Psychiatric Drugs

What do you think? Do they help with real problems? Are they a tidy non-solution for mindlessly discontented citizens? Do they alter your mind? Would you take them if your doctor recommended them?

 

I was on risperdal and depacote for a few years for anger and depression. There was a third one for a while too. But anyways, it really fucked me up, I was tired all the time, had really slow reactions to things, still do. They said that the effect should be permanent since I took it when I was a teenager. So yeah, the drugs turned me into a zombie for a while, and I'm glad to be off of them.

 

There's a reason why someone would be depressed and anit-depressant's will mask the effect's they are a cure or anything, i wouldn't take them.

 

It depends on the drug and the person. Lithium got many people out of the hospital and back into life. Some of the antianxiety drugs have got a lot of people out of their houses and back into life. However, a lot of psych. drugs are in one of two categories. They are chemical restraints that are used on people who society does not want to deal with or they are ways for middle class people to get high.

 

i had anxiety ,panis attacks and agrophobia for 10 yrs.i was prescribed valium and propranalol for about 2 yrs and then i thought no way these drugs are making more of a mess of my head so i asked to be weaned off them ...it took about 12 mnths.im on the right side of my illness now .i will always have it to some degree but have learned to cope with cognitive behavioral therapies and alternative healing .i have indian head massage and it really helps me to relax.i also believe in colour therapy and have decorated the rooms in my house to reflect that,.psychiatric drugs in my opinion only mask the problem it is never dealt with just put to bed for a while

 

Well, I used to be one of those people who hated with a passion all sorts of drugs to "improve mood" etc. I have been depressed since I was 5 or at least as long as I can remember and normal 5 year olds don't try to commit suicide, so I knew something was wrong. When I was little the doctor had me on tofranil, which was also supposed to help with bed wetting (later I found out that bed wetting, and fear of homelife and depression are linked in children)

However, I was just a kid then and couldn't express myself adequately enough for people to understand I guess, or they didn't know anything about it maybe. Anyway after that I didn't do anything about it until I was 18.
Anyway, I just went to my PCP instead of a physchiatrist/psychologist. Huge mistake. They tried differnet drugs and none of them worked, not only did they not work, but they made me worse. They made me feel like a zombie like I had no feelings what so ever. And they made me lazy and gain weight. I think I was more depressed on them than ever. So I weened myself off of them (yes I know the danger, but I also believe that it was too dangerous to stay on them after I did research, I was on Paxil, Celexa and Effexor at different times). And that is when I became completely against drugs, I don't know if you can see any of my old old posts before the forum started over, but you might find some of the posts I talked about it there, if they are still around.

So, for 3 years I wasn't on any antidepressants and I was miserable. At one point I didn't leave my house for 3 months, and I gained over 100lbs (which I have since lost) and I had a pretty bad drinking problem because I didn't know any other way to cope. It was the only thing that made me feel ok about living. If I wasn't drinking I was just hopeless and often wanted to die. So, I started doing more research on anti-depressants and I found Wellbutrin. Again I went to my PCP (a different one than before) and talked to her about it. She put me on it. For a year now I've been on it and doing quite well with it. In my opinion it has helped tremendously and my family and friends see a huge improvement as well. And if I forget a dose, we all notice. It might sound like a joke, but people ask me "did you take your medicine today?"

It wasn't until a few months ago thought that I realized there was more to my depression that wasn't being treated. The symptoms were, but not what caused it. That is when I decided to find a therapist. The first one didn't work out for me. All he did was say "so what's on your mind" and I couldn't answer him, there were billions of things on my mind I had no clue where to begin. And during the 3rd session, he said I should just go to church. I walked out of the room and never turned back.

So, I found the therapist that I go to now. I really like her. She talks to me like a person. She doesn't expect me to know what is wrong she tries to figure it out (I mean if I knew what the fuck was wrong, don't you think I'd do something about it). She is helping me cope with a lot of the suppressed rage that I have (I'm extremely violent and angry, though you all here probably wouldn't believe that) and with my crazy mood swings. I have bipolar II. She also suggested that I take additional medication to help regulate my moods. I haven't talked to that psychiatrist yet.

So, I suppose my point after all of this babbling is that it takes both sometimes. Talk therapy doesn't always work, and drugs by themselves don't work, I know that for a fact. You have to get the root of your depression/anxiety/mood disorder. It doesn't go away in a couple of sessions (though you should be getting better within 6 months and if you don't you should find different therapy). I have learned a lot from my therapist about switching my thinking. Instead of taking the smallest problem and making a huge deal out of it and wanting to kill myself I turn my thoughts around and tell myself this is not a big deal, you can't control this, you have a right to feel whichever way I feel, but you are in control of how you react to it. And I have been letting my emotions out in a more constructive way (instead of breaking things, I cry more or scream into a pillow, but at least I am not hurting people).

