Serious Shit; Anti-Depressants/Cipralex - General

So for anybody that had followed or cared (Or both or neither!) I made a thread a little over a month ago about my depression and addiction issues. For reference, [url=http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1129695?highlight=]it's here[/url]. Since then things have gotten worse since, coupled with lack of work, being totally broke, and having run out of drugs and alcohol to numb all my thoughts, I had a mental breakdown while walking back from a Service Ontario center and ended up having to run home in order to smoke almost half a pack of my roommate's cigarettes (Much to his dismay) while crying profusely and maintaining an anxiety attack. Well, after that, I got sick of my level of depression, as it just doesn't suit my situation. I took the time to visit a psychiatrist who presented me with the "Depression is a choice" school of thought, but openly recommended that I visit my family doctor to start taking some anti-depressants. So I did. And I am. No drastic change has occurred thus far but I do feel multitudes better simply for having taken steps to finally combat my own depression after six, possibly even eight years of this gray elephant being in my head. However, the anxiety attacks haven't slowed, and I woke up this morning with my thoughts rushing so fast it felt as though my skull would implode, my heart beat explosively with every pulse, and I psychologically felt as though I had to run away from a bear or [i]something[/i]. I felt this sensation so strongly that I actually rushed to get out of bed, but was immediately hit with a wave of dizziness that leveled me back onto my bed and I nearly threw up. Thinking back on it I'm still terrified at the entire event and I've strongly considered giving up the medication despite copious warnings everywhere stating to not do exactly that. It's easy from a third-party perspective to say "Well, just deal with it." but I have never in my life felt a sensation of fear and anxiety that strong, [u]and I've actually ran into a bear before[/u]. I'm sure someone will chime in that I should go see the doc' about this, but he's unavailable Fridays, and I'm quite simply unavailable today as well. I'm between moves and I have no other time where doing said move is viable. Are these side-effects normal? Do they dissipate? How long does it last?

If you have time to be on the internet you have time to go to the doctor's.

Doctors wing it on shit like antidepressants because you never know how mind altering pharmaceuticals will effect the individual. Prolly need a dosage change or a completely new drug.

[QUOTE=Exploits;33327899]I woke up this morning with my thoughts rushing so fast it felt as though my skull would implode, my heart beat explosively with every pulse, and I psychologically felt as though I had to run away from a bear or [I]something[/I]. I felt this sensation so strongly that I actually rushed to get out of bed, but was immediately hit with a wave of dizziness that leveled me back onto my bed and I nearly threw up.[/QUOTE] Kind of the same thing happened to me too, once. Anyways, what is it that is making you depressed? It must be something. And if it isn't, then it is not enough with anti-depressants, something else needs to be done. Have you ever been to a psychiatrist? That might help. [editline]18th November 2011[/editline] Also, the worst thing you can do while having a depression, is just to sit at home, being sad. I don't know if you do so, but you're on Facepunch, so you probably are. You need to talk with some good friends/family about this, not some random guys on here who can't do shit. Be with people all the time who actually understands you, not just some idiots who think that weed/cigarettes will solve the problem.

[QUOTE=-nesto-;33327981]Doctors wing it on shit like antidepressants because you never know how mind altering pharmaceuticals will effect the individual. Prolly need a dosage change or a completely new drug.[/QUOTE] "Doctors wing it on shit" Well there you have it folks.

[QUOTE=Mikk;33327923]If you have time to be on the internet you have time to go to the doctor's.[/QUOTE] He isn't avaliable at this time, did you even read the OP?

[QUOTE=wewt!;33328510]He isn't avaliable at this time, did you even read the OP?[/QUOTE] Yes and evidently you didn't. It's not difficult to go some other day of the week. The likelihood that he's busy literally 24/7 is very low.

zoloft ftw

I know that feel man, anxiety attacks are some really nasty shit, I've had some before. It's even worse when you don't recognize them for what they are. Do you think they are caused by the meds? That's what I think did it for me, but there are a lot of possible causes.

How long have you been taking the drug, and what dose are you on?

I have anxiety attacks and depression as well, I have become quite agoraphobic lately.

