Survey...medication.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am curious, and this may have been asked before, but how many, who are willing to admit, have had to start an anti-anxiety and/or anti-depressant medication due to job stress or for personal well-being? I find myself making this decision due to worrying too much, not enjoying my days off like I should, like I am still worrying about my work when I leave or when not there, getting stressed out too easy, not being healthy about eating right (although some days it is just too busy to take that lunch), etc... My floor is just really crazy busy. I am considering starting something for this, and discussing it with my PHP.

I had a doctor tell me once our general medical health is like a continuum, and you cannot expect to go your whole life without some kind of illness, medical problem, cold, etc.., and that mental health is the same thing, it is a continuum, and you cannot expect to go through your entire life without something, whether it be due to a stressful event or whatever...thought it made sense.

I have to learn to take care of myself first, huh? A lot of nurses just do not do that.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

You would be amazed how many nurses are on anti depressants or anti anxiety meds. I would venture to guess its at least 50% if not more. You can count me in. Been a nurse for 25 years. Been on "happy pills" for only 7 years - don't know why I didn't go looooooooooooong before that. It has my entire life better. Go for it, girl!!!:twocents::yeah::redpinkhe

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

This was a recent thread. There is no stigma in using anti-depressants, or anti-anxiety meds. I use insulin and BP meds, too! Need them all!!!

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This was a recent thread. There is no stigma in using anti-depressants, or anti-anxiety meds. I use insulin and BP meds, too! Need them all!!!

Sorry, I will search and check it out. Thanks. Figured it had to be a topic in the past at some point.

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I am happy that other people are willing to share this.

CMA for 4 1/2 years. "Pill Popper" for 13 years.

I tell all our new MA's if you don't have a good psych. doctor already, you should get one.

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I've been stressed lately. At work and at home. I wish their were other ways to handle stress, besides pills. How can they help, if the things you worry about are real issues. Does it make it so you don't worry? Does it help you find ways to solve problems? I think about going to Dr. about this and then things seem better. But stress never goes away completely.

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

I take happy pills, anxiety pills as needed and an anti-psychotic to help stabilize my mood. I just recently heard a nurse on my floor mention something about her taking Paxil and I'm sure there are others too.

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Specializes in ..

I like your idea of health as a continuum. I took my 91-year-old gran for a 2 year follow up with her oncologist after a colectomy for bowel cancer. She had a big year this year, with a string of hospital admissions for various minor issues. She was overjoyed when the surgeon told her she was cancer free. He laughed and said, "when you've lived as long as you have, things are bound to go wrong eventually!"

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Specializes in ED, Med-Surg, Psych, Oncology, Hospice.

I am on an anti-depressant as of 6 months ago. Have had the dosage raised 3 times and am I'm now more evwn keeled. I was having some real anger issues at changes at work and was tired of feeling that my job owned me.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

No shame in taking meds for mood/psych issues, any more than in taking them for heart problems or sinus trouble.

I've been on Paxil myself for almost a decade now. Last winter, after several attempts at withdrawal, I finally went off them because I wanted to see if I could get along without them. Well, I didn't get depressed, but I was very labile emotionally and would cry at the drop of a Kleenex. I'd cry when I was happy, when I was sad, when I was mad, even when I looked at the sunset......and that was worse than the depression!

So I went back on the meds, and now I'm doing well at only half the dose I was on before. I'm so much more on an even keel with the Paxil, and if I don't have the full range of emotions that I did before I started taking them, that's OK.....it's better than bawling my head off in church or when someone cuts me off in traffic.

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LOLRN,

You sound a lot like me. I am an LPN but my job is very stressful (at least to me). Since becoming an LPN 5 years ago I have gained weight and my anxiety is at it's worst. I always have been an anxious person but much more so due to my line of work. Yes, I take anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and I am trying to lose all this weight I have gained. It has gotten to the point that I would rather work at a fast food joint or Walmart. Much lower stress!!! If only Walmart would pay better, lol. I love taking care of patients but hate all the bullsh-- that goes along with it!

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I am on an anti-depressant as of 6 months ago. Have had the dosage raised 3 times and am I'm now more evwn keeled. I was having some real anger issues at changes at work and was tired of feeling that my job owned me.

Hmmm...I feel like my job owns me too. :gtch:

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