Medication: Good Or Bad ?

[frog_eater]

Hey what's up everyone,

 

What do you guys think about medication (SSRIs, benzos...) ? What's your personal experiences ? Do they really helped you ?

I personally tried almost all the antidepressants on the market when depression hit me 4 years earlier but didn't notice any change (good or bad), so I turned to meditation and mindfulness and i can definetly see some improvements but my anxiety is still pretty high so i'm currently taking 1,5mg ativan daily to help me stay "functional" but my goal would be to acquire even more mindfulness skills so i can get off meds before I reach tolerance.

 

What do you guys think about meds ?

[Valium]

Hi frog_eater,

I have a lot of experience with medication, especially SSRI and benzos. many years ago I suffered from severe social anxiety and depression, I was very shy and introverted and even had difficulties to find work, earn money etc. I began to look for a solution and went to a psychiatrist, who prescribed to me zoloft. This medication helped me a little to do more, go out more and feel less anxious/depressed around people. but after a few months I had not achieved much and did not feel any positive effects, even if I doubled the dosis of the medication.

then I found a therapist and took some months in cognitive behavioural therapy which helped me a lot, much more than the medication. after I learned to cope with my anxiousness I became stronger and even started working a full time job for allmost a year.

currently I am still on a medication (Venlafaxin/Trevilor) because of relaps into depression about 1 year ago, but I would not recommend medication as solution unless you have really hardcore clinical depression. most people can get help by a good therapist or life coach. medication is not a solution for everyone. If you think you need such help, you need to visit your local headeshrinker.

I've also been on the benzos for at least 1 year. It helped me to get sleep when stressed, but afterwards I had to go through severe withdrawal including depression, sleeping issues and anxiousness. It was pretty much like hell - I felt like my feelings were dead, I could feel nothing and even had suicidal thoughts, so I would not recommend taking benzos either.

To sum it up: it is wether good nor bad! it's what you make of it! in some situations medication can be very important. If you don't overdo it with the benzos, they also can be kind of help. but you shouldn't rely only on medication, they are not an ultimate solution.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Valium

[HollyV]

I think medication is for issues that keep someone from living their daily life (losing jobs, friends, etc) and I also think it is for "getting over the hump".  In general, I don't recommend meds to any of my friends or family (I spent several years on different meds).  The first recommendation is talking to a psychologist for a prolonged period.  If you can find a good one, it really pays off if you're willing to expose yourself to them.  I found one that charged on a scale.  Another option is herbal supplements.  I wish I could remember the book, but it was by Dr. Amen.  He had endless information about psychotherapy with supplements including different combinations for different ailments.  I tried two different combos, landed on the second one, and came off of my hard meds.  In the end, it's all about thinking patterns and reprogramming your thoughts.  Talking to a professional can't hurt, if you face it with a loose, open mind.  

[jms0717]

I don't remember which, but there was a documentary that made the point that Western medication is great for emergencies, when quick fixes are the difference between life and death, but for a long-term issue, it's better to look at the entire body as a system, as traditional Eastern medicine tends to do. 

I was on Celexa and Abilify for awhile at my worst. I've always been vaguely opposed to psychiatric medication because we have so little information about them, but at the time, it was basically that or kill myself, so I'd say it was worth it. The meds kept me alive and under control long enough to get into an intense therapy program that gave me some great tools to fix myself from the inside (mentally). Shortly after that situation, I found out that a huge factor in my emotional disturbances is a hormonal imbalance (I'd thought that for awhile, but never got it confirmed until I saw a specialist), so I started treating that with a bioidentical progesterone supplement, which did amazing things for me that the other medications couldn't touch. Now, I'm working on getting my body healthy, and will really be focusing on that once I have my baby in April so she grows up with a better understanding of nutrition than I did. 

[abrakamowse]

I'm also on medication, I have Zoloft at this moment. I think as you said, it is good in moments where you are very depressed. The doctor I had was very good in showing us how the human brain works and how this meds help to recover the connections between the neurons in your brain.

But they also addressed that if there's no help on your part the medication can be not enough. You have to work on yourself too to get positive and improve your condition. But there are some cases where medicine is needed. In my case it really helped me to get out of the bad moment and get on my feet. Now I am very far from that moment of crisis and I hope to keep it that way.

[Simon Zackrisson]

Anti-depressants may be a positive force for some. Even necessary. 

Although, I would imagine that for some, there are other things that could be done instead of pills.

 

I have experience with SSRI, SNRI.

The result was rather undesirable. 

 

I also have experience with benzodiazepines, which I have found to be more useful as a resource.

I had different kinds, used as sleep aid and for anxiety.

 

Currently, I am trying out medication containing melatonin.*

Will see how this plays out.

 

 

*(Yes, melatonin is fucking illegal here in Sweden.. God, I truly loathe drug laws.)

Edited February 8, 2016 by Simon Zackrisson

[Simon Zackrisson]

Mindfulness and meditation are powerful resources in assisting with negative emotions I can tell you.

[WhyteSeal]

Totally not right. Continue studying personal development and applying the information Leo gives you and you have a better chance of combating than if you take meds.

