That's what I thought too Jinx, and actually, that was my biggest fight. I know that I don't have a chemical imbalance, the decisions that I am making and acting on are causing me to feel the way that I do. Pills wont change that. Apparently, pills are supposed to do as RK says, and help me deal...most especially with my anxiety and the fact that I try and not deal with my feelings, I push them away.

totally agree. when its not a clinical depression the meds are meant to lift the cloud so you can see whats getting to you, but in some cases, where there is a chemical imbalance in the brain, there are no issues to be addressed.

Nope. I say nay.

Some people's brains just naturally "reuptake" seratonin leaving slowly firing neurons. Does that always have to be based on bad life experiences?

I think the jury is still out on this one but I would be inclined to think some people just have a problem with seratonin reuptake.

Sure guys... your emotions are just misfires and chemicals alone... and pills are magic that will make it all better... there is no need for personal reflection... ok.

Funny how that sounds like a lot of religion$ line.

You are wrong.

it happens get over it

Hey... I'm agreeing with you...

You are not.

Why not, anxiety and depression just being chemical sounds so practical?

Conversely, we are all fucked up by our mother or our priest or the guy on the corner and if we could just get to the center of what is gnawing at us we would magically feel better.

Funny how that sounds like a lot of Freud$ line.

I never stated anything about dwelling on the past. I think that can be destructive and am not fond of Freudian.
However, learning coping tools is primary. Meds may be an important part of that.

I see what you're saying. I'm just thinking it's possible some people will just always have that imbalance...pointing out that possibility. I mean, it IS possible, seeing how it is a physiological thing.

Up until a few decades ago, when we didn't know much, psychoanalysis was considered to be the only route to treat mental illness, and the very idea that medication could be used to treat something like Schizophrenia was considered strangely bizarre speculation.

Now the tables are turned, and the main reason is the amazing success stories that have come so far, and the more amazing ones due as researchers turn to the brain to figure out what really, actually makes us tick.

Not believing in psychiatric medication is a bias of believing the science of the past and not following how science has moved on. Talk therapy will be of great assistance to many people. Others -- such as myself -- have chronic conditions that no amount of other coping mechanism solves as well as about $40/month in medication. (And please tell me what kind of professional therapist you get at $40/month.)

You are wrong.

One that will stretch your "needed" therapy to 15 years rather than 10 years to make up for the lost income? ;)

No, a chemical imbalance can cause depression or anxiety irrespective of any life issues.

If you have something to be depressed or anxious about, and you are depressed or anxious, that's not a chemical imbalance, that's life.

Of course, if you have something to be depressed or anxious about, and you take drugs to eliminate the depression or anxiety, you could be causing a chemical imbalance in the other direction. If the root cause is psychological, drugs may be dangerous, but if the root cause is a malfunctioning gland, talk therapy may be useless.

To play devil's advocate: another side of speculation is that depression causes your brain to reuptake the seratonin, slowing your neurons, worsening the situation. It's a chicken/egg thing.

I suspect for a lot of people its a combination of physiological and psychological factors. There are many different ways that depression can manifest itself and there are many different potential causes.

It's worth remembering though, that talk therapy also carries risks. A poor practitioner can traumatise their patient through injudicious use of their tools, just as easily as a pill can adversely affect someone physically.

If there is a problem (or two) plus a chemical imbalance, pills can balance the chemicals but might cause you to overlook the problems. I'm feel so much better everything must be fine.

Once the chemical thing is addressed, it might be a good idea to reflect on the things that had bothered you, from a new perspective. Can't hurt.:cool:





Hey, it worked for Tony Soprano.

Tony Soprano, on therapy:

Anthony 'Tony' Soprano Sr.: It's like taking a shit.
Dr. Jennifer Melfi: Ok. I actually like to think about it as a childbirth.
Anthony 'Tony' Soprano Sr.: Trust me. It's like taking a shit.

:p

there's nothing so under-rated as a good shit. ;)

I think that's what he was saying. It feels good when you do it, but once it's done, what's sitting there ain't no beautiful baby.

At age 13 I was diagnosed with depression and put on Elavil (an old drug--but it was 1977 and pretty much IT) but NO ONE told me that it would take 4-6 weeks to make me feel better so I stopped taking it (it made me tired)--and my parents never followed up. Mom took me to a gastroenterologist for my unexplained stomach pain and HE diagnosed me (correctly). I never went back, I never saw a psych and I never got any better. In 1989 I saw a therapist who knew, within 60 seconds of meeting me, that I was depressed. It had never occurred to me that I was--I just thought life sucked. She referred me to a doc who put me on prozac and it changed my life. I've gone off prozac many times---and it's never been a good idea. IMHO depression and anxiety (not to mention addictions) are all part of familial make up.

I've often wondered why the depressed/addicted trait has survived for so long and I've come to the conclusion that a lot of depressed/addicted people are just really attractive in some way to normal people.

true, but its MY baby. :D

Or...they're really attractive to other depressed/addicted people:P

Or maybe they are vulnerable to pregnancy. :(

Ed Hagan thinks depression might've served a beneficial function during human evolution.

Or they're really, really horny all the time.

i can vouch for that.

I'm now officially on the pills. I appreciate all the comments in this thread, which were a big help to me.

PM me if you want any help or have any questions about anti - depressants.
I'm just about to wean off mine. I wish you the best.

Same with me, any time you have questions, you can PM me. I'm an old pro. :)

I appreciate the offers. I'm sure it'll be a while before any noticable effect shows up. Of course, my only question was, "Doc, will I still be able to post on The Cellar?

To which he replied, "Damn, son, you don't need meds. We just gotta keep you away from those bat-shit insane Cellarites!"

I've been on all the drugs, am now off all the drugs. Never worked for me. Good luck though.