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What is everyone's opinion about taking anti-depressants for a short period of time? Does anyone have any positive or negative feedback on the different drugs used?
I have a long history of depression and have avoided taking any drugs, but maybe they can be helpful. I can't even remember the number of therapists who have suggested it to me. I am just so afraid of the side-effects and of being a guinea pig.
In Reply to: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 05, 2003 at 12:46:38:
Hi Anon,
My question for you is, what other effort (besides therapy) are you making at resolving your depression?
Yeah, drugs can sometimes give a person a boost (and I've had good friends who have been helped by them, temporarily), but they won't solve your problem.
There's so many other things that you can do to help yourself that are less damaging to the body.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Happygal on October 05, 2003 at 18:27:10:
A friend of mine tried 4 different kinds to no avail.
In Reply to: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 05, 2003 at 12:46:38:
I have to agree with Happygal. (She is right so much of the time! :)
I agree that you should try all other avenues before going the route of anti depressants. Have you tried working on the psychological aspect of it? Have you tried following wellness? Could it be a nutritional deficiency causing the depression? I found that once I started the Whole Foods Diet, that this had a tremendous effect on my moods and stabilizing. Never thought that nutrition could effect moods so much, but it did in such a positive way.
I personally think that antidepressants should only be used for extreme cases of depression, where nothing else is helping.
For a short period of time? I am not sure if antidepressants are addictive or not. Have you tried other alternatives to medication?
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Miss Bliss on October 05, 2003 at 20:57:39:
Miss Bliss,
I agree with you completely. I have been pretty depressed for the last 2 years because of my marriage going sour and
I just felt sorry for myself and eating anything I could, getting bigger and crying all the time. Then I finally decided that I didn't want to be depressed anymore, I figured I will not change my husband so I decided to change myself. I started eating only the healhtiest foods I could find, a lot of whole grains, lean protein, loads of produce and nonfat daury, I joined a gym and have been working out 3 hours a day, I lost already 20 pounds, gained a lot of energy and have a very different outlook on life. I don't feel so depressed anymore, I feel better about myself and it will be my way of living for the rest of my life and if my marriage doesn't make it, it will be his loss!!! I think I can still be happy and don't desrve to e depressed because my husband decided that he doesn't love me anymore.
I think depression is a state of the mind most of the time and changing lifestyle and feeling more confident will help it more than drugs which are not a real solution.
Luba
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Luba on October 05, 2003 at 22:18:18:
Good for you, Luba!
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Luba on October 05, 2003 at 22:18:18:
Good on ya for having the power to decide that you no longer wanted to be depressed!
I would like to write more to you when I get a chance. lThis is a subject close to my heart, as I have been there, and climbed out of the quagmire, as you will!
You can do it, Luba!
Btw, I think your writing of english is great! I wouldn't have even guessed that english wasn't your first language!
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Luba on October 05, 2003 at 22:18:18:
Thanks, Luba.
And all this improvement without even doing SR!
Walt
In Reply to: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 05, 2003 at 12:46:38:
Thanks everybody for the encouragement, I appreciate it very much! It's not easy and sometimes I still have a bad day when I wish things were the way they used to ( I have been married 26 years and my husband used to be loving and tender) but then I remember that it is water under the bridge and it's not going to come back so no reason to be depressed over something that is gone, probably forever no matter how much I try. I think that my husband is going through midlife crisis, says he is a different person and now wants younger friends and I became a burden and a "bitch" whenever I complained about the way he treated me, his coldness and ruddness so I stopped complaining and started concentrating on myself, it's not the end of the world and who knows,maybe something better will come along.
Thanks again for the support!
Luba
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Miss Bliss on October 06, 2003 at 05:00:50:
Miss Bliss,
I would love to talk to you, thanks for offering and the note about my English. I have always read a lot and good control of the language was always important to me. I used to travel with the amateur theater in Europe for about 6 years while I was in college, mostly with drama, Greek tragedy and poetry so I make a point of learning the language the best way I can. My other 2 lamguages are Polish and Russian, Russian being rather rusty as I left Russia whenj I was 8 but I lived and worked in Poland for many years. I am glad I came across this site while looking for a medical advice, it makes me feel like I already have some new friends.
Thanks again.