All I know is every single person isn't the same and they don't all respond to things the same way. I really think that you shouldn't judge someone or their situation or what you think can help or not help them until you have lived their life. I mean even what I wrote here isn't even the surface of my problems. What you decide for yourself is up to you, but let others make informed decisions about their own life. Yes, there are side effects to many medications, but there are also deadly drawbacks to some people not being on them.

And yes I agree there are people out there who aren't depressed and who don't need these medications who take them to escape. It isn't a cure all. Honestly, I don't know why a normal person would want to take them. I mean it isn't as if they make you high or anything. And as far as children are concerned, I don't believe they should be on medications at all. If a child is depressed I'd take a long hard look at his parents and home life because something is most certainly going on there.

Just my two cents... ok ok more like ten.

Take care of yourselves.

 

to keep what i could make very long short...

for some people, they are a life saver. serious schizophrenics and stuff.

for most that have issues, there are natural ways that are SOOO much better for balance. balane is KEY for mental health. however, despite their toxic effects... they can sometimes help people OUT OF HOLES... to the point where they can do things on their own again and create their own balance naturally. what people need to remember though is that psychiatric drugs are closely tied to the parmacutical companies/big business/gov. (and i dont think i need to delve further into that subject on this forum) and also... they are addictive in their own way (hey! if they create withdrawl when you get off of them... fuck yeah, they are addictive)
they should ONLY be used when needed... people should not be dependant on them when they no longer need to be.

 

Well, that is true they shouldn't be dependant on them if they don't need them, like an addiction. That would certainly not be good for anyone. And yes sometimes they can help someone with a temporary depression and people do come out of those at which time they should discontinue use of the medications. And I do believe that after therapy like in my situation, and I come to terms with all of my past issues, etc. that one day I will go off all of my medication and I will have better tools to live, a better sense of myself, and better behaviors that I have learned (over top of those old ones that are bringing me down).

However there are 2 other things that I do want to say. People who really are sick and on these drugs, they don't really want to be on them. They don't want to be sick any more than you wish to be sick. And I really do believe that there are many sick people out there who really do have something chemically amiss in their brain make up. I suppose for those who have never felt it, they simply can't understand and have compassion on others, though I wish some people could because it would make things a lot easier. And it might help to take away from the "huge drug companies" power over people. Which, btw, isn't those who are sick fault that the drug companies are corrupt, so why take it out on the sick? You wouldn't tell a cancer patient or a diabetic they can't have their medicine because it is made by a money hungry drug company, but telling the mentally ill that they shouldn't need it is ok because you can't exactly see their illness, well not until someone you love kills themself, then you can see it.

 

well i know drugs are tools not magic spells i take a ssri for depression/social phobia, depakote for being bipolar and centrax (a benzo) when i feel like it, which is not often, not an habit.
all i can say is that it made my efforts effective, but you have to take control of your life by yourself or the side-effects will fuck you up (depending on the meds).
i don't care about being dependant on SSRI and depakote (which is the new lithium btw). it's better than hiding in your house waiting for the next alcohol/meth binge.
and individuals responds to different ways... from the little knowledge i have it gets schizophrenics and stuff out of the hospital (even though they're zombified, but it's better than psychotic episodes).

to make things short, i believe the fear of psych meds is justified. unless you're a serious case (need to go to the psych hospital), this is just the "know your drug, know your body" deal. try and use them or don't, a little molecule won't brainwash you.

 

yeah that is the key. for people to just remember there is nothing wrong with taking them... im on two of them right now. i plan on going off of them in the future... within six months from now... because i will like they assisted ME and MY SITUATION to where i can manage without them.

every situation is different but i think that except for in extreme cases... people just need to remember they are TOOLS not MAGIC PILLS. (because that is where they can start to do more harm then good and/or led to dependency)

 

I don't think they are only for extreme cases, or maybe my idea of extreme is quite different from everyone else's idea of extreme. I don't know I almost killed someone with a hammer on Sunday, so what the fuck do I know.

 

I'll try and keep this short:

Imagine...stress from needing home repairs & a spouse who spends $$$ on "FUN" stuff instead, including a "fun" neighbor, making up excuses when the bill collectors call demanding $$$,or kids who fight over the TV...what to watch or what time they have to shut it off to go to bed, hell forget about cleaning their room cuz they will whine about that too.

imagine living with people who complain when you cook 3 meals a day and/or refuse to eat it and instead they go out to a restaurant without you, and then complain when you go on strike & refuse to cook ANYTHING for a month.

The spouse will end up on anti-depression pills cuz the VA will pay for them, 1 of the pills turn him into such a zombie that all he can do is sit it a chair & stare into space. But when he tries a different 1, it gives him energy to run around with the other ladies in the neighborhood.

Imagaine you're living a life where you're damned if ya do & damned if ya don't. There is 1 set of rules for you and a better set of rules for everyone else. While your spouse gets a college degree in sociology and becomes very verbal on different issues about women's rights, equal rights, and against abusive politicians...you are forced to quit high school and not allowed to work or get a driver's license. Obviously the sociology major don't know much.

