Discussions that mention zoloft

Depression is not just a state of mind. Depression is a condition in which the chemicals in your brain are imbalanced. It's when the seritonin ( the chemical responsible for mood elevation gets reabsorbed by the nerves in your brain before they are transmitted properly, which results it a constant uneasy feeling, sadness, a slump you can't get out of. A decrease in seritonin makes it unable for a person to deal with a situation that would otherwise be easily dealt with. Yes, everyone gets sad, yes everyone gets mad, but if these feelings are prolonged months and months, then you have a problem. Medication greatly helps those who need that extra boost of seritonin, to level out the chemicals responsible for well, feeling normal. I know, I take Zoloft, I have days when I am sad, as does everyone. But the difference now is that its jut a DAY not a YEAR. I thank God for my meds, and I don't feel weak or ashamed because I have to use them. If you donlt have to take them good for the people who don't! but I do and I need them, it sure beats the hell out of being sad all the time and not knowing why or how to get out of that funk. I am not a different person because of my meds, I am who I was meant to be, I don't freak out anymore, and if you knew what it was like to be sad all the time you would welcome any help you could get. Anxiety and depression can be very scary to those that experience them, and to some medication is a godsend. :angel:

i couldn't agree more with all the above posters. there is a major difference between situational and clinical depression. i think what you are talking about is situational, when one bad event in your life makes you sad. but what most of the people on these boards are suffering from is clinical depression, when the chemicals in our brains are imbalanced and we need the meds to make them right again. SSRIs are designed specifically for this reason, to balance the serotonin levels. otherwise, it results in physical reactions, not just emotional. lots of people have problems with their eating and sleeping habits, and sometimes even find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. other people have anxiety and need these meds to help interact with other people better. i know for me, i'm still searching for the right med (i first tried zoloft and now i'm switching from effexor to lexapro) and plenty of other people have had the same experience as me. don't knock these meds unless you have literally tried every single one and none of them have worked. because for people like me and others on these boards, meds have been a lifesaver. and like kimba, i'd be interested to know your personal experience, so please share with us.

Quote from sweetangel1980:

Depression is not just a state of mind. Depression is a condition in which the chemicals in your brain are imbalanced. It's when the seritonin ( the chemical responsible for mood elevation gets reabsorbed by the nerves in your brain before they are transmitted properly, which results it a constant uneasy feeling, sadness, a slump you can't get out of. A decrease in seritonin makes it unable for a person to deal with a situation that would otherwise be easily dealt with. Yes, everyone gets sad, yes everyone gets mad, but if these feelings are prolonged months and months, then you have a problem. Medication greatly helps those who need that extra boost of seritonin, to level out the chemicals responsible for well, feeling normal. I know, I take Zoloft, I have days when I am sad, as does everyone. But the difference now is that its jut a DAY not a YEAR. I thank God for my meds, and I don't feel weak or ashamed because I have to use them. If you donlt have to take them good for the people who don't! but I do and I need them, it sure beats the hell out of being sad all the time and not knowing why or how to get out of that funk. I am not a different person because of my meds, I am who I was meant to be, I don't freak out anymore, and if you knew what it was like to be sad all the time you would welcome any help you could get. Anxiety and depression can be very scary to those that experience them, and to some medication is a godsend. :angel:

You do know that the serotonin thing is based on theory, right? That's why they still claim the causes of depression are unknown, but it is "thought" that it is a lack of chemicals. Alot of the chemicals like serotonin and neopinphrine are stimulating to the nervous system, that's why people feel better. It's a little "charge".

But it's not natural. Serotonin can be produced by eating tryptophan foods(protein) and released with carbohydrates. Drugs just prevent normal metabolism of serotonin, not make it.

I'm not saying that some people shouldn't take them, but they really arent' addressing the real source of depression. They should be used sparingly and for a short time to avoid any damage to receptors over time or severe dependancy.

Quote from analog2000:

I understand what you are saying about the chemical imbalance only being a theory, that there is not proof. But for right now, it is the best theory we have. That might change in the coming years, but for now . . .

