Robert Levin asked:




It seems you can’t throw a stone these days without hitting someone that has either been on or knows someone that has been on antidepressants. They have become nearly as ubiquitous and easy to obtain as taking an antibiotic when one has a fever or taking sleeping pills when one can’t sleep. This ease of their availability and frequency and lax standards that doctors use to dispense these ‘miracle’ drugs, as some call them, has unfortunately glossed over the reality that for most people taking them, they are being mis-and over-used.

Instead of dealing with the problems in their life, both long and short term, that is actually the root cause of the depression or anxiety, the person is actually taking the easy way out, avoiding the true issues and hurting themselves in the long run. For many, antidepressants become nothing more than their ‘drug of choice’ instead of alcohol, marijuana or nicotine and simply because it has a ‘stamp of approval’ from the FDA and are sold by pharmaceutical companies, they believe they aren’t doing themselves harm. The sad truth is that nothing could be further from the truth.

The first thing one must remember when it comes to antidepressants, typically the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or SNRI (including Norepinephrine to the mix) is that these are products being peddled by pharmaceutical companies. These companies have one primary goal…to make money. They don’t have any special interest in your health, your welfare or anything about you except to get you to buy their product. It is in THEIR interest that you believe that antidepressants are the ‘correct’ way to treat depression, even though numerous studies have shown that not only do they have no long term benefit over placebo, but that in fact great harm can be done through various side effects, as well as the distraction of the patient from tackling the problems in their life that going on the antidepressants allows.

Remember…your emotions are your warning signal in life. They are there for a REASON. If you feel fear, agitation, depression, sadness, anxiety, etc, there is usually GOOD reason. The way you grow as a person…and the way your brain adapts by growing new synapses, electrical and chemical pathways is by working through your challenges in life. This is how MATURITY occurs. By avoiding dealing with things and simply using antidepressants as a ‘crutch’, you are actually slowing your maturity…your healing…and your progress through whatever adversity you are facing.

So then the question becomes…is there a right way to use antidepressants? I believe that in cases where emotionally, someone is so distraught and overwhelmed, and is so un-self-aware as to how to go about conquering ones problems there is a place for antidepressants for the short term. But only for as long as it takes for the person to get into therapy and is working with someone that helps them identify and tackle the problems that are causing the depression. After a person has started that journey, they should be slowly taken off the drugs.

It is now known that many antidepressants in fact have very strong withdrawal effects that can make getting off them ‘trick’ the person into thinking they are becoming depressed again and that they have to stay on. In many, if not most cases this is simply not true. After several weeks or in some cases even months, the ‘withdrawal’ will subside as your brain re-equalizes and starts to produce the necessary chemicals that it was ‘relying’ on the drug for. For more great information and articles about antidepressants and depression please visit www.sedatednation.com.

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Terje Brooks asked:




A lot of people are not keen to use prescription drugs to solve their health problems, and very often they will turn to more natural healthier solutions for their struggles, depression specifically being a prime example. The rate of diagnosis for depression is one of the highest of all illnesses, and people who suffer with depression are four times more likely to die as a result, compared to other illnesses.

Of course, you need a clear diagnosis of your depression before you start hunting for an effective, more natural solution to your problem. Believe it or not, something as simple as vitamin deficiencies, such as lacking vitamin B12, can manifest symptoms similar to depression. So it can be that what you are suffering is a B12 deficiency, not actual depression and in this circumstance, taking some vitamin B12 supplements can solve the problem.

A deficiency in magnesium or vitamin C can have the same effects and be treated in a similar fashion. Vitamin C is particularly effective for treating depression because lower serotonin levels can be a contributing factor, and vitamin C works to convert tryptophan into serotonin so an extra supply can alleviate the deficiency. And again as mentioned, a lack of magnesium is also usually found in people who suffer with depression.

Clinical trials showed that even making an effort to orally take some vitamin C or magnesium decreased the intensity of the depression; however, the evidence from these clinical trials was apparently not compelling enough to prove that this is the best natural solution for depression problems.