Luba
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Miss Bliss on October 05, 2003 at 20:57:39:
I eat an incredibly clean diet and have for 20+ years. I've even been teased a little by friends in the past because of it. It definitely helps a lot, but my problems are a little more deep than Luba's as far as I can tell. I had my first brush with real(extreme) depression when I was 21. I am 48 and have never even been able to get my life together enough to have a husband to be depressed about. It is very complicated. I think it has a lot to do with my genes and my dysfuntional, chaotic upbringing. I worked in a health food store for about 7 years. I have researched health and diet up the yin yang. I have to say that I look younger than my 48 years and I do attribute that largely to my clean diet. But just to function, I have to live a very stress free and pure lifestyle. Still I have horrible depression. I am at my wit's end. I do not want to take anti-deppresants, but I don't know what else to do. I feel like I have this incredibly sensitive body and nervous system. It is still trying to overcome a childhood of hotdogs, bologna, cokes, processed cheese, sweet tarts, kool-aid, hydrogenated peanut butter, etc. Now I feel like I need to live where I can drink from a fresh stream and eat straight from a garden, but I don't have that. And maybe that still would not be enough.
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Luba on October 05, 2003 at 22:18:18:
Hi Luba
Thanks for reminding me. I just re read your post above so I could get a better understanding of it before jumping in.
I have suffered with depression as well. I still occasionally will fall into the pit :) but it's very mild compared to what it use to be,and I can pull myself out after a short time.
Diet. I really believe SUGAR can affect moods terribly. I really do. I know you said that you eat healthy, but sometimes what we consider "healthy" in this society is not necessarily so. You mentioned "dairy products". That is something that is restricted on the Whole foods diet, and for good reason. Also,, wheat can be a common allergen. You best off reading up the book on whole foods diet by Beth Loiselle for more indepth information. Or if you want to start out in the archives under depression, and how others have beat it.
I have modified my diet because of the symptoms I was suffering with, and I ahvent looked back. I don't find it an effort anylonger. It helps me feel well, and that is so important for the small sacrifices I have made. They have only improved my health and wellbeing;mentally and physically.
Here it is 7 months later, and I am still going strong on the diet. I was totally surprised how much of an effect eating the wrong foods can have on my body,and my moods. What I was eating before the diet was having a terrible effect, and I had yo yo moods. I was up and down, extreme.
Another thing is to check for any nutritional deficienceis. B vitamins can really help too. And what about St Johns Wort, that is also used for mild depression. A natural herb. It could be a start for you anyway, Luba, if you decide to incorporate some of these other aspects I have mentioned into your life.
Also my meditation. I feel like a different person with including meditation into my life. My stress levels dramatically reduced. After I meditate, Its like my body and psyche heave a sigh of pleasant relief. :) Even now. I have just finished sitting for my meditation,and I feel different already. More calm, relaxed, optimistic etc. Don't feel a lack inside after i meditate. So meditation helps on all levels.
You sound very courageous and a strong person to have pulled yourself up, and decided to do something about your depression. Not everyone is so fortunate. It takes a lot of strength to do that when you are stuck in a deep depression.
As for your marriage. Hmmm. :)
Ok. He is not helping your situation at all, and seems to be hurting you. Its time for honest communication between you too. I am not a marriage counsellor so I wont advise to leave him or stay with him. That's your choice, and we dont get to see behind the scenes of what is going on; all the other intricacies.
I will say though that when you start to work on your own issues and yourself, its amazing how others start behaving and treating you better. So maybe focus on healing yourself, feeling good about yourself, and then let the other issues fall into place as you are ready emotionally to tackle/deal with them confidently.
Any other questions feel free to ask.
**~BLISS~**
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 06, 2003 at 22:20:40:
I am so sorry to hear of this.
You know, I got to thnking. That in life, we all seem to have some huge cross to bear.
I would think it would be highly ignorant of me to think that diet alone could deal with severe depression.
I think you have to take a multi faceted approach to it. Treating both the body and the psyche. And it sounds like you have. At least you havent given up. You sound very determined to beat this, and that is most important on your journey back to health.
I do feel if the depression becomes severe enough, that antidepressants temporarily have their place in helping one to cope. Just the same as with a phsycial illness, if the symptoms get bad enough, you need to go onto medication to control it. Even if its a very low dose.
Do you have family memebers in your life who are supportive to you, or attend can a group where others who have suffered with this can support you?
Have you had a look through the brain chemistry archives here? It maybe a good starting and also reading up in there and how others have gotten through severe depression and back to a normal life.