Notice its always the pharmacutical companies to recite the jargon of "chemical imbalances" so much. You could say that deficiencies in serotonin will lead to this or that, but you cant say given someone is experiencing some depressive symptoms, they necessarily have a chemical imbalance. The meds are way overprescribed, and not for the reason of curing patients either. Heck, it's becoming commonplace for kids below the ages of 10 to be sipping on paxil smoothies, or crunching on zoloft flakes for breakfast... just sad really.

Quote from jason_arntz:

Notice its always the pharmacutical companies to recite the jargon of "chemical imbalances" so much. You could say that deficiencies in serotonin will lead to this or that, but you cant say given someone is experiencing some depressive symptoms, they necessarily have a chemical imbalance. The meds are way overprescribed, and not for the reason of curing patients either. Heck, it's becoming commonplace for kids below the ages of 10 to be sipping on paxil smoothies, or crunching on zoloft flakes for breakfast... just sad really.

Your right, it's mainly jargon. When I saw the Zoloft commercial that said "depression is a serious medical condition", I didn't get so mad about that because indirectly it can be, if a depressed person decides to commit suicide or self-injury in a cry for help.

But what really burned me was when they advertised Zoloft for social anxiety disorder, and had they had the balls to say social anxiety disorder is a serious medical conditon! Really, you mean if I can't socialize properly, I will drop dead? Jargon is most dangerous when people actually believe it.

Some countries like the UK have actually banned the use of AD's for kids under 18; we are not going to do that I'm sure since drug companies are allowed to have alot more power here than in other countries. Show me the money!

Quote from Jennita:

When I saw the Zoloft commercial that said "depression is a serious medical condition", I didn't get so mad about that because indirectly it can be...

You didn't get "so mad" about a disease with a suicide rate of FIFTEEN PERCENT being called a serious medical condition???!!!??? Are you being funny? For those who suffer from it, I can assure that there are few medical conditions more serious.

Quote from Jennita:

But some depressions are situational, right? Ever hear of situational cancer, in other words, if you get out of a bad life situation your cancer would vanish? Real disease has no such variable.

The statement that "real disease has no such variable" is false. Many, if not most, diseases are affected by "situations". Diabetes is drastically worsened by situational factors - obesity, ingestion of refined sugars, alcohol intake - and improved by other situational factors - exercise, weight reduction, dietary control. Asthma is very "situational" - the presence or absence of allergens greatly influences the course of the disease. High blood pressure is worsened by "situational" stress, excess sodium intake, lack of exercise, etc. The autoimmune diseases - Lupus, Chron's, MS, etc - are all worsened by stress.

And, speaking of cancer, what could be more "situational" than lung cancer from smoking or asbestos exposure, mouth and throat cancers from chewing tobacco, and throat and esophageal cancers from alcohol? PERHAPS THOSE CANCERS ARE A BETTER ANALOGY THAN YOU REALIZED. For some reason, the body, when exposed to these substances, goes wacko and starts producing mutated cells. Even when you remove the carcinogens, it's too late. The cancer has started. Isn't it possible that this is exactly what happens with "situational" depression? That the body responds in a detrimental way (*possibly* with depleted serotonin levels) and isn't able to reverse its response when the situation has resolved itself? Thus, the depression lingers much like a cancer.

Quote from mjss:

You know, sharing stories, offering information and stating opinions is alot different than trying to convince people that your views on theories, etc. are correct.

That's what I have a problem with as well. You seem to state, Jennita, that the "serotonin theory" is hogwash. If the research you have seen is so convincing perhaps you should present it to the AMA. The medical community as a whole obviously doesn't share your conclusion.

I can't think of a group of more intelligent, more discerning individuals than the physicians we have in this country. Assuming that they have all been taken in by the advertising of pharmaceutical companies is ludicrous. To imply that everyone with major depression who has decided to take antidepressants did so because of that same advertising is belittling.