Survey ~ Prozac or Seroxat users
#31
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
As a psychiatrist I am pleasantly surprised by the generally balanced and open discussion above, and by the willingness of people to discuss their experiences of depression and it's treatment, as there's no doubt there is quite a stigma still wrongly attached to such illnesses.
![Smile](images/smilies/smile.gif)
#32
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Settle, Cheshire, Istanbul
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Its a little wierd to say this, but after speaking to my Doc he suggested talking to my mother about what I was going through. (ex GF still living with me and seeing my best mate).
Now as a 30 year old bloke I thought it was a strange thing to do and hadn't considered it really. But having spoken to me Mum it has helped. Just knowing that the fam will be there when you want helps. Its a bit ackward that this bloke is a mate of the fam (not for much longer I hasten to add, but then he should have thought his actions through before seeing my ex)
It upset me Mum that I hadn't mentioned it previously, but I really didn't want them to worry...... Strange how ya mind works ain't it !
Now as a 30 year old bloke I thought it was a strange thing to do and hadn't considered it really. But having spoken to me Mum it has helped. Just knowing that the fam will be there when you want helps. Its a bit ackward that this bloke is a mate of the fam (not for much longer I hasten to add, but then he should have thought his actions through before seeing my ex)
It upset me Mum that I hadn't mentioned it previously, but I really didn't want them to worry...... Strange how ya mind works ain't it !
#33
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Notts, UK
Posts: 4,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a stressfull job that most other people manage OK, difference is they go home and destress, I come home and look after my disabled wife (Car accident) also had a mild heart attack at 30 years old (3 years ago) sort of tipped me over the edge. To top it all had to sell the Scoob as my wife could no longer stand the harsh ride and Recaro bucket seats.
Still not out of the woods yet but there is no way I'll go back on seroxat, took me months to get off that not very addictive drug. I did it all myself as the doctors method of coming off didn't work
I cut them down weighed them out and acted like a true drug addict as I lowered the dose week by week over a few months.
The company I work for has a number of high ranking management off with stress and a recently had 5 applications for management to be downgraded due to stress. This months news letter has an article in it about stress management, looks like they are eventually taking it seriously and will be having some sort of assesment/advisors in.
For all those who haven't experienced depression its very hard to understand. In simple terms its a medical condition caused when your mind/body uses up too much of its resourses which causes a chemical imbalance in the brain. Doesn't mean your a looser or anything just you bodies way of coping.
The first step is always to admit you have a problem and then get help.
Lee
Still not out of the woods yet but there is no way I'll go back on seroxat, took me months to get off that not very addictive drug. I did it all myself as the doctors method of coming off didn't work
![Frown](images/smilies/frown.gif)
The company I work for has a number of high ranking management off with stress and a recently had 5 applications for management to be downgraded due to stress. This months news letter has an article in it about stress management, looks like they are eventually taking it seriously and will be having some sort of assesment/advisors in.
For all those who haven't experienced depression its very hard to understand. In simple terms its a medical condition caused when your mind/body uses up too much of its resourses which causes a chemical imbalance in the brain. Doesn't mean your a looser or anything just you bodies way of coping.
The first step is always to admit you have a problem and then get help.
Lee
#34
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Co Durham
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
About 2 years ago was put on Prozac. This lasted all of 2 weeks because the side-effects were so bad that I made the conscious decision to fight my depression without pharmaceutical help. I must admit that I've had a lot of counselling and received a great deal of support from my company which has helped me come to terms with the issues that caused my depression.
I would say from reading the earlier posts that unless you have suffered from depression then you really cannot appreciate what it's like so sweeping statements along the lines of 'just fight it natural' are out of place.
To all those who are currently fighting depression I wish you my heart-felt luck in getting better.
DP.
I would say from reading the earlier posts that unless you have suffered from depression then you really cannot appreciate what it's like so sweeping statements along the lines of 'just fight it natural' are out of place.
To all those who are currently fighting depression I wish you my heart-felt luck in getting better.
DP.
#35
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Where age and treachery reins over youthful exuberance
Posts: 5,275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Depression is a serious medical condition. Potentially fatal. So no flippant comments like "get a life" or "pull your socks up" please.
It is completely different to so-called depression which is more likely to be a (common) short-term relationship/work/home/money problem. Clinical depression can take years to sort out properly.
But clinical depression is also very hard to understand or identify or differentiate. If you can't give objective answers to the right questions (which because of your condition you probably can't) it is very hard for a GP to treat properly in a ten-minute conversation.
