I know I'm probably being impatient, but could someone please respond to the other thread I started? I feel like I'm going crazy here wondering if I should take anti-depressants or not. I don't know what to do--I just want to make a decision. I feel like I need something to help me, but I don't want to make things worse, or wind up needing the drug to cope for the rest of my life.

I'm really confused right now, so please respond.

Nobody can really answer that question but you. Any psychoactive drug is a neurotoxin, but some people can benefit from a short run of them. Long term use may cause damage. Withdrawal, or discontinuation symptoms may occur when you stop the drug.

Counceling may help you considerably, along with proper nutrition and plenty of exercise. Why not go with those first, then if you feel the need the Paxil will still be there. But make sure you decide to take meds on your own...don't let anyone pressure you into it. Some people react badly to Paxil. Plus biological, chemical imbalance caused depression theory is still yet unproven.

Thanks, Jenna. You're right, I think I just want someone to tell me what I need to do. I'm still not sure. I feel like I need quick relief, because my constant bad mood is really having seriously negative effects on my relationship with my wife, and making her life miserable.

Hopefully she can hang on intil you sort this out. Do you work out on a regular basis? Try it; it is the best mood lifter! Drink lots of water; dehydration, even slight, will cause low feelings. I read in a psychology today magazine that they have done studies indicating fish oil capsules, or eating alot of fish if you want, will help lift depression. Lately I have heard flax-seed oil is even better. Why not give these things a short trial while you are trying to figure out to Paxil or not to Paxil? Good luck to you!

Zoot, also educate yourself on depression. Read , therapy, excercise, maybe a support group. There's lots of info on the web.Take care! blooz http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Hi Zoot,

I think some of the members may disagree with me, but thats life and everyone is different.

In my opinion and experience there are two things here that need to be considered.
Firstly the length of time you have been depressed and whether you have had had previous counselling. Reason I say this is because if you have been depressed long term (I'm talking like over a year) and you have had counselling before (and it did not solve or aid in fixing the depression) then TAKE THE MEDICATION.

I spent 6 years DENYING I had this sickness, and MY GOD since taking the antidepressants my life is unbelievable. I can now snap out of it and get on with this "thing" called being happy!

If you have been like this a long while then, maybe you need to face the facts that this is a medical problem. You are not a psycho, you are just ill, just like people who need blood pressure tablets for their heart and insulin for their diabetes.

You say that you don't want to be on it long term in case you come off it. I was the same (hence the SIX YEARS of hell) but since taking medication, my life is so different that I couldn't care less if I have to be on them forever.

I know I am sick. I know that it is medical. I also accept that I may have to take these long term, maybe for the rest of my life. However, I know now that I can have a "rest of my life" and I can be happy in that it will be a good life, without the medication it wouldnt.

In my opinion it is better to be dependant on the medication and live a life of quality and happiness then to live each day and wake up to the hell that you are supposed to accept is your life and cross to bear.

Just thought I'd share! Sorry if I carried on a bit!

I would try a diet improvement first. Depression is often related to excessive insulin levels in the blood. Also there are stuies that show taking some omega 3 fish daily help with severe depression.