What is YOUR anti-depressant of choice?

[sirrahbed]

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!!

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

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

[sirrahbed]

DUH! Chocolate! Of Course!! well, that is a given 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!!!

[Kfamr]

These weren't an option on the poll.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Ourz got left offa list .

Dad takez a "Combo" ~

**TWO Dogz** an *Wun KAT*

Az offin az required!

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke

an *Wun KAT*

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


"Dr. Phred said...."

[moosmom]

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

[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.

[sirrahbed]

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.

[Kfamr]

I for one were just kidding around.

[K9soul]

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 .

[Logan]

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.

[Kirsten]

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

[Kfamr]

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.

[DJFyrewolf36]

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 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.