My GP is superb. He is an honest (read blunt) Yorkshireman who is shrewd enough to know when expert attention is needed. He prescribed me a two-hour session with a world-renowned shrink (cost a feckin' fortune which I could have spent on a bigger turbo or something else equally vital to natural health
) plus on-going consultation.
The treatment that followed was hard. These drugs take weeks to work, the side-effects can be horrible, but stick with it and you will (eventually) get better.
There is obvious stigma associated with depression and I, personally, would far rather have broken a few limbs instead. Broken bones are a legit illness, but broken brains are often not. I had some very dark moments. But when you've been to the brink, and survived to tell the tale, I really don't care who knows.
And if maybe I can help someone, drop me a mail
Cheers,
Richard.
It is completely different to so-called depression which is more likely to be a (common) short-term relationship/work/home/money problem. Clinical depression can take years to sort out properly.
But clinical depression is also very hard to understand or identify or differentiate. If you can't give objective answers to the right questions (which because of your condition you probably can't) it is very hard for a GP to treat properly in a ten-minute conversation.
My GP is superb. He is an honest (read blunt) Yorkshireman who is shrewd enough to know when expert attention is needed. He prescribed me a two-hour session with a world-renowned shrink (cost a feckin' fortune which I could have spent on a bigger turbo or something else equally vital to natural health
![Wink](images/smilies/wink.gif)
The treatment that followed was hard. These drugs take weeks to work, the side-effects can be horrible, but stick with it and you will (eventually) get better.
There is obvious stigma associated with depression and I, personally, would far rather have broken a few limbs instead. Broken bones are a legit illness, but broken brains are often not. I had some very dark moments. But when you've been to the brink, and survived to tell the tale, I really don't care who knows.
And if maybe I can help someone, drop me a mail
![Smile](images/smilies/smile.gif)
Cheers,
Richard.
#36
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Some very frank and honest comments in here. Would some of those who have had/are on treatment care to say what made them seek medical treatment in the first place. I'm not going to go into detail but the first 6 months of 2001 where without doubt the worst I've ever experienced.
I'd be the sort of person to bottle things up rather than admit to being in need of help. I sank so far down that I was within a moment of not being here. I managed/was lucky to get out of it without needing any outside help at all and TBH have now developed a hard as nails attitude to life (not necessarily a good thing).
I also know of someone else related to me who went for help and got prescribed anti-depressants (not sure which) but he quit after a week because of the side effects.
I'd be the sort of person to bottle things up rather than admit to being in need of help. I sank so far down that I was within a moment of not being here. I managed/was lucky to get out of it without needing any outside help at all and TBH have now developed a hard as nails attitude to life (not necessarily a good thing).
I also know of someone else related to me who went for help and got prescribed anti-depressants (not sure which) but he quit after a week because of the side effects.
#37
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
This is one of the most interesting threads in a long time ![Smile](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I've suffered from depression for many years and as rightly pointed out, it is a serious illness. That why I was annoyed by the stupid comments of "cure yourself".
I now know that I can't beat it completely but I can manage it. There are signs when I'm on a downward spirral but at least I notice the early warning signs and take action. Exercise helps a lot as it releases the endorphins in the brain.
I have come very close to suicide on a number of occassions and there are not many days when I don't think about it
Only those who have been in a similar position can possibly understand.
On a lighter note, the slowing up of the sex drive is no bad thing. The girlfriend was amazed that I could hammer away for hours instead of the old "ready, aim, fire"
![Smile](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I've suffered from depression for many years and as rightly pointed out, it is a serious illness. That why I was annoyed by the stupid comments of "cure yourself".
I now know that I can't beat it completely but I can manage it. There are signs when I'm on a downward spirral but at least I notice the early warning signs and take action. Exercise helps a lot as it releases the endorphins in the brain.
I have come very close to suicide on a number of occassions and there are not many days when I don't think about it
![Frown](images/smilies/frown.gif)
On a lighter note, the slowing up of the sex drive is no bad thing. The girlfriend was amazed that I could hammer away for hours instead of the old "ready, aim, fire"
![Smile](images/smilies/smile.gif)
#38
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
It's not often a topic like this comes up,does anyone else have mood swings. ATM I'm on a bit of a high (natural
) but this would usually be followed by a period of feeling down,not as severe as before but it seems to run in a cycle.
![Wink](images/smilies/wink.gif)
#40
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Sodding Chipbury
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
I sympathise with those who have been/are suffering from depression. I have recently managed to wean myself off Seroxat. It worked for sure, but the side effects were rather demoralising on their own - 'may experience problems ejaculating'. That is an understatment lol.