[QUOTE=ayaki;33328423]"Doctors wing it on shit" Well there you have it folks.[/QUOTE] With antidepressants, it really is a case of "Is this one working for you, or do we try another one?" [editline]18th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=CHRHN;33328065]Kind of the same thing happened to me too, once. Anyways, what is it that is making you depressed? It must be something. And if it isn't, then it is not enough with anti-depressants, something else needs to be done. Have you ever been to a psychiatrist? That might help. [editline]18th November 2011[/editline] Also, the worst thing you can do while having a depression, is just to sit at home, being sad. I don't know if you do so, but you're on Facepunch, so you probably are. You need to talk with some good friends/family about this, not some random guys on here who can't do shit. Be with people all the time who actually understands you, not just some idiots who think that weed/cigarettes will solve the problem.[/QUOTE] Depression doesn't really need a reason And at this point he probably doesn't want to see people that much, or feels a burden

[QUOTE=ayaki;33328423]"Doctors wing it on shit" Well there you have it folks.[/QUOTE] With antidepressants, yea they do wing it. They generally want you on one for a few months then if it isn't effective they just randomly pick a new one to see if it works. Also OP, if you want something OTC for your anxiety and panic attacks, Passion Flower is helpful to a lot of people. You can buy it for a couple bucks on amazon.

Were you diagnosed with anything or are you just saying you're depressed? and im having trouble understanding how you saw a psychiatrist and they told you to go to someone else to get medicine prescribed. Also, believe it or not but the Doctor knows what's better for you and what they're doing. Don't stop taking your medication.

[QUOTE=Exploits;33327899]So for anybody that had followed or cared (Or both or neither!) I made a thread a little over a month ago about my depression and addiction issues. For reference, [url=http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1129695?highlight=]it's here[/url]. Since then things have gotten worse since, coupled with lack of work, being totally broke, and having run out of drugs and alcohol to numb all my thoughts, I had a mental breakdown while walking back from a Service Ontario center and ended up having to run home in order to smoke almost half a pack of my roommate's cigarettes (Much to his dismay) while crying profusely and maintaining an anxiety attack. Well, after that, I got sick of my level of depression, as it just doesn't suit my situation. I took the time to visit a psychiatrist who presented me with the "Depression is a choice" school of thought, but openly recommended that I visit my family doctor to start taking some anti-depressants. So I did. And I am. No drastic change has occurred thus far but I do feel multitudes better simply for having taken steps to finally combat my own depression after six, possibly even eight years of this gray elephant being in my head. However, the anxiety attacks haven't slowed, and I woke up this morning with my thoughts rushing so fast it felt as though my skull would implode, my heart beat explosively with every pulse, and I psychologically felt as though I had to run away from a bear or [i]something[/i]. I felt this sensation so strongly that I actually rushed to get out of bed, but was immediately hit with a wave of dizziness that leveled me back onto my bed and I nearly threw up. Thinking back on it I'm still terrified at the entire event and I've strongly considered giving up the medication despite copious warnings everywhere stating to not do exactly that. It's easy from a third-party perspective to say "Well, just deal with it." but I have never in my life felt a sensation of fear and anxiety that strong, [u]and I've actually ran into a bear before[/u]. I'm sure someone will chime in that I should go see the doc' about this, but he's unavailable Fridays, and I'm quite simply unavailable today as well. I'm between moves and I have no other time where doing said move is viable. Are these side-effects normal? Do they dissipate? How long does it last?[/QUOTE] The psychiatrist sounds like a fucking idiot. Depression is a [I]choice[/I] ? What the hell? It does sound like you do have some serious issues going on, but seriously, go get a second opinion from someone else; anti-depressants are serious shit (as you mentioned) so it's probably not going to hurt to hear someone else's thoughts on your condition. Get better!

