posted on Sep, 17 2006 @ 05:32 AM
One of the problems surrounding SRIs and, really, most anti-depressants is that there seems to be a higher risk of suicide and suicidal idealization
shortly after starting such meds. It would seem that when a person who is depressed begins taking such drugs, their turpor is lessened and the
depressed persons energy level increases, often dramatically. It is at this point where a patient can be "at risk".
To put it another way, a depressed person, typically, is listless and often without energy. Even if such a person wanted to commit suicide, he might
not be able to because he simpy does not have the energy to do so. Shortly after taking drugs such as zoloft, the energy level increases before the
therapeutic effects of the drug actually start working to alter the patients depressive thinking patterns. This is a period when the depressed person
is most at risk.
Of course, there is the added problem of having a GP prescribe such drugs. Often GPs simply do not have the training or experience in dealing with
depression or with anti-depressants. Ideally, a person suffering from depression should see a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist. The
psychiatrist for medicinal supervision, as often it takes a "thereapeutic cocktail" to adequately control the depression. A psychologist should
also be seen for "talk therapy" such as cognitive behavioral therapy or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
There has been some research that has shown that talk therapy is as effective as drug therapy. However, when combined, the prognosis is often much
better than either drug therapy or talk therapy alone.