RE: How to cure depression?
June 28, 2012 at 10:49 pm
(This post was last modified: June 28, 2012 at 10:54 pm by Jackalope.)
(June 28, 2012 at 9:08 pm)Tempus Wrote: I think anti-depressants are over-prescribed. While I'm not saying they don't work or that there's no legitimate use for them (which there is), I really think there's a lot of alternatives to be explored before them, particularly diet, exercise, and social-life related.
Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. I am a mental patient. This is all based on my own personal experience and the advice is probably worth no more than you're paying for it (i.e. nothing).
I don't disagree with what you've said, Tempus, but I'd like to add a bit to it as well.
I also think there is cause to believe that anti-depressants are over-prescribed (I would extend this to other psychiatric meds as well). Non-chemical therapeutic techniques (to include dietary modification, exercise, etc) are certainly an important part of a holistic therapeutic approach and in some cases medication is not needed.
However, every case is different and should be evaluated by a competent professional. In some cases, medication is needed to stabilize a patient so that they can participate in therapy.
When depression or other mental illness has you by the nuts, it can be damn near impossible to find the willpower to help yourself, or even to believe that you can. It takes time to learn the necessary skills one does not have - and medication can be necessary in the interim.
I have been off medication since early December of last year (under medical supervision), but I did need the meds for quite a long time to be able to fully participate in therapy, and there will likely come a time when I will need them again.
This is a discussion to be had and a decision to be made between you and a professional.
(June 28, 2012 at 9:08 pm)Tempus Wrote: As has already been mentioned there's a support thread here. As Tiberius said, we can't really replace professional medical help, just offer support.
+1 on the above.
(June 28, 2012 at 7:00 pm)padraic Wrote: Zaphod; are you sure your doctor said "manic-depression"? I ask because that term is not used any more. The condition is called 'bipolar disorder' and is much harder to treat than 'reactive' or 'endogenous' depression. I urge you to see a psychiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.
Pad is quite right on all the above. If a doc referred to your condition as "manic depression", I would urge you to get a second opinion (which you might want to do in any case).
@Zaphod: I have bipolar disorder, and if you want to talk, I'm happy to either on the mental health support thread or in PM.
One important thing I'd like to add: Don't try to self-diagnose or self-medicate. Leave both to professionals.
