quote:Originally posted by ms. wonka:
Buttercup, while I think you are a very intelligent person and respect your opinions, you are way way off on your opinion of anti-depressants, their ingredients and why they're used. Most anti-depressants are simply serotonin reuptakes. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain which we all have , however, some people have low serotonin levels which causes depression. This is why myself and all my sisters take medication for depression.I have never heard of a way to increase these levels naturally so I and my sisters will be on meds for the rest of our lives.
Without my meds I become suicidal, wouldd you have me take my own life leaving behind my husband and children?
Before you make such harsh statements about those taking antidepressants please do some research on the chemical causes of depression first. Therapy works only if the depression is caused by their environment or lifestyle.
ms. wonka,
I would never wish for you (or anyone) to take your own life. If you've tried other options and they don't work, then certainly you should take anti-depressants and stay alive.
I have done research on the chemical causes of depression, low serotonin levels, etc., because I've had issues with depression too. I took an anti-depressant for several months and, yes, it leveled me out but it also dulled what I think is the best part of me: my creative side. And it didn't make the underlying cause of the depression go away because I wasn't dealing with it.
So then I started doing my own research about the long-term use of anti-depressants. They are drugs, you know, and all drugs come with risks to your organs, but I won't get into that. You're smart and can research it for yourself.
I finally made myself face what was causing my depression. I had serious trust issues because of a horrible step-father. So I talked to someone who helped me straighten it all out, got myself some very good books to read on alternatives to drug therapy, became a vegetarian and started exercising and basically stopped worrying about the future and the past.
I'm not saying that will work for everyone; it obviously won't for you. I'm just saying there are too many people relying on pills for too long and NOT EVEN LOOKING at other methods; I thought my earlier post cleared that up.
Some of these people need to do something as simple as turning off their t.v. and computer because all the negativity - from 24 hour news, etc. - can get to those who aren't equipped to handle it and that alone can cause depression.
Do you not think anti-depressants are over-prescribed in many cases? Do you really think everyone who's on them really needs to be taking them?