I am sorry I cant offer you more. I wish you all the best. You have come to the right place to get better. This stop is most people's last option in their quest to get better, after trying everything else.
**~BLISS~**
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Miss Bliss on October 06, 2003 at 22:43:44:
Miss Bliss,
I know you meant well by your posts. Initially I had written a long composition on my situation, but I decided why make myself so vulnerable.
I don't think you have any idea of the strength and courage it has taken me to just survive....
I was so talented...singing, very theatrical..But I was pressured to get a degree in hard science. Never had any support in anything else... then I had a nervous breakdown and my life starting dissolving before my eyes at the age of 21. When I read about Luba's experience in the theatre.... Not only are you going Yeah Luba aren't you wonderful, courageous and strong...But she did in college what I was meant to do....This is unbearable for me...BUT the story of my life.
Support from family member?? You've got to be kidding...My family members are not helpful at all. I went to visit my parents this summer.( I have seen them twice in about 10 years) Get this... I was crying and trying to talk to my mother. Do you know what she said? She and my father should not have had children because they both had very nervous people in their families. They always wanted a perfect daughter and when I started having my depression problems (27 years ago) they basically deserted me. I have suffered incredible abuse and lack of love...Strength?? You have no idea of the strength and courage I have used to just survive. I have pulled it up out of the spirit of a child who was given practically no real love or consistency in her life. She is sucked bone dry. I was moved around from town to town as a child. Never the opportunity to form healthy support systems. As an adult because of my physical attributes I have been taken advantage of. Women have been jealous of me and men all wanted to sleep with me. And all this time I have been this wounded child with no self confidence who didnot even realize what she had and why people might be reacting to her in certain ways.
Yes maybe we all have huge crosses to bear, BUT some of us have crosses made of much heavier material....Some of that material looks very light but if we could only carry someone's load for a few seconds than it's unbearable weight might become clear...
In Reply to: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 05, 2003 at 12:46:38:
Anon - I found a low dose of Amitriptylene helpful when I was in a particularly bad patch of depression/anxiety 7 years ago, simply because it gave me the chance to sleep better and begin to climb out of the spiral.
On the other hand I have tried a couple of SSRIs on different occasions and they made me feel worse. I think whether something helps or not is down to your own personal chemistry.
I really feel for you with your sensitive nervous system. Like you, I am 48 and have had to learn to exist with a body that over-reacts to stimuli. I found information about 'The Highly Sensitive Person' very helpful, and I've put a link below in case you do too. My reactions may be much the same, but I feel differently about my self for having them, and that helps a lot!
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Sue on October 07, 2003 at 09:14:08:
Sue,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful message. Several years ago a doctor actually recomended the highly sensitive person book to me. A lot of it rang true. I am the toughest HSP to be, because although I am extremely sensitive to stimuli, I also need lots of stimulation. It's a really tough balancing act. I don't believe this website goes into this type of HSP, but the book did. I bookmarked the site and I'm sure the message board will be especially interesting.
Thans Again
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 07, 2003 at 06:36:12:
I realize you only meant to be supportive of Luba's situation, but I took it somewhat as not acknowledging what I have had to overcome....
I'm sorry if I sounded defensive. It is probably indicative of the depression.
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 07, 2003 at 06:36:12:
Hi Anon,
I can understand so well what you have been going through. My situation wasn't as drastic but similar. I have always
had a very artistic, romantic nature, I loved theater, classical music, art and architecture but ended up going to
pharmacy college but continued to travel with my theater while studying. At least my family didn't mind that but the
reason I went into pharmacy was that my grandfather's best friend was a manager of the local pharmacy and wanted
me to work for him and convinced me to study it so I did. At about the same time as I graduated, we were showing a
play on a stage of the Warsaw Jewish Theater and the manager offered me a job which I refused because I didn't want
to disappoint my family and move to Warsaw from our town. I have regretted it ever since. My life would have been
so different. Right before I went to college, my parents got divorced and my father moved to US. It was tough, my
mom didn't have a lot of skills and held odd jobs but I was lucky as at the time Poland was still Communist and
government was giving monthly, unrefundable support to students and that got me through college. After working 2
years in the pharmacy my father invited me to come to US for a visit and that is how I ended up here. During the
visit I met my husband, we got married and I didn't go back. I was miserable for a long time as I was missing my
mom, the culture I was used to and most of all, I couldn't get along with my husband's family which was largely
alcoholic. Eventually, both in-laws died of liver cancer and our marriage actually improved, we bought a new house,
my husband seemed very responsive to new things like the classical music, travelling to Europe and seemed to enjoy
art and hiking as much as I did. We had blissful 15 years and then, 2 years ago everything changed. Suddenly I
became a controlling bitch who told him what to do and what to like. He started hanging out with people half his age
and listing to teeny boppers, likes of Brittany and alike ( which I can't stand ), playing ball after work and
completely ignoring me. Whenever I complained or just asked for more time, he would yell and call me bitch. He
started drinking and I would spend most evening alone and depressed,
crying all the time. My blood pressure went through the roof, I gained a lot of weight and lost interest in all the
things I enjoyed. At first I was begging him to stop drinking and start acting his age but more I asked the more he
yelled or would just take off and come back all night.
