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Anti depressants - good or bad?

I've been having panic attacks of late and been feeling v. emotional n somewhat depressed. My doctor recommend anti depressants but I've heard they're highly addictive and a lot of my friends are saying that it's a bad idea to take them. What are your opinions?

Reply 1

MNBStyle

9

Anonymous

I've been having panic attacks of late and been feeling v. emotional n somewhat depressed. My doctor recommend anti depressants but I've heard they're highly addictive and a lot of my friends are saying that it's a bad idea to take them. What are your opinions?

Anti depressants are like any other drug. there highly addictive to some, but not so for others.
If you got some issues which are causing your problems, then counselling would be your best option at first and see how you go from there

Reply 2

hallowsfanatic

I suffer from depression and more recently have been having panic attacks. I'm not sure how effective they are for panic attacks, but with regards to depression I have not had much joy.

My advice would be to take some counselling and take things step by step and if you do go on to them, try and stick to a low dosage and visit your doctor regularly.

Reply 3

brimstone

7

Anti depressants can work fantastically - I know a manic depressive who once he started taking anti-d's, he got much better. Another friends who suffered from depression had a fantastic change when she started taking them.

Don't take lithium though - a third depressive I know (wow, I know so many) is in serious danger because she has been taking this moodstabiliser. It causes fatty deposits to build up around your liver, and can kill you. And it's about 60 years old - much better, more modern, pills.

Reply 4

Sithius

16

I would say bad because my father is addicted to them, last time I heard.

Reply 5

Doodahdoo

13

Anti-Ds can work. Its all individual, I'm afraid. One friend never took any and got over clinical depression with the aid of a counsellor, another went for years with a counsellor, and has finally been discharged after spending 8 months on anti-Ds.

Talk to your doctor if you're having concerns. x x x

Reply 6

Doodahdoo

13

Sithius

I would say bad because my father is addicted to them, last time I heard.

Sorry about your father, sweetheart. Although I would like to say that it doesn't neccessarly make them bad, just like any medication - they don't work for everyone. x x

Reply 7

picknmixmuncher

Personally I don't think anti-depressants are the best idea for people. There are a few things you can to which can act as an equivilent to a-d's because they will alter the chemicals in the brain naturally.

For example -

•

Walking - a few miles a day can be an amazing way of clearing your head it doesn't require too much effort (you can chose your pace) and it can give you time to unwind and relax. It can give you motivation and it releases a large quantity of endorphins into the brain. It also alters serotonin levels in the brain which will improve your mood.

•

Eating - Veg, fruit, fish, nuts, beans, non-fat dairy products, egg whites, whole grains all contribute to supporting your mood. Omega 3 fish oils in particuler can really improve how you feel.

•

Sunlight - Getting some sun onto your skin can make you feel better. Sunlight makes your body produce vitamin D which can improve your mental health.

I'd suggest trying the above first and see if it makes a difference before trying a-d's.

Reply 8

c0co

12

There are different types of AD's depending on how your feeling so talk to your doctor about them. That said there are other ways of overcoming depression so it's always good to talk to someone. Good luck

Reply 9

brimstone

7

picknmixmuncher

* Sunlight - Getting some sun onto your skin can make you feel better. Sunlight makes your body produce vitamin D which can improve your mental health.

A light box is supposedly supposed to help quite a lot... Ask your GP about this first, you could just be suffering from SAD (although that's quite unlikely now) but it's still worth a try.

Reply 10

john!!

1

picknmixmuncher

Personally I don't think anti-depressants are the best idea for people. There are a few things you can to which can act as an equivilent to a-d's because they will alter the chemicals in the brain naturally.

For example -

•

Walking - a few miles a day can be an amazing way of clearing your head it doesn't require too much effort (you can chose your pace) and it can give you time to unwind and relax. It can give you motivation and it releases a large quantity of endorphins into the brain. It also alters serotonin levels in the brain which will improve your mood.

•

Eating - Veg, fruit, fish, nuts, beans, non-fat dairy products, egg whites, whole grains all contribute to supporting your mood. Omega 3 fish oils in particuler can really improve how you feel.

•

Sunlight - Getting some sun onto your skin can make you feel better. Sunlight makes your body produce vitamin D which can improve your mental health.

I'd suggest trying the above first and see if it makes a difference before trying a-d's.

total bump, give these a good go

Anti depressants - good or bad?

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