that you are mostly addressing more serious, long term depression, and chemical imbalances in the brain that contribute to that. I agree with you. And I have nothing against meds.
I just wanted to point this out, as well. Perhaps for the more mildly afflicted.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Did you read all their posts? And my repeated, unaccepted, apologies?
Low perhaps, but I feel it's accurate. And that's my honest opinion. That is all.

Yes dear, I did. I'm just giving you my opinion, that's all.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I don't know. We were mostly drinkers. And the whole gist of my post, that got blown waaaay out of proprotion, was that I found it hard to believe that 80%! of my high school clique NEEDED mood altering meds when they were 30.
80%? C'mon. What's wrong with that?

Nothing. I was trying to get to the heart of the matter, meaning why? Why are so many of us depressed? Has it just been undiagnosed all this time?
There's not a "correct" answer to any of these questions. I'm just trying to have a discusssion about it.
Alcohol is a drug, btw.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by amber

Great post, Suze. However, I don't think that depression is always a disease. I think there are other health factors that contribute to low serotonin, depression, etc. For instance, we know that exercise creates endorphins and elevates mood. We know that if you don't feed your body properly, that your brain will not have the proper fuel to run at it's best. Sometimes changes in this direction can go a long way towards helping someone feel better.
I get that you are mostly addressing more serious, long term depression, and chemical imbalances in the brain that contribute to that. I agree with you. And I have nothing against meds.
I just wanted to point this out, as well. Perhaps for the more mildly afflicted.

Yes, you are correct. But diet and exercise do nothing for severe depression. That isn't to detract from their importance though. I am basically prescribed exercise and if I don't do it I am screwed.

I hope the Wellbutrin helps you quit smoking! Sounds like you've been doing well with that? Congratulations!

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by amber

I think I feel a bit more confident, too. But I had trouble sleeping last night, so I might cut my dosage a bit.

Are you taking it in the morning? If not, you might want to try it that way. I'm glad you feel better honey.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by dissention

Heck no. I'd tell them to take vitamins and read the works of L. Ron Hubbard.

Touche. According to Perez, it's working for Kathleen Turner.

[The Tower]

Originally Posted by amber

That does seem a high percentage, but in a lot of places that's the norm. It's hard to say if they're overprescribed. I suspect they are, a bit, but if they are doing good for the people they are prescribed for, who's to say?
But - I went to my doctor for my knee, and mentioned that I was trying to quit smoking, and that I heard wellbutrin helped. Voila! she wrote a prescription. When I asked her about, you know, is this right for me? What are the other mental effects? She said "I'm not a psychiatrist, I have no idea about that, but it has been proven to help people quit addictions" Hmmm...that was a little too easy, yeah?

My own personal experience bears out the suggestion that anti-depressants are over-prescribed and wrongly prescribed. I think the drug companies are promoting the use of anti-depressants to a much wider group of people than actually need them. Just because one feels bad does not a "clinical depression" make. This is not to detract from those that actually have chemical imbalances beyond their control and benefit from the use of these types of medicines.

All of the studies on the effects of anti-depressants that I have read have said that these prescriptions require constant monitoring by a doctor while taking them. My doctor handed me the stuff and that was that. No monitoring- no revisits- no checking for violent behavior- no checking for suicidal thoughts. These are very powerful drugs that can have very disasterous effects on people who probably don't need them.

I am absolutely in favor anti-depressant drug therapy for those who suffer from clinical depression. However, the prescription drug companies constant pushing of these medicines to the public as "happy pills" has contributed to the notion that depression is not a serious disorder and that they can be taken as if they are no more than a Claritin or a vitamin pill.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Touche. According to Perez, it's working for Kathleen Turner.

Omigosh, what is up with that woman? She is an odd character for sure.

[amber]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Yes, you are correct. But diet and exercise do nothing for severe depression. That isn't to detract from their importance though. I am basically prescribed exercise and if I don't do it I am screwed.

I hope the Wellbutrin helps you quit smoking! Sounds like you've been doing well with that? Congratulations!

ITA.

I would imagine severely depressed people may also have trouble exercising, or eating well, anyway.
I wouldn't say it does nothing, It helps people who don't need meds, too, right? It just doesn't help either one with depression...

Thank you very much for the well wishes. I haven't quit smoking completely, but I am down dramatically, and feel confident about quitting. But, more importantly, how stoked am I with all the cleaning I've been doing? And the homework? I mean, I clean or organize, almost everything I look at, and trust me, my house needed it. Plus, I dance a lot while I'm doing my chores.