Anti Depression Tablets

"The only worrying side effect is increase in suicidal thoughts that can occur so they won't prescribe those meds to people prone to suicidal thoughts or self harm."

fah.

Reply 8

Dez

20

The only worrying side effect is the 10,000 possible things that could happen to you as a result of taking medication.

If there's another option, I recommend you try it first.

Reply 9

generalebriety

16

To be honest, you won't get put on tablets. Not first time round. You'll get counselling or something unless it's absolutely terrible and you're sitting there shaking and need something NOW NOW NOW.

I've had depression for quite a while and have refused counselling and haven't been offered tablets, and am overcoming it on my own (or not, but whichever it is, I'm doing it on my own :p:

). The tablets are fairly dangerous and the only time they're ever administered is when the risk of suicide or a nervous breakdown is greater without them than with them.

Reply 10

ok anti depressants like every other drug has side effects depending on the drug their can be different side effects. whether someone experiances these side effects is really dependant on how that specific drug interacts with your body. Tablets can be addictive and some work for individuals better than others. Alot of gps will prescribe antidepressants quickly whilst waiting on a referral to appropriate mental health services(or sometimes to avoid the hassel of referral!!). There are alot of therapies available that dont use medication such as cognitive behavioural therapy, inter-personal therapy and general councilling skills(obviously). You said that you still find aspects of your life enjoyable and you are happy with them but what areas are you unhappy with. Do you believe you are depressed or do you feel that it is more low mood than depressed. Also is it possible the parts of your life your unhappy with are stress or anxiety related? Medication has a bad rep but it is on the market for a reason ie it can help, but other avenues should be considered before (especially if not severe depression) starting any medication related treatment plan or be planned with such treatment! Seek professional opinion its your best bet!

Reply 11

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"The only worrying side effect is increase in suicidal thoughts that can occur so they won't prescribe those meds to people prone to suicidal thoughts or self harm."

To clear up this point anti depressants have not been proven to increase suicidal thoughts and they are prescribed to those with suicidal thoughts or self harm. The main concern is with service users who have serious depression as motivation tends to increase before the mood improves which is why they are closely monitered during this period. There would be no point in antidepressants if you could only give them to service users who are depressed but not voicing suicidal or self harming thoughts.

Reply 12

generalebriety

To be honest, you won't get put on tablets. Not first time round. You'll get counselling or something unless it's absolutely terrible and you're sitting there shaking and need something NOW NOW NOW.

I've had depression for quite a while and have refused counselling and haven't been offered tablets, and am overcoming it on my own (or not, but whichever it is, I'm doing it on my own :p:

). The tablets are fairly dangerous and the only time they're ever administered is when the risk of suicide or a nervous breakdown is greater without them than with them.

correct about the 'won't give them straight away'.
if you are having trouble sleeping they might give a few (read upto 10) sleeping pills first - to try to get you back to normal.
its amazing how much better and perkier you can feel after getting back to normal sleeping.

But anti-depressants aren't dangerous. far from it. they save lives every day. SSRIs are pretty difficult to overdose on, and when used appropriately are not addictive. the side effects are usually mild, but if your depression was mild to start with then you may as well seek other avenues.
counselling and CBT work wonders in some cases, but good luck finding them. theres a shocking lack of clinical psychologists and counsellors these days. budget cuts etc.

i don't ascribe to this 'all pills are bad' junk. anti-depression pills are great if you actually need them.

Reply 13

victoria52

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"The only worrying side effect is increase in suicidal thoughts that can occur so they won't prescribe those meds to people prone to suicidal thoughts or self harm."

To clear up this point anti depressants have not been proven to increase suicidal thoughts and they are prescribed to those with suicidal thoughts or self harm. The main concern is with service users who have serious depression as motivation tends to increase before the mood improves which is why they are closely monitered during this period. There would be no point in antidepressants if you could only give them to service users who are depressed but not voicing suicidal or self harming thoughts.

ok, did you whip that out of a book or something?
that is so spot on you must have some knowledge of this area.

Reply 14

im a mental health nurse in training!!

Reply 15

Gem

14

One half of all the suffering due to ill health in Western Europe is due to mental illnesses. This includes depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders etc. GP's only refer 4% of these patients with depression or anxiety are being referred for psychotherapy. Isn't that shocking?

My advice to you would be to tell your GP you need to be referred to a counsellor and that you refuse to be put on medication as this will only mask the problem. CBT has a high success rate for depression and it may help you more than medication ever would. I can understand it being used as a short term solution which is fine if you have a counselling appointment to wait for, but to be honest I disagree with it as long term use and it won't identify the root causes of your depression and so will only help the 'symptoms' and not the 'cause'. Psychotherapy may help you more in the long run.

Good Luck, PM me if you need anyone to talk to :smile:

Reply 16

victoria52

im a mental health nurse in training!!

ahhhh, that's why.
You explained it nearly word for word for how i would have done.

PS its "You're alive do something"...

Reply 17

ahhhh, that's why.
You explained it nearly word for word for how i would have done.

you working the same type of area?

Reply 18

Gem

One half of all the suffering due to ill health in Western Europe is due to mental illnesses. This includes depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders etc. GP's only refer 4% of these patients with depression or anxiety are being referred for psychotherapy. Isn't that shocking?

My advice to you would be to tell your GP you need to be referred to a counsellor and that you refuse to be put on medication as this will only mask the problem. CBT has a high success rate for depression and it may help you more than medication ever would. I can understand it being used as a short term solution which is fine if you have a counselling appointment to wait for, but to be honest I disagree with it as long term use and it won't identify the root causes of your depression and so will only help the 'symptoms' and not the 'cause'. Psychotherapy may help you more in the long run.

Good Luck, PM me if you need anyone to talk to :smile:

Ballsy balls.
You are laying the blame at the GPs feet.
Why would they refer someone for CBT when they know they'll have to wait 6 months before they even get it.
And counselling? don't make me laugh. nowadays its all 'talk therapy' like counselling but entirely untrained people in large rather uncomfortable groups which has efficacy about the same as taking daily sugar pills.

Reply 19