The Black Dog Gang

trying to get off the things Tell somebody with high blood pressure to " get off the things"

*My main concern with these pills is the fact that they are based on the premise that depression is caused by a 'chemical imbalance in the brain'.

This theory has never been conclusively proven, but of course the pharmaceutical companies want us to believe it as these drugs are enormously lucrative for them*

So we are just sort of making up our symptoms and big pharma is reaping the benefit?

I couldn't care less if its lucrative for pharma companies (as I'm sure every single pill, potion or treatment is)
If I find that taking a pill makes it bearable to be alive, then I will take them when needed.

JenniferEccles - With respect "feeling down" simply does not come close to the way I was feeling a few weeks ago. I was seriously contemplating suicide, could see no end to a very dark tunnel and was having continuous panic attacks. If you've never experienced it, you can't imagine it. I am now on anti-depressants, have superb support from my GP and my husband, and am slowly beginning to recover. I'm even managing to laugh some days. Clinical depression is caused by a combination of things, one of which IS a chemical imbalance in the brain. Dr Cantopher has described it as a physical illness that results in mental health symptoms. Please read his book rather than newspaper articles if you would like to be properly informed about this awful condition. He is an expert in his field with many years of experience in dealing with clinically depressed patients. He knows his stuff, he GETS it. I still have a long way to go to fully recover, I'm sure there will be bumps along the way, but I have hope now. If it means taking ADs to get there, then so be it.

It's a massive problem. The government has today appointed a Minister for Suicide Prevention. I hope this helps a lot of people, the fact that someone is taking notice.

Nanny23,so glad you are moving in the right direction.

Katy K you are right.

I started this thread to help with isolation and shame and it makes me feel good to see some green shoots of recovery!

If I had started a thread about mobility issues or high blood pressure would somebody come along and say somebody in the Daily Mail had problems coming off their medication.

Just because its in your head and nobody can see it, doesn't make it a lesser thing.

mrshat, shame, it would have been good to meet up, but thanks for answering.

Yes oldbatty I agree.

Apologies to all that I wrote 'feeling down' when I should have said 'feeling depressed'.

I certainly wasn't making light of how dreadful true depression is, but I still maintain the two articles I read , rightly pointed warned what can happen when the pills are stopped or reduced. It wasn't just some journalist's opinion, but was back up by studies.

Sarah Vine is married to Michael Gove, and I thought she was very brave in disclosing her experiences of bad depression, followed by her ongoing attempt to come off the meds. I'm sure the piece is available to read online for anyone to see before coming to any conclusion as to whether she is 'some stupid woman' as someone said.

I'm pretty sure there was a distinction made between medication which is addictive (as in tranquillisers) as against ADs which aren't addictive, but can still cause serious problems of withdrawal in those trying to cut down or come off them.

Surely everyone wants to learn as much as possible about the effects of any medication they are taking?

There are, after all alternatives for treating depression which have produced very good results, such as CBT, with none of the awful side effects.

There aren't any awful side effects though, for me anyway.
Its really not very helpful to suggest that there are.
People do what is needed to help them, and the thread was set up to support people.

Why did Michael Goves wife need to plaster her story all over the Daily Mail? Was it a responsible and considered article or somebody seeking publicity?

Jennifer , have you direct experience of depression and these so called side effects, or just what you have read in the paper?

As far as we know the most success has been had by combining medication and talking therapies.

please direct us to then studies you mention.

MissAdventure I haven't had any side effects at all either, so taking ADs for me is a no-brainer, without them I was suicidal, with them I am slowly improving.
JenniferEccles - thank you for clarifying. I'm sure every single person who has suffered from true clinical depression could tell their own story with their own experiences and I admire Sarah Vine for telling hers. It must be very difficult to do so for someone in the public eye. I am also having CBT but it's still early days so I can't yet comment on whether it will be helpful. Yes, we do all want to have information regarding side effects, but if you read the information leaflets that come with the medication, the risks of side effects are small, from 1 in 100 right down to 1 in 100,000, depending on the effect. The Press tend to vastly exaggerate the risks. For me personally, knowing how awful I felt a few weeks ago, I'm prepared to take that risk, having been fully informed by medical professionals and my own research.
My very best wishes to all on this thread, I am finding it very comforting.

That's brilliant news, Nanny23.
The first thing is to try and wade out of the ghastly thick fog, and then, of course, to look at other helpful things.
I'm so glad you're feeling a bit better. Onwards and upwards!

The study was in the journal of Addictive Behaviours and was reviewed by Dr. James Davies from Roehampton University.

It's all available to read online if anyone's interested. Of course it was made clear that not everyone suffers these awful withdrawal symptoms, but the numbers of people who did, caused the researchers to feel that patients should be warned in advance about the dangers of staying on medication for too long.

The Daily Mail was quite correct in reporting these findings. We must certainly not get to the situation when the results of medical studies are suppressed.

www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-6236567/SARAH-VINE-given-antidepressants-cope-black-dog.htm.

Here is the article should anyone wish to read it. It would appear Dr. James Davies has his own agenda. "The Importance of Suffering
In The Importance of Suffering: The Value and Meaning of Emotional Discontent James Davies considers emotional suffering as part and parcel of what it means to live and develop as a human being, rather than as a mental health problem requiring only psychiatric, antidepressant or cognitive treatment. This book therefore offers a new perspective on emotional discontent and discusses how we can engage with it clinically, personally and socially to uncover its productive value. [more]"

Are you fearful for our health Jennifer ......or just bored?

I am sorry this thread has gone off at a tangent.

It is for people to share their thoughts and possibly mention any little tips which have helped them.

I have been re reading some of the earlier posts and wondering how folks are doing?

Please come back and tell us, even if its bad news and you are not doing so well.

Sort of on an even keel thanks. Fingers crossed that continues. As the days shorten and weather deteriorates I need to be alert to a downward spiral! Keep positive everyone.

Hi I am feeling a little better. Have been on meds for about 10 weeks and my mood has definitely lifted. For anyone worried about coming off meds I have done it twice before. I reduced my dose by one tablet a week gradually down to every other day then every three days and so on. I did it over about three months and had no side effects at all (Prozac). Hope everyone else is having a good day and thank you all for sharing your experiences it really helps.

Having a rubbish day.

I suppose it is hard for someone who hasn't experienced it to understand, especially if they have come across someone claiming to be depressed who is actually only having a bad day. Don't think DH really gets it despite doing his best to understand.

If depression is chemical, what is the point of CPD? What is the point of trying to come off the meds? I am doing that at the moment simply because I think that any medication is bad for something other than what it is prescribed for so worth trying to do without.

mrs and an, that's good to hear. Other people please feel free to come on and have a good old moan.

no no no Nonnie.......forget the " doing without" and change to seeing it as a tool in your toolbox.

Do not mess about with medication. Make an appointment, discuss this properly.

There is no one cause of depression....genetics, more common in women,stress, nobody really knows.

CBT can help manage the spiral of downward thinking.

Nonnie - I second Oldbatty , I would only advise trying to reduce the medication if you have been well for some considerable time, and then only in discussion with your GP. I would much rather feel "well" on the medication that feel "rubbish" without it. Depression needs to be attacked on all sides using everything at your disposal and whatever works for you - medication, CBT, counselling, support groups, talking to family and friends. Hope you're feeling a bit better now

Nonnie, I notice twice you use the phrase " What's the point"

Tomorrow is a new day and will be an improvement on today. Please don't mess about with your meds. Nobody gets a badge for doing without.