What are your thoughts on depression, anti-depressants, and how much they're prescribed these days?

Question

I always give one point for answering (unless your answer sux) so say whatever is on your mind. I used to be on anti depressants and now work in a pharmacy and I'm really curious as to what others think about this.

Answer 1

They're prescribed too much. Pills don't solve peoples problems- people do. Counseling, friendship & having someone to talk to -is a far better antidote for what ails many of us. Problems seldom go away by themselves. They need to be addressed & attended to, and that takes time, pacience, and understanding of what's going on within someone. Throwing pills at a problem is like putting off until tomorrow what should be dealt with- today. Quick "fixes"- fix nothing.

Answer 2

It's crap! I broke my back a few years ago(compression fracture) and part of the Workman's comp crap was i had to see a Phycologist to help me through the pain, he was worried about me being depressed so he put me on Paxil, I had to take it or the insurance company wouldn't pay. So I did and as my back started healing and i started feeling frisky again i found out about the side affects of Paxil real soon, I had no problem getting an erection and could maintain it forever but I couldn't have an orgasm, now that's depressing, since I got off paxil i have no problem, So yes I think they are over prescribed! i wasn't depressed in the first place but the Doctor had to sell a prescription to get his kickback.No wonder they hand them out to kids like candy! It's wrong in so many ways. Sorry I got long winded, but you hit a nerve!

Answer 3

What can I say? We live in depressing times. People feel less control over their lives than ever before, regardless of their affluence or technological advances.

Additionally, there are so many chemical changes not previously affecting humans, such as mercury spewed from power generation, contaminants in water and soil, and other toxic amendments such as smog and factory emissions that it's no wonder that people suffer allergies, asthma, and even depression as a result.

I think methamphetamines are overprescribed for fidgety children (Ritalin) but as for antidepressants, there are still lots of adults that could use some chemical assistance from antidepressants.

Answer 4

I suffer from depression & can tell you it's not fun. I've been on anti-depressants for several years & will likely be on them for life.
Actually...I don't believe they are over prescribed at all...if anything prescribing them more in recent years likely corresponds with the fact that the public are becoming more aware of mental illness.

Answer 5

i think anti-depressants should be used for emergency only. sometimes they are needed, but i think that they should be only used in the short term. they are prescribed too much, given out like candy.

Answer 6

Good question, I think everyone gets a little sad sometimes. It is far too easy to get a prescription. Several girls i know have pres. and lead nearly care-free lives. But i am sure some folks need them, seeing as people try to kill themselves everyday.

Answer 7

I think anti depressants only make you worse, I say this because my sister is on them and she has tried to commit suicide more times while on them then before she started taking them.

Answer 8

I EXPERIENCED DEPRESSION (REAL DEPRESSION) FOR THE FIRST TIME WHILE TAKING INTRON-A FOR HEP-C. I PUT MY DAUGHTER ON THE SCHOOL BUS TURNED AROUND AND IT HIT ME IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE THROWED A WET BLANKET ON ME I FELT NOTHING IT SEEMED AS THOUGH I WAS A SPOT ON THE EARTH. IT SCARED ME.
I HAVE TAKEN ZOLOFT AND IT WOTKS GREAT. FOR ME ANTI-DEPRESSANTS WERE A LIFE SAVER!

Answer 9

i think antidepressants should be a last resort and that people should resort to psychiatric help before consulting pharmacutical help.

i think these days they are described much too often and much too unnecessarily.