Years later, after him telling you that YOU need help, you end up sitting in the office on your birthday filling out all the paperwork, then when they ask whats wrong....all you can say is that "life sucks!" but it would take a lifetime to explain but realize that its a waste of time...its not as if the shrink will be moving into your house to make sure that everyone will become human beings.
without being able to explain why "life sucks" you don't get any more office visits or anti-depression pills....so you end up buying sleeping pills & beer on the way home.

NO pill will pay the bills, make a kid clean up or do homework, a pill won't cook dinner, no pill will make you look better then the neighbors or be more fun then the neighbors.

 

No, the pill won't do that. But neither will a depressed/manic person. They are not able to function in society. That is what I'm trying to say. No one is saying that a pill is a magic formula, but I honestly think that none of you really get it. It is deeper than having a shitty husband who runs around on you. It is deeper than not being able to control your own children. It is deeper than life sucking. It is deeper than I can even describe to people who just can't feel it. And I'm quite thankful that you all can't feel what I feel. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I scare the shit out of myself sometimes with my thoughts and actions. And I can't control them, nor do I have any idea where the hell they come from. That is what I mean when I say that you and I have different ideas of what a severe case is. I do believe my case is severe. Do I believe the women on Desperate Housewives should be on anti depressants. Yes I agree anti depressants for a long time became the in thing, but anyone who has ever had a mental illness knows that it isn't cool to be sick and we really would give anything to be like everyone else.

 

At 1 time or another I have had EVERY symptom on this list but would rather not turn this thread into a book about my whole life


Major Depression
Experts generally agree that a person has clinical depression when he or she experiences some or all of these symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks:

• Depressed mood
• Persistent feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Slowed behavior (the feeling of "dragging oneself around")
• Reduction or loss of pleasure in life
• Decreased motivation
• Negative or pessimistic thinking
• Loss of interest in friends, activities, hobbies or work
• Change in eating habits; weight gain or loss
• Sleep problems, including waking up early
• Frequent crying
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Irritability
• Being anxious or worried a lot
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Suicide attempt

Understandably, depression can affect all aspects of a person's life (and the lives of family and close friends, too) because it puts a damper on one's overall ability to function. A clinically depressed person often becomes unable to enjoy anything, even things they once enjoyed (a condition called "anhedonic").

• Some people are truly disabled during a bout of depression.
• Others can continue to function in the sense of holding down a job and meeting other obligations - but just being alive becomes a chore.
• Depression is believed to contribute to at least half of all suicides.

In addition to having the general symptoms of depression, a person experiencing an episode of major depression, also known as melancholia, may also have:

• Frequent headaches
• Other aches and pains with no apparent cause
• Digestive problems
• Sexual dysfunction

In children and adolescents, signs of depression may be more recognizable and may include:

• Falling grades
• Irritability
• Conduct problems
• Social withdrawal
• Complaints of physical problems such as headaches and stomachaches
• Low energy
• Poor concentration
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

 

Great info Squawkers thanks for posting.

I would like to add the symptoms of mania which is part of bipolar illness:
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:
Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
Distractibility, can't concentrate well
Little sleep needed
Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
Poor judgment
Spending sprees
A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
Increased sexual drive
Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
Denial that anything is wrong

And to quote Dr.Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D "Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it; an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, yet one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide."

And in some severe episodes of mania or depression include symptoms of psychosis (or psychotic symptoms). Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person's usual cultural concepts).

 

Pretty much fantasizing about killing someone with a hammer(in bloody gory detail) then proceeding to take that hammer in your hand, go outside and in a fit of rage beat the sidewalk with the hammer, then stop because you are afraid of being arrested (but if you knew you could get away with it, you wouldn't have stopped) I think someone like that requires medicine, and well more than medicine.

 

re read what i wrote though. i didnt say they were only for extreme cases....

 

listen. this offended me a little.

i have tried suicide more then once... i have not been able to leave my house, except on few occasions other then for thigns i NEEDED to do... and even then i would sometimes get panic attacks. i have been hospitalized mroe then once for panic attacks.

ive had people not understand and it's frustrating. but for you to say that "we dont understand what its like"... that is pre judging. plain and simple. just because i think some people CAN be so depressed they NEED those TOOLS! for a while.. then can get over that hole and live on their own through natural health habits... does NOT mean i have not been there. so please dont say that.

 

oh... in case i came off bitchy, i WAS feeling bitchy but in no way wanted to be a bitch... if you know what i mean.

 

That is what I thought you said. Guess I misunderstood you. Regardless you aren't the only one who suggested that it is only for extreme cases, others said so too. When I think of extreme though I think of people who can't grasp reality and are in mental institutions who can't live out in the world. That is what I think of. Like people who rock and hum to themself all day long or people who are hallucinating. I wouldn't consider myself an extreme case, however, I know that I need to be on this medicine. There are people out there who I don't even think are as bad as I am who I truly believe need the medication.