The dizzy spells each time you lower the does are the worst bit about coming off it.
Personally I found that just going to the Dr and talking about my problem was a good start, I made sure I did loads of exercise and the Seroxat worked without a shadow of a doubt.
As many have already said, the attitude of 'pull yourself together' or 'fight it yourself' is ill informed to say the least. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the body. To use a previous analogy you wouldn't tell a diabetic to pull himself together and sort out his blood sugar levels himself, so why should someone who is depressed be expected to?
Lastly I am amazed, and genuinely impressed to see this topic get such a large and honest reponse!
The dizzy spells each time you lower the does are the worst bit about coming off it.
Personally I found that just going to the Dr and talking about my problem was a good start, I made sure I did loads of exercise and the Seroxat worked without a shadow of a doubt.
As many have already said, the attitude of 'pull yourself together' or 'fight it yourself' is ill informed to say the least. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the body. To use a previous analogy you wouldn't tell a diabetic to pull himself together and sort out his blood sugar levels himself, so why should someone who is depressed be expected to?
Lastly I am amazed, and genuinely impressed to see this topic get such a large and honest reponse!
#41
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
OK - I'll probably get a finger wagged at me when I get home but I would publicly like to announce that my other half (Raze Buzz)has been a rock. He does find it exceedingly difficult to understand my "mental" state and anyone who knows him will verify that he is an amazing and funny guy and certainly does not let things get to him. Some of the things I've recently put him through, well all I can say is I should be living back at my parents. I'm back on Prozac for the 4th time in 10 years, and I average about 2 years at a time on it! It makes me feel "normal" and "balanced", it makes me feel how I want to feel all the time, it doesn't make me unbearably happy and OTT, just "right". All my friends and close colleagues at work know I'm on it and I'm not ashamed to tell people I'm on it(but only my very close friends know what has happened to me in the past to trigger it all off). You shouldn't be ashamed when something like this happens to you - you can't help it - it's one of those things that happens and unfortunatly when you start going down that deep dark hole you need a little help to get out of it and my ladder is Prozac. One thing that's makes it worse it the usual - "just pull yourself together", "it's just a phase", "everyone has a few down days", aarrgggg - shut up for f***ks sake you have no idea how I feel.
Paul (Raze Buzz to eveyone else) thanks for being there, I love you lots and I'm sorry for the things I've done, and I know it's difficult for you to understand all the damage someone else did to my brain - but I do try very very hard to forget the past and to live for the fantastic family that I now belong to.
Anyway best go and do some more work now as this is getting far too emotional but I feel better for it!!!!
Paul (Raze Buzz to eveyone else) thanks for being there, I love you lots and I'm sorry for the things I've done, and I know it's difficult for you to understand all the damage someone else did to my brain - but I do try very very hard to forget the past and to live for the fantastic family that I now belong to.
Anyway best go and do some more work now as this is getting far too emotional but I feel better for it!!!!
#46
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hmmm...you'll just have to fetch them for then ![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Well, from the OTHER side of the fence, the "pull yourself together" camp I suppose you could call it, I'll give you my thoughts.
As someone who cant IMAGINE what it must be like I sometimes find it hard to understand whats going on. Im not the sort of person to bottle things up, and I dont take much seriously in this life. I have a stressful job ( AND I work with my father, and thats fecking hard to say the least) but Im luckily in a work environment where we shout at each other for a few mins then get on as if nothing has happened. This helps me to NOT take it home, which I think is a massive help. I am always on call, and DO get work problems at home, but hey - I could get another job if it bothered me that much I guess.
The cycle of happy/miserable is the worst and most diffciult thing to accept. This "hole" that many people have mentioned is a right bast - going along great then WHAM things go to ****. Thats hard from my side, cos often there is no obvious trigger, in fact quite the opposite - when things ARE going well why should there be a reason to get depressed? When its looked at in black and white then there ISNT a reason for it. Thats when the "its all in the brain" comments can be applied by those who dont understand, but I try NOT to be one of those. I guess the prozac helps level things out, and I for one dont have a problem with that cos it certainly makes my life easier.
Not sure where Im going with this....As a partner who doesnt suffer this problem I CANT help, I CANT undo whatever the cause of the problem originally was, and I CANT understand how you feel, cos I DONT feel like that. Thats why its hard to live with, being the "other half". As long as BOTH parties understand that, its definately easier to get through the bad bits with a little thought.
Might be no help at all, but hey, it got my post count up again![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Anyone wants to come visit us for a day or two is welcome - The Buzz "get away from it all and pull yourself together" Residential Programme
- the beer fridge is always full....