St John’s Wort is a very popular choice as a natural solution or remedy for depression and is licensed throughout Europe, including Germany. The way it helps is not actually completely clear, but some ideas are that certain complexes within the extract function together to provide a solution.

Older people who don’t always react well to normal antidepressants or show enough of a response to them often respond well to ginkgo, which is another popular remedy for sufferers of depression. There was a clinical trial that ran across eight weeks wherein the people taking gingko saw their depression decrease significantly, from a 14 on the Hamilton Depression Scale to a level 7. There was a control group also taking part in the trial who only saw a decrease of one point on the scale when taking a placebo.

Other medical professionals hold the opinion that effective treatment for depression can be found with good nutrition and a balanced approach to diet. Cutting out refined carbohydrates and sugar are some of their main suggestions. People who battle symptoms of depression after not eating for a period of time, or suffering depression in the morning or late afternoon, have responded well to this approach. But all of the medical professionals would counsel you to receive a correct and thorough diagnosis before you take any kind of action to find a solution.

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Rod MacTaggart asked:




Apparently the FDA, Big Pharma and the veterinarians of America think it’s okay for our dogs to experience the same horrendous withdrawal symptoms and side-effects that people have experienced on fluoxetine. But I think it’s obvious that Reconcile is Ely Lilly’s attempt to ‘reconcile’ the loss of billions of dollars since the patent on Prozac expired back in 2001, prompting a flood of generic fluoxetine drugs onto the market. Over 23 million prescriptions of generic fluoxetine were filled in the US last year alone – money that didn’t go into Lilly’s pockets.

Prozac is one of the dangerous selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of mood-altering drugs involved in countless court cases and class action suits that have cost Big Pharma billions of dollars in fines and settlements. They concern addictive prescription drugs that require drug detox, rehab, and others with fatal side effects. We know that business and the bottom line counts for more than sending thousands of people into drug detox or rehab, or early graves.

Lilly’s new doggy-Prozac is aimed at a slice of Big Pharma’s newest expanding market – our pets and their psychiatric disorders. Reconcile is supposed to treat a doggie ailment called “separation anxiety” – in other words, if your dog goes wacko when he’s left alone, stuff a Reconcile in its mouth. Give me a break! The animal needs an owner willing to establish who’s boss, not a drug pusher.

Fluoxetine isn’t conventionally addictive and doesn’t require drug rehab like OxyContin and other prescription painkillers, although a drug detox would be appropriate, but suddenly discontinuing Prozac can produce awful physical and mental withdrawal symptoms – patients describe ‘brain zaps’ and ‘fever jolts’ and other nasty symptoms that can last weeks or even months. Here Rover, come get your meds!

But that’s the least of its problems. Prozac has been implicated in dozens of suicides and acts of deadly aggression against others, including school shootings. Remember Joseph Wesbecker of Kentucky, who took some Prozac and went to work and opened fire with an assault rifle killing 8 people, injuring 12 others, and then turning the gun on himself? Are we going to see pet owners claiming that Reconcile caused Rover go nuts and kill a bunch of other dogs at the park, and then turn and bite himself to death?

But seriously, the tests conducted by Lilly’s new Elanco Animal Health Division on hundreds of dogs show that fluoxetine has a similarly horrendous list of side-effects on our canine friends as it does on people. Is this what we want our pets to go through because we’re too lazy or incompetent to be a dog owner?

But if, after weighing all the alternatives, you still think putting your dog on drugs is the solution, then you probably shouldn’t have a pet. Most dog experts will tell you, it’s usually a human’s bad habit that is causing the dog’s problem. Just ask The Dog Whisperer, or watch his television show.

The dog drug Reconcile is nothing more than an extension of the money-making drugging of America. And a drugged dog has no drug detox program or drug rehab program to go to for help – he only has you. Help him, don’t drug him.

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Deon Du Plessis asked:




Premature ejaculation has been a common enemy for a lot of men. Not only thy find it embarrassing but it is somewhat upsetting as well. There are several ways to conquer this type of condition and to end premature ejaculation one doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out a solution for this issue, but surely it does involve science.

