ASK DR LAURO
(If you have questions you would like Dr. Lauro to answer, send them to healthy [email protected])
Letters to Dr. Lauro Regarding Paxil and Antidepressants
Letters regarding the use of Paxil and other antidepressants continue to pour in.. Our readers share their personal experiences and passioned feelings about depressions, drugs and societal pressure.
A Positive Difference
I have been taking an antidepressant for the past twenty years–I only regret it was not available much earlier. I intend to continue to take it since I can now have a normal life. So often I hear someone decry using medication for such disorders. From my perspective it has made such a positive difference in my life that it has been the best thing to happen to me. I don’t take Paxil. I took Imipramine earlier and now am on Effexor. Just wanted to share my experience.
JoAnn
—–
Drastic Improvement
Thank you so much for attempting to enlighten people regarding depression and the use of anti-depression medication. I’m 44 years old, and I have suffered from depression since I was a teenager. Back then meds such as Paxil were not available. I did receive counseling, which really did not help me in any substantial way. In 1996 after the birth of my first child, I suffered from SEVERE post partum depression and thought I was losing my mind. Thankfully, with the help of my doctor, I “discovered” Zoloft, and starting taking it. After 2 weeks on the medication, my life changed forever. I still remember the exact day the medication “kicked in”. It was as though a giant black cloud that had been following me around my whole life had been lifted from above my head.
I’ve often told people that even if I knew that taking anti-depression meds would for some reason shorten my life here on this earth, I would still continue to take them because the quality of my life has improved so DRASTICALLY! I thank God for helping me find this medication!
Diane Jaquay
—–
The Deep Black Hole
Thank you! Thank you! I am SO THANKFUL for your outstanding explanation of major/chronic depression to the members of Meridian, and fortunately, it reaches a vast audience. People who have never suffered (and it IS suffering) from chronic depression (and may they or their children never have to do so – I would never wish that on anyone) have no comprehension of the pain of “being in the deep black hole and hanging on to a rope and slipping to the end and hands feeling they can not hold on much longer. I
am weeping as I recall the anguish I felt. I have been on antidepressants for 15 years, and they have been a life saver truly for me.
Linda Campbell
—–
An Obvious Chemical Imbalance
I commend you for an excellent pair of articles on Paxil. As one who has suffered by unrealistic anxieties for most of my life, I can attest to the value of the drug. I have undergone counseling from many counselors and been prescribed a large varieties dating back as far as the bromates. None were effective until I took Paxil. I was told by one very well qualified counselor that I was the hardest working person with whom she had worked in her career and yet it accomplished little. I am well educated with a PhD in Physical Chemistry, taught at a state university for 33 years, been active in the Church serving as both a Bishop and in a Stake Presidency. Obviously, I suffered from a chemical imbalance throughout my life which Paxil corrected. I have absolutely no tendency toward suicide and as stated in your second article, Paxil literally was miraculous in enabling me to live a happy life from the instant that I started taking it.
I certainly suffered from the view that our society has about such problems and felt, at many times, that I was either a very weak or sinful person. Thanks for sticking to your guns and standing up for a drug that can make a world of change in a person’s life.
