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Ten Myths about Depression and Psycho-Pharmacology http://wp.me/p5nnb-amV


GiaK

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Ten Myths about Depression and Psycho-Pharmacology

myths.gif?w=150&h=111

From David Healy MDs article: Psychiatry Gone Astray

 

Ten Myths about Depression and Psycho-Pharmacology:

 

Myth 1: Your disease is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain

 

Myth 2: It’s no problem to stop treatment with antidepressants

 

Myth 3: Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Illness are like Insulin for Diabetes

 

Myth 4: Psychotropic drugs reduce the number of chronically ill patients

 

Myth 5: Happy pills do not cause suicide in children and adolescents

 

Myth 6: Happy pills have no side effects

 

Myth 7: Happy pills are not addictive

 

Myth 8: The prevalence of depression has increased a lot

 

Myth 9: The main problem is not overtreatment, but undertreatment

 

Myth 10: Antipsychotics prevent brain damage

 

Read the explanation of each myth at David Healy MDs website: Psychiatry Gone Astray

 

More info from Beyond Meds: Chemical imbalance myth and biopsychiatry links – has a collection of links that speak particularly to the idea that mental illness is NOT best explained via a chemical imbalance in the brain

 

and

 

original post http://wp.me/p5nnb-amV

Everything Matters: Beyond Meds 

https://beyondmeds.com/

withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug.
 

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Excellent! Everyone should read this.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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This would be good to have on hand in case you run into a "regular" doctor or psychiatrist who wants to prescribe you an antidepressant "yesterday."  Just like some people need to have a medic alert bracelet, folks like us need to have this on hand.

 

CS

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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This would be good to have on hand in case you run into a "regular" doctor or psychiatrist who wants to prescribe you an antidepressant "yesterday."  Just like some people need to have a medic alert bracelet, folks like us need to have this on hand.

 

CS

 

this actually just happened to me last wk.. it may have been a good idea to have all this on hand ...really they were suggesting I take an Ad for pain control... yet again... it was not they my own doctor would never fall into that pit with me he knows the fire that burns down there it was a poor resident I hope I did not traumatize her ... she left the room then I left the room when I came back she was there with my reg doc... so guess she got her nerve back... she is too in dept not to.. I suppose.  

I must say I was disappointed in myself.. and this one is not idea as it is not dealing with antidepressants for pain control.  She had asked me if being in pain and unable to do even what I could before the accident had affected my mood and/or relationships... I said yes... 

So I guess they are teaching her the magic answer too all of these things pain mood and relationship issues ... antidepressants. 

I have to figure out how to handle this better but it always comes when I need some help ... when I am not thinking well due to trying to keep in mind what I want to say as my memory so sucks.. and upset empties my head... 

 

I am betting folks recover from accidents that disrupt their lives are given antidepressants all the time now.  Heck it happened to me way back in 89/90 just for pain forget the other issues... I know this is happening enough to warrant an good response something science related would be good since we would be giving it to doctors if anyone knows of something like this that already exists please give me a link. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 1 year later...

06/2012 - 02/2015 CIPRALEX 10 mg (for somatic abdominal pain + reflux) - prior to this NOT any significant episode of anxiety/depression

on medication: emotional-sexual numbness, total inability to cry, +8 kg, fatigue -> abdominal pain gone

02/2015 - 1/04/2015 tapering from 10 mg to 0 mg doctor advised

05/05/2015 huge anxiety, burning skin sensation, panic, fear, not able to cry again, never-had-before insomnia, totally lost appetite, little loss of vision in one eye, sweating, chest pain, short breath, restlessness, accelerated heartbeat, mild akathisia legs-feet

30/05/2015 reinstated 8mg (I was suggested 5 mg here)

middle 07/2015 general improving

10/2015 start disastrous too long taper 7mg  11/2015 6mg  12/2015 5mg 1/2016 4mg  2/2016 4mg  3/2016 3mg ->FAIL back to 4mg .... 8/2016 3mg 8/2017 2mg  (short wave in summer '17) 8/2018 2mg stable  8/2019 1mg  1/2020 0.6 mg 

1/APRIL/2020 0mg FREE!

