are you on anti-depressants?

prmenrs, RN · Jun 22, 2003

JMHO---

I think there are 2 settings where antidepressants are useful:

-a temporary, but overwhelming situation. The person takes the medication, has the energy to tackle the problem (with or without help), solves it, gets off the meds, and never looks back.

-a permanent chemical disorder. In this case, "talk therapy" is unlikely to help--EVER. Fixing the chemistry allows the person to live their lives, enjoy their lives, and removing the medication results in SEVERE problems, including death.

There are times when BOTH settings exist: providing medication and counseling will work, but taking the person off meds never seems to work. Once the acute situation is relieved, the person continues to take meds on a permanent basis.

I've spent a lot of time and money doing both--but I'm definitely in the permanent med category, now. Don't mess w/my meds, and nobody gets hurt. Especially me.

Lastly, which comes first: depression or lousy life decisions?

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2003

AHarri66

I enjoyed your post. I don't think your explanation of how the paxil worked for you sounds odd at all. You used it as a tool in conjunction with some really constructive therapy. The extra work you put in sounds like it paid off. Congrats!

nursenoelle · Jun 23, 2003

I was diagnosed w/ clinical depression as a teenager, and have been fighting with it for eight years now. Wellbutrin has made a huge impact on my life. I fill my script if I feel myself losing control, which is not often, maybe twice a year. Sounds stupid, but that makes me feel that I have more "control" over the disease. I have had years of therapy due to traumatic childhood experiences. Usually I can control it by recognizing onset, and using techniques learned in therapy. It is so difficult to explain to someone who has not experienced severe clinical depression. It is such a profound sadness. You cannot snap out of it, you want to stop it, but it won't go away. Sad and angry, for no good reason. I have talked to other nurses who I feel, abuse antidepressants. It is not a quick fix. It , IMO is waaayy over prescribed. I think counseling, or at least a consult with a mental health professional should be done first.

AHarri66, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2003

Originally posted by sbic56
AHarri66

I enjoyed your post. I don't think your explanation of how the paxil worked for you sounds odd at all. You used it as a tool in conjunction with some really constructive therapy. The extra work you put in sounds like it paid off. Congrats!

Thanks! :imbar

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2003

nursenoelle

You have good insight into your disease, which is important when you suffer from depression. It is such a broad diagnosis and even though that overwhelming sadness is the main symptom, as you point out, the treatment is very individualized and often should include antidepressants, but that is not the end all.

I like this thread. Being one who also suffers from depression, I find this discussion, in itself, therapeutic.

nursenoelle · Jun 24, 2003

sbic- Thanks, it has been a wild ride. I agree also about this thread being therapeutic. It is nice to be able to have a civil conversation on contraversial topic . Mental illness is so misundertood.

Aharri66- very cool post.

ktwlpn, LPN · Jun 24, 2003

Originally posted by mario_ragucci
My self won't allow me to take an anti-depressant, and basically am afraid too. I'm afraid they would change me in some mentally unforseen way. I'm a 38yo, male, always single.

It is with shame I admit to not understanding SSRI and dopamine the way perhaps I wish I could. Also, I am not holier than thou because i've drank and partied with the best of them. Sometimes i want to take to experience what it is like, but I understand it takes weeks for the drug to tke effect.

SSRIs and MAOIs are to brain and mood as viagra is to sex? It don't work that way. BTW - I politically question any entity that will profit monitarilly from my depressions as some Amerians are. Monkey-business.

Sometimes I think the unknown folks who take them are mad at me because of my undepresion. Usually I draw fire for most of my opinions on depression, and I'm sorry.

Depression changes us all in "some mentally unforseen way" The meds help bring us back to a semblance of normalcy..Taking a prescribed med like an anti-depressant should not be compared to,say-partying with a hit of Exstacy(spell check) Viagra is almost a vanity drug-not getting it up won't kill a man-but depression CAN kill ....I certainly do envy anyone whom is free of the stigma and suffering of chronic depression-like a cancer pt envies the healthy guy down the street....Truthfully-the reason why you "draw fire" for your "opinions on depression" is because your opinions are based upon misinformation,prejudice and plain ignorance....If anyone else has any doubts about THAT look up the "depression" thread for a FUN read...I can't be any more blunt and stay within the TOS..FYI---.sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut and keep everyone guessing then to open your mouth and let everyone KNOW your are a dumbazz....

MishlB · Jun 24, 2003

I hate the comments about feeling high...all I can say is I feel normal with my Zoloft, and without it....look out!!!!!!!!!

allways_garnet · Jun 24, 2003

Interesting posts, having now read the whole thread I think I can safely admit to being on SSRI's. Taking the results of the poll as a good indicator, I wonder how many budding research nurses out there could manage to run a little proggie on why we need them so badly, and if it is a problem Nursing as a Profession should be addressing :confused: Unfortunately I am one of those individuals who have been on SSRI's since their inception, and my life stops without them. I have been nursing for over 23yrs, I don't believe the use of these drugs is relevant to my career though, I have other issues.

Mira · Jun 28, 2003

Never taken anti-depressant in my 10 years as a nurse.I don`t want anything controlling my life except me.

I think factors that makes the one use or abuse these drugs aside from its real use are accessiblity(2out of my 3 friends who work in a medical ward takes anti-depressant or sleeping pills,one out of 10 colleagues in the OR or NICU takes it),and personality-my husband does not understand why my younger sister is on it,I was trying to explain to him that her coping mechanism is not as good,she is not used to blows in her life and it is her only scape goat. Sometimes you need to listen to your body,before-I was feeling worn-out already at the start of the shift then I finally realise I was experiencing sleep apnea so I made sure that dinner time is one hour before bed-time,I tried to loose a bit of weight as well.Sometimes,I feel my jaw is heavy and I cannot talk or smile or I don`t want to move,I`m sure if I go to the doctor they will immediately diagnosed me as depressed,but I believe this will happen once in a while as you go along the stages of life,I have never heared of anyone who did not have a problem in their lifetime,sometimes you feel it`s a deja vu but you need to face it,adjust to it if not solve it.easier said than done but that`s life.

blue280 · Jun 28, 2003

Mira, when one is depressed, they are not able to usr their coping mechanisms I fought my MD's advice and my counselor's advice for 5 years. I thought if I was a strong enough person, I could kick this sadness. I had good freinds, a good job and 2 lovely children. I just didn't know why I felt so sad and worthless. The people closest to me always told me how reliable and dependable I was. I felt like I was living a lie. I finally started taking Paxil after I "lost it" at work one day and it really helped me to become more productive at therapy and to start seeing that I was taking on too much responsibility. It helped me use my coping mechanisms better. Granted, everyone had problems and evetyone copes in different ways. Sometimes people have to use medication so they can learn to use their coping skills better

AHarri66, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2003

Originally posted by DARN MOM 128
Mira, when one is depressed, they are not able to usr their coping mechanisms I fought my MD's advice and my counselor's advice for 5 years. I thought if I was a strong enough person, I could kick this sadness. I had good freinds, a good job and 2 lovely children. I just didn't know why I felt so sad and worthless. The people closest to me always told me how reliable and dependable I was. I felt like I was living a lie. I finally started taking Paxil after I "lost it" at work one day and it really helped me to become more productive at therapy and to start seeing that I was taking on too much responsibility. It helped me use my coping mechanisms better. Granted, everyone had problems and evetyone copes in different ways. Sometimes people have to use medication so they can learn to use their coping skills better

Well said, DarnMom!