M. Lynn James
—–
Silent Suffering
First of all let me say you couldn’t be more right. I am a few months away from my 49th birthday and started taking Paxil about two years ago, and it has been a Godsend. I was diagnosed with OCD about 27 years ago, while I was still on active duty in the Navy. I was pretty much told that I was stressed out and that it would pass with time and counseling. Besides back then they didn’t have SSRI’s, and I certainly did not want to take xanax or valium for very long nor would the Navy have let me if I wanted to stay on active duty. So for about 25 years I suffered daily episodes of anxiety usually followed by depression, mostly in silence. I toughed it out and threw myself into my work, usually working my shift and half of the other (I generally couldn’t sleep). Because of this I was highly thought of by my superiors who thought I was just a hard worker with a lot of initiative. I went from E1 (bottom of enlisted ranks) to CWO4 (top of the commissioned Warrant Officer’s rank) in less than twenty years, all of the time suffering in silence. The only strength I had to make it through each day was my faith in GOD, and the power of Priesthood blessings. As I got older it got tougher to manage, and finally two years ago, after a extremely tough week of panic attacks followed by major depression, I was led (after much prayer) to talk to my sister about how I felt, and she told me she suffered from the same thing as did our mother (which I never new) and told me to see my doctor. Today after taking the Paxil for two years life is wonderful, the only anxiety I feel is mild and only when I’m trying to meet a deadline at work, and once the deadline is met the anxiety is gone. I defy anyone to tell me that all of those years I was a baby or weak minded. I would tell them that if they have not lived with what my mother, sister, and I lived with for most of our lives they have no experience, and certainly no right to criticize. My sister and I are both college educated, and got our educations while working full time and raising our families. Does that sound like we are weak people? Anyway, I have no intention of stopping my use of Paxil, and I would say to those who are still suffering in silence don’t worry what an ignorant world thinks go to your doctor and get the relief you need and deserve.
Thomas
—–
It Can Be a Crutch
I agree with your article regarding the low suicide risk of Paxil used with depression. But I also think there are other things that contribute to whether a patient should be “afraid” of Paxil. I am under the impression that Paxil, and other serotonin-type antidepressants, have been tested only for temporary usage, and are to be used along with other treatments, such as counseling.
It seems that these meds are prescribed for long-term usage without a need to get a patient to work toward getting off of them. I understand the importance of treating depression, but I know these meds are also used long-term by patients for anxiety. I know there are extreme cases where patients must use these meds their whole life, but it seems to me that if one is not careful, they can become a kind of crutch.
Vicki
—–
A Forum for the Truth
Thank you so much for your articles, which provide a forum for the truth to be told about depression.
I have clinical depression and “gutted it out” (“I can do it myself” mentality) until I was 39 1/2 years old, when I hit rock bottom and had to seek help.
My doctor told me then that “as human beings we are more alike than we are different,” and that I should not feel ashamed that I had sought help.
Heavenly Father gave us brains to use, and why shouldn’t we take advantage of what scientists are coming up with for our benefit? I believe all the fright and confusion that surrounds certain medications comes from the Father of All Lies.
Not only have I been on anti-depressants for 10 years, but 2 1/2 years ago, Heavenly Father led me to the truth that my children and I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. You cannot know the relief that has come to me personally because of this knowledge. I had the opportunity to take stimulants to treat my ADHD (which I am now unable to take), and my first month on the meds was a highly spiritual experience for me and my family.
Because of the knowledge gained from reading everything I could get my hands on about ADD/ADHD, I was able to increase my understanding of my up-to-then most difficult child. I feel Heavenly Father guided me, so that I could avert a possible human disaster. You’ve heard it before: “No one in this house understands me! No one loves me! I’m leaving as soon as I can!” Each of my siblings had already experienced the heartbreak of a wayward child; I could see it coming, and I didn’t want it to happen to me.
I now take every opportunity I have to share my experiences and extol the virtues of medication for depression and ADHD, knowing what a profound difference it can make in our lives. Too many of us carry around the false pride of too much self-reliance. When I have shared my challenges with others (usually on a one-to-one basis), it has helped them by making them feel like they’re not the “Lone Ranger.”
I know in a very personal way now exactly why Jesus said, “Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged.” No one knows all the circumstances, abilities, and limitations of another’s life.
Pamela W. Pratt
Chandler, Arizona
—–
Hazardous Drugs
Dr. Lauro admits he is not that familiar with the drugs as it is not his area of expertise. Yet I have been testifying as an expert witness in cases involving these drugs for 11 years. I have to know everything there is to know about them.
