The controversy of antidepressant use

PsiEnthusiast86

New member
What do you think of the common criticism that depressed people rely too heavily upon antidepressants as treatment rather than just "getting over it"? In other words, how much control do you think we have over the disorder?

Also, what do you think of the naysayers who believe they are no more effective than placebo?
 

Remus

Moderator
Staff member
This is a very good question and often pops up here.

For me they were useless, a placebo would have been better as you don't get the side effects :D

I found diet, exercise and thought change worked wonders, making an effort to learn social skills and practice them was very rewarding also.

of all things self help books helped me the most
 

PsiEnthusiast86

New member
I can safely tell you all that antidepressants are not mere placebos. For awhile I was skeptical about their effectiveness, but once I was convinced to take them, I realized how well they aided my treatment. My skepticism did not hinder anything. To me, this is anecdotal evidence.

I honestly think in some cases, antidepressants are needed. I do agree some people rely on them too heavily, but that shouldn't cloud the fact that they can be beneficial.

Pharmaceutical corruption is a separate issue.
 

Jake123

Banned
Antidepressants are indeed useless IMO, but telling someone to "get over depression" is like telling someone to "get over cancer"
 

RedRibbons

Well-known member
I think everyone is different. Some people are more capable than others to deal with the symptoms of depression.

Some people can see the light at the end of it all, and some people are so deep into it, they just can't see a way out and it gets the best of them. Some people don't have the energy to keep trying and pushing on their own and need medication to help with that. I'm sure some people depend on the medication to solve their problems, and in that case, I think they need a bit of an eye opener.

So, to each their own. If you think you can do it without medication do it. If you think you can't try and see if you can. If you really can't, I mean REALLY can't.. Then maybe medication is a good option.

When dealing with depression or anxiety of any sort you fall off the wagon a lot.. It feels like shit but you need to keep picking yourself up and trying to move forward. Taking medication might help make falling not hurt so much, but you still need to resolve the issues you have - which cause the depression.

Soooo I would personally suggest that people give a good, honest try before resorting to medication. It's hard to muster that up though.. So.. Yea. Do what you gotta do.

I don't know how deeply depressed some people are, and it might be unfair for me to say this, but I think when people work on getting over their problems without medication - it makes them a stronger person.. Your body and mind adapts. One thing about life is that we're here to learn, at least imo.. And one thing to learn about is yourself and how to deal with yourself..

Anyway. Some people might rely too heavily, but I don't think that generally.. I would just prefer people did not resort to medication so often. ::p:
 

Enialis227

Well-known member
I have dealt with a lot of medication in my life, I take them for both bipolar and social phobia. At first I hated the idea of relying on medication for anything, but after seeing how much good they can do, I have done a complete 180.

Basically my philosophy is: if it makes you better take it; don't bother with what people say or the controversies surrounding your treatment.
 

Noca

Banned
Anti-depressants only keep me from Major Depression, they dont treat my Dsythymia really. I'm currently on Remeron, my like 7-8th anti-depressant.
 

Hellhound

Super Moderator
When I was 15, they gave me anti depressants and other pills. I didn't get any support from anyone, or some peace at least. The psychiatrist asked me two or three questions and bombed me with pills, and that was all.
It didn't help AT ALL. I just got addicted to them. It was hard as hell to get rid of them. I don't think I would take anything anymore... It would be easier to overcome depression and everything else with love and support, and maybe therapy. Without that, drugs are useless, in my opinion.
 

Danfalc

Banned
I have always been cynical about med's after having a bad doctor for a while.But when I look back on periods where my mood has lifted,it has been down to meds I think.I do worry about side affects and stuff though.

I do think it's important to use therapy as well to make long term changes,but I think meds can be really usefull for just getting someone back on track.
 

Lorraine Manca

Well-known member
they do absolutely nothing for me. i guess i dont get why they work on some people and not on others. i really do NOT like the trial and error process doctors use with the meds. that is rediculous!
 

Enialis227

Well-known member
they do absolutely nothing for me. i guess i dont get why they work on some people and not on others. i really do NOT like the trial and error process doctors use with the meds. that is rediculous!

Trail and error is the only way to tell if a medication will work on someone or not. Would you rather they not prescribe medication at all?
 

cosmosis

Well-known member
they do absolutely nothing for me. i guess i dont get why they work on some people and not on others. i really do NOT like the trial and error process doctors use with the meds. that is rediculous!

Yeah, I think the real reason why it's trial and error is because brains don't particularly appreciate you alterating its biochemcial balance and many times can counter the affects. However, some drugs are sneaky enough to break through, thus producing the desired (supposably) effect.

In other words, its treated as poison. Not all poisons work on everyone.

But to be fair, occassionly even poisons have their place and need.
 
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Lorraine Manca

Well-known member
Yeah, I think the real reason why it's trial and error is because brains don't particularly appreciate you alterating its biochemcial balance and many times can counter the affects. However, some drugs are sneaky enough to break through, thus producing the desired (supposably) effect.

