What is YOUR anti-depressant of choice?

Not to offend - but to attempt to take Clinical Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Panic, Bi-Polar and other related illnesses out of the DogHouse and into the public eye and maybe take a look at some of the issues. This poll is NOT meant to be taken scientifically though I did attempt to make the list as complete as possible - but hopefully to get an idea perhaps of the fact that *mental* illness being quite common to various degrees and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. We have had a very good thread going in the DogHouse but it does not need to be there. So...here we go!

*light-hearted at times is quite OK but please remember that we are talking about Depression as an ILLNESS and not "the blues" that virtually everyone gets from time to time. I think that all of us here would likely agree that our wonderful pets offer the very best therapy of all!! Thanks!!

I did respond to your poll, but my 1st drug of choice wasn't listed, so I voted my 2nd........1st is Chocolate;)

DUH! Chocolate! Of Course!! well, that is a given:D Actually, isn't chocolate a SSRI?? Or am I dreaming that? I know that I just read it is GOOD for pregnant mothers - results in babies with sweeter dispositions:) No kidding. It is also #1 choice of medication for PMS. I can't live without it. It's like one of the major food groups.
*edit Benefits of CHOCOLATE Aha!!! It IS an SSRI!!!

These weren't an option on the poll.
http://img32.photobucket.com/albums/...each5-25/1.jpg

Ourz got left offa list :(.

Dad takez a "Combo" ~

**TWO Dogz** :D :D an *Wun KAT* :D

Az offin az required! ;)

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke

an *Wun KAT* :D

---

Ahh...see!
Now, I have a new reason/excuse to my parents for getting a cat..


"Dr. Phred said...."

Paxil saved my life!! That and my cats!!!

Pets are indeed wonderful therapy, and I think they always help when feeling down, but true clinical depression can be utterly disabling and sometimes medical treatment is truly necessary. It can be medically treated very successfully. I think too often it's viewed as a sign of weakness when someone resorts to medical treatment of depression, or a sign of strength when someone holds back from medical treatment, since it is not often viewed as much of a disorder as diabetes or hypertension. It is not (usually) someone taking a pill in order to be happy, which seems a common misconception.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by K9soul
Pets are indeed wonderful therapy, and I think they always help when feeling down, but true clinical depression can be utterly disabling and sometimes medical treatment is truly necessary. It can be medically treated very successfully. I think too often it's viewed as a sign of weakness when someone resorts to medical treatment of depression, or a sign of strength when someone holds back from medical treatment, since it is not often viewed as much of a disorder as diabetes or hypertension. It is not (usually) someone taking a pill in order to be happy, which seems a common misconception.

---

K9soul, I agree with you totally and completely - and that is one of the reasons I put this thread in place. I don't think those who reference their pets as a cure mean any harm, just being light-hearted - but it IS a misunderstanding that I wish to clear up - of course it will never be completely the way I wish it could be. But, things DO change. In biblical times, epilepsy was seen as an evil, a sign of possession by the devil. Now, the stigma is being removed. I also have seizures but there are completely controled!!

Likewise, Depression is NOT a weakness, in fact it takes strength to recognize it and seek help when and if it is necessary.

I for one were just kidding around. :rolleyes:

I also didn't mean to seem scolding at all to any who reference their pets... I sure agree 100% how therapeutic pets are. I just wanted to add my thoughts there though because some people may feel they are being "weak" by resorting to medications and they shouldn't at all :).

I'm a bit surprised that this is even a subject that we're tackling at Pet Talk, especially in a poll since every single person might get different advice from a medical doctor. But I like Kay's answer.....my dogs, cats and birds, and my family are my best anti-depressant, at this stage in life. I don't mean to diminish the needs of anyone affected by this horrible disease, please understand, but I would think that any doctor or medical person might have a different idea about how it should be treated, depending on the particular patient.

I agree, pets are a wonderful therapy, and my kitties are better than any pill! But I guess if somebody is really depressive, meds are the only option. After all, depression occurs when the serotonin transmission is blocked for some reason, and I think meds are the only way to make that work again.

LOL, yes, chocolate works great, but it has bad side-effects... at least my scales are telling me that! ;)

Kirsten

Quote:

---

Originally posted by K9soul

edit: ok now I got the rolley eyes emoticon for the first time.

Sorry for posting :(

---

EESH! I didn't mean it against you.

Lets all go take a dose of our pets.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by K9soul
Pets are indeed wonderful therapy, and I think they always help when feeling down, but true clinical depression can be utterly disabling and sometimes medical treatment is truly necessary. It can be medically treated very successfully. I think too often it's viewed as a sign of weakness when someone resorts to medical treatment of depression, or a sign of strength when someone holds back from medical treatment, since it is not often viewed as much of a disorder as diabetes or hypertension. It is not (usually) someone taking a pill in order to be happy, which seems a common misconception.

---

Well said K9.

My first anti-depressant choice : My hubby
Second : The critters *something about waking up to a gecko staring at you is wonderful, don't know why though*

Honestly though, Ive been on LOTS of antidepressants and the only ones that honestly work on really bad days is stuff that is natural, like St. Johns Wart. I don't know but it really works for me and it doesn't make me dizzy like a lot of antidepressants do. I have a really bad reaction to most medications in general, *I can't even take most over the counter pain relievers* so I have to be really careful as to what I take or else I could get very ill. Sometimes, I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle because I want to be better and I can't just will the depression and ainxiety to go away. Also it kind of doesn't help when doctors can't agree as to what exactly is wrong :rolleyes: so they try to use the aproach of "Lets throw a medication at it and see if it works". So not only do I have the original problem but also I have the problem that the meds are making me sick. Since I've been researching more holistic methods, I find that actualy there is something out there that works for me. My life is getting on track and I feel so much happier and less anxious.

This poll is a good idea sirrahbed. :)