Would you like me to have one of the two who brought these drugs about contact you instead? She will. And she will tell you EXACTLY the same thing I am telling you. She is on my advisory board and was the head of the brain chemistry department of the National Institutes of Health for 13 years. She calls me a heroine because of my persistent work in educating the public about antidepressants and calls these drugs “monsters” which she is alarmed that she ever had anything to do with their development. And she warns strongly about the long term use Dr. Lauro just promoted in this latest article.
Where do you think illegal drugs come from? They are old pharmaceutical drugs that have now been banned. Until five years before Prozac was released by the makers of LSD, Ecstacy was taken off the market where it was being legally prescribed by psychiatrists for depression.
Dr. Ann Blake Tracy, Executive Director,
International Coalition For Drug Awareness
—–
Dark Days Behind Him
I think this article was right on the money. My husband’s family has battled depression for ages. Some have gotten help, and some haven’t. A depressed person who needs help and doesn’t get it, not only hurts himself, but those around him.
Incidentally, my son was diagnosed with ADD and anxiety disorder at a very young age; it was no surprise to us. He was on medications for a while. There were no negative side effects, he was not ‘doped up’ or out of it. The medications have helped tremendously. At almost fourteen he is off the anti-depressant, on a very low dose of Ritalin once daily for school. He is extremely pleasant and enjoyable to be around. The medications didn’t necessarily change him, just put him in a place where he could take in and deal with what was going on around him. I am very thankful.
I was also encouraged to read that he may never need them again. After watching family members struggle through this in adulthood, I thought he was stuck with this. I’m thrilled those dark days may be behind him.
– M
——
BZ – Before Zoloft
Thank you, Dr. Lauro! I have been taking Zoloft for about 9 years now. I will NEVER go off of it. I have a term “BZ” (before Zoloft)-the BZ mom, wife, and woman were a mess (to put it in non-clinical terms!) I once had an endocrinologist ask me if I didn’t think it was time for me to go off Zoloft. I asked him “Do you ever think it is time for your diabetic patients to go off their insulin?!” It is getting better in the LDS community, but there is still a “stigma” surrounding depression and medicines. I’ll never forget a Relief Society lesson given before I was diagnosed and started medication: the teacher said that “depression was a tool of Satan and if you are depressed, then you are giving in to Satan and are under his control!” It took another two years of me “pulling up my bootstraps” and trying to not “act like a baby” before I sought help. Standing in front of the medicine cabinet contemplating taking everything in it and just going to sleep-while my six children were in the house-finally sent me to the doctor.
Thank you for articles like yours that try to instruct and enlighten.
—–
An Elephant on the Chest
I do have a great deal of self control. I am, and always have been, able to stay away from habit-forming substances. I have a wonderful – albeit very normal – life and am a naturally happy, outgoing person. But when, several years ago, I began to weep over everything and feel like I had an elephant sitting on my chest, my husband dragged me to my family doctor, who prescribed Paxil. It has been a lifesaver! I have tried several times to ease myself off from it – feeling, because of comments like yours, and the horrid price of the stuff, that I could “tough it out” with my self-control. After all, I have a very strong will!………….Well, it simply does not work for me. I cannot go through a day at work and weep every time something spiritual touches me – even just a spiritual thought or a feeling of gratitude, or every time there is even a normal amount of pressure or difficulty. I would be weeping all the time, and I get very red eyes and nose when I weep! It is not acceptable to me or the others I am around – and it is so embarrassing. The same is true in church and especially at home. Paxil helps me to be who I really am. I am still touched spiritually by everything, and I still get upset over things. But with medication, I can handle things gracefully in public, and the elephant is gone from my chest! I am also a lot more understanding of those who need medication on a continual basis. Thank you, Dr. Lauro. You have given me a boost. May the price of this medication come down before I retire and have to pay for my own medicines!
Ann
—–
Not ‘Crazy’
I agree with Dr. Lauro. We have talked about it in my office several times and we’ve come to the conclusion that people can be helped a great deal by any of these drugs.