One type of medicine that is considered to help end premature ejaculation is antidepressants. They help the body increase Serotonin levels in the brain to end premature ejaculation. Antidepressants use various chemicals to interact with your brain’s chemistry so that your brain produces more serotonin. This way you can guarantee satisfaction by lasting longer in bed.

Surely this would help improve your sex life. But you need to be cautious in taking antidepressants since it has its own share of side effects. One side effect is considered to be an irony since the medicine may actually cause loss of sex desire. You may also find yourself more nervous and more depressed the longer that you are taking the medicine.

You have a lot of options to end premature ejaculation and have a wonderful sex life. But be mindful of the effects that it could have if you take these medicines. You can also consider taking over the counter ejaculation pills but it would be a choice for you to make. This condition is never easy, but if treated the right way and given enough attention you can guarantee that it would have a lot of fruitful returns.

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Virginia Duffy asked:




What Is Depression? People use the word depression loosely to mean a number of different moods. I prefer to use the term “clinical depression” to distinguish the type of depression that may improve with medication. Clinical depression is more than the “blues” or sadness. It is not something a person can “just get over” or talk themselves out of. Clinical depression is at least partially based on brain biochemical imbalance (we are still in early stages of understanding this) and often runs in families. Stress and psychological factors also play an important role, although we do not fully understand the causes and factors that result in clinical depression.

Common symptoms of depression include sad or irritable mood, loss of interest / energy, poor or excessive sleep and appetite, difficulty with concentration and memory, and physical complaints. Medication is often necessary in serious depression and MAY be helpful with less severe types.

Types Of Depression: There are four types of depression listed in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM 4 TR). The intent of this manual is to help those in the mental health field make accurate diagnoses. One of its goals is to make the diagnosis more consistent between providers. Unfortunately it is often used haphazardly.

1. Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood: A reaction to a stressor. (Loss of a loved one, job, physical illness, move etc.) This type of disturbed mood is usually mild and self-limiting. When symptoms last longer than 6 months another type of depression should be considered. Counseling, therapy and support may be sufficient treatment. Medication is not usually necessary.

2. Dysthymia : A chronic low-level depression. It can be very debilitating and may be a part of the personality. It also can be difficult to treat with medication; therapy is recommended.

3. Major depression: A severe form of depression with multiple symptoms as described above. Medication is necessary and usually very effective. Therapy may be helpful after acute symptoms have abated. Suicide potential must be monitored. This can be severe enough to cause psychotic (loss of reality) symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations.

4. Bi-Polar 1 Disorder: A cycle of depression and elevation of mood (hypomania or mania). This can be very severe, with psychotic symptoms. Antidepressants may be avoided due to risk of switching the mood to mania. This condition needs expert psychiatric treatment usually with mood stabilizing medication. (By the way there is a significant amount of confusion and disagreement about this diagnosis especially between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 disorders. Bipolar 2 disorder is less severe and medication is often not necessary.)

Differential Diagnosis (problems that may be confused with depression)

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) Grief Substance abuse Chronic pain Anxiety Side effects of medication
Target Symptoms Of Depression: Identifying and describing specific target symptoms is crucial if treatment is to be monitored and its’ effectiveness evaluated. It is easy to forget how severe symptoms were when depression is resolved. The more specific the target symptoms are, the better to keep track of changes. Some examples of target symptoms are listed below.

Sleep Disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, awakening often during the night, early morning awakening, oversleeping) Concentration / Memory Problems Low Energy Level Irritability Physical symptoms Change in appetite (decreased or increased) Lack Of Motivation / Interest Mood Changes (sadness, anger hopelessness)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) the most commonly used antidepressants.