7/2020 - 10/2020 MILD WAVE(mostly anxiety, poor sleep)

6/2021 - 9/2021 WAVE (anxiety, severe insomnia, total loss of appetite, deep depression, internal restlessness, anhedonia)  0.125g triazolam  2 times

18/03/2022 WAVE (anxiety, severe insomnia, total loss of appetite, PAIN in muscles and nerves, arms and right leg,cannot exercise,hard to walk) 0.125g triazolam 3 times

7/5 rein 0.1mg

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  • 7 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Ten Myths about Depression and Psycho-Pharmacology

myths.gif?w=150&h=111

From David Healy MDs article: Psychiatry Gone Astray

 

Ten Myths about Depression and Psycho-Pharmacology:

 

Myth 1: Your disease is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain

 

Myth 2: It’s no problem to stop treatment with antidepressants

 

Myth 3: Psychotropic Drugs for Mental Illness are like Insulin for Diabetes

 

Myth 4: Psychotropic drugs reduce the number of chronically ill patients

 

Myth 5: Happy pills do not cause suicide in children and adolescents

 

Myth 6: Happy pills have no side effects

 

Myth 7: Happy pills are not addictive

 

Myth 8: The prevalence of depression has increased a lot

 

Myth 9: The main problem is not overtreatment, but undertreatment

 

Myth 10: Antipsychotics prevent brain damage

 

Read the explanation of each myth at David Healy MDs website: Psychiatry Gone Astray

 

More info from Beyond Meds: Chemical imbalance myth and biopsychiatry links – has a collection of links that speak particularly to the idea that mental illness is NOT best explained via a chemical imbalance in the brain

 

and

 

original post http://wp.me/p5nnb-amV

 

 

Excellent compendium... glad to see all these addressed in one location.

As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule.

 

Requip - 3/16 ZERO  Total time on 25 years.

 

Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.

BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10)  Total time on 25 years.

 

Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section.  "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin

 

 

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  • 1 year later...
On 1/28/2014 at 9:17 AM, GiaK said:

Ten Myths about Depression and Psycho-Pharmacology

myths.gif?w=150&h=111

From David Healy MDs article: Psychiatry Gone Astray

...

original post http://wp.me/p5nnb-amV

Thank you, GiaK, this was very informative.

Edited by scallywag
trimmed quote of first post in thread for readability

26 years of Anti-depressants (probably 32, lost track, alone and/in combination Vyvanse 30mg Discontinued Feb. 22, 2013 Topamax  25-75mg Feb 23, 2013--Feb 2016 0.0 mg Discontinued  Lamotrigine 25-50mg Jan 15, 2016-Adverse Reaction Discontinued Feb 2, 2016 T3 25-50mcg Feb.11, 2016  Discontinued April 23, 2016

Escitalopram 20mg-omg fast taper Nov. 2015-Jan.7, 2016 Crash! Reinstated 20mg  Taper Jan 14, 2016  0.0mg Sept 2016 Reinstated Feb.21, 2017 Escitalopram  5mg Dosage Adjustments  Escitalopram to 2.5mg June 28-30; Increased to 3.75mg July 1-28, 2017    July 29-Aug 4 10mg, alternated between 5 and 10mg next couple days.  Aug 9, 7.25mg;  Aug 10-14 10mg; Aug 15-25 7.25mg, August 25-29, 10mg.   

Levofloxacin (January 2017 2 doses) (Adverse Reaction: Neurotoxcity; 3 daysE.R.$30k+tests)

Adderall 25mgXR (start April 23, 2013) (Nov.2016 20mg) (Dec.2016 15mg) (Feb. 5, 2016 10mg) (June 15, 2017) 5mg XR 

Crossover July 7 to Adderall I.M 5mg Discontinued  Reinstated Adderall 5mgXR  July 28th 

Minipress 1mg began July 20-23, 2mg July 24 last dose Discontinued  (Prescribed to assist with side-effects of updose of Escitalopram) WellbutrinXR 150 mg July 24, 2017 Discontinued;  Hydroxyline 25-200 mg daily, began July 20, Discontnued; (Prescribed for side-effects-sensitized; W/D)Gababentin 100mg August 28, 8/29: 00mg, 8/30/17 100mg discontinued (Prescribed for side-effects of sensitized, W//D)Zolipidem PRN (2.5mg.) Reinstated May 15, 2017 after18m+ discontinuation Between May and  Aug18-Aug 30, 2017 Discontinued

Aug. 30. 2017 Escitalopram 8.2mg, Sept. 6 Ecitalopram (7.25 tablet) September 28 Escitalopram   (7 mg tablet)   Omega 3's , October 1 Escitalopram (6.25...I think)  November 1, Escitalopram (approx. 5.75mg) December 1 (5mg)  Missed .75 for few days, lowered dose.  W/D ramped up Dec.23;  Escitalopram 4mg tab. .75ml liquid March 5.  Adderall XR 5mg, Synthroid 112mcg  March 23 Escitalopram 4mg tab .50ml liquid.April 23 Escotalopram 4mgtab .25ml liquid Escitalopram dropping .25 every 30 days; July 23, 2018 Escitalopram 3.50mg, Adderall XR 5mg, Synthroid 112mcg 

July 2021:  Took last dose of Escitalopram .02mg.  Do dah!

