I couldn't help but notice a heavy slant toward the Palestinian plight. Perhaps this doctor's efforts will be better balanced if he diverted some of his attention away from terrorist organizations such as HAMAS and FATAH and instead helped victims of suicide bombings in Israel.
Prozac Nation No More?
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Posted By: nata_nyc @ 07/14/2008 11:03:48 AM
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Posted By: Lorena @ 07/14/2008 9:20:47 PM
I agree...it was nauseating.
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Posted By: Digival @ 07/14/2008 9:08:40 PM
Good comments guys! Everyone knows from personal experience, as do I, that this is all very true! I think Prozac is the only drug mentioned b/c it is the most well known and everyone knows what is meant by the phrase "prozac nation".
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Posted By: christinaluvly @ 07/14/2008 8:57:53 PM
I would agree that there are other ways to treat depression! I was diagnosed Bi-Polar almost 10 years ago and was severly depressed to the point of almost committing suicide so I decided to take all combination of medicines that were prescribed to me... After years of trial and error of over 50 medications, weekly groups and therapy, yet still not having much progress, I decided to take matters into my own hands! Please understand that I am in no way telling anyone to stop taking there medications, however I am stating what has worked for me!!! I decided to put down the lithium and hosts of other meds and change my lifestyle (eating habits, work-out habits, and spiritual growth). I now have been medication free for 1 year and feel better than I have in years....better than any medication I was ever on!
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Posted By: tangledsynapses. @ 07/14/2008 8:37:00 PM
I absolutely and totally understand all the comments written in this blog. Most come from people who have suffered from depression. I feel compelled to write about some general guidelines about depression. I ¨wasted¨ 10 years of my life to this disorder, and I BEAT it, so I know what I am talking about, and I wrote a book on my experience. 1. Depression involves some sort of brain chemistry, so some sort of medication must be involved. It does not need to be SSRIs, MAOs, or TCAs. It could be something else. I took homeopathic medicine and it worked for me. 2. Depression distort your rational thinking, so you must take some sort of TALK therapy, wheter, CBT, Psychoanalysis, etc, etc, but you must correct your irrational thinking. 3. Depression breaks avoc your 3 daily life cycles, rest/activity, diet/metabolism, and sleep/wake cycles. so you must deal with them on a daily basis. You must eat the RIGHT food, depression is very glucose hungry, that is why either, you may eat a lot, or do not eat at all. Both ways are damaging. Insomnia, blurred vision, bad moods are relieved by exercise. 4. Depression makes you sluggish, tired, fatigued and probably suicidal. You must take a DRACONIAN exercise regime, day in day out. I do swimming every single day to fend my depression off, whether I like it or not, I must exercise daily. 5. Meditation is one of the BEST therapies there is, This allow you to put your mind at ease, along with Acupuncture, It is a godsend, plus massage as well and sauna too. 6. Depression treatment must involve medication, CBT therapy, exercise, talk to a support group, do exercise, and take ONE DAY at the time. Depression will go if you take responsibility for your treatment and do not rely on your doctor for everything, your doctor do his best, but your doctor is not depressed, you are, so you must take charge. If you work hard at it, you will get rid of it. I did. and I am a new person. I thank my depression as it FORCED me to make drastic changes in myself and my life. now I am happy. Good luck to all of you.
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Posted By: tookie42va @ 07/14/2008 8:15:47 PM
Why is Prozac the only medication mentioned? There are other meds for depression and anxiety, such as, Effexor. I have read other articles about eating for depression and exercising. Thanks for any info you can give.
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Posted By: Nobodys Fool @ 07/14/2008 7:26:33 PM
This is a terrific idea and a wonderful goal to reach for, but it seems that in the US if we have a bad day, we're depressed. That's where the overuse of anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medications are overused. We go to the doctor and say "make me feel better" without doing the work.
Severe depression, on the other hand (and yes, I read the article in toto and the subject was not well-addressed) is a whole other ball of wax. If you've never had a negative thought that, no matter how hard you try to turn it to the positive you can't, then you don't know what severe depression is. I have finally sought treatment for it and have the symptomology of major chronic depressions. With the aid of Wellbutrin (a very clean anti-depressant) I finally feel non-suicidal and that there is, indeed, hope for my day.
