The Professional Help Thread

[chris]

Let me get this straight. Your persuasive argument here is that "you seen it on the internet"?

My argument here is that there's enough circumstantial evidence to show that the drugs being pushed on the public as a "cure for whatever ails ya" aren't as safe as one would assume they should be. Whether that information comes from the Internet, or a competent doctor, or a person who's suffered an addiction to one of these drugs is irrelevant.

The flippant way doctors prescribe these potent drugs without any kind of physical tests is apalling. I guess that when you live in a society where people just want to pop a pill to solve their problems, shit like this is going to happen.

Honestly, I don't care if you take Zoloft. Hell, I have very close relatives who take drugs of this nature, and I don't say jack shit about it. My personal belief is that you don't need them to live a fulfilling life.

[pinback]

So you don't believe that depression is a real illness? You think those afflicted need to just "pick themselves up by their bootstraps, sack up, and get on the winning team", is that a safe assertion?

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

So you don't believe that depression is a real illness? You think those afflicted need to just "pick themselves up by their bootstraps, sack up, and get on the winning team", is that a safe assertion?

I used to think that. Then it occured to me that I've never actually been depressed, so who am I to say? It sounds as sane as saying AIDS is curable if you tough it out.

The problem is that there are a LOT of drama queens in this country and, additionally, there are a lot of people who only think they have this unbelievably hard and fast-paced and stressful life and oh, you wouldn't believe how busy we are!!!!!!!!!!!

And these people detract from those people who just have depression because they got wired wrong. Like you. The hell do you have to be depressed about? Nothing. You're rich, single, good-looking and funny. But obviously you're chemically broken so take the drugs. It's just that for every you there is there's some broad with eight kids freaking out because she can't juggle hubby Bill and then Hunter, Jason, Murray, Joshua, Bill Jr., Brittany, Britnee and Britenanee alongside the McNobody account. This is why it has a reputation.

Does any of this have anything to do with you? No.

[chris]

So you don't believe that depression is a real illness? You think those afflicted need to just "pick themselves up by their bootstraps, sack up, and get on the winning team", is that a safe assertion?

I believe that depression is a real illness, brought on by some physical malady (like a chemical imbalance or whatnot). What I'm trying to get at is that people are prescribed these drugs without undergoing any tests to prove that they have the malady. There's essentially nothing preventing me from going to my doctor, saying I'm depressed, and getting prescriptions for what are actually very potent drugs that I really don't need.

I'm not your doctor, and I can't diagnose you. But did your doctor test your serotonin level before giving you your prescription? Did he perhaps suggest fixing the root causes of your depression (job, women, whatnot) instead of just dumping la-la pills in your lap and booting you out the door?

Now if tests were done on a person and they do not have anything physically wrong with them, then drugs are not the answer. Some sort of lifestyle change is in order to remove the root cause(s) of the "depression". The problem is that most people don't want to put any effort into fixing a problem....they just opt for the quickest or cheapest fix, and in this case, it's drugs.

[Ben's Serotonin Level]

I'm not your doctor, and I can't diagnose you. But did your doctor test your serotonin level before giving you your prescription? Did he perhaps suggest fixing the root causes of your depression (job, women, whatnot) instead of just dumping la-la pills in your lap and booting you out the door?

You're testing my patience.

[AArdvark]

instead of just dumping la-la pills in your lap and booting you out the door?

Actually aren't you (Pinback) supposed to check back in a fortnight to discuss the reactions/effectiveness of the prescription? It would seem rather callous to scribble off a months worth of pills and never find out if they are working for you.

http://www.wellmark.com/health_improvem ... ession.htm

This is interesting stuff.


THE
GET MORE SLEEP
AARDVARK

[pinback]

I'm not your doctor, and I can't diagnose you. But did your doctor test your serotonin level before giving you your prescription?

No. I self-diagnosed. And the fact that every single descendant from my grandfather (inclusive) has suffered from the same thing would indicate that it's a real, genetic, hereditary condition.

