Prozac or herbal remedies with counselling?

Question

I have been prescribed prozac but don't like the side effects. If I told my doc that I'd prefer just trying out herbal meds or just going through councilling rather than taking the drug they prescribed, isn't that just up to me? I really do not want to take medicine and although I am suffering from depression, I feel that all I need is a little counselling.

Answer 1

If you go for counselling, try and find a cognitive therapist.
They teach you how to retrain your thoughts to more normal ones. My husband bought me the book, Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy, I found it invaluable in getting myself back on track.

I think there is a place for anti-depressents, but it all depends on your own circumstances. How long you've been depressed for, how severely you are depressed. If you have suicidal thoughts or not. As I don't know you or your circumstances personally, I can't offer an opinion whether anti-depressants are worthwhile in your case or if you don't need them. There are lots of opinions on whether herabal or anti-depressants are best. I did find the Bach Flower remedies worked well, but check with your doctor that they won't interact with your prescribed medication if you choose to take them as well.

From experience, I can say, that whatever method you chose, most of the success will be down to your own hard work on improving your situation. Which I also know, is much easier to say than to do. But, it CAN be done.

Good luck, I know it's not easy. Make a decsion today that you are not going to live with depression any longer and things will start to improve.

Answer 2

Hello,

(ANS) The trueth is Prozac WONT cure or help your depression at all that's my first point. I am talking from experience of dealing with doctors & the NHS. The problem is most doctors see mental health from a medcialized point of view, see it as a disease or illness which can be or should be treated with drugs. i.e. like prozac.

**I dont see mental health in those terms at all, I see it from a non medical point of view. Mental health & conditions like depression or anxiety are states of being, with an accompanying emotional condition, & state of mind. But mental health I dont think is a disease as such.

**Doctors, & the NHS and the drug companies (pharmacuetical industry) ALL have a vested interest in prescribing drugs like prozac. Why? because its easy for GP's & doctors, also GP's & doctors get paid for prescribing such drugs.

**Prozac can be habit forming in some people, so that needs to be avoid at all cost.

**My belief is that the talking therapies & counselling are much more effective at helping a person find their own solutions. That given enough time & support we have the answers & solutions to our problems & dilemmas inside ourselves. We may NOT even be aware that we have the answers and thats were counselling can really help.

PS:- Nobody is FORCING you to have to agree with the doctor, you dont have to take the prozac. Its your body, its your health, the choices ARE all yours. You dont have to carry on taking prozac. YES! seek some counselling or therapy instead definately!!

**DONT be intimidated by doctors or the medical professionals.

IR

Answer 3

Ask your doc about alternatives there are other options bar prozac that you can take. Everyone is different but i find if i stop taking my Prozac i will go down . I started with just counselling then drugs and counseling and they have tried taking me off the drugs and putting me on just counseling but it didn't work i needed a combination of the both. I always found my doctor was very open to different paths i could take and supported me. If you just ask him/her the alternatives and give them your ideas after all it is your health and if there are alternative option you should be able to take the route you wish.

Answer 4

I agree that counselling is best if it works. I suffer with depression and take a med called Zispin 30-45mg. It is excellent with no side effects other than a little cloudiness of my mind. It kills the pain of depression allowing you to get on with your life. It is the best med I have ever taken for depression. I would recommend this along with writing down all your fears and resentments, sins and guilts. It is hard to do this but pays dividends. Keep your notes safe out of others reach and then when you are ready to share these facts(your life) with someone trustworthy you can take a giant step forward in your life and that heaviness on your shoulders-and weariness will lift. If you believe in God I would suggest that you ask Him for forgiveness of your sins. Ask Him for help too.After this-pray for willingness to make amends to people you may have hurt.You may of course be able to do this immediately. But they may have hurt you in the past in retaliation so it will be harder to do. May God look after you.

Answer 5

Go with your feelings. I tried Prozac and it kept me from sleeping for several days, and I ended up hallucinating. You're in charge of your own treatment; speak up, and if your doctor doesn't like it, find another doctor.
From experience I can say that counselling is often what we need--someone to talk to who can help us think thru issues and deal with them. Herbal remedies can help too but make sure you talk to a qualified herbal pharmacist. (Opium and cannabis are "herbs" too!)

Answer 6

It is your health and your body. Do what you want to do.I was prescribed tranquilizers when I found out I had cancer, but only stayed on them for 3 days. I would go for herbal, although they take a bit longer to work.

Answer 7

i was on prozac and the side effects made me twice as bad stick to herbal but saying that every bodys body is different give them a go see how you get on and good luck.

Answer 8

well done on getting off that crap. now go to www.dianetics.org

Answer 9

Please dont leave out Praying!