Anti-depressants

I totally agree Iam64 about scaremongering. I friend of mine who was also going through a bad time with her health and personal life was bullied by her sister to stop taking her prozac on 3 different occasions. Each time she became suicidal. The sister who had never had any serious problems in her life kept telling her she was weak to need to rely on chemicals. I kept trying to point out that if she was diabetic she would have to rely on insulin so what is the difference.?
I lot of the blame goes to irresponsible journalists IMO.

My feeling is there is a bit too much scare mongering about a lot of prescription medication. I spent 6 months in significant pain, and with decreasing mobility as I pondered whether to take the methotrexate my rheumatologist wanted me to take. I was genuinely scared silly by the list of possible side effects. My GP was brilliant, and when I asked what he'd do in my place, he said 'take the drugs', yes there are risks, but with inflammatory arthritis, the risks are the same as with the drug, but worse. So, I took the drug, at a very low level and within 4 weeks could walk my dogs 2 miles. I could also get out of bed, and walk downstairs, something I'd found so difficult for months. I was 46, and here I am, still on mtx, no side effects at all. I've had another treatment added after a flare up 4 years ago had me struggling again.
So far as ante depressants go, I have in the past taken fluoxetine (prozac) at a time when my arthritis was stopping me doing much, frankly. It was a wonder - and helped me through until the new disease modifiers kicked in. I have also worked with many people who suffer anxiety/depression. I've seen the improvements that come as mental health improves

I think I did eat more when I was taking fluexitine but I think that was because I felt much more relaxed and enjoyed things more. I also remember I seemed to spend more money! but still they got me through a difficult time.

Not sure how hard/easy it is for adults to get helpful drugs for depression.

A lot depends on the GP [dishing out the meds]It's certainly very difficult for young people to be prescribed them though.Although my grandson's GP does the actual prescribing, it's only on the say-so of grandson's clinical psychologist and team.They want it to be a last resort.However, it's been an enormous help to him, and as Grandma60 says it can be a lifeline.

I've put on weight but know-it-all darling son reckons it's because I eat too much. I do wonder whether it's the tablets though.

Long time ago now Jingle but I remember lots of bright colours and music! Unfortunatly I had put on 2 stone so it was just as well I lost it easily.afterwards

Due partly !!

It wouldn't surprise me if the figures had gone up in the last few years partly due to the recession, as many people have had to struggle with financial difficulties.

And weight loss! That clinches it!

Ooh! Vivid nice dreams! Perhaps I will forget to take mine for a day or two.

Are you sure they won't be scary?

I think one of the points the article is making is that they are dished out rather too readily - or why are the prescribing figures going up year on year? Are there ever growing numbers of people who are unhappy/depressed/in need of medication?

I took fluoxotine for a couple of years about ten years ago duringa very difficult perid in my my life. I found it very effective in controlling the anxiety I was experiencing and it actually gave me my life back. I felt dizzy and nauseous for the first couple of weeks but after that gradually started to feel so much better. It did cause weight gain which I quickly lost when.I stopped taking them (weaning myself off them very gradually. ) do remember having very vivid dreams but they were actually quite pleasant! On.the negative side I.soon learnt not to make it known that I was taking them as I got a lot.of negative feedback from people who had never had need to take them but had read frightenng articles.in newspapers about possible side effects. The Daily Mail was running a campaign against them at the time. I realize they may.not suit everybody and in a perfect world no one would need them but for some they can be a lifeline.

You need a good GP or consultant. My DGS1 takes fluoxotene [as well as other things] it is helping him a lot, but yes, they do need to be watched [and listened to] this is for the family to do. He is seen at 3 monthly intervals.You never know, as no drug is ever completely safe, but high anxiety needs some medical help.

Crossed posts jingl. I'm not suggesting SSRIs don't have a role but we do need to be careful about their drawbacks as well. Especially when those drawbacks are as significant as suicide, and side effects can be so awful (speaking as a caring relative).

As I have said, I have no experience with ssri' s and young people.

There is a large body of research that shows a link with increased suicide in young people on SSRIs when compared with placebos. This is not because the drugs have not yet taken effect, but because they are psychotropic ie. mind altering drugs. How they alter thinking is different in everyone, but the effects on young people can be particularly unpredictable. And Grannyknot is right, you can't watch someone with suicidal tendencies that closely, even in hospital. That's why suicides take place on psychiatric wards.

I think doctors are very careful with teenagers. I would think the parents would have to be in on things. And perhaps a community mental health nurse.

I have no experience of this with teenagers though.

Completely agree Jingle. They have been a lifesaver for my family and friends and effectively for all other family members who feel so,helpless when they witness how their loved ones are suffering and can do nothing to help them.

I have had no side effects with fluoxetine and must have been on them (lowest dose) for at least 5 years. They have been life changing for me.

jings should that be if the drug is taking effect? And how do you watch someone with suicidal tendencies carefully? With great difficulty I would imagine.

Yes. It is Difficult to distinguish between depression and simple unhappiness. That is why it took me several years to bite the bullet and see the doc. When you have got yourself all ready to go out shopping and then, an hour later, you are still sitting on the chair outside the kitchen door, you realise the time has come.

Ssri' s are excellent for the treatment of anxiety too.

I think the article is very balanced.

At the risk of repeating myself they are NOT a lifesaver for everyone with clinical depression. They have been linked with increased suicide when prescribed for teenagers and they do not help all adults. I agree with those who say that more careful prescribing is essential and I worry that they are handed out by GPs after a five minute consultation, not properly reviewed, and that side effects are not always taken seriously.

Grannyknot It is young people who need to be kept a close eye on when starting ssri' s because the activating result can begin before the depression has been overcome, thus opening up the possibility of any suicidal thoughts being acted upon. After a few weeks, when the drug is taking full effect, this stops being relevant.

Young people should be - and hopefully are - always watched carefully.