What do you think about psychiatric meds?

reply to post by OhZone


No we just locked them away forever, Burned them at the stake for being witches, or just ignored them and left them to be homeless. They've been around awhile, we just called them a different name.

Originally posted by Gakus
Anyone reading this thread. please remain on your medication.

Never take health advise from other people suffering from paranoid delusions, trust your doctor over some random fool on ATS telling you that there's an herbal remedy.

Shame on the lot of you, god forbid they hurt someone else as a result of your retarded advise advocating them to stop taking them.

Calm down sport. No one has advised any other person to "stop taking their meds". People are trying to discuss the very real matter of dangers within the psychotropic drug field. These are documented hazards, and they even have to list said side effects on commercials advertising them.

A lot of people that take anti-psychotics or mood stabilizers don't ever need them. Some of these people are not psychotic or dangerous to themselves or others, and only need therapy. They get prescribed these potent substances and there is a very real danger that it negatively affects the person.

I know from experience. When I was in the Army, I had to sit in medical leave on a base after my deployment. It was for a physical ailment, strained neck, shoulder injury etc. Yet, they insist that everyone received mental therapy while they stayed. Which is fine, frankly, a little therapy never hurt anyone. Several months later, and I'm well into taking many medications. They had me on sleeping aids, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, diazepam, and a few others. Not to mention the drugs I needed to take for my physical issues, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and the like.

I put too much trust in them, and I took all these drugs, all the time, and I fully believe I have been seriously damaged psychologically. I never felt the same after. The kicker is that I was never diagnosed with any mental impairments aside from anxiety disorder. I was never classified as psychotic, or schizophrenic, or any kind of dissociative disorders; yet these were very powerful drugs I was given.

So dangerous. I also believe that I shouldn't have used a few of these drugs together, and it's quite possible that of the many physicians and clinicians I visited over the months, some might have not even cross-checked my prescriptions list for safety, or didn't care to begin with.

Just be careful. You have the right to seek second opinions. There are good clinicians and therapists out there.

reply to post by Gakus


Don't trust most doctors; they're into their kickbacks, their new-age meds, and the liver warnings on the meds they prescribe get dulled down in their minds after a while.

By the way, you spelled "advice" wrong again.

reply to post by Xiamara


we can read people who have them

Many of the nightmarish killings of recent memory, especially the bizarre family tragedies which seem to be occurring with increasing frequency, have been scientifically linked to a sleep disorder caused by commonly-used, but dangerous and addictive anti-depressant medications

thepiratebay.org...
from the book i linked to above

Birth Defects And Other Threats To Mom And Baby Associated With Paxil

www.lawyersandsettlements.com...

UpHill Battle - Warning Pharma Customers About Dangers of SSRIs
Recent concerns about the adverse effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) have focused on suicide risks. However, a new study published in the September 2006 journal, Public Library of Science (PLoS), reports that in addition to self-harm, the drugs can also cause some patients to become violent and homicidal.
Professors David Healy and David Menkes from Cardiff University in Britain, and Andrew Herxheimer from the Cochrane Centre, conducted the study to determine the risk of violent behavior in people taking SSRIs.

psychrights.org...

reply to post by unityemissions


Thank you for being honest.

Please don't take this the wrong way but I couldn't continue watching the second they discussed the theoretical properties of Orthomoecular therapy I had to stop because: The human body is much more advanced than that. As well, seeing as he does not have his medical license no medical board would accept these results. I also had to stop since the sound quality was giving me a migraine. It was not audible.

There are much more complicated biochemical reactions and structural problems that lead to various neurological problems. Based off the theory in the video a person with an injury to their medula could function fine as long as they had their proper intake of amino acids and molecules. Well no they wouldn't a damaged Medula is death because its the part of your brain that goes Breathe dumb dumb. So though somewhat logical in theory it is flawed.

As for their claims on schizophrenia the most well accepted theory is the ventricle theory. This is the theory that states those afflicted with schizophrenia often have enlarged ventricles in their brain which cause more pressure to build up causing various areas of the brain to become stressed and not grow properly during adolescents leading to the schizophrenia.

The study followed 20,906 children in British Columbia between the ages of 10 and 18 who had been diagnosed with depression and prescribed an antidepressant over a nine-year period.
During the first year of antidepressant use, there were 266 attempted suicides and three suicides.
Researchers found no significant difference in child and teen suicide risk among the five SSRI antidepressants studied (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline). Tricyclic antidepressants showed risks similar to the SSRIs.
Overall, the child and teen suicide rate after initiation of antidepressant use among participants in the study was five times higher than the rate reported among all teens aged 13 to 17 in British Columbia, which researchers say reflects the higher suicide risks among the depressed.

www.webmd.com...

we have more then enough teen agers lyin around won't miss a few

reply to post by Xiamara


Well, at least you're being honest with me as well!