BS - havent you got her out yet then? Must be HELL for you! Hope it'll be sorted soon.
![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Well, from the OTHER side of the fence, the "pull yourself together" camp I suppose you could call it, I'll give you my thoughts.
As someone who cant IMAGINE what it must be like I sometimes find it hard to understand whats going on. Im not the sort of person to bottle things up, and I dont take much seriously in this life. I have a stressful job ( AND I work with my father, and thats fecking hard to say the least) but Im luckily in a work environment where we shout at each other for a few mins then get on as if nothing has happened. This helps me to NOT take it home, which I think is a massive help. I am always on call, and DO get work problems at home, but hey - I could get another job if it bothered me that much I guess.
The cycle of happy/miserable is the worst and most diffciult thing to accept. This "hole" that many people have mentioned is a right bast - going along great then WHAM things go to ****. Thats hard from my side, cos often there is no obvious trigger, in fact quite the opposite - when things ARE going well why should there be a reason to get depressed? When its looked at in black and white then there ISNT a reason for it. Thats when the "its all in the brain" comments can be applied by those who dont understand, but I try NOT to be one of those. I guess the prozac helps level things out, and I for one dont have a problem with that cos it certainly makes my life easier.
Not sure where Im going with this....As a partner who doesnt suffer this problem I CANT help, I CANT undo whatever the cause of the problem originally was, and I CANT understand how you feel, cos I DONT feel like that. Thats why its hard to live with, being the "other half". As long as BOTH parties understand that, its definately easier to get through the bad bits with a little thought.
Might be no help at all, but hey, it got my post count up again
![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Anyone wants to come visit us for a day or two is welcome - The Buzz "get away from it all and pull yourself together" Residential Programme
![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
BS - havent you got her out yet then? Must be HELL for you! Hope it'll be sorted soon.
#48
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Settle, Cheshire, Istanbul
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
I must say that the attidude and support of those on the Scoobynet has amazed me
I'm very impressed with the true community on here. To be honest just reading that I'm not the only one out there with similar "issues" has helped no end.
At first I was rather afraid of posting in case of "you wimp" don't need drugs...
However the responses have truely amazed me.
Thanks guys and girls
Mark
![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
At first I was rather afraid of posting in case of "you wimp" don't need drugs...
However the responses have truely amazed me.
Thanks guys and girls
Mark
#51
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Nobbering about...
Posts: 16,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
And some of the side effects I've witnessed with those 2 drugs are scary.
Depression really is a sh1tty illness which creeps up on you without you knowing. By the time you realise what's happening it's usually too late and because of the stigma attached a lot of people don't do anything about it until they're really ill and heading towards a breakdown. I was horrified that I suffered it as I'd always been a really tough old boot and thought that nothing would ever get me down. I think I've met more people that have suffered depression at one time or the other than those that haven't, in fact I can count on one hand those I've met that haven't. It amazes me that such a common illness has still got so much stigma attached to it. Threads like this one are probably of some help to sufferers as there is at least a small amount of comfort to be had in knowing you're not alone.
Sal
#53
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Co Durham
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Big thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread. It's really great reading that others out there can relate to what it's like.
The question was asked about what prompted treatment. Well, I was in danger of losing my job. I had a terribly short-fuse, couldn't concentrate, was blatantly unhappy and seemed to be almost schizophrenic. My boss at the time eventually sat down and we talked about things and she said she'd arrange for some help. I work for an american multi-national and we're lucky enough to have a health division. So off I go and conducted many months of counselling to try and get to the bottom of what caused my depression. The point is, that it took time (and lots of it) to talk through what I was feeling/thinking - without it I don't know if I'd still be here today.
My GP was another story altogether. A quick chat then a pronouncement that it was clinical depression - and on to Prozac without batting an eyelid. Those two weeks were terrible and I made the concious decision to fight it WITHOUT anti-depressants.
I have fought my depression,for the most part, on my own. The few friends that I had couldn't appreciate what it was like to suffer this and weren't really interested. I was pretty much left to cope by myself for the last two years (counselling aside). I always feel on a knife-edge about slipping back but I'm determined to be ok.
DP.
[Edited by drumsterphil - 9/16/2002 7:37:42 PM]
The question was asked about what prompted treatment. Well, I was in danger of losing my job. I had a terribly short-fuse, couldn't concentrate, was blatantly unhappy and seemed to be almost schizophrenic. My boss at the time eventually sat down and we talked about things and she said she'd arrange for some help. I work for an american multi-national and we're lucky enough to have a health division. So off I go and conducted many months of counselling to try and get to the bottom of what caused my depression. The point is, that it took time (and lots of it) to talk through what I was feeling/thinking - without it I don't know if I'd still be here today.