From what it sounds like, you do need anti-depressants. I don't have a degree, but speaking from my past experience of 6 years worth of depression, 2-4 years of major depression, I'd have to say I'm slowly realizing Anti-Depressants are more of a short-term solution. From the sound of your post it really sounds like you should actively try to combat your depression. Don't rush things, discuss them with a psychiatrist, or if not that hell even a regular doctor. Ending your depression is something more than taking a pill, in my opinion. You have to actively change your situation, or how you think, or how you act, etc. to actually get out of depression. As well, while anti-depressants do take some time to kick in. If you don't mind telling us, what dosage of what medication are you on? Medications are very iffy when it comes to the individual, though I've found Prozac has the least side effects with a withdrawal that's not really that bad. I should also warn you that, yes, SSRIs and antidepressants in general do have withdrawal(For me, at least.). It's pretty much just being more depressed than when you were on it, it could be worse or better than the depression you were trying to solve. Also, if you have already taken steps to prepare to come off or lower the dose of a antidepressant then after a short time(For me it was 4 days-YMMV, I'm sure you could look it up on google) you'll gradually start feeling better. Depression isn't something that's solved overnight or even in a month for even Moderate depressions. If you've been depressed for 6-8 years, then it will take some time, but being happy without any medication, just being *happy* without any medication, knowing that you got through it will be much more real and fulfilling than any medication will give you-That I guarantee you. I may still be on anti-depressants, but I went from 300mg of Luvox to 20mg of Prozac. I'm pretty happy with my progress and I'm starting to take steps to set myself up to finally come off anti-depressants. It's going to be great.

[QUOTE=-nesto-;33327981]Doctors wing it on shit like antidepressants because you never know how mind altering pharmaceuticals will effect the individual. Prolly need a dosage change or a completely new drug.[/QUOTE] They don't wing it, it's just that the first one usually doesn't work because there isn't some test they can run to determine exactly which kind of antidepressant you need.

[QUOTE=InvaderNouga;33336203]Were you diagnosed with anything or are you just saying you're depressed? and im having trouble understanding how you saw a psychiatrist and they told you to go to someone else to get medicine prescribed. Also, believe it or not but the Doctor knows what's better for you and what they're doing. Don't stop taking your medication.[/QUOTE] I'm pretty sure psychiatrists don't have the qualifications to prescribe drugs like anti-depressants. [editline]19th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=-nesto-;33327981]Doctors wing it on shit like antidepressants because you never know how mind altering pharmaceuticals will effect the individual. Prolly need a dosage change or a completely new drug.[/QUOTE] Depression is tricky because we're not entirely sure about what causes it. We have hypothesises with evdence for them but they also have a lot of evidence against them.

I was on Cipralex a while back, and the drug works but I stopped over time because I didn't like how i felt when I was off the meds. What you felt, the sudden urge to get out of bed was possibly a bit of withdrawal and your body wanting to take another pill or even the side effect of delusion. The dizziness is simply you getting up too fast in the morning. You have to be careful with these kidns of things, find something that makes you comfortable. There may be a lot of adjustment before you find something right with you, see your d [editline]19th November 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Jabberwocky;33337724]I'm pretty sure psychiatrists don't have the qualifications to prescribe drugs like anti-depressants. [editline]19th November 2011[/editline] Depression is tricky because we're not entirely sure about what causes it. We have hypothesises with evdence for them but they also have a lot of evidence against them.[/QUOTE] I'm quite sure depression is mainly genetically caused by a very low production of dopamine/serotonin. Hence why things like serotonin reuptake inhibitors are prescribed.

[QUOTE=Jabberwocky;33337724]I'm pretty sure psychiatrists don't have the qualifications to prescribe drugs like anti-depressants. [editline]19th November 2011[/editline] Depression is tricky because we're not entirely sure about what causes it. We have hypothesises with evdence for them but they also have a lot of evidence against them.[/QUOTE] Psychiatrists ARE the only ones who have the certifications to prescribe drugs for psych issues (that is the main facet of their job, to prescribe drugs), Psychologists can't prescribe drugs. Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs like Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Anxiolytics(Benzo's), Mood Stabiliziers, and ADHD medication. I'm not trying to knock the fact that OP is experiencing depression, but he hasn't even said he was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder which is what I think he's getting at. The OP could be experiencing a number of things like MDD, Bipolar disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, or maybe even a Medical Condition that's causing him to feel like this.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;33337596]They don't wing it, it's just that the first one usually doesn't work because there isn't some test they can run to determine exactly which kind of antidepressant you need.[/QUOTE] That's called winging it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not downplaying the work doctors do. However, with prescribing antidepressants, it's just a crapshoot and they have to use guesswork to find the right one.