Current:   Synthroid/Generic 100mcg decreased November, 2018  (TSH has changed 5 times since August 30, 2018 resulting in both Hyper and hypothyroid symptoms.)  November 1, 2018, increased Adderall XR to 10mg to combat brain fog after decrease in Synthroid.

 

 

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  • 2 years later...

One thing keeps bothering me.  The antidepressant Effexor did save my life.  Under taught beliefs and subsequent choices, I had worked myself into a corner that was not sustainable.  I was in a corner and too exhausted and fearful to fight out of it.  I felt as if I had sunk to the bottom of a muddy pond and was being buried. I was so low that it was an energetic choice whether to draw my next breath.  The Effexor allowed me to keep going until I was able to find my OWN beliefs, and arrive to circumstances that fit who I am.  I am grateful that Effexor got me through.  If I didn’t take it, I might have succumbed years ago.  So, I think the problem is not the use of antidepressants as life savers, but in the lack of communication of the drawbacks as well as the benefits.  And of course, the non-communication of when and how to get off these powerfully-systemic psych meds.  (This SA.org site is doing such valuable work!).  I am still on Effexor and it is part of me now.  At age 58, is it worth a long period of autonomic dysregulation to get off of it?  😕  I guess when it is time, I will know and have the motivation to do it?  

1990 -  1996 Buspar for anx/depression.  (Previous tries with some others).

1996 BEGAN EFFEXOR for anxiety, depression, painful bladder spasms.

2006 breast cancer treatment year, including chemo.  I’m still here 🌾🌞 

2007, 2008, 2016 3x tried synthroid, Tirosint for low thyroid. Leg cramps +, foul mood.

2008-2011 Catapres 0.2mg clonidine patch for BP + anx added to Effexor; had to discontinue for possibility it was harming my memory (at work).

2013 Got retired early due to memory failures and mood control breakdown.

Dec2018 tried Mirtazapine 15mg to boost mood; it zonked me + my muscles!

Apr2020 tried Abilify 2mg with my 150 Effexor. BAD cardiac effect in 11days.

May 2020 direct switch from 150mg Effexor XR to 50mg Pristiq. AWASH in 4d.

23May2020 BACK again to just 150mg Effexor XR brand (now on it for 24yrs).

Other:  Krill oil, vit D drops, infreq 100%B vit.  Hibiscus or ginger/turmeric, or dandelion root teas seem helpful.  Believe in Source.  Starting MgCl2 in aloe w some glycerin as skin lotion.  Minimal coffee.  Trying to put play before work.  

 

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paradox...it's actually quite simple and totally okay.

 

there is a time and place for almost everything. There is nothing unusual about your experience except perhaps you're willing to admit it in a forum where there are people who might balk at such an admission. 

 

I've always said that people need to do what they need to do and I have always meant it. I took drugs because there were no other options at the time. I knew they were awful. I took drugs so that I wouldn't be permanently institutionalized which is what I was threatened with and they weren't kidding. So they saved my life to in a very ass backward way. Don't feel like you ever have to apologize for your experience. We do what we have to do to survive. No one should ever be made to feel bad about taking psych drugs when the context of their lives demands it.

 

my vision is to create a world where there are resources available that everyone can do the healthiest thing for themselves which, in the world I'm working on creating would be virtually never because we know how to take care of one another and do so. 

 

My suggestion (if you want it) is to stay with your experience and trust it. Do what YOU know is right for you.

 

 

 

Everything Matters: Beyond Meds 

https://beyondmeds.com/

withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug.
 

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9 hours ago, GiaK said:

 

My suggestion (if you want it) is to stay with your experience and trust it. Do what YOU know is right for you.

Thank-you, GaiK.

1990 -  1996 Buspar for anx/depression.  (Previous tries with some others).

1996 BEGAN EFFEXOR for anxiety, depression, painful bladder spasms.

2006 breast cancer treatment year, including chemo.  I’m still here 🌾🌞 

2007, 2008, 2016 3x tried synthroid, Tirosint for low thyroid. Leg cramps +, foul mood.

2008-2011 Catapres 0.2mg clonidine patch for BP + anx added to Effexor; had to discontinue for possibility it was harming my memory (at work).

2013 Got retired early due to memory failures and mood control breakdown.

Dec2018 tried Mirtazapine 15mg to boost mood; it zonked me + my muscles!

Apr2020 tried Abilify 2mg with my 150 Effexor. BAD cardiac effect in 11days.

May 2020 direct switch from 150mg Effexor XR to 50mg Pristiq. AWASH in 4d.

23May2020 BACK again to just 150mg Effexor XR brand (now on it for 24yrs).

Other:  Krill oil, vit D drops, infreq 100%B vit.  Hibiscus or ginger/turmeric, or dandelion root teas seem helpful.  Believe in Source.  Starting MgCl2 in aloe w some glycerin as skin lotion.  Minimal coffee.  Trying to put play before work.  

 

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