[pinback]

Actually aren't you (Pinback) supposed to check back in a fortnight to discuss the reactions/effectiveness of the prescription?

Yes.

[pinback]

http://www.wellmark.com/health_improvem ... ession.htm

The National Institute of Mental Health recommends that people who experience five or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks seek treatment for depression:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

Yes. (1)

Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism

Yes. (2)

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

Yes. (3)

Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

Yes. (4)

Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”

Yes. (5)

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Yes. (Much moreso lately.) (6)

Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

No.

Appetite and/or weight loss or gain

No.

Restlessness, irritability

Restlessness. (6.5)

Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders, or chronic pain that do not respond to treatment

No.

Thoughts of suicide

No.

or death

Yes. (7.0)

Change in work style such as missing deadlines, not being able to finish tasks, calling in sick, or interacting less with co-workers

All of the above. (8.0)

How'd I do?

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

Whoa, this thing is affecting your job? You're skipping work, bro?

[pinback]

I've left early a few times, yes. And several (trivial) tasks for listenup.com remain un-did.

And I am interacting less with coworkers, but that's purely for the sake of my own sanity, considering who my primary coworker is.

[Vitriola]

Alot of those symptoms also are related to alcoholism, what are you doing about that? How sure are you that getting pills is just another way of putting off quitting drinking (assuming you have not done so)? And, shouldn't you get off one drug in order for the other one to have a chance of working?

Here are some other treatment tips:

* Set realistic goals
* Break large tasks into small ones
* Spend time with other people
* Get involved in activities that you enjoy
* Exercise. Studies show that taking a brisk walk three times a week may help you recover faster from depression
* Get enough sleep and eat a well-balanced diet
* Avoid alcohol

[Worm]

Fuck, I'm glad there is an Information Superhighway between you maggots and I.

Ben, pop the fucking pills, if it makes you less miserable that's great. If you're less miserable you'll probably drink less. If the pills don't make you less miserable drop them and keep drinking.

[pinback]

Alot of those symptoms also are related to alcoholism, what are you doing about that? How sure are you that getting pills is just another way of putting off quitting drinking (assuming you have not done so)? And, shouldn't you get off one drug in order for the other one to have a chance of working?

Can anyone on this goddamn BBS ask questions before they assume they know what the fuck is going on?

What a bunch of arrogant jerks.

[Lysander]

Drug-wise, I could get some with ridiculous ease. My dad likes to collect bottles of Taquila in the garage, I could get speed-in-a-pill for hjust "being inattentive" and--living the cliche--I could almost assuredly get medical pot for my erm, gloccoma problem. I have done none of these things. I don't actually have a point with that, I'm just bringing it up for no real reason.

[Vitriola]

Can anyone on this goddamn BBS ask questions before they assume they know what the fuck is going on?

What a bunch of arrogant jerks.

Is anyone on this BBS eloquent enough to actually post a topic that makes any sense at all in the context in which everyone is used to hearing it, and not just troll for attention by attacking everyone else?

[pinback]

I didn't get that.

[Worm]

Can anyone on this goddamn BBS ask questions before they assume they know what the fuck is going on?

What a bunch of arrogant jerks.

Is anyone on this BBS eloquent enough to actually post a topic that makes any sense at all in the context in which everyone is used to hearing it

"The Professional Help Thread"

"The Professional Help Thread"

"The Professional Help Thread"

"The Professional Help Thread"

"The Professional Help Thread"

"The Professional Help Thread"

I didn't get that either, V. I just wrote all this stupid BBCode already.

[Vitriola]

Oh, nothing, I just bring up how alcoholism of any other addiction can not only have the same effects as depression, but actually cause it in many cases, and was wondering why the obsession with getting drugs when no mention has been made of getting off other, more destructive drugs, and I got called an arrogant jerk. Just wondering if someone out there wanted serious replies or just some attention.

[Worm]

We're all running of the assumption that the doctor was too stupid to ask about alcohol or that Ben lied to him?