You can make this as difficult as you choose to, but the simple truth is that the human body seeks homeostasis. If you provide it with what it needs, it will get well. There's MANY theories as to what causes schizophrenia. In truth, it's such a catch all for bizarre behavior that it's likely to be multi-factorial. Just stating that there's enlarged ventricles doesn't say much at all. WHY are they enlarged? I would tend to think that a cerebral allergy may cause this, as well as possible pathogens. It could be autoimmune related, etc, etc...

Truth is that people who saw Dr. Hoffer usually got well. He had about a 90% success rate. You want to brush it off so quickly. Sure, go ahead. Sounds as if it's your loss.

Take care.

reply to post by Danbones


The thing is, you don't understand the biochemistry they do. There are instances PATIENT specific, that you would not understand because you don't have a medical license or training of any kind. If reading gets you a degree well I would be an Biotechnologist , Psychiatrist, Molecular chemist, Nutritionist, neurologist,doctor, enviromental specialist and a physicist on the side .

I'm not though and would never proclaim to be one or give advice to people who REALLY DO need medical help. I'm not experienced nor licensed so I can only say don't listen to these people who will give you flawed information who don't know your own medical history go to your doctor discuss this with them and hey maybe they will suggest something different doctors do have souls and haven't sold out to drug companies speak up and ask them their opinion on the material.

Didn't think this thread would take off like this.

I feel the need to share a little bit of my own experience and opinions now. The story is so long that I'm going to mutilate it for brevity's sake, so this might seem a bit jumpy.

In summer 2003, at the age of 20, I crashed emotionally when I realized everything I had fancied myself to be was a lie. I was horribly depressed 24/7 for two years. I was in and out of therapy but couldn't stand any of my therapists. In summer 2005 I scared a therapist so badly that he told me he was going to have me involuntarily committed if I did not go on meds.

So from summer 2005 until summer 2010 I was on a cocktail of sertraline (Zoloft) and risperidone (Risperdal).

Pulled me right out of my depression. I could get schoolwork done, and work done, and socialized more, and picked up some sports.

However, I did no work whatsoever on the problems that had been plaguing me. Basically the meds pulled me out of my downward spiral, allowing me to work and learn and grow stronger, but at the same time allowed me to forget that I had some serious straightening out to do.

Decided in 2010 to try quitting. Very quickly I realized that I could not stand my girlfriend of 3 years. Actually I had realized it while on the meds but just didn't care and figured she was the best I'd ever do. But off the meds I realized I'd rather be alone than with her, and sort of realized that I've always known that.

So now here I am in December 2010. Been off the meds for a few months, and a single man for a few months. Still happy about the latter, but I've taken up the old classic vices of booze and cigarettes. Somehow I can't say that's necessarily an improvement over Zoloft and Risperdal.

I've done a little bit of the herb too, but that always frightens me lately because when I'm on it I realize how much work I still have to do on myself, and how much I've been stalling and putting my mind to other things and wasting time reading ATS and drinking and smoking and doing anything other than actually focus on figuring out and solving my internal issues.

On the herb recently I came to the conclusion that maybe I'm just not strong enough yet for tackling my issues. Perhaps I need to spend more time making some new friends (for I have none anymore at the moment), reading, learning new things, etc. Which would mean going back on the meds, because I have not been doing any of that stuff since getting off of them. Off the meds I am a chronically depressed loner who works behind a computer in a lonely office and can't wait till 5:00 PM so I can go home and drink.

So I've been thinking of going back on the meds. Not forever, but to reach some plateau of normalcy from which I can gain some strength (this time without that damn girlfriend sapping it constantly) and then go off it again, get back in touch with my instincts, and do some serious work on myself.

I don't know if this post makes any sense to anybody but me. But I thought I'd share.

If you haven't figured out, my feelings toward psychiatric meds can best be described as mixed.

hey remember when valium had more addicts then all of the illegal drugs put together
the doctors here used to proscribe uber valiums to drunks.
welfare paid forthem
then they would sell some for beer money
then the whole bar would get STUPID

if I EVER meet one or two local pill doctors in the alley.....
oh, are they ever going to get a free sample.

reply to post by Xiamara


You're appealing to authority. It's a common logical fallacy. Essentially what you're implying is all is already known. If you pass through the "club" you're legit and knowledgeable. If not, your theories, opinions, understandings, studies, work, etc...have no merit.

