Anti-Depressants - do we really need them?

[Guest Username-Removed]

I was reading some of the medical threads and wanted to comment on my own experience with an Anti-Depressant called Effexor.

About 8 years ago I started taking Effexor after my divorce. I admit, I had a bit of a hard time dealing with my son and my daughter moving far away from me. Yes, I wanted the divorce because of circumstances with my wife. However, I never thought that she would have been that ruthless when it came to working with the kids to help them understand what was going on. She just decided to leave and I had about 10 seconds to say goodbye to them.

After trying to deal with the loss of my kids, I noticed my career was suffering. To make things worse, I became inactive in the church. I just couldnt go because of rumor after rumor that I was the womanizer! LOL which is really silly! But the reputation that I had worked so hard on was gone.

So after about a year trying to deal with the changes, I talked to my doctor about anti-depressants. After trying several types, I ended up on Effexor. I was prescribed 1/2 of the minimum dosage. One thing I noticed about these anti-depressants is that there was very little "good times" and very little "bad times". I was in my dream career, and I could care less. I was a project manager for several major telecom companies working on their DSL projects. The joy of my career simply wasn’t there. And of course, there was no feeling of despair either.

After a few years, I felt I was ready to stop my medication. After consulting with my doctor, He advised me not to stop. About that time there were news articles about people killing themselves after suffering severe depression as a result of discontinuing their medication.

I prayed a lot about it. Then, finally 6 months later, I stopped. I was ready for the worse. The next day, I had those same symptoms that the news articles published. Luckily, my logical mind knew where this was coming from, and, after a week I was fine. In two weeks, I was feeling the normal ups and downs that I love so much about living in the world.

Now, 10 years after my divorce, I am in a great career, well respected by my work peers and fellow church members. My life has great purpose and I look back at the learning experiences of my life and cherish them with no regrets.

I often wonder if my use of anti-depressants simply delayed me dealing with the loss of my kids. I also wonder if the anti-depressants may have blocked some of the revelation that I would normally have received to help me deal with the loss.

Regardless, I wanted to post this personal thread to anybody that might be considering taking anti-depressants. Also please read some of the most recent articles on anti-depressants such as what the FDA is now saying that even the effectiveness of popular antidepressants have been exaggerated. These include: Wyeth's Effexor and Pfizer Inc.'s Zoloft.

The purpose of this post is not a political statement from me that I am anti-medication. I am not. I simply wanted to share my experience with the forum that it, in some way, may help someone else.

[KosherXMorg]

I believe anti-depressants are poison and not necessary. In the Book of Revelation it says in the last days many will be deceived by "sorceries". Look up the Greek word for the word "sorceries" in that verse for an eye opening experience.

[Guest migu]

I believe anti-depressants are poison and not necessary. In the Book of Revelation it says in the last days many will be deceived by "sorceries". Look up the Greek word for the word "sorceries" in that verse for an eye opening experience.

lol.

[Moksha]

I think anti-depressants are great. I thought it was only the Scientologists that were against these types of medication.

[Guest migu]

I prayed a lot about it.

Proverbs 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own dunderstanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

From what I can see (and even though I can be very opinionated, I've been through serious struggles myself) It looks like they may have helped carry you to some extent through the most difficult of times, but there was a time you needed to move on, because you had outgrown the need for them and they were blocking your progress. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Those medications are not perfect. Although we do need to humble ourselves to the fact that there are help and answers out there, we might need to remember that the answers wont always be perfect. Science is a work in progress. So likewise those on the side of science must also remain humble and realize that even though we're learning a lot and seem to be getting somewhere, we may not always know as much as we think we do. I think its almost all a question of being humble and studying the matter at hand as best as you can, yet realizing that only God knows everything.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3

I like that word "lean." In the context of the sentence it doesn't necessarily proscribe study and human

understanding. It seems to let us know to not be too overly reliant on it. Therefore the use of "lean" not

into thine own understanding, rather than "avoid completely thine own understanding."

In my opinion, if you have consulted your Doc, you have studied the matter out from whatever sources you are able to gather, and you've thought this over, you've taken seriously the advice of the "experts" while being able to consult humbly with God and be willing to cast aside all preconceptions, and previously made decisions, I think thats a pretty good formula for success. You'll get to the place the Lord wants you to be if you listen to his Spirit. As of now with our current state of science and technology, our Father in Heaven is the only one who fully understands the complexities of the human body.

If you're able to persistently do all of this somehow in a balanced manner, you'll probably find a system that works for you.

[KosherXMorg]

I think anti-depressants are great. I thought it was only the Scientologists that were against these types of medication.

You must be from Utah

[Moksha]

You must be from Utah

I am. We consume many anti-depressants here.

[Guest Xzain]

I have lots of personal experience with this.