But this is the beginning of the journey for me and, as the author has pointed out, there are other ways to increase levels of fulfillment and happiness. But for the grace of an anti-depressant, a terrific psychologist and psychiatrist to help me to Ground Zero, and the support of a wonderfully close group of friends, I wouldn't even be able to take the first step on this journey.
Be well, and God speed.
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Posted By: Nobodys Fool @ 07/14/2008 7:23:34 PM
This is a terrific idea and a wonderful goal to reach for, but it seems that in the US if we have a bad day, we're depressed. That's where the overuse of anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medications are overused. We go to the doctor and say "make me feel better" without doing the work.
Severe depression, on the other hand (and yes, I read the article in toto and the subject was not well-addressed) is a whole other ball of wax. If you've never had a negative thought that, no matter how hard you try to turn it to the positive you can't, then you don't know what severe depression is. I have finally sought treatment for it and have the symptomology of major chronic depressions. With the aid of Wellbutrin (a very clean anti-depressant) I finally feel non-suicidal and that there is, indeed, hope for my day.
But this is the beginning of the journey for me and, as the author has pointed out, there are other ways to increase levels of fulfillment and happiness. But for the grace of an anti-depressant, a terrific psychologist and psychiatrist to help me to Ground Zero, and the support of a wonderfully close group of friends, I wouldn't even be able to take the first step on this journey.
Be well, and God speed.
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Posted By: angelwings @ 07/14/2008 7:18:59 PM
Today is July 14 , 2008
As I type this e mail I just want to say as of July 07, 2008 I lost a very dear best friend of mine who was on anti-depressant meds she was 46.If the person you know has suicidal intent please get them evaluated immediately it could save there life.
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Posted By: fetyko @ 07/14/2008 6:35:56 PM
did all of you actually read this article all the way through? it seems as though some of you are reading one or two sentences, jumping to conclusions in regards to what the doctor or the book are saying and spouting off about some grind you have to ax whether it be pro or anti medication.
nobody is invalidating that medication can help or the trauma of anyone's depressive episodes, except maybe that Tony guy,
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Posted By: lilmel004 @ 07/14/2008 6:23:46 PM
oops I thought "Tony" had posted that "totally" actually did. I do not agree with Tony. Please don't talk unless you know fully the life changing effects that Prozac has had on my life. I was depressed since childhood and it wasn't until I was 21 that I took meds and I became an entirely different person, filled with hope and vitality.
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Posted By: lilmel004 @ 07/14/2008 6:18:03 PM
I agree with "Tony" and "totally". I love God too, and I believe it was Him who led me to anti-depressants.
Maybe the author should do a study with severely depressed patients since it applies more to the majority of us rather than the terrors happening in the Middle East/Africa. I admit, I stayed away from anti-depressants because of doctors like these prescribing something totally ineffective for dysthymic depression. I was in the best shape of my life when I was depressed, which did not alleviate my depression. Looking back, I really had nothing to feel bad about. But that was me off the meds.
Tony's right. Please stop invalidating the experiences of us. I know you qualify most of your sentences with the word "many" or "most" or "some"to seem as though you're not talking about those who have success with meds. But books like these further stigamatize the use of these prescription pills which may deter depressed patients from getting the help that really works.
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Posted By: lilmel004 @ 07/14/2008 6:17:42 PM
I agree with "Tony" and "totally". I love God too, and I believe it was Him who led me to anti-depressants.
Maybe the author should do a study with severely depressed patients since it applies more to the majority of us rather than the terrors happening in the Middle East/Africa. I admit, I stayed away from anti-depressants because of doctors like these prescribing something totally ineffective for dysthymic depression. I was in the best shape of my life when I was depressed, which did not alleviate my depression. Looking back, I really had nothing to feel bad about. But that was me off the meds.
Tony's right. Please stop invalidating the experiences of us. I know you qualify most of your sentences with the word "many" or "most" or "some"to seem as though you're not talking about those who have success with meds. But books like these further stigamatize the use of these prescription pills which may deter depressed patients from getting the help that really works.