My GP was another story altogether. A quick chat then a pronouncement that it was clinical depression - and on to Prozac without batting an eyelid. Those two weeks were terrible and I made the concious decision to fight it WITHOUT anti-depressants.
I have fought my depression,for the most part, on my own. The few friends that I had couldn't appreciate what it was like to suffer this and weren't really interested. I was pretty much left to cope by myself for the last two years (counselling aside). I always feel on a knife-edge about slipping back but I'm determined to be ok.
DP.
[Edited by drumsterphil - 9/16/2002 7:37:42 PM]
#54
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Good man! I have told the wife that I dont understand, but thats not the same as passing it off as unimportant and not giving a **** - sorry to hear your "mates" didnt help.
Half the battle must be knowing you are getting "down", and consciously trying to do things that make you feel good - theres nothing worse, in any situation not just this one, than just flatly denying there is anything wrong.
Keep up the good work![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Half the battle must be knowing you are getting "down", and consciously trying to do things that make you feel good - theres nothing worse, in any situation not just this one, than just flatly denying there is anything wrong.
Keep up the good work
![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#55
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
I thought long and hard before replying to this thread as I have only really come to terms with the fact that I have had a problem recently. I had always considered myself a laid back individual who was resiliant and could always cope...How wrong I was. Without going into details I have had a set of really sh**ty years and things happen that put me ina downward spiral into the 'hole' that has been mentioned in other posts. My GP instantly recommended Prozac and counselling. I took the Prozac and felt rough for the first couple of weeks but it did help some. I didn't have the bottle to go for counselling as I have always kept my feelings and thoughts very private and do not share them easily. Well the Prozac didnt get me out of the hole and I have finally plucked up the courage to go for counselling. However, I guess the point I am trying to get over here is don't leave it to late or be afraid to get help...my delay has cost me my marriage and also made me realise that I have a long hard road ahead of me but I will make it becuase for the firs time I not only want to get better I need to get better before I lose everything.
sorry for the novel but I have been so impressed by the response I thought I would add my 2c..oh and the scooby still makes me smile no matter how bad I feel...maybe the GP should prescribe optimax??
sorry for the novel but I have been so impressed by the response I thought I would add my 2c..oh and the scooby still makes me smile no matter how bad I feel...maybe the GP should prescribe optimax??
#57
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Co Durham
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Tazman - do the counselling! And don't be afraid to say anything. Beware that the introduction can be infront of more than one person (mine was infront of 3!!) and that the sessions afterwards perhaps last 30mins, but it DOES help!
I kept everything bottled inside and denied there was a problem until it was almost too late. Take what help you can.
DP.
I kept everything bottled inside and denied there was a problem until it was almost too late. Take what help you can.
DP.
#59
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
oops, DP posted while I was composing my reply to BEW ![Stick Out Tongue](images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Actually, he also gave some of the best advice Ive seen I think - easier said than done, but DONT be embarrassed about it. This thread has actually amazed me a bit - all the names I recognise so well from my time on the Scoobynet that I would never have guessed had anything of this sort to talk about. Im glad you've come to terms with things Tazman, sorry to hear its not been soon enouigh by the sounds of it. I dont reckon I would be able to admit it either - blokes dont cry etc etc and all that garbage.
Anyway, Im sure you will all get through this, some with help, others without, some quicker, some slower...but you all WILL.
Life cant be pants all the time despite the fact it might feel that way at times.
Beer fridge still full![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Buzz
![Stick Out Tongue](images/smilies/tongue.gif)
Actually, he also gave some of the best advice Ive seen I think - easier said than done, but DONT be embarrassed about it. This thread has actually amazed me a bit - all the names I recognise so well from my time on the Scoobynet that I would never have guessed had anything of this sort to talk about. Im glad you've come to terms with things Tazman, sorry to hear its not been soon enouigh by the sounds of it. I dont reckon I would be able to admit it either - blokes dont cry etc etc and all that garbage.
Anyway, Im sure you will all get through this, some with help, others without, some quicker, some slower...but you all WILL.
Life cant be pants all the time despite the fact it might feel that way at times.
Beer fridge still full
![Big Grin](images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Buzz
#60
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: same time, different place
Posts: 11,313
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
![Post](images/icons/icon1.gif)
Article in the Guardian about legal action re Seroxat addiction:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/s...792896,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/s...792896,00.html