[QUOTE=InvaderNouga;33338602]Psychiatrists ARE the only ones who have the certifications to prescribe drugs for psych issues (that is the main facet of their job, to prescribe drugs), Psychologists can't prescribe drugs. Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs like Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Anxiolytics(Benzo's), Mood Stabiliziers, and ADHD medication. I'm not trying to knock the fact that OP is experiencing depression, but he hasn't even said he was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder which is what I think he's getting at. The OP could be experiencing a number of things like MDD, Bipolar disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, or maybe even a Medical Condition that's causing him to feel like this.[/QUOTE] Sorry, I was thinking of psychologists. My mistake.

[QUOTE=InvaderNouga;33338602]Psychiatrists ARE the only ones who have the certifications to prescribe drugs for psych issues (that is the main facet of their job, to prescribe drugs), Psychologists can't prescribe drugs. Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs like Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Anxiolytics(Benzo's), Mood Stabiliziers, and ADHD medication. I'm not trying to knock the fact that OP is experiencing depression, but he hasn't even said he was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder which is what I think he's getting at. The OP could be experiencing a number of things like MDD, Bipolar disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, or maybe even a Medical Condition that's causing him to feel like this.[/QUOTE] A family doctor can prescribe all those medicines. In fact I am in the process of getting charity care so I can go to a family doctor to get prescribed mood stabilizers. If you have been diagnosed with an issue in the past, any doctor can prescribe the meds. They just don't have the qualifications to actually diagnose you.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;33338691]That's called winging it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not downplaying the work doctors do. However, with prescribing antidepressants, it's just a crapshoot and they have to use guesswork to find the right one.[/QUOTE] Exactly. There are so many different variations of anti-depressant drugs that this is typically what happens. It's not that they're inexperienced or anything though. [QUOTE=yawmwen;33338704]A family doctor can prescribe all those medicines. In fact I am in the process of getting charity care so I can go to a family doctor to get prescribed mood stabilizers. If you have been diagnosed with an issue in the past, any doctor can prescribe the meds. They just don't have the qualifications to actually diagnose you.[/QUOTE] Not just any Doctor can prescribe medicine. Don't know where you got this information from. Maybe what you're thinking of is that they can make referrals to be prescribed medication, in which case the referral is sent up to someone who has the ability to prescribe drugs and then the qualified personnel will prescribe the drugs. Also, Psychiatrists do have the qualifications to diagnose.

[QUOTE=Conspiracy;33338147] I'm quite sure depression is mainly genetically caused by a very low production of dopamine/serotonin. Hence why things like serotonin reuptake inhibitors are prescribed.[/QUOTE] The monoamine hypothesis the leading explanation but it is inadequate in areas.

[QUOTE=Jabberwocky;33338693]Sorry, I was thinking of psychologists. My mistake.[/QUOTE] Psychiatrists [i]are[/i] psychologists. You are thinking of therapists/counselors.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;33338715]Psychiatrists [i]are[/i] psychologists. You are thinking of therapists/counselors.[/QUOTE] Don't psychologists need some sort of medical degree to become psychiatrists?

[QUOTE=Jabberwocky;33338728]Don't psychologists need some sort of medical degree to become psychiatrists?[/QUOTE] My doctor was a psychologist technically. Wikipedia is telling me psychologists deal more with counseling and therapy vs. psychiatrists, who are mostly medical intervention. However my psychologist did no therapy and only drugs. Plus there are many branches of psychologist, which do different things(studying, research, counseling, etc.). So I think the line is blurry, but certain psychologists can prescribe medication.

[QUOTE=yawmwen;33338715]Psychiatrists [i]are[/i] psychologists. You are thinking of therapists/counselors.[/QUOTE] In America Pyschiatrists are not Psychologists. Pyschologists and Psychiatrists differ in that one is a Medical Doctor and one isn't(Pyschologist). Psychologists have PHD's, while Psychiatrists have MD's. Psychologists specialize in treatment such as counseling and psychotherapies. (I'm a Psychiatric Technician in the Navy so I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about :P)

[QUOTE=InvaderNouga;33338763]In America Pyschiatrists are not Psychologists. Pyschologists and Psychiatrists differ in that one is a Medical Doctor and one isn't. Psychologists have PHD's, while Psychiatrists have MD's. Psychologists specialize in treatment such as counseling and psychotherapies.[/QUOTE] My psychologist had an M.D. She was a doctor but her title was a pediatric psychologist.