always runs with scissors fast

miritchka, dont you mean a chick a pacha??LOL

My problem with it is it appears that antidepressants act only as placebos for mild to moderate depression, and the chatter I read back and forth between psychiatrists on medical websites gives me the impression that they mostly aren’t prescribing them except for severe depression anymore, that it is family docs handing out these prescriptions like candy. there is a serious concern I recently became aware of, that in the LONG TERM, these drugs are causing harm – they change your serotonin receptors in your brain, and that may be permanent – nobody knows. and it isn’t natural or fixing a chemical imbalance either – lack of serotonin was disproved as a cause of depression 2 decades ago – nobody knows if it is a chemical imbalance or what the heck is the cause of depression, even today! withdrawal from antidepressants can be very difficult for some people, but the docs never warn you about that. Your brain adapts to the drug, and if you go off the meds, you can be a total wreck.

For mild to moderate depression, the most effective treatments known are counseling, getting a lot more aerobic exercise, increasing social support, using a light box in fall and winter if there is a seasonal component to your moods and stuff like that. there are self-help books at the library and a lot of those books have good advice in them. If your depression is mild to moderate, why take the risk of medications when they appear to work no better than placebo according to even the drug companies’ data when there are proven strategies with no risk? these strategies are STILL bona fide depression treatment.

Why are we running to pop pills?

Can I post a little annoyance (rant here). ? I agree with you ayshoshee, and I have a hard time watching people in grocery stores “tossing and throwing” their food items carelessly into their cart.

Like its a cool thing or something. But then I see even the goy at the cash is doing it now also, throwing heavy articles on soft ones just like the customers, then the order gets crushed. Who wants squashed tomatoes? But thats not the point, the point is the bread is feeding us, and we need to have respect. Kavod ochel.

Listen , i haven’t followed the thread since page 2 probablly, but my initial quesiton/curiosity still remains. SO DO YOU THINK A LOT OF WOMEN in general, in our community, today are on Zoloft or not?

curious minds would like to know….

onegoal whats that suppose to mean? I dont get it

oh guys, I am SO NOT LAUGHING TODAY>>>>>> achhhh HELP!

ALL the kids are standing around me, hitting each other, crying, and begging to be entertained by expensive outings to museums…

HAPPY CHANUKAH VACATION

well agreed BTGuy,

No Goq, you are reading into this wrong. My husband fortunately has never called me a bad thing,and … especially NOT turtle!

Actually in the book I am reading on CBT by Dr. David Burns “The feeling good handbook” which is like the second most recommended book by psychiatrists to their patients on a reading list out of 1,000 most recommended books…. He says that once in Boston or some place around there, he was at a convention with pharmaceutical companies and their representatives and doctors and there was a pharmaceutical salesman who said a joke off the record that their policy is “Don’t ask- don’t tell” when it comes to side effects off some of the psychotropic drugs. And that means that sure there are known seide effects, but its better not to relate that information if they are not anyways asking you about it.

I agree charles short. I want to say with tears in my eyes sorrowfully, and sentimentally “Good bye zoloft, its been the best 2 weeks of my life, that I can remember in a long time”….

LOL

BUt seriously, there is too high a price to pay.

aries, pleae put up the link or tell us how to google it.

oh, did I mention that when I called the psychiatrist and mentioned all of the above side effects of going off of zoloft she denied it! I think thats what bothers me the most. Its like if there are facts not researched and documented the way they like then it doesn’t exist. She said that its only if it were discontinued cold turkey. But its a bunch of baloney. Google it and see how many websites there are comments from people who have either gradually stopped using, by reducing the dose over time, and yet still have had the effects. These are the words coming from the users’ mouths. Not a text book theorist.

And not from the companies and professionals’ mouths, who are out to make money off of it.

For example, a few people mentioned in their comments how despite having been off of it for 3 months or more they still are having their limbs flinch spontaneously every once in a while. Other disturbing reports I read were that one could no longer experience emotions of sadness or crying, even when it would have been appropriate. He called it feeling like a zombie.

In other words, people who might take this, may not otherwise EVEN TRY to start taking this IF THEY WERE fully aware of these dangers.

I thank Hashem in HIS kindness and goodness that HE led me to this information in order to help me help myself find a less dangerous way to do so! And the purpose of this thread is to enlighten anyone thinking of starting anti depressants. See if there is another way you can go first.

Thank you Popa.bar.abba. YOu have asked the question to which the answer is the issue I am trying to bring light to. I am raising the point that after meeting with the psychiatrist she obviously was very familiar with my chassidish community and culture. She herself is Jewish. She knew what names of dayonim I might be using. When I came away from the appointment, a friend told me on the phone that most women here in our quarter ARE already using that drug I just started. SHe herself is involved in the community and knows through her sisters and friends that its becoming an issue.

This is why i have an opinion its being over prescribed for starters. And the fact its a 5 million dollar a yr industry in North America could be another clue.

Aries, if my response sounded annoyed or harshly toned its nothing personal except that you’re the person behind your comments, whom I was directing my response to. The fact is that where you were going with your point that “its all my fault for taking a med without contacting the family doc or some ob/gyn” is utterly ridiculous. As I have pointed out to you that its the area of expertise for a psychiatrist. And no other doctor would refute that and give me their medical opinion behind their medical peers’ back.

And i understand that we have to be our own advocates, as patients, asking questions and doing our own research but at the end of the day, the professionals are the professionals and they have to assume responsibility for the patient’s treatment and evaluation. I cannot be expected to guide and “educate” doctors as to what I better need. And then hope to find a solution on my terms.

I expect to tell my problem and symtoms to the doctor and they make a judgment. thats what i did and I got drugged with a potentially very dangerous drug that can trap someone once they want to attempt coming off.

Aries, although my intuition is to let this go because I can see who I am arguing with, and your blah blah… let me set you straight.

YOu asked me (quote on quote- but I can’t italicize it) “If your Psychiatrist is new to you, why would you just assume that it is OK to take meds without discussing it with your MD or GYN or the doctor you trust the most?”

So I responded “when your ob/gyn sends you to postpartum psych you don’t go back to the OB/GYN to get her opinion as to whether or not you actually need the psych’s prescription.

That is not the OB/GYN’s expertise.

I mean that should be obvious. Isn’t it. I realize you may have just been blowing hot air but now you are coming back with if the ob/gyn felt I needed it, then….blah blah blah.

The OB/GYN didn’t feel I needed anything. It was me who called her and told her that I am feeling down after a baby and whatever else was going on. She said if you’d like I will give you a referral to so and so. She doesn’t even know what came of the whole thing. Why would I turn back to an obstetrician and say “Dear do you think I should take anti-depressants?”

I never even saw the OB/GYN. Her job is to hear the patient’s concerns and take action by referring people for evaluation if they are interested in helping themselves. So I went straight to the psych’s appointment. Within minutes I had a drug prescription promising to cure my mood.

Please think before you write anything else “Helpful”. I feel like I am talking to a 15 year old. Like playing “smart” when you are not.