What is up with the crusade against SSRI anti-depressants?

Question

I would like to know, what is up with the crusade against SSRIs, (Prozac, Zoloft....etc) when these are a huge improvement on the older tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs.

And before any hippies start yelling suicidal and homocidal intentions, yes, this is true, but only at the initial stages as the brain readjust to the serotonin reuptake inhibition.

Furthermore, these medications have treated hundreds of millions people succesfully, without any serious side effects, and have given them lives free of OCD,depression and anxiety, and only resulted in a handful of homocides/suicides, where the link has not yet even been proven well. It may be that this behavior is more of a symptom of the sickness, not caused by the SSRI itself.

Thus I would like to lay down the challenge and open the dabate, and ask why people do not focus on the millions that have gained their life back with SSRIs and only focus on a small hand full, that lost it - most likely to the symptoms of the illness!

Answer 1

People always have something to say, and it's not meant for everyone. It takes time, trial/error to get these type of medications correct. Unfortunately, there are people who have commited suicide and/or have those thoughts while taking antidepressants.

I say if they work for you -- take it and forget what others say. It has indeed given many people a life back -- and only they know the hell and craziness that can get caught up in their mind.

If a person can get their personal and mental problems under control in other ways -- more power to them, but I'm glad that in America we have a choice.

Answer 2

I'm not a crusader but with what I've worked with, helped with and seen for the past decade one on one with many, many, many people... drugs are not necessary, period.

That is my belief because you have not been in my shoes to witness and deal with what I have.

I think this is a great web site, here: http://www.breggin.com He is a psychiatrist educating people about SSRI's and their side affects.

Brain function disorders are no more than the body out of balance, you get the body back into balance with the proper nutritional tools, then there isn't any more room for disease or brain disorders.

Oh yah, and you scoff at that because you believe in this genetic stuff and you believe the hog wash that its a chemical imbalance... I challenge you to show me where on this planet Earth there is any scientific validation that brain function disorders are chemical.. and you know what? You won't find it because it doesn't exist.

I know, I've been waking up Autistic kids, my brother is no longer Schitzophrenic and my neice no longer has Bi-polar and manic depression disorders and yes, her mother had it, too.

All are drug free and all are completely healthy.

There are thousands more, too.

But, you have to plug into the information with an open mind to see this (outside your box) reality or if you don't then you people like you and I will always be diametrically apposed.

Here's an FYI, the fourth leading cause of death are from properly prescribed drugs. The US ranks number 37 according to the World Health Organization in the "treatment" of disease, period.

Something wrong with that picture? Yah... its really not working because if you are on a medication... the side affects will rear their ugly head sooner or later, and when that happens, I can guarantee that you will be on at least, three to five more medications in your lifetime with truly god awful moods.

Answer 3

Absolutely! I'm on lexapro right now, and it has absolutely changed my life. Problems don't phase me like they did before, there's no longer this. . .wall in front of me every time something bad happens. I feel human, now.

For some people, like me, the problem is chemical. And so you need different chemicals to get your brain back on track. It runs in my family--mom and grandma have also suffered from depression and anxiety. For some people, the problem is mostly emotional. So they get therapy, and they're helped.

The point is, it's different for everyone. If YOU didn't need medication to get your life back on track, then that's great. But don't berate ME for needing medication to do the same thing, and don't tell me that meds are across-the-board bad, because I don't know where i'd be without them.

Answer 4

you must be a drug rep - where is your briefcase ! I have been more competitive - assertive and effective since I stopped taking the dope in May -- Paxil. I had ' joe jobs ' on SSRI's for years. I know first hand they raise your moodswings and cause a whole host of symptoms. They wreck the sex drive - aggression - memory.

Answer 5

I totally agree with you,zoloft change my life

Answer 6

If only you knew the truth about psychiatry.