Pyper's Pet Peeve of the Day

[Pyper]

I am sick of people talking about drugs like Prozac as if they and the conditions they treat are some kind of joke. Prozac is not an "upper"; an automatic happy-maker for people who can't get their lives together or are depressed over troubles that they themselves can't fix.

It is a seratonin blocker. It corrects a chemical imbalance in the brain that is present through biology only, and is not a result of the person's problems with family, work, society, or anything else. Prozac doesn't work for people who are depressed or sad for any reason other than a fluke of nature that needs to be corrected.

Taking Prozac or other seratonin blockers should not be viewed with a critical or cynical eye as one would view an alcoholic or a drug addict who takes substances to escape from the world. It fixes a psychiatric condition.

That is all.

Discuss if you like.

 

[lovetoread]

Nicely put. I agree.

Now if only the ads would stop showing up on the tv.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I would add that we are too quick to medicate. Look at all those kids on ritalin...you have an overactive kid...bang, ritalin. You're a little sad...bang, prozac.

 

[Bob_Bytchin]

It's amazing that the US Government sees marijuana as an "evil" drug, yet there's no problem seen in drugging up our kids for ADHD (yes, I have 2 kids on Concerta...one for a physiological condition, the other for bipolar disorder) or doping up people with psychiatric disorders. I wonder how many people would be more relaxed, less anal retentive, and overall nice people if they smoked a joint from time to time?

** No, I don't smoke pot, but I do understand why some people do.

 

[Pyper]

You're a little sad...bang, prozac.

Now, see, this is the stereotype I'm talking about. That doctors today are too trigger happy with Prozac, because it is a quick fix for depression. This is simply untrue. They could very well prescribe Prozac to a depressed patient, but if the depression was not a result of a seratonin imbalance, the Prozac would have zero effect.

They may very well overprescribe. But it would be pointless as the drug would be ineffective.

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Now, see, this is the stereotype I'm talking about. That doctors today are too trigger happy with Prozac, because it is a quick fix for depression. This is simply untrue. They could very well prescribe Prozac to a depressed patient, but if the depression was not a result of a seratonin imbalance, the Prozac would have zero effect.

They may very well overprescribe. But it would be pointless as the drug would be ineffective.

but it isn't a stereotype...last winter I was a little overtired and such (not depressed) and the doctor tried to tell me I was depressed and tried to give me a prescription without any understanding of who I am and what was going on in my life. In truth I was just burning my candle at too many ends and I needed to cut back my work schedule and then I was fine. I was stressed, not depressed. My therapist was horrified and so was I.

 

[intrigued]

It's amazing that the US Government sees marijuana as an "evil" drug, yet there's no problem seen in drugging up our kids for ADHD (yes, I have 2 kids on Concerta...one for a physiological condition, the other for bipolar disorder) or doping up people with psychiatric disorders. I wonder how many people would be more relaxed, less anal retentive, and overall nice people if they smoked a joint from time to time?

** No, I don't smoke pot, but I do understand why some people do.

*Agreed, and they'd probably eat and make love alot more, too.

 

[Pyper]

but it isn't a stereotype...last winter I was a little overtired and such (not depressed) and the doctor tried to tell me I was depressed and tried to give me a prescription without any understanding of who I am and what was going on in my life. In truth I was just burning my candle at too many ends and I needed to cut back my work schedule and then I was fine. I was stressed, not depressed. My therapist was horrified and so was I.

Okay, point taken about doctors who are looking for an easy way out of depression.

But my point remains that Prozac (even by doctors it seems!) is generally viewed as a drug that gives you an artificial high, when you should really be concentrating on what is making you depressed in your own life.

People who really need Prozac are the ones who cannot escape depression because modifying their lifestyle has no effect, because their condition is biological.

I don't know much about the Ritalin situation, so I can't talk about whether or not it is being overprescribed. I am aware, though, that Ritalin and Prozac are often seen in the same light, as chemical solutions for societal problems.

 

[Bob_Bytchin]

Before I had kids, I was dead-set against my kids ever getting Ritalin or Concerta. I figured that it was because of parents not wanting to deal with their kids in the normal way, and taking the easy way out.

Well, I still feel that way for the most part. But my two older daughters are both on Concerta, and my oldest daughter takes 4 other medications daily as well. The oldest was diagnosed (after a second, third, and fourth opinion) with severe bi-polar disorder w/ violent tendancies. My middle daughter had fallen out of a second story window when she was 3, and has some damage to her frontal lobe (she is healthy, intelligent, spirited, but has little to no attention span), so she is on Concerta to help her concentrate. My son and youngest daughter are normal, active, sometimes hyperactive kids. I will deal with them without meds.

But it is true that a lot of psychiatrists quickly diagnose, and often incorrectly, because they are either in a rush, incompetent, or basing the diagnosis on the "usual signs."

** When it comes to phsychiatrists and their opinions, never go with the first diagnosis. Always make sure to get at least three opinions.

 

[seXieleXie]

It is a seratonin blocker.

it is a seratonin reuptake inhibitor.

They could very well prescribe Prozac to a depressed patient, but if the depression was not a result of a seratonin imbalance, the Prozac would have zero effect.

that's not true. how could it be? it will still greatly increase the amount of seratonin in your brain, which will cause elevated mood, increased energy and a variety of other effects. an SSRI can be abused just like any other drug.

 

[Pyper]

You are correct, it is a seratonin reuptake inhibitor. Also casually called a seratonin blocker because it blocks the receptor that normally absorbs the seratonin released by the synapses in the brain.

Here are some excerpts from an article in the Health Gazette, by Karl Hempel, M.D.

"Catastrophic life events may certainly result in depression. Interestingly, this type of depression also responds to antidepressant therapy proving that there is an associated neurotransmitter deficiency. This neurotransmitter deficiency must have been induced by the catastrophic event."

"Antidepressants are not pep pills nor do they produce a "high." They are not addictive and they are not contraindicated in patients with chemical dependency."

(This is me talking now. ) Depression is often associated with bad experiences because bad experiences can cause a long-term chemical imbalance in the brain. Patients cannot just "snap out" of this kind of depression. Antidepressants are ineffective in patients without a neurotransmitter deficiency.

http://www.freenet.scri.fsu.edu/healthgazette/depress.html

 

[modest mouse]

Screw depression, this is about venting by relaying our peeves. Me second...

Call waiting.

What is this supposed phone luxury but a pain in the ass?

Scenario one: In the middle of a conversation I hear: "Just a sec, got another call". Moments pass, then a few minutes. I got bored, annoyed, and come close to simply hanging up. I do, afterall, have various activities I could be putting off instead of waiting to get back on the phone. One never feels quite so stupid as holding a dead phone to ones ear.

"Ok, that was ******. What were you saying?"

"I forget......"


Scenario two: Dial up someone you want/need to talk to.

Them: "Hello"

Me: " Hi. Whats going on?"

Them: "Nothing much. Got a call on the other line can I talk to you later?"

Me: "Ok"

CLICK



Scenario three: Dial up someone you want/need to talk to but get the roomie/family memeber/squatter.

Them "Hello"

Me: "Hi, is ***** there?"

Them: "Yeah, but I have so-and-so ont he other line. Can I have har/him call you back?"

Me: "Can I just leave a message? Do you know when you will be off?"

Them: "I 'll have them call you."

Me: "Mmm, ok" (mumble)

Mutual: "Bye"

CLICK



Call waiting is like some form of commercial break for those with short attention spansb ut like to jabber on the phone incessantly. Its paradox counfounds me. It existence angers me.