[Rares]

@frog_eater read ultramind solution by mark hyman. That's one of the best books that i've ever read

[Valium]

I'd like to add that if you suffer from clinical depression and the usual medication (like SSRIs) does not do anything for you, there is still some hope. Recent studies have shown that the anesthesia Ketamin could be a very effective cure for depression. I've looked it up and (at least in Germany) there are psychiatrists who offer Ketamin as treatment for severe depression! there are studies that claim a higher remission-rate than most other antidepressants, but since Ketamin is a relatively old medication the pharmaceutical companies cannot earn very much money with it (cause the patent rights are all outrun), therefore interest in running more studies is low. just look it up.

Edited February 9, 2016 by Valium

[SmartFixer_OceanJjb]

5 years ago, I used to take lexapro.  After a while, my blood pressure got higher, like 150/100.  I don't know if it was due to lexapro.  But anyway it switched to prozac.  Then, it gave me Bad headache.  And back to lexapro.  I hadn't taken the meds more than a year.  When counseling's done, I think I just forgot to take meds.  

Half a year ago, my depression got worse.  I experienced bad depression around last christmas and beginning of this year.  I started zoloft and still taking it.  MD said that zoloft works well for female.  I still get depressed but never bottom out like before.  I think zoloft is working for me at this moment.  

When I was not taking anti-depressant, I used to take Bach Remedy liquid (which contains alcohol) for anxiety.  Now I cannot take it because it contains alcohol.  Meds and alcohol don't mix right, do they?  So I bought kids version of non-alcohol Bach Remedy liquid for anxiety lately.  It's not as potent as the alcohol version but better than nothing.    

Edited February 10, 2016 by OceanJjb

[Valium]

just try Ketamin. I did this too, because a friend of mine, who is a doctor, could provide me some stuff. this shit will help you and liften your mood!

[SmartFixer_OceanJjb]

@Valium  it's hallucinogenic? . . yup mood will be lifted.  and seems it's not approved in US by FDA for depression yet.  oh.. where are you?  Lucky you! that its available in your country!  

and seems it's only available in infusion..  I prefer pill form.  ?    seems ketamine is the future antidepressant.  you are ahead!  

[Valium]

7 minutes ago, OceanJjb said:

@Valium  it's hallucinogenic? . . yup mood will be lifted.  and seems it's not approved in US by FDA for depression yet.  oh.. where are you?  Lucky you! that its available in your country!  

and seems it's only available in infusion..  I prefer pill form.  ?    seems ketamine is the future antidepressant.  you are ahead!  

it is only hallucinogenic if you take a relatively high dose. I applied Ket intraveniously (since from my former work at a hospital I know very well how to apply that stuff i.v.) and it helped a lot to lift my mood, I injected it for about one month every 2nd or 3rd day, moodlifting effects lasted for about 6 months. I only applied low dose!

 

It is legal in Germany if applied by a psychiatrist.

edit: I applied once a high dose (I was curious) and got a pretty beautiful psychedelic trip that lasted some hours. never experienced such thing. it was marvelous! but I would recommend low dose only!

Edited February 10, 2016 by Valium

[SmartFixer_OceanJjb]

@Valium  you live in Germany..  some of European countries are Really ahead!!  oh I'm kinda envious..  Is the ketamine covered by national insurance??  I guess..  oh I'm envious for this too..  

[Valium]

13 minutes ago, OceanJjb said:

@Valium  you live in Germany..  some of European countries are Really ahead!!  oh I'm kinda envious..  Is the ketamine covered by national insurance??  I guess..  oh I'm envious for this too..  

yes, it is! we have health insurance even when unemployed. there are only few psychiatrists who offer this kind of treatment, but at least there are some. this is kind of groundbreaking.

[Simon Zackrisson]

@Valium

I've also heard interesting things about Ketamine in relation to depression aid.

But maybe be careful about throwing out suggestions what ppl should do  

Maybe you meant it in a manner that, do research and talk to people about it, and then perhaps consider doing it.

[Valium]

of course it is not vor everyone, only for severe cases of depression.

[Guest SCM]

I was on Celexa for 13 years. It changed my life 180 degrees. If you wake up every day suffering from anxiety and all of the sudden that's gone, that's makes all the difference. Because of the medication I was able to do the things I had longed for - going to University, making friends more easily and enjoying life without the constant worries. I'd recommend doing Therapy also, however if you watch Leo's videos I think most of us get much more out of that than going to a shrink...lol. When I went off the meds, my anxiety did not return. I think it's the sense-memory and experience that change my way of thinking.

[Kelley White]

@OceanJjb   Re:  Ketamine in the USA?  They are doing clinical trails, I'm considering one at University of Washington.   They are best done under the care and supervision of a doctor but they definitely seem to get positive results in the 5% of trauma patients who do not seem to get relief from traditional medications.   https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00088699 

Here is a link to another trail http://sklad.cumc.columbia.edu/psychiatry/clinical_trials/View_Trial.php?ID=383&type=simple

A starting point for those interested.