h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I agree, antidepressants shouldn't be on that list. I took them for about six weeks, and all I did was sleep! Of course, I guess you can't be depressed if you are asleep all the time. Anyway, I found a better way to cure depression... at least for me. Just change the way you are looking at something. Say you are depressed about your boyfriend breaking up with you. Instead of focusing on everything you did wrong, start focusing on why he probally wasn't that good for you anyway. Also, taking alittle time each day to point out my good qualities to myself worked wonders. After I did it long enough, it came natural, and I wasn't down on myself all the time. I agree with whoever said it goes away after you learn to deal with it. Once you find a way that works for you, depression goes away pretty much permenantly... at least that's what I have found It's all about finding what works for you.

I still say a good curry, and if its really a bad dose of th eblues, as strong whisky and a cup of sweet tea should help too ... and a smile, of course

Everyone has had different experiences with antidepressants. Suffice it to say that not everyone will respond positively to chemical intervention, but the judgement as to whether antidepressants might be an answer for any individual is for a trusted *qualified medical professional* to make. This decision is not for posters to a discussion on a BBS, including myself, irregardless of how adamant they might be.

Also note that for every single negative reaction to antidepressants there are many significant positive reactions. Many modern antidepressants have no side effects other than brightening the mood of people who are depressed. Even older antidepressants that have side effects like drowsiness or dizziness only have those effects during the first few weeks of treatment. The side effects of these older medications diminish as the person becomes used to the medication.

It is important that if nothing else works for you, you do not let prejudice keep you from seeking medical treatment. Please remember that if left untreated, like any serious illness, depression can be dangerous, even deadly. Seek *professional advice* for this potentially life-threatening disease, and deal with it accordingly.

As someone who deals with severe recurrent depression on a regular basis I hope you seek help beyond these forums -- physical, herbal, spiritual, or medical -- most especially if you are suicidal.

Take care of yourself,

-Joe G.

Antidepressants do work - they're working for me at the moment. The first week is hell; you still feel miserable and on top of that you feel really ill, and you start wondering whether there's any point to them. I've been through depression without medication before, and it was hard - it took a year, all told, and in spite of everything the eating disorder I developed during this first bout of depression continued until a couple of months ago. Things have been hard recently, and I knew I was getting depressed again. I'd been reluctant to use antidepressants before, but when it comes down to it they are just another possible method of treating depression, and if it works, that's all that matters for the moment.

Yes, and Thalidomide was once a harmless cure for morning sickness, and Valium, when first unleashed upon an unsuspecting public, was A non-addictive and quite miraculous tranquilizer. Ever heard the word 'placebo'? Doctors don't give a f**k for your well-being, they just want you out of their office. Take it from someone whose bowel cancer was diagnosed as 'harmless Irritable Bowel Syndrome'.

Sorry Pedro but what's your qualifications? I realize you have had a terrible experience but you are talking about *someone else's life* ...

I do not think you are probably any more qualified to give advice than any other *non-professional* in these forums.

Please realize that what you say may be taken to heart by someone, and reading your comment might just discourage someone who might get real benefit from treatment from seeking it.

The other thing that your comment points out is that it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to seek a second opinion for ANY diagnosis about which the patient is unsure, be it depression, allergies, or in your difficult and sad case, bowel cancer.

My mother's breast cancer recurrence was misdiagnosed as a rash and treated with antibiotic cream for three months during which time it metastasized to her bones and liver, eventually killing her. That does not mean that to me all doctors vis à vis medical science is quackery -- it means that we must be more cautious and informed as consumers of the services they provide, and we have to persistently ask questions.

As you, and my mother learned the hard way, having un-questioning faith in any human institution is probably not a good idea, especially when medical knowledge and technologies change so dramatically even from day to day.

I am sorry you were so tragically misdiagnosed, and I hope that your illness was caught in time, and that with proper treatment you are feeling better.

I wish you well,

-Joe G.

Fair enough. Well said. I apologise if I upset you in any way. I'm just not a big fan of anti-depressants.

Alright, fair enough. Some people probally do benifit from medication for depression, but I also think we live in a society where everyone wants to cure everything with a pill. We take diet pills instead of exercising. We give our children Ritilan instead of excepting that children sometimes are just that hyper. I'm not saying that medicine never works, but I just think other alternatives should be explored sometimes.

I'd never say that antidepressants were ideal for treating depression - one day, hopefully soon, there will be a better way. The thing is, they are an option - if you don't want to use them, you don't have to. The thing about counselling, etc. is that there is still a waiting list. I'm 17, and waiting to go to the eating disorders clinic; the children's one only goes up to 16, and the adult one starts at 18. It suggests on my notes that my GP gives "urgent input" if my situation deteriorates before my 18th birthday. This is slightly off the point, but there are some rather difficult issues for me that are unlikely to be resolved in the near future, and I'm prepared to try the antidepressants for now.

That's horrible that someone would have to wait to receive help because there isn't a clinic for you....

I agree Pedro and Amphetama, explore all options, but be certain to not dismiss an option out of hand that might be able to benefit you.

Re: a culture of pills, yup. Today we live in a society that says we should not feel pain, we should not feel sad, we should not feel hungry, we should not feel anxious, we should not feel sleepy, and we should be able to get to sleep instantly.

Horse manure.

I think the western world has become a culture of instant gratification, with pills being the latest greatest way to speed us to the way we think we SHOULD feel. God only knows what that might be, but there's certainly a pill somewhere that can help.

We feel pain to tell us there is something wrong -- many cancers are now diagnosed at much later stages because people just pop pain pills until they suddenly begin noticing the secondary effects of their disease -- bleeding, swelling, etc.

Prozac was taken as a general mood elevator to become HAPPIER. People felt that they were somehow deficient in happiness. Not depressed, mind you, just not happy enough ...

Again, what a scary world.

Regards,

-Joe G.

P.S. Pedro I hope you're doing OK.

Emily I will keep you in my prayers.

Peace,

-Joe G.

Sex is the least of my problems...I find reading helps. Like, constantly. Even while watching television. And working as much as possible. Distraction, in other words.

Sex would be my favorite distraction..... *evil grin*

most qualifyed professionals are out of date five years after qualifying, and given the amount of patients that are abused by thier doctors, the fact the doctor patient relationship isn't there as it used to be and that fact the the big drug companies get doctors to push their latest drugs, also the amount of bungled operations, I wouldn'd put my life in thier hands so willingly, I think drugs should be a last resort.

however I do think that in some cases the patient may not have the abilty the know whats best for them,

I wasn't happy for a long time and i really don't like to think of it, and I do feel for anyone who is unhappy.

A rock concert.
Go somewhere everybody's bein' loud and having a grand old time, and dance and shout until you're drained of all your frustrations.

grab your surfboard, put on your wetsuit, paddle out into the damn cold (i mean cold, its about 0 up here right now so go swim in it right? right) water and spend the day out there surfing, getting a cold, and hypothermia and when your done. when you can't surf anymore you'll realize that whatever it was that was bothering you won't last forever. Eventually things get better. When it does you can still surf. Maybe it'll be warmer to.

Popple

Popple...I can't swim! I can tread water, but that's about it

Hmmm, interesting theories. As a chronic depressive I say happy pills can get stuffed. There must be something natural somewhere to aid those who wish to elude this particular demon, but I haven't found anything yet. However, if you DO have any Cure tunes, I suggest locating 'Primary' and winding the volume up to induce a few worthwhile minutes of bliss.

One day at a time, Joe, one day at a time....