posted April 25, 2004 02:58 PM         

I have read many posts and one mentioned Zoloft. I took this once and felt like a zombie. Is this a way to work out your problems? Or do you feel it's an easy way out that leads to other drugs? I feel that way, what do you think? I am open because I have friends who do want this option and ask my opinion. I do not want to be judgemental.

posted April 25, 2004 05:48 PM         

So to summerize; I hated the Zoloft but it helped manage my mood swings. The Paxil helped IMMENSELY with the deppression and anxiety. The Valium helped with immediate suspension of the panic attacks but I felt an addiction growing.

posted April 27, 2004 01:05 PM         

Sometimes Dr.'s like to prescribe drugs rather than get to the root of the problem.

For example, Essential Fatty Acids improve moods. They are very, very good for you, for many body functions. Flax oil, borage seed oil, and evening primrose oil are usually included in an EFA product.

Vitamin E supports mood.

Getting a B-complex, (which should include all the B vitamins), helps with mood. B-6 and B-12 are very good.

St. John's Wort is good.

Staying away from refined sugars.

Eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables brings clarity of mind. Munching on raw veggies such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, red bell peppers, etc.

I highly suggest the natural approach!

posted April 27, 2004 02:11 PM         

I have to second the notion that the first approach should be a natural one, including removing refined carbs and sugars from your diet. And--very important--eliminating artificial sweeteners, too.

Listen, I don't have the studies here, but if I get a chance I will do a web search for you. There has been a lot of talk that some of these drugs lead to much worse depression, and as silverbells said, a fog in your life. I recall reading that the boys responsible for the Columbine massacre were taking some, as well as the boy in Fla. who flew his plane into a building. There are other stories like this, including one close to home.

I don't want to alarm anyone...and again, I will have to find these stories for you to judge for yourselves. I know there are those on this board who will say I am completely wrong...so be it.

posted April 28, 2004 02:25 PM         

Yes refined sugars really suck, I found that out the hard way with my Venus ruled chart. I cannot have it or honey or anything sweet in the house. I do not feel fatty acids help but I do like the fresh fruit idea.

This time of the year people are sad.
There aren't any fresh fruits or flowers up North yet, and it's been raining for two weeks. It's normal for winter sadness to grab us and normal to find a way to get rid of it.

I would love to see a national keep away sadness day in the middle of the winter so everyone could be on the same wavelength instead of all these individuals getting lost in the fog.

Somewhere around March would do.

Looking forward to summer or spring here:>

Take Care D.K. I think that it's sounds like you are in a really controlling atmosphere right now, and Virgos respond to their environment. If you feel like crying let yourself go, nothing wrong with that.

I have felt like crying before and couldn't stop but let's face it, the situation is usually the cure, we just need to get away from it.

And there is so much pressure and hate towards young people today, the pressure is the same as it was in "Ordinary People"

D.K, that book may help, the boy in the book is a Capricorn, very earth sign depression. He gets out of it at the end with the help of a Gemini girl.

posted May 01, 2004 08:55 AM         

I have tried many therapies and they all worked. The best I have found is a detached, but caring approach, it can be an astrologer or psychologist but it has to be genuine and warm but detached to see the entire picture of my life.

Inner child workshops really work, and you can find these everywhere now. It's very similar to finding your inner sense of self and rebuilding it.

Sounds similar,

posted May 01, 2004 01:55 PM         

I've used flower essences, relaxation tapes/cd's, herb tea and exercise, and will be trying CBT (I've had anxiety attacks since I was a child, and was aoraphobic on and off for years ~ I'm still dealing with the social anxiety). I'm trying to fight off a bout of depression right now, it's been trying for weeks to grab me. Ugh!! Trying to get used to a stability ball workout has been helping me, on the days that I exercise ~ gritting my teeth and being determined to master certain moves (and slowly succeeding) has been helping me deal better with the "baby steps" involved in recovery ~ the off days aren't always so good lately though.

posted May 08, 2004 03:45 PM         

Anti-depressants helped to get the ball rolling. He was able to get past the numbness that comes with depression enough to look at his feelings objectively. Once he was able to access the feelings and ponder on them for a while, talk therapy helped him develop a game plan (if you will) that eventually pulled him completely out of the depression.

Antidepressants (IMHO) can be quite ineffective in the respect that many people consider them a wonder drug that will make all of their troubles go away... When in actuality they are only to assist you in working through your troubles.

As my husband's psychiatrist explained it to us, many antidepressants (Effexor, Paxil, Cilexa) will only give you the desired effect for about a year. After that you either have to switch or ween off of it. Weening is also a very important part of antidepressants. Their purpose is to teach the brain how to fire properly, so naturally if you just cut off that supply your brain won't know what to do and you'll go a little (or a lot depending on you) LOOPY. I also experienced this with my husband. He decided he was feeling fine and didn't need them. I have never wittnessed a person so dark, gloomy, and angry as my husband was when he went 2 days with out the medication.