Haha. I don't buy into that. If it works it works!

reply to post by unityemissions


I'm not brushing it off entirely I'm saying I'm a skeptic to these broad claims. I'm trying to say their are multiple treatments and its all based of what works best for the patient. Psychologists and psychiatrists never drug first questions later, we try and help the patient not dull them down.

reply to post by NewlyAwakened


IMHO
and I am just someone who chose the solve the problem route
Find someone ( professional) who actually has success CURING people in the same boat as you
and do that...

I sympathize
I hope you find solutions
not another addiction.
all the best

reply to post by unityemissions


Actually I'm not I'm suggesting that by reading a book doesn't make you an expert. It takes years of training. I'm pointing out their fallacy, that they are all knowledgeable because of some books they googled.

As for the human body, no we are no where near knowing everything about that I never stated that. I'm saying medical histories are tricky you tell a girl on birth control to eat more grapefruit because it'll help her cold, you wouldn't know that the enzyme in grapefruits actually reacts with the BC pills and will neutralize them causing them to be ineffective.

reply to post by piercebitchone


Hmm thanks, I'm actually worried about Bipolar, a lot of my symptoms fit it and I'm not an epileptic but, I'm fearing bi-polar maybe whats causing it. I'm in the age range that Bipolar hits, and I've been clinically depressed which is a precursor to Bipolar. I've had only mild manic episodes, thankfully, but they can be attributed to stress levels. I'm hoping its not bipolar but I shall see.

I've tried various medical treatments but the long term medications make me sick so I stick with reducing stress and have my T3's handy.

I'm not talking about folks who truely have brain disorders such as bi-polar or schizo problems.
I mean everyday people who just can't seem to handle life. Maybe they just don't have enough to do.
It seems that they are being exploited for profit.

reply to post by hooptie

Thanks for that post. What you're describing has been very close to my experience.

Basically my theory (about what has so far worked for me) is:

1.) Get on the meds to pull you out of your darkness and downward spiral.

2.) Use the artifically elevated mood productively, to explore the world, learn skills, meet people, etc.

3.) Also use the elevated mood to read books on pertinent things like psychology. I haven't read the book you mentioned but one that has been a lifesaver for me is Neurosis and Human Growth by Karen Horney. Basically it's a hard-hitting non-sugar-coated book about why you're full of crap and how that's hurting you and how to not be so full of crap anymore so it won't hurt you anymore.

4.) Get off the meds, get into therapy, and learn to get in touch with your emotions, embrace your pain so you can heal.

I'm sort of stuck on (4) right now. Basically the pain is still overwhelming. And this might be the big pitfall of the meds. You get stronger with the world, but your relationship with yourself stagnates, and ultimately that affects all your relationships and your quality of life, and most importantly your ability to ultimately face your pain and heal.

It's a bit of a Catch-22, and I suspect at some point it's going to take some real "bullet-biting", intentional integrity and fortitude, to get past this. Sort of like what danbones said about the "solve the problems route". Eventually I'm going to have to get off my butt and go that route. The more I live, the more I'm convinced that's the only way. Everything else is just delay, or at best preparation.

For now, I'm enjoying my gin and tonic. And looking up your book.

Here, have a star.

Originally posted by Danbones
hey remember when valium had more addicts then all of the illegal drugs put together
the doctors here used to proscribe uber valiums to drunks.
welfare paid forthem
then they would sell some for beer money
then the whole bar would get STUPID

Yeah, those were the days! 714s and tequila....hey baby, come check out my van!

topic....I have friends that if they miss their prozac they can't function and become almost catatonic.

reply to post by hooptie

Just thought I'd add, after researching it briefly, I have ordered "Feeling Good".

When it comes to SSRIs it's REALLY inportant to understand the science of what's actually going on. But first, I have taken SSRIs, I am a very spiritual person, and also have a Master's degree in Psychology which included a major focus on NeuroPharmacology. I recommend taking SSRIs if a Doctor or Psychiatrist speaks to you about them, you understand what they're doing in your brain, AND you make a concious aware decision to take them. I took them for about a year for anxiety; it helped me a lot! I was different for the better and have never felt the need to get back on any med.

Here's a very basic video


With SSRIs it takes two to three weeks for a change to happen because they gradually change your neurons. Expect a lot of initial side effects (which suck) but in the end it can help you "feel" more than you did off the meds.