Finally, 2 months ago I couldn't take it anymore. I told myself I don't deserve this kind of treatment and I don't
deserve to die slow death. I decided that 50 I was too young to lie down and die or have a nervous breakdown and I
decided to change my life. I decided to loose weight, become fit and start meeting other people, take care of myself
and not worry about what he does or what he thinks. He has been type 1 diabetic for years and I literally saved his
life many times when he collapsed from low blood sugar but he never thanked ne or seemed to appreciate. I decided
to leave his health to him and let him take care of his own health while I was taking care of myself. I figured his
young friends will not be there for him when he needs it and maybe he will start appreciating what he lost. It didn't
happen yet but when it does, it might be too late for him. My feelings for him slowly changed, how could I love
somebody who treats me like dirt? When I had my surgery 2 weeks ago, he waited until I was in a hospital room after
recovery and left to play ball and spend the night with a friend. That did it for me. Anyway, 2 months ago, I joined
a gym, have been working out there 3 hours a day and changed my diet. I lost 20 pounds so far and I feel better about
myself. I look in the mirror and like myself a lot better. Now I am ignoring him like he has been ignoring me and he
doesn't like it very much because he also lost one thing he still wanted form me - sex. He has been complaining about
that all the time, telling me it's my duty and my reply always is:
I will be a wife when you start being a husband by being there for me, respecting me, loving me and being my friend.
I don't want to have sex, I want to make love to a person who loves me and whom I love too. He can make a choice
but he should do it fast. He can change himself like I change myself and start being a caring, sensitive person and this
marriage might still have a chance, otherwise nothing will change. I am my own person now and I don't need him to
feel good about myself. I know I have to be strong ( sometimes I have bad days and still cry for no reason ). I guess it
was fairly easy for me to make this change after 2 years of hell since I have always been a calm, loving and happy
person in spite of many bumps on the road. It hasn't been easy changing the country of residence, speaking new
language, getting new career ( I had to give up pharmacy and have been a jeweler for years before starting my own
yarn company ).
Looks like you are a fighter too and try to overcome the obstacles and I have the feeling that you will get through it with flying colors. It will be tough and there will be many days when you will feel like giving up but you will bounce back because you sound determined and strong. Good luck too you!!! Keep me posted.
To Bliss:
Thank you so much for your post.
I have been been pretty lucky as to food tolerance, maybe because due to lack of money or shortage of food when I lived in Poland, I had to eat whatever was available or what I could afford, organ meets, pork, sourkrout, white flour and white rice, veggies were scarce but there was good supply of fruits. My Jewish grandmother's cooking was on a fatty side, a lot of fried stuff, a lot of chicken fat. I handled it pretty well and I haven't had any food alergies so the food I eat now id great, I have no problem with it.
It's mostly veggies and fruits, whole grains and seeds( buckweat, barley, flax, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc. ), lots of fish, lean chicken, beans, brown rice, soy milk and tofu, nonfat yogurt and lowfat natural cheese like mozarella. I drink lots of water, mostly mineral and I eat it all in small meals 6 times a day, about 1500 calories.
Food wasn't my problem as far as my depression was concerned. It was my husband's treatment, drinking and behavior that kept me on the edge. In my case it was purely mental and I had to fight that and I think that I am on my way to being myself again.
Thanks again!!
Luba
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Miss Bliss on October 05, 2003 at 20:57:39:
I realize you only meant to be supportive of Luba's situation, but I took it somewhat as not acknowledging what I have had to overcome....