I remember when I was growing up in the 50’s, that there were several “emotional/unsteady” adults in my small northern Utah town and some school classmates as well. To think generations had to exist without the help of these wonderful drugs is so sad. Those people weren’t “crazy” after all. I have had to use the smallest dosage of Paxil recently, and it has been a life saver. I consider myself an “able to handle any situation” person, but something happened in my family last year, and I wasn’t able to handle it–even with blessings, fasting, prayer, etc. Paxil, even a small dosage, has helped me to get my life back. I’m not ashamed to tell anyone about it because I feel we are truly blessed to have such wonderful medicines. Oh, how those people of past generations would have loved to have had them, so they wouldn’t have been considered “strange/crazy.”
Crockett
—–
A Terrifying Experience
Thank you for shedding some light on the subject of Paxil. Like many people I have close friends and relatives who are “concerned” with my long-term use of Paxil. I suffered from anxiety attacks for a very long time before I knew what was happening to me. I checked myself into the emergency room twice thinking that I was dying of a heart attack. Unless one experiences these attacks, he/she will never know or understand what it does to a human being. Even after my doctor explained all about the condition, it was still the most terrifying thing that I have experienced in my life.
What a blessing Paxil has been in my life. I am certainly not a promoter of taking medication. I normally refuse to take it if I can survive with out it, but I would and will do anything in my power to not experience anxiety attacks ever again in my life.
Dan Morris
—–
Severe Mood Swings
I would like to say thank you to Dr. Lauro on his articles on antidepressants. I have been on Zoloft for about 10 years. Before Zoloft, I had severe mood swings, I would blow up at my family for minor unimportant things, they were always on edge around me, my poor children and husband were at their wits end, and thank God for the love they had for me. I went to counseling it helped with some issue in my past ( I was sexually molested by my father) the counseling helped that issue but did nothing for the sudden outburst of anger. I started going to an internist ( my family calls him a God send) and to me he is truly a life saver. He changed a lot of my meds and put me on Zoloft 50mg at first then upped it to 100 mg. I was never what you call depressed, but after much testing, found out that I have a chemical imbalance that causes these mood swings. Was I a weak person, no, and the symptoms I had could not be controlled any other way. I am happy and my family is happy. Now I am able to deal with things with out blowing up. Zoloft might not be the answer for every one but for me it is, and because of it I have my family.
Valerie Crosby
—–
Thoughts of Suicide
I am grateful for a GP’s careful attention and prescription for an antidepressant. I truly feel that it saved my life! Unbidden suicidal thoughts that were totally unrelated to my life’s situation motivated me to seek help. After a year and a half of use, I was able to discontinue and have had no significant symptoms since.
Thankful for medical progress.
—–
The Many Forms of Depression
I wish you would address the issue of self-medication among Latter-day Saints. Besides the Church members who are struggling publicly or semi-privately with their mental illnesses, there are legions of others who either can’t or won’t give their silent desperation a label.
My former brother-in-law came from a family of drinkers. His father was one of the town drunks. They both had up and down periods, but we attributed their “falling off the wagon” to being unable to resist alcohol. Then, my brother-in-law had a true change of heart. He quit drinking, went to Church, and he and my sister were sealed in the temple. It lasted almost a year. Then, while still clean and sober, he suddenly became psychotic and threatened her and her son’s lives with a gun. My parents had to stage a rescue. The upshot was the we realized that the real family problem wasn’t alcohol at all. My brother-in-law wouldn’t even begin to admit he might need help and refused to see a doctor. Twenty years later, he is dying of alcoholism at age 50. He hasn’t been a good ex-husband or father, so my sister puts him right up there with Satan. However, I can’t look at an old family group photo that includes him (I think I’m the only one who still has a copy) without feeling an incredible sadness at the waste of his life.