SSRIs have been on the market for over 20 yrs. They increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a substance that allows chemical activity in the brain (neurotransmitter). Serotonin is known to play a role in depression and anxiety. SSRIs are used for treatment of depression, anxiety, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and occasionally other illnesses. (Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, pain).SSRIs have much fewer side effects than the older antidepressants (tricyclics such as Elavil); they are not as lethal in overdose, and work well for most people. They are much more expensive then tricyclics. All SSRI’s are effective although side effects may differ somewhat. Because individuals are different, some may react more positively to one particular medication then to another. Choosing between the SSRI’S is usually dependent on the side effect profile (see below), and the prescriber’s and patient’s preference and experience. They are usually the first choice in depression and often the first choice in anxiety disorders. With anxious patients it is helpful to start low and increase the dose slowly in order to minimize the side effect of activation. Anxious patients can be very sensitive to this side effect. Higher doses of medications are often needed in Obsessive Compulsive disorder and Panic disorder.

1. Prozac TM

This may be more activating initially. It has a long half-life and therefore stays in the system longer. Once a day dosing is usual; recently Prozac introduced a once a week dose.

2. Paxil TM

May be more calming initially, weight gain can be a problem. Once a day dosing is the norm.

3. Zoloft TM

May have fewer interactions with other medications. Weight gain may be a problem. May cause more stomach upset and diarrhea. Once a day dosing is the norm.

4. Luvox TM

Sometimes used for OCD, multiple dosing. Not used frequently in US. Needs higher doses that may cause drowsiness.

5. Celexa TM

Said to be “more” selective for a particular type of serotonin and therefore thought to have less side effects and interactions. May have less weight gain. Once a day dosing is the norm.

6. Lexapro TM

Similar to Celexa some feel it was manufactured because the patent on Celexa was running out. Said to work quicker then the other SSRIs.

Side Effects – SSRI’s

Most SSRI’s have similar side effects. Some patients do better on one than on another. This cannot be determined before a trial of the medication is given.

1. Nausea

This is a common problem. Taking the medication with food helps and this side effect. It usually passes in time.

2. Headache

This is usually mild and goes away with time (about one week) if it continues it may be necessary to change medication.

3. Activation or Sedation

Patient can feel either activated (hyper, jittery) or sedated. Patients with anxiety / panic are more likely to feel activated. To avoid this start with a low dose and increase as tolerated. Sedation will often disappear with time but occasionally a change in medication is necessary.

4. Sexual dysfunction

This can be a significant problem with some antidepressants. Use may result in decreased sexual interest or ability. Most common treatments for sexual dysfunction include: drug holidays (holding the drug for one or two days once the patient is stable, (cannot be done with Prozac due to staying in the body longer), changing medication, or using an additional medication. (Some such drugs include: Periactin, Amantadine, Yohimbine, Ginkgo others. All have only limited success.) Talk to your prescriber if this is an issue for you.

5. Weight Gain

This can be a problem that is often not taken seriously enough. Weight gain may start after you have been on the medication for a while. It may be necessary to change to a different antidepressant.

6. Agitation / Aggression

There has been some anecdotal reports about patients becoming more aggressive on SSRIs. The research does not support this. However, that concern should be taken seriously, and attempts made to avoid a drug the patient is concerned about. The same is true about the reports of increased suicide.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

This is an older class of antidepressants that are no longer the first choice. They can have severe side effects including sedation, weight gain, effects on the heart, and drug interactions. These drugs are used in anxiety, depression and some pain syndromes. They are much less expensive than SSRI’s. These drugs are lethal in overdose!

Other Antidepressants

These drugs are thought to affect a number of neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, nor-epinephrine being the major ones.)

1. Wellbutrin TM

This should not be used in patients with a history of seizures. Said to cause less sexual dysfunction and weight gain. Now has a sustained release formula but still is usually given twice a day. This is the same drug as Zyban, which is used for smoking cessation. Obviously, they should not be used together.

2. Trazodone TM

This is not a very effective antidepressant; it is however very helpful for sleep and may be used in low doses for anxiety. It should be used in caution with men due to possible priaprism (This is an involuntary erection that in the worst case may not go away).

3. Effexor XR TM

Thought to have fewer interactions. Less weight gain and sexual dysfunction.

4. Serzone TM

Needs multiple dosing, may be more sedating (at least at first), and said to have less sexual dysfunction. Should not be used with Trazodone

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