I've been on anti-depressants for 6+ years, and I can WHOLEHEARTEDLY say that they have helped me immensely. I began developing another mental disorder- cyclothymia, which is similar to bipolar disorder- over the past 1 1/2 years, and now that I have medicine for that as well I'm back on track in my life!

I think any medicine that affects mental health needs to be taken with extreme caution. This is one of those areas where I am chagrined that not everyone does turn to the Lord in prayer for greater wisdom. The misuse of mental health medication, whether intentional or not, can be devastating. I fear it's popular in our society for some to look to pills for an automatic fixer for their problems, when their problems would best be served by counseling and living Gospel principles. Thus, when they get perscriptions for anti-depressants, those pills do wacky things with their brains and send them over the deep end.

Medicine is derived from technology, which is a tool and not innately good or bad. It is the proper use of technology which is good, and the improper use of it which is bad. The greatest tools God uses to help us are also the greatest tools Satan uses to destroy us.

[Guest migu]

I personally don't think Zoloft is overrated. I think that it just doesn't necessarily work for everybody. everyone is different. Zoloft saved my life on my mission I think. I was living the Gospel to the fullest of my ability, but life seemed to be an utterly hopeless black hole. There were times the depression was so powerful as to scare me.

Zoloft provided me badly needed relief. I use it to this day. However, I understand its not good to be overly simplistic sometimes when it comes to mental health. Zoloft or other antidepressants might not be the answer for everybody.

[mightynancy]

This is one of those areas where there is no blanket answer. Do antidepressants work for some people? Are they sometimes unecessary? Are they sometimes life-saving? Yep.

I believe anti-depressants are poison and not necessary.

And I believe you're wrong.

[ruthiechan]

I knew a lovely lady who had similar ugly divorce experieces as you have, and she was on Prozac for a while. But then she too, no longer needed them.

Sometimes, during extremely dark times, you need the lift so you CAN deal with the issues.

Studies have shown that exercise is actually the best anti depressant out there, but if you are so depressed that you can't get yourself to do exercise that's not gonna help you much.

It also depends on what type and how severe your depression is. Some people's deep limbic system (the parts of the brain that deals with mood) is over active (which causes people to be depressed) to the point where they need medication AND exercise and such to stay stable.

It's a very individual thing.

[bjw]

I personally can give my success story about anti-depressants. I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder with major depression following my college years. I was so depressed that I became suicidal and even cut myself a couple times. Most of my depression and problems were caused by a very abusive and authoritarian church that I got involved in (I attended the college they owned, let me say anyone that thinks Mormonism is a cult has never seen this place) and was left in pretty bad shape upon leaving. On top of that my grandfather that raised me and my aunt (who was like my sister) both passed away just a year apart.

I was put on Remeron and Seroquel and I attended therapy and cult-deprogramming sessions and therapy groups. Now, years later I can say I am happy and cured of all of these ailments. I am probably alive today because of these medications and am functioning normally.

I know people mean well that are against these medications, but you need to understand that illnesses like major depressions and BPD are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that need to be corrected, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which were the two chemicals that caused my illness. Once these imbalances were corrected I was able to get the help I need and once again be "well." These are illnesses just like any other illnesses like the flu, colds, chronic pain, etc. There has to be something to treat the symptoms (medications) while the cause is treated (therapy).

Sorry for the long rant, this is just something that strikes a chord with me.:)

[SMG]

I think anti-depressants need to be handled very, very carefully and used VERY sparingly. They have helped many people. I, however, was not one of them. Doctors are too quick to give out anti-depressants, if you ask me.

[WillowTheWhisp]

My own GP is not quick to prescribe anti-depressants at all and when my daughter was going through her worst she would not prescribe any medication but only referred her to a (voluntary) therapist/counsellor. I don't think the medical profession here hand out tablets with as much gay abandon as they used to. I do believe though that there are times when they are necessary and should be respected just as much as medication for any other illness. It still surprises me that there are people who seem to think you can 'just snap out of it' or do something to help yourself when it is absolutely impossible to even motivate yourself to do the simplest of tasks. I went through a very bad time many years ago and it wasn't the medication which turned me into a zombie. It was the depression itself.

[Gwen]

i agree with everyone here that says it's extreamly personal and should be used with extreame caution.

my experiances with it...

i had some pretty bad post partum depression after my second child and the dr insisted i take lexapro. i am sinsitve to meds so we compromised with i would take it but only half the dose. i had almost imeadiate results and next to no side effects. it was wonderful. i was on it for less than a yr, i got pregnant and forgot to take it due to all the morning sickness (i wasn't taking anything). by the time that cleared i didn't feel like i needed them. the dr didn't want me to stop, i told him i'd found the cure for post partum, get pregnant again. he didn't think it was to funny. but anyway. lol

i recently, due to some difficulty dealing with a lot of stress, was asked to try paxil. having had a decent enough experiance before i again started with half a dose. that stuff was horrible. i couldn't function. it was horrible. i only took it for a week, doesn't matter if the symptoms were going to suposidly go away, i wouldn't have survived another week or more.

so after going off of that i talked to my chiropractor and he gave me some natural stuff that is really just a vitamin, but it's suposed to be the key ones for supporting the nervous system so that you can deal with stress better. that's been working pretty well, first "vitamin" that i've ever taken i can actualy tell a difference with so i guess i'll stick with this one.

so not that anyone cares lol that's the short version of my experiance with it.

