Sharing about Depression

Why do you believe "natural" remedies aren't also drugs? Herbal treatments have side effects, just like traditional drugs, so what's stopping you from trying medications that have been proven to help depression? You shouldn't suffer needlessly, so go discuss your options with a doctor. And then, whether you choose herbals or prescription medications, at least you'll be doing something to help you feel better. After all, living with pain isn't really living...

People only suffer withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Cymbalta (or any other prescription depression medication) without following the recommended gradual reduction schedule. I had to change medications a few years ago from Prozac to Effexor and it took 6 weeks before I was completely off one medication and on the other. I had to take both at the same time, but first I skipped Prozac every other day, then every two days, then I only took Prozac twice a week, then once a week, etc. And all the while, I took the new medication. I didn't have a single side effect or bad experience, so people who do simply aren't following instructions. So don't believe everything you read on the internet!

HI Hopeful, I appreciate your thoughts.....the problem for me is that I have suffered with depression for as long as I can remember. My husband was dealing with a short term depression due to circumstances and he was put on anti depressents and he killed himself 2 months later. He was not a person that would ever do anything like that. Well liked by so many people, a leader at work, a strong person who was always into working out, eating right.........that scares me to know that those medications did something to his thinking. 🙁

livedriftwood, I have live with depression as far back as age16. Im now 58. I tryed every kind of stinkn medicine out there. Yes, I feel angry at times and have attemped to end my life more than I can count. I back on Paxil Brand name, Depakote ER, for now. As some of you may have just read in my last letter, things were bad. and I wanted to give up. Well I was able to talk to a couple of Social workers that I decided to open up to. They said you need to go inpatient and get stabilized. I tell u the truth, I have been inpatient 2 times this year. Im realy trying hard to be strong and set an apt. with my Doc. to maybe ajust meds. I wish to God I didnt have to take any Meds. I tryed to go off them this year for one month because I wanted to prove I didnt need them. Also when a person is on Meds. for so many years it can do irreversable changes in your brain. I havnt research that yet to the full extent, but for now there is no holistiic remedy that is safe to take that I know of. I do know that the inviroment which we live in everyday has a big impact on our mental health. Im dong better today. I took a walk at 5 am. I was just laying in bed for the last 2 weeks in major depression crying and wanting to end it all. I quess your prayers worked, Thank you, I trying ,Love you all

To Friend, from Livedriftwood. have you had a complete medical and psycological exam. It should be done by a Medical Doctor and a Psychatrist, and a full range of testing should be done to see if you have any long term disorders

from livedriftwood. Yes paxil is a good choise. I was on it for 15 years. then it just stoped working. Doctors say sometimes your body or brain just changes and its still a mystery as to why that is. So I had to go into the hospital again last year and they put me on Pristiq. It was great. But after a year it just stoped working. Now im back on Paxil. what a roller coster

Oh Honeybee, I'm so sorry for your loss! Anytime someone leaves this earth, we are all diminished by their passing. But I don't think the medication did anything to your husband's thinking - 2 months really isn't enough time for any medication to help! And depression medication doesn't alter your brain or thought patterns, it simply allows the seratonin your body naturally manufactures to work better. Go read about the causes of depression here on the Mayo Clinic site; they have correct, scientific explanations. There is so much mis-information on the internet, you really shouldn't believe anything you read there unless it's from a credible site like this one. And if you're suffering from depression as well, go see your doctor - I can't stress that strongly enough! Getting help is the first step towards recovery. And be sure to dicuss your concerns about depression medication with your doctor. Together, I'm sure you will find something you can be comfortable with. Good luck! XOXOX

If you stopped taking your medication to "prove that (you) didn't need them," and now you're not feeling well, I hope you can see how important it is to take them faithfully, each and every day. Why does it bother you so much to have to be on medication? I have been on anti-depressant medication for 15 years now and there have been no long-term ill effects - quite the contrary! Without them, I don't think I would be able to cope.

Being on anti-depressants will *NOT* cause "irreversible changes in the brain." I don't know where you could have gotten such an idea! I simply cannot understand why some people who are suffering from depression and are in such pain continue to believe that their medication is harming them! You are doing much more harm to yourself by *NOT* taking your medication!

Listen to those social workers; get yourself stabilized in the hospital and take the medication they give you! Then, when you're feeling better, go to your doctor and discuss your fears with him. The doctor is there to help , not hurt! He may suggest that you talk to a psychologist, which may also be beneficial in allaying your fears about anti-depressant medication.

If you can feel better simply by taking your medication everyday and following your doctor's instructions, why wouldn't you want to do it?

Also depressed & feel the same way about meds. Checking out support groups through NAMI was suggestion given to me in another discussion.

Hi Honeybee6636. I have suffered depression all my life off and on. I took Paxil for about 16 years and it was wonderful. One day not so long ago my Paxil quit working. I went into a severe depression, the worse one i have ever had. I thought I was doomed. I went to several doctors and they all seemed like I was a bother to them. To make a longer story shorter, I found a psychiatrist who is helping me. I am on Cymbalta and at first it worked, but now I am depressed again. I have no idea why I am depressed. I am going back to my doctor and see if I can go back on Paxil. Don't be affraid to try the antidepressants. Paxil really did help me. I also take Xanax but only when I feel a little sad. I suffer anxiety also and that I can work with. I was begining to not want to leave my house but I worked through it.

I also purchased a set of CDs from Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety. They are wonderful tapes to listen to. You can also call them and a counselor will talk to you.

Please don't be scared to try some medication. I led a wonderful life while I was taking my Paxil. I want to start taking it again, so I am going to talk to my dr. about it. The Cymbalta just isn't working..

You hang in there and get started with meds if your dr. wants to try you on them. They do take a while to get into your system so be patient. Good Luck