I'm sorry if I sounded defensive. It is probably indicative of the depression.
I had written this before Luda's new post showed up, But it ended up under her post. Looking like I had read her post first.
AGAIN...the story of my life!!
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants for Anon and Bliss posted by Luba on October 07, 2003 at 14:48:14:
Luda,
It's so difficult to know about life decisions. I'm sorry you missed that opportunity in the Warsaw Theatre. Now I know that you must follow your heart with decisions, but it is hard when you also have other people's feelings to take care of. I am beginning to suspect that usually if you do what is best for you it will be best for others. My heart is now so damaged that it is hard to hear what it is trying to tell me....
I never learned to type so it is actually a chore for me to type very long messages, but I will try to express myself a bit.
I imagine it was difficult adjusting to the new culture. I was sent to France, alone, when I was 16 years old for 3 months after only having 1 year of French in school. It wasn't like I was making it my home, but it was still very difficult and a bad judgement on my parent's part. I needed to be with my school friends at that age. When I returned home it was to a new home in another state 300 miles away. As I say I was moved around a lot.
Lately I am dealing with a lot of physical pain caused by years of not listening to my body and going beyond my limits. I believe this was indirectly caused by my parents not allowing me to have my feelings and my father being so pretrified of thinking he might have a less than perfect daughter.
Maybe it sounds like I have put a lot of blame on them...I know that is probably not healthy...but I feel that I deserved to be respected and listened to.. I guess they were not ready to be parents in the way I needed.
Good Luck to you Luba. If your husband doesn't "shape up" I know another more loving man will come into your life. It sounds like you know you deserve that love.
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants for Anon and Bliss posted by Anon on October 07, 2003 at 16:16:37:
Luba,
Sorry I misspelled your name. As I said I am not a great typist!!
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants for Anon and Bliss posted by Anon on October 07, 2003 at 16:16:37:
Thank you Anon,
The road to more self assurance wasn't easy. Until recently I was trying to please everyone thinking I would have more friends because of it but all it did was making me feel used so now I pick people that I would like to be friends with before I try to get close to them. I realized that a lot of people just try to use us if we let them and I just want to feel in control of myself for a change. Just like you felt you needed your parent's respect, attention and unconditional love, I needed the same from my husband since I didn't have any other family and when I didn't get it he made me feel like it was my fault and the first step was to realize that it wasn't my fault but purely his problem so by the same token you have the right to think the same about your parents and what they did. They probably tried to make you feel like it was your fault because you weren't exactly the way they expected but you were just trying to be your own person and live your life the way you wanted but didn't get support you deserved. Don't give up, you can still be happy, concentrate on yourself, don't try to please others if that is not what you want to do. Try to love yourself for who you are and others will to. I wish you the very best, continue your upward path and don't stop, you will see the rainbow eventually.
Luba
In Reply to: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 05, 2003 at 12:46:38:
The link below gives some helpful guidelines on what to eat to alleviate depression. Bon apetit!
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Anon on October 07, 2003 at 13:38:41:
Glad you didn't have to put up with a husband who treated you like dirt and used you, That is hard to take when you are too week to stand up to him because you treated the same way as a child. You can be thankful that you at least on your own and will finally realize you are not alone in these things.
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by Luba on October 05, 2003 at 22:18:18:
Drugs is never the answer for this kind of depression I guess if a person is so sick he or she can't sleep at all, then you have to go to a Doctor and get something so you can sleep, at least until you can get yourself out of a situation where you can think yourself back to mormal. I believe that depression is cause by what we let others do to us more than anything else. We have to stop and think what is bothering us and then do something about it. Not always but so much of the time.
In Reply to: Re: Anti-depressants posted by To Luba on October 08, 2003 at 12:17:58:
Totally agree!! That is why drugs are never a venue for me and like you saud, my depression was caused by another person ( my husband ) trying to make feel like dirt ) so to get out of it I had to start loving myself and be more self confident and rely on myself and I did it by eating right, exercising, loosing weight and being the best person I can be. I think depression comes when we think that what other poeple say about us is true and it very rarely is so we just have stop blaming ourselves and ignore the people who make us feel badly and seek out those who are supportive and more sensitive.
Luba
In Reply to: Link for nutritional help posted by Sue on October 08, 2003 at 07:51:23:
Thanks, Sue.
Walt
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