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Taking Antidepressants?

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7.4K views 31 replies 25 participants last post by  Joe Bananas  
#1 ·
#4 ·
In Germany, which is very particular about truth in media, Scientology is officially considered a cult and is not afforded church status. Unofficially, it's considered more a hoax and is quite restricted. I had close and bad experience at one of their primary centers in the states.

BTAIM, that doesn't mean the information they are giving out about antidepressants is false. America is IMO screwed in the head about all the "mental sicknesses" and how to treat them.

I heard something absolutely preposterous the other day and that is that in many schools the kids no longer have recess. So you have more kids "diagnosed" with ADD because they are antsy in the classroom and then they're give Ritalin to moderate their attention disorder. Duuuuuh. What's wrong with that picture?

Feed 'em crap and don't let them blow off steam and then blame it on a chemical embalance that should be controlled with drugs. Where's heath?
 
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#5 ·
Just another reason to live in a red state. Here, depressed kids get "crazy checks" from the government and Scientologists get chased back to Missouri where they belong. ;)
 
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#8 ·
#9 ·
maybe you want to have another perspective , one that is not biased from wanting to control you or sell you anything, one of the many of us who suffer from depression, not one that would profit , one way or the other, from our illness.

Think with your own mind, not someone with someone else's who wants to control it

on the other hand , one can make fun of it too........and she knows first hand about it!
 
#11 ·
Good point.

Seriously for a minute, I guess I do use the saxophone to deal with depression. And playing an instrument does raise serotonin levels in a lot of folks. That may be one of the reasons that so many musicians suffer from depression. We gravitate to music as a form of self medication. We may play so we don't feel bad. How's that for a source of motivation to practice?
 
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#12 ·
This is plenty of overuse of many types of medical technology - this overuse is not restricted just to antidepressants or Ritalin. I have had plenty of back problems since a bodysurfing accident in 1989. By necessity I have done a lot of reading, tried several types of treatments, talked to many surgeons, chiropractors, and physical therapists.
The Scientology view against antidepressants reminds me of David Sarno's book "Mind Over Back Pain", where he argues that back pain is mostly in your head. Even though I know his absolute view on this is wrong, his philosophy helped me through a back crisis once, so I recognize his opinion has value *in moderation*.

I have had back surgeries in 1989, 1993, and 2004 - they all proved to be 100% helpful, and 100% necessary. While some people endure surgeries that are not needed, or that are more aggressive than needed, there are other people who have avoided surgery even when it could help, and endured pain that could be avoided.

I know people who are taking antidepressants for whom it is a big help. While I don't have personal knowledge of people who are taking them who should not be, I also believe there is overprescribing of these medications.

If you hear anyone giving an absolutist view on one of these medical topics, I would not trust them as your only source of information.
 
#13 ·
I agree that music is good therapy for depression.

I'm always disappointed to see how quickly people discredit any information that might disturb their beliefs. I don't care who made the clips, the numbers and the facts are there.

BTW, I was once abducted and held for a time by the Scientologists, and also suffered from depression many years ago and experienced horrible reactions to some of the drugs mentioned in the videos while paying big $$$ to a shrink, who was obviously just a pill peddler for the drug companies. I am many years now, depression AND drug free.
 
#22 ·
I didn't watch the video, but since it's source is the 'church' of Scientology, I don't feel I need to.

Depression, or officially 'dysthymia' is not just a case of the blues. It's when someone is depressed for three months or more, without ANY up times. This is an illness that has many treatments, up to and including antidepressants.

There is oftentimes an underlying condition that may be causing the depression. However, it's difficult to define or treat the underlying condition until after you treat the depression.
 
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#24 ·
In order to attempt to get close (don't even contemplate the idea of " understanding it) to appreciate what depression is I would suggest to read " Darkness visible " by William Styron ......the title of his (small) book, obviously comes from Milton's description of Hell, which is not far from what life looks like when one is depressed.

If you are not inclined to read a book about it, perhaps you would appreciate watching the BBC program which Stephen Fry did about his life and battle with manic depression.

Tha would give you some insight.

It can be argued that some doctors prescribe too easily and perhaps unnecessarily antidepressants....... but there is not too much fun in using antidepressants other that they can save your life. Nobody does this recreationally.

Unfortunately they do not always work. I know. Therapy is then the only lifeline that you are left with and, fortunately, that works , often times, for those who found no benefit from the drugs. Some people need a combination of both.

Music is a great aid to heal.
 
L
#30 ·
If the church of scientology had legislative power I would be not be able to play saxophone or even function as a human being.

5 years ago I noticed my school work was getting harder, my concentration was diminishing and I would increasingly get distracted. After a series of terrifying hospital visits and failing school, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Since being looked after by the caring doctors and social workers, I finished school (top 5 percent in the state). I picked up my saxophone after 4 years, completed an associate diploma in saxophone and gained a deferred place at university next year for saxophone performance.
 
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#31 ·
That's a great and inspiring story, Lochness. I hope it's not the exception.

And while I'm not above making light of some things I hear and certain pop culture trends and stories, there's a risk of destructive callousness in the way we look at mental health issues. Neither am I comfortable with the trend toward diagnosing everything as some pathology and dismissing (or medicating) bad decisions.

There's a balance that we as a society need to achieve between de-stygmatizing mental illness, and using it as an all-purpose excuse for every negative behavior or outcome.

And yes, I've had experience with depression. Caring and engaging medical professionals worked with me to identify problem areas, develop tools, and teach me how to apply them. But I had to do my share, too. I was fortunate in that medication wasn't needed.

Wow, didn't mean to get so serious. It's a tough subject. I guess my point is: Laugh when it's appropriate, get help when needed, take responsibility, but mostly don't get sucked into one sweeping, global perspective - - especially one that starts blaming a single segment (including the victims.)

Ok, back to our regularly-scheduled silly stuff . . .
 
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