That’s how some “bad” Church members deal with mental illness. Then, there’s a cousin-in-law, a faithful member, i.e. served a mission, married in the temple, attends Church regularly. He’s always been heavy. The problem is that in the last three years he has gone from around 300 lbs. to what must be 500 lbs. He is a tall man, but at his current weight, he can hardly get around. Not long ago, he transferred departments at his job to work at night. Now, his interaction with other people is greatly reduced. He has always been a cheerful person full of jokes and funny stories, but lately, his humor doesn’t seem to mask the sadness in his eyes as well as before. His wife has a medical background, but I think she’s in denial. The rest of her family just wants her to stay married and won’t let anyone rock the boat including me.
I guess what these two stories are leading to is a question. Why are readers of your column so up in arms about anti-depressants, even anti-depressants that might lead to suicide in a few users? There are legions of people all around them who are in the process of committing suicide right this minute because of depression or other mental illnesses, and no one seems to notice or care. All they see are fat people, drunks or druggies. They look down on them all and condemn the addictions without ever taking even a moment to wonder why the substances are so necessary. I do realize that not everyone who is overweight, abuses alcohol or takes drugs improperly has a mental illness. Yet, what is so terrible about taking anti-depressants for those who need them if the alternatives are early death, horrible health problems or even prison time for drunk driving or drug possession?
S.B.
—–
Just Buck Up – So They Say
Thank you for standing up for those of us who have a problem with depression or panic attacks. I just love it when people who have never had a panic attack or never climbed out their bedroom window, because they think the whole world is talking about them, think they know what we are going through.. Just buck up, Or the Lord can heal your illness if you will just have enough faith. That is simply not true. It isn’t a sign of any kind of weakness. It is an illness like you so aptly put it, not unlike sugar diabetes. So, I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of all of us whose lives have been made tolerable through miracle drugs.
Sharon
——
Bipolar Disorder
My husband has struggled with bipolar disorder for years. I am so very thankful for anti-depressants, as well as the other prescriptions that sustain him (lithium, Depakote). These drugs DO help compensate the imperfections of the brain.
. If only there were drugs out there to combat the CLOSED-MINDED DISORDER which seems to be running rampant among some of your readers!
I have been married to my husband for 10 years. In that time, I have seen him with and without medication. With medication, he is healthy. Without medication, he gets “sick.” Granted, he may have some healthy stretches of time, but he is more prone to ill effects of stress, lack of sleep, or lack of proper eating, and is more easily launched into a manic “high.” (He has rarely struggled with the “low” end.) To me, it is black and white. On meds, he is healthier.
I wish that society – including church members– could openly accept mental health issues. So many members -including those with loved ones suffering from depression-think it is taboo to even speak of it. The secretiveness only fuels the ignorance and lack of education about these illnesses, which in turn adds to their mystery and misconceptions! This is a HUGE PART OF THE PROBLEM-a huge part of the reason why health insurance companies don’t treat mental health patients fairly. Mental health-especially chemical mental health problems – should be treated just the same as other medical problems. I, too, often use the analogy of the diabetic, as you did in your article, when explaining the condition to others.
Also, I think it is important for people to understand that not all “manic depressives” are the same! Some people struggle with swings every single day. My husband, on the other hand, may have a small swing once a year, or may even go almost two years without an episode. He is very stable! (His current doctor calls him his “star patient.”) Why is he doing so well? It has been a long road, but it is because my husband has grown to accept AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for his illness. With more openness, and better education, more patients suffering from mental illness can have productive, happy lives like his.
Jenny Christensen
Phoenix, AZ
—–
Hitting the Nail on the Head
I simply have to tell you “THANK-YOU” from the bottom of my heart for your article. I know that most people do not understand the living Hell that people with these types of behaviors go through. I suppose that is one of the reasons we are counseled to not judge. So I must not take offense at these types of reactions from a general public that does not understand and I hope never does, because I think you would have to have been-there-done-that to truly relate. But thank-you for trying to somewhat educate and enlighten the public. It made me cry to see someone hit the nail on the head and encourage me to keep up the good work!
—–
Reading Self-help Books
I am one of those who are grateful for Paxil! I have depression in my family tree and with this realization we understand our ancestors better due to modern day recognition of this illness.