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Posted By: Tony Miller @ 07/14/2008 4:44:16 PM
There is NO, let me repeat NO credible (unbiased, without a money connection) scientific basis for anything they say and since real science has shown the psychiatrists main approach, ANTI-DEPRESSANTS, to do more harm than good and since it is documented that psychiatry says talk therapy doesn't work WHY...WHY OH WHY would anyone with any intelligence or sanity or humanity for that matter want to send mentally troubled people to PROVEN failures with a history of barbaric treatment. FIRE the shrinks and big pharma and let RESULTS be the determining factor in who to refer our troubled friends to. To back up my insanity charge let me quote a real scientist with a history of success:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein, US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
And I will also quote a few more honest psychiatrists. I have a computer full of documentation to substantiate my opening paragraph.
Seattle psychiatrist Arif Khan;
His analysis of 96 antidepressant trials between 1979 and 1996 showed that in 52 percent of them, the effect of the antidepressant could not be distinguished from that of the placebo. Khan said the makers of Prozac had to run five trials to obtain two that were positive, and the makers of Paxil and Zoloft had to run even more.
http://www.washingtonpostcom/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A42930-2002May6¬Found=true
Or;
Dr Joanna Moncrieff, senior lecturer at University College London's department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, has conducted research suggesting that anti-depressants may not be much more effective than giving people dummy drugs.
http://news.bbc.couk/1/hi/health/1813990.stm
Or;
The British Medical Journal???s Clinical Summary ??? they again state that there appears to be no difference between SSRIs and placebo on mean endpoint or change scores.??? P 189 (1)
There are MANY more studies and articles to show the benefits are insignificant and the side effects horrendous. The truth is the RISK outweighs the insignificant benefits.
The money making capacity is the true motivation.-
Posted By: totally-like-change-and-stuff @ 07/14/2008 5:51:29 PM
Response to Tony Miller,
Have you ever suffered from depression? It's incredibly insulting to invalidate the experiences of so many people who have been helped by anti-depressants. You are not helping anything.
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Posted By: die_bubble_die @ 07/14/2008 3:40:58 PM
I wouldn'g go as far as attempting to redefine depression or anxiety, but it seems the times these are worst for me, is when I encounter events that limit my control over the outcome, although the outcome may have a profound affect, or entirely change my life. I would agree with the exercise and healthy diet as a helper in combatting anxiety and depression. In my situation, I was prescribed a sleeping pill, as well as Celexa. When I came to terms with my situation, I realized I do not need medication. The medication had no reversing effects on what I was facing. What was the use, if it isn't going to fix anything? I stopped the sleeping pill, as well as the Celexa. It had nothing to do with what I ate or how far I jogged, although I was glad to shed 30 pounds. I felt better about myself, more confident. If you feel hopeless, fatigued, Depression comes to us as an unwelcome guest, usually because we have no control over what is happening in our lives. The control seems to belong to someone else. What we eat doesn't remove that control from them. Pushups do not remove the control from them. We may feel better, but if people really are feeling hopeless, redirect the control. My pills were stopped when I allowed God to have control over my life, and as long as God is in control, no one else can be. Depression will eventually kill. My remedy is to eat whatever is available, walk to church no matter how far, and trust that God will repair whatever it is going on in your life. The naysayers may say that praying hasn't helped, or that God doesn't answer. It is then that they should realize that sometimes when we are praying to God to keep us afloat, it is sometimes God and His purpose putting the holes in our boat. Turn it over to God. Put God on every corner, and less Walgreens. :)
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Posted By: totally-like-change-and-stuff @ 07/14/2008 5:48:02 PM
Response to die_bubble_die:
I understand what you are saying, and I am a big believer in God myself. But can't you see that saying that God is the only cure for depression is the same thing as saying that God is the only cure for diabetes? This is why depression continues to be so stigmatized in the church. If only I had enough faith in God, maybe I wouldn't be so sad, right?. That is so insulting because it assumes that the sufferer is doing something wrong or is just not spiritual enough. Would you say the same thing to a cancer patient? If anything, my depression has brought me closer to God, and I am INCREDIBLY thankful to Him for providing amazing medical technology that has saved my life through anti-depressants.