In other words, its treated as poison.

that makes sense. i dont like how they act so confidant the stuff will work. even better! the assumption that normal people make that meds are an easy way out of depression and anxiety. yeah right! that depressed folks should get out of it the natural and right way. as if there is any way at all!!
 

Enialis227

Well-known member
Yeah, I think the real reason why it's trial and error is because brains don't particularly appreciate you alterating its biochemcial balance and many times can counter the affects. However, some drugs are sneaky enough to break through, thus producing the desired (supposably) effect.

In other words, its treated as poison. Not all poisons work on everyone.

But to be fair, occassionly even poisons have their place and need.

Most of the psychological problems that psychoactive medications treat are caused by chemical inbalances. The medication, therefore, would not be altering a balanced system; it would be balancing an unbalanced one.
 

cosmosis

Well-known member
Most of the psychological problems that psychoactive medications treat are caused by chemical inbalances. The medication, therefore, would not be altering a balanced system; it would be balancing an unbalanced one.

Like with everything in life, very rarely can you ever add something to create more balance. It's like adding a new species to the wild and expecting that this particular species will make everything else coexist and work better. Highly unlikely. Even with imbalance there is balance. It's a matter of persective. The number of deers become imbalanced at certain times of the year and then shift back. Its the arrogance of humans that think we know better and can do better.

Things don't go out of wack just for the fun it it. Its usually a response to some other problem that can't always be easily fixed (genetics or unrealistic perceptions). Having anxiety or depression is actually your mind's effort to balance something else.

Almost all medications simply force something in your body to react or stimulate something. Pills don't contain mini transmitters or magic dust. What alot of people don't really understand is that your body and mind can naturally do exactly what the medication is tricking it to do all by itself if it wanted to.

You just have to ask the question, why doesn't it? Once you understand why, you can see the problem with medication.
 

Enialis227

Well-known member
Like with everything in life, very rarely can you ever add something to create more balance. It's like adding a new species to the wild and expecting that this particular species will make everything else coexist and work better. Highly unlikely. Even with imbalance there is balance. It's a matter of persective. The number of deers become imbalanced at certain times of the year and then shift back. Its the arrogance of humans that think we know better and can do better.

Things don't go out of wack just for the fun it it. Its usually a response to some other problem that can't always be easily fixed (genetics or unrealistic perceptions). Having anxiety or depression is actually your mind's effort to balance something else.

Almost all medications simply force something in your body to react or stimulate something. Pills don't contain mini transmitters or magic dust. What alot of people don't really understand is that your body and mind can naturally do exactly what the medication is tricking it to do all by itself if it wanted to.

You just have to ask the question, why doesn't it? Once you understand why, you can see the problem with medication.

So psychoactive medication is entirely unnecessary, because all you have to do is think positive and your mind will fix the problem all on it's own.

Normal brains are able to function correctly and balance chemicals; if something wasn't wrong in your head then you wouldn't have any serious psychological problems.

And "deers"? The plural form is deer, no s.
 

cosmosis

Well-known member
So psychoactive medication is entirely unnecessary, because all you have to do is think positive and your mind will fix the problem all on it's own.

Seriously? Did you actually read what I said?

Normal brains are able to function correctly and balance chemicals; if something wasn't wrong in your head then you wouldn't have any serious psychological problems

Normal? By serious problems, you mean anxiety and depression right that seriously disrupts your life? Which includes almost everyone as some point in their life. That's a lot of 'abnormal' brains. Sheesh there's the arrogance of human thinking again. Always thinking or believing we can define normal and be able to fix it directly.

And "deers"? The plural form is deer, no s.

Congratulations, I'm not perfect and I don't claim to be :) did I miss a comma or period somewhere in there as well? It always shows your true character when you have to stoop to such levels.
 
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Noca

Banned
People who think that exercising is better than using drugs/meds are wrong. Exercising releases endorphins which from latin literally means "the Morphine within", endorphins are just another DRUG!

The body is just a big sac of chemicals, so it would make logical sense to control chemicals with other chemicals.
 

Noca

Banned
My current therapist hasn't even brought up psychiatric drugs. I specifically stated that I did not want to take medication and he didn't argue with me.

Now, the first psychiatrist I went to see kept insisting that I should try Paxil even after I had refused it three times. When I mentioned CBT, she said that her English was not adequate enough to treat me properly, but she still insisted that I take the meds. She could have referred me to someone else.

Anyway, there were times where I had to rely on myself and I pulled through. If I can do that then I do not need medication. Certainly, I cannot do it all on my own so this is where the CBT comes into play.
It is wrong to blindly take a drug that you know nothing about just because your doctor said to. For ANY drug, you should research it, know the risks and benefits, and way the risks and benefits. ONLY when the benefits out weigh the risks do you take the drug.
 
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