[Bookmeister]

One of the absolute essentials that goes hand in hand with taking anti-depressants is therapy. The pills themselves won't normally take care of the issues. In my case, it wasn't until I finally found a therapist that worked with me to get at the emotional issues I was carrying around that using the anti-depressants finally really started to work.

But I agree with everyone here that each person is unique with regard to what medications, how much, and how long, they should be used.

[ruthiechan]

The medicine takes care of the physical problem, cognitive therapy takes care of the emotional problems.

[VisionOfLehi]

I need them, simply. I don't function properly without medication. On my mood stabilizer I'm good, but my mood still isn't the level it's supposed to be.

Prozac, which I was on (and hope to get back on) is also a treatment for anxiety. Anti-depressant and anxiety med in one go is pretty darn effective for me.

All good things are inspired of the Lord. I believe that technological advancements are gifts from God. Whether it be medical treatments, or instant messaging, or robotics, etc. etc.

[MorningStar]

I think some people need them and some don't. I think doctors should be careful not to treat grief as clinical depression and allow people to experience those emotions and seek counseling. I know a lot of people who have benefited from anti-depressants and though I have never experienced depression, I get annoyed at people who basically tell people to suck it up. They don't know what it's like.

[Elphaba]

i agree with everyone here that says it's extreamly personal and should be used with extreame caution.

my experiances with it...

Hey Gwennie,

I take Lexapro now. If I don't take it, I just cry all the time. I'm a big crier.

Paxil can be debilitating. I'm really surprised your doctor prescribed that for you, especially with little children.

I know people for whom Paxil has helped enormously, but most of them at anxiety disorders.

Disclaimer: I am not a real doctor. I just play one on this board.

Elphie

[Elphaba]

I personally can give my success story about anti-depressants.

bjw,

I have followed your posts both here and at MADD. I am always impressed with your faith and perserverance.

I'm very glad you were brought back from the dead.

Elphaba

[ruthiechan]

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. ><

[Guest migu]

All good things are inspired of the Lord. I believe that technological advancements are gifts from God. Whether it be medical treatments, or instant messaging, or robotics, etc. etc.

You are exactly right. This item actually came up in the Teachings of the Prophets manual not too long ago.

“Not only does the religion of Jesus Christ make the people acquainted

with the things of God, and develop within them moral excellence and

purity, but it holds out every encouragement and inducement possible, for

them to increase in knowledge and intelligence, in every branch of mechanism,

or in the arts and sciences, for all wisdom, and all the arts and

sciences in the world are from God, and are designed for the good of his

people (DBY, 247).

Every art and science known and studied by the children of men is

comprised within the Gospel. Where did the knowledge come from which

has enabled man to accomplish such great achievements in science and

mechanism within the last few years? We know that knowledge is from

God, but why do they not acknowledge him? Because they are blind to

their own interests, they do not see and understand things as they are.

Who taught men to chain the lightning? Did man unaided of himself

discover that? No, he received the knowledge from the Supreme Being.

From him, too, has every art and science proceeded, although the credit

is given to this individual, and that individual. But where did they get the

knowledge from, have they it in and of themselves? No, they must

acknowledge that, if they cannot make one spear of grass grow, nor one

hair white or black [see Matthew 5:36] without artificial aid, they are

dependent upon the Supreme Being just the same as the poor and the

ignorant. Where have we received the knowledge to construct the laborsaving

machinery for which the present age is remarkable? From Heaven.

Where have we received our knowledge of astronomy, or the power to

make glasses to penetrate the immensity of space? . . . From [God] has

every astronomer, artist and mechanician that ever lived on the earth

obtained his knowledge (DBY, 246).”

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, Chapter 27, p193,194

http://www.lds.org/gospellibrary/materials/teachBY/Start_Here.pdf

Is it any wonder there are several universities named after him?

Can I just say what an incredible blessing it is to have a modern prophet so that we do not have to wander through the mists of darkness spoken of by Lehi?

Edit: Can I just say, is it any wonder your name is Vision of Lehi?

[Guest migu]

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. ><

Adversity and antidepressants often do as well it seems . Just a joke

[Guest migu]

And I believe you're wrong.

If I could click on the thanks button more than once for that post I would.