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Posted By: fetyko @ 07/14/2008 5:35:14 PM
This book is not about diet and exercise. It's mainly advocating and promoting meditation, which is a different animal altogether. A healthy diet and exercise program are complimentary to what this doctor is talking about. Read the article again.
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Posted By: dave_g @ 07/14/2008 5:23:10 PM
What confuses me most about this article, is that in my experience in the mental health mill, is that all doctors and therapists already tell you to do these things. Every doctor I have ever been to, whether for depression or not, has inquired into my diet and exercise habits and encouraged me to improve them. Therapists have said the same thing. Everyone, depressed, obese, or even someone in perfect health, should eat well and exercise regularly. Hardly revolutionary.
The
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Posted By: hblondecutie @ 07/14/2008 5:00:42 PM
It is hard to lump all of these people together, but I do believe that medicines in general, and including anti-depressants, are over used. I was diagnosed 8 years ago with depression and went through 4 years of pills and therapists. Unfortunately, none of it worked, as I became a zombie in my own life. Through the grace of God, without knowing what I was doing, I ditched the pills and went through the same type of activities he mentioned in the article; exercise, diet, and a spiritual journey that saved my life. I can't say that I am cured, we all know this type of disease never goes away, but from my personal experience I feel that I am able to handle the ups and downs better than when I was medicated. I feel more in control of my life and I am able to enjoy both the ups and the downs, as opposed to being numb to it all.
Bottom line, I agree with this guy and from my experience support non-prescription therapy for depression.
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Posted By: alimarie6789 @ 07/14/2008 4:48:05 PM
I seem to remember that even the pharmaceutical companies say that they are not sure how the drugs work but nevertheless it will help depression. All the depression research needs more understanding. It is not as clear cut as taking insulin for diabetes. It is very open to interpretation whether a person needs medicine because of a chemical imbalance..
Millions of people are on these drugs over life circumstances that can
be
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Posted By: Catlover_Chocolatelover @ 07/14/2008 7:31:31 AM
Unfortunate to hear this, and I agree with Jane S. I'm a medical student and have also seen a family member suffer depression. The latest studies have shown that DEPRESSION ACTUALLY DAMAGES PARTS OF YOUR BRAIN and that ANTI DEPRESSANTS REVERSE THIS - SUCCESSFULLY. Meditation, cognitive behaviour therapy (that is, "retraining your mind") and exercise have been proven time and time again to only cure the mild to moderate depressions, and only in conjunction with medication: these 'non-drug' methods won't help someone with severe depression. Of course, anti-depressants aren't a 'magic pill', you need to be on them for a while before any changes take place, and no drug is a 'complete therapy' - you must integrate it with other things, like CBT. Jane, you're right, there is not one thing that is the be all and end all to curing depression - but its important to have your loved ones with you to support you along the way.
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Posted By: darkhorse @ 07/14/2008 4:30:07 PM
I think you are right, we cant lump all depressions together.
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Posted By: darkhorse @ 07/14/2008 4:28:30 PM
Schatje you are so right.
All I can say is that when i simply forget to take my meds...everyone else notices and pays for it. There is a point where even I know something is wrong if I forget my meds but cannot focus enough to fix it.
I have a doctor who wants me to get off these meds. He has even gone so far as to refuse prescriptions (I now live in a country where they dont believe in depression even though they have one of the highest depression rates in the world). However my husband ends up calling him begging him t o write me a prescription because either I will likely kill myself or he will kill me.
I hate this happens to me but I finaly gave into the idea that i can either take the drugs and live a normal life or get off them and likely kill myself as I have tried twice before. I have no idea how i even survive the second attempt on my life as I was DOA at the hospital and when they did bring me around they thought for sure I would be brain dead. It sounds silly but when I am off the meds, killing myself seems like a good option to end the anxiety and emotional ride I endure. Its as if something take over me and does what it wants.
I have decided not to have children as i fear the depression wil pass along to them and I could not put anyone through this kind of life.
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