are you on anti-depressants?

Nurses General Nursing

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  1. are you on anti-depressants?

    • 116
      i couldn't make it without them!
    • 42
      no but i think i need some
    • 48
      no but i know a lot of nurses who are
    • 13
      no way, dont want to be labeled crazy

219 members have participated

With nursing being such a high-stress career, and the constant problems with understaffing, overworking and being underpaid... did this drive you to start taking some type of anti-depressant? I know for a fact that probably 2/3 of the nurses I work with are on meds.

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Does chocolate count? Seems like whenever I'm stressed or need a lift I head for the kisses, hershey bars with almonds, cafe au lait brownies, did I mention BROWNIES WITH PECANS????

Otherwise, no.

After scanning through some of the posts...a few comments made me think....

Someone said "I take it when I start feeling out of control"

OK...but don't most of the anti-depressants (Wellbutrin for one) need time to take effect? If I recall correctly (please correct me if I'm wrong) it can take up to 6 weeks for it to be working to its full potential....

I am on Wellbutrin, been on it for a VERY long time. I've battled mild bi-polar disorder since high school. I do not have any of the symptoms that you see in the movies or on TV. Yes, the symptoms of a manic episode can be damaging...but not in the way a lot of people see it. The only long term result of my manic stage is debt. Through college I was unmedicated. I'm a compulsive spender when in the stage. Cars, clothes, shoes..don't need em...can't afford em, but bought em anyway!

But my biggest problem was depression. I slept through high-school.

But, through therapy, I'm off my anti-manic meds. I still have my emergency pills of course. But I have worked many years to learn to deal with the thoughts, and feelings that go along with manic/depression.

My illness has NEVER made a problem with my work as a CNA/HHA nor has it caused any problems with LPN school. This is my career choice, it is my dream job...and I wont let anything geti n the way of it.

But as far as depression goes...be careful folks. Depression is a nasty illness. May it be short-term, or long-term....medication is not for everyone...but just because you can battle your depression with a work-out doesn't make your depression something that should be looked at. I do not agree with the pill-popping generation of kids out there....but when I see my cousin who is begging his mom to give him his pills so he can have friends and be normal..it makes you wonder what has happend to society. My cousin has a form of autism. His mom won't medicate him...doesn't think he needs it... my cousin begs her daily to take him to the doctor and get medication...kinda interesting isn't it? The kid on ritilin that doesn't need it...and the kid who needs pills doesn't get em.....

Ok..I'm done! =0)

I think I said that about wellbutrin in your first paragraph, JnJTyson. It takes about 2 weeks to obtain optimum blood levels. I can tell a difference sooner than that, but that may be totally psychological. It takes about six to leave your system, if you plan on switching meds, etc. I have tried taking it for long periods, and I did not like it. I hate pills. It is a last resort in my case. I do not use it as an emrgency med, like say xanax or something. It don't work like that.

:stone I am on Lexapro now. When I don't take them, I sometimes have suicidal thoughts, and I sometimes get a lot meaner. Most people tell me they can tell when I have missed a few days of them. When I take them, things are a LOT better! They are not a cure all, but they sure get me thru the night!!!!

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Several years ago I was overwhelmed with anxiety. I had lived with the effects of my father being ill with diabetes for many many years as a child, losing my 21 year old sister to pancreatic cancer, losing my mother, a very very dear friend to lung cancer. I sought out therapy because my anxiety was affecting my everyday life and abilitly to function. When I went to doctors for tests, I didn't believe them telling me I was alright. With the helpful guidance of my therapist we got to the bottom of this problem and now I understand the way I reacted. I am also on Paxil for generalized anxiety disorder and feel wonderful. Paxil is also helping with my irritable bowel syndrome. And I know that it's like to be clinically depressed, feeling that you can't get out of bed in the morning, you just want to stay there with the covers over your head, losing interest in everyday life. It is not something that you can just 'snap out of'. Both my therapist and Paxil have helped me immensely!

Specializes in Oncology, Emergency Department.

I have been on antidepressants for the past 8 years and would not fuction at all without them. They have literally saved my life.

I have suffered chronic major depression since childhood and have had two severe bouts both lasting over 2 years.

I just pray that my meds will continue to work and I won't have a relapse.

As I always say "Better living through Chemistry" :D

No I have never tried any drug that was not for my health. I don't want to waste my life wasted on drugs or just taking drugs to calm myself down.The only kind of drug I take is the kind that is for my health when I am sick.I'm an angel... what can you say.

-----daughterjudy213

:eek: I guess the next time I feel suicidal, I will just tell myself to snap out of it. Thank you for showing me that I don't need my Lexapro, that it is because I don't want to deal with real life. Man, just think, all these years I took those useless pills and all I had to do was just pull my self up by my bootstraps and deal with life. And I guess I brought on myself of having a handicapped child. Go figure. Who knew? And it was all in my mind when my husband of almost 21 years said he wanted a divorce. Man, I feel so much better. I mean I thought I had really tried to get off of them before, but all those unhealthy thoughts and the endless crying was brought on by me. Thanks, I feel so much better!

Sorry for all the negative comments I made, but personally, its none of my business why someone else takes meds. I mean, I don't know anything about their depression, and who am I to tell them how depressed they should be before they choose to medicate.

When I first got on anti-depress. I thought it was because I was weak. Now....I can't believe I went thru all that I did, because meds would have really helped me get thru some tough times.

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Originally posted by daughterjudy213

No I have never tried any drug that was not for my health. I don't want to waste my life wasted on drugs or just taking drugs to calm myself down.The only kind of drug I take is the kind that is for my health when I am sick.I'm an angel... what can you say.

-----daughterjudy213

I see by your profile that you are in high school and aspire to becoming a nurse someday...You'll learn soo much about depression-both chronic and situational and the various treatment options that you will be TOO smart to make such assinine comments out of ignorance.Even "angels" can suffer from depression.Anti-depressants do NOT make you"wasted" or "clam you down"-that would be a drug called a "tranquilizer" Something else you will learn when you grow up that will also help you in nursing school and especially during your clinical training is this Golden Rule...Don't spout off opinions about things you know nothing about-Learn something first so you can back up your words...Depression is a sickness...
Originally posted by VickyRN

Does chocolate count? Seems like whenever I'm stressed or need a lift I head for the kisses, hershey bars with almonds, cafe au lait brownies, did I mention BROWNIES WITH PECANS????

Otherwise, no.

Doesn't chocolate, in women, release the same chemicals as having an orgasm??? Endorphines?? If so, many nurses I know, myself included, need to take some time off of work, because according to the amount of chocolate we are eating at work, our bedrooms aren't feeling the love, so to speak! LOL :D

(P.S. This is a serious medical question and issue!)

;)

Specializes in Oncology, Emergency Department.

Debralynn...

It would be in your best interest as I'm sure you are aware, not to listen to people that don't have a clue about depression. It is hard to believe in this day and age some still view depression as a "choice", that all we have to do is talk ourselves out of it and we'll be fine. I wish it were that simple. Take good care of yourself and take it one day at a time. I wish you the best.

DaughterJudy213...all I can ask of you is to please educate yourself in topics you know nothing about. Antidepressant therapy doesn't make you "wasted." If the brain chemicals are out of whack they simply compensate for that so depressed people can have a somewhat comfortable life.

...sprklplngy...

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