My mother suffered terribly! She was born in 1917 and spent most of her life reading positive self-help books to cure her attitude. She knew that something was terribly wrong yet she thought that it was all a
matter of keeping a positive attitude and working harder. While serving as Relief Society Pres. in the 60’s she tried to commit suicide, wow that a deep family secret!
I remember the day in the 80’s that she called and said that she figured out that she had depression. She was so embarrassed that she still did not want to take the pills. As children, we could easily tell when she
was taking her pills. She was happy and could handle life’s ups and downs. When she was off, she would start to talk about death and dying. In other words, she was miserable and not able to control her thoughts. I feel so bad that she suffered everyday of her life and she blamed it all on herself. Because she was born when she was, it was not acceptable to be “down” and she could never get over the attitude instilled in her generation.
I discovered that I also have depression and I have been on a number of types of pills to discover what works for me and I finally found that Paxil does it. I do not need a whole pill, a half works wonderful. When on Paxil, I feel that I am in control of my emotions and I think rationally.
In 1980 I had a nervous break down, my Relief Society President told me in my own living room that I needed to pull up my boots and get going again. “She didn’t have time to get depressed because she was busy with church and children.” This attitude still is prominent in the church and the world.
Sallie
Utah
—–
A Disease
I have had tremendous crisis and tragedy in my life since joining the Church at age 19. Some of them have included death of children, divorce, and medical emergency surgery. And yes, I have had to have psychotherapy. In fact, it was during my first 8 years of therapy that my counselor suggested I get on an anti-depressant simply because I was not able to put into action the suggestions she was giving me because I was so physically worn down. The introduction of Prozac produced an almost immediate improvement, which I know is unusual, because it normally takes several weeks for the medication to build up sustaining effect. I am comfortable with the idea that it might have been a psychological reaction to the idea that I would be getting better; nevertheless, it works.
Over the years, I have healed emotionally from many of the struggles of my life – with the help of the gospel. I work full-time, support myself and would doubt anyone who knows me would consider me a weak-willed person. On the contrary, I am very stubborn and vocal about many issues. I weaned myself off Prozac a few years ago, and was ok for about 7 months and then hit a bottom that was horrible. I have since resumed taking the medication.
And the very way my original therapist was able to get me to take the medication in the first place was by the diabetes/pancreas analogy. I feel that, in my case, this is exactly true. I’ve tried herbal solutions to no effect. I go to the temple twice a month, pay a full tithe, attend my meetings and am an active calling holder; but none of this has helped my brain heal enough to replace the missing chemical. I’ve had healing blessings as well, but apparently this is an issue I must deal with throughout my life. We all know that Father does not always save the dying or the infirmed.
I have a disease – my body doesn’t produce enough serotonin, period. I don’t believe that if I am strong-willed enough I could mend a broken arm on my own, neither do I feel that I can replace this chemical on my own. Because a disease has an emotional/psychological effect on a person more than a physical effect on a person, does not give an onlooker the right to judge or reach uneducated conclusions. I am tired of this debate and the resulting prejudice. I am a good person who loves the Lord and tries to be more like him every day.
Perhaps this is a mote/beam issue for those on the outside. I say, check your prejudices at the door and learn about the disease before you come to a conclusion. Perhaps you may someday have to deal with depression yourself or with a loved one, but I sincerely hope not. It’s not a disease a weak-willed person can handle.
So Dr. Lauro, thank you for standing up for the truth and attempting to educate others.
Believe me, if I could get by without meds, I certainly would. But I thank my Father every day that I can function normally and go about the business of trying to be a better follower of Christ because of this great discovery.
Janet Bernice
—–
It Is Easy to Be Judgmental
Speaking as one who is on anti-depressants, and will be for the rest of my life, thank you.
My son also takes medication daily, for hyperactivity, and I have heard the same stuff about his medication, even from some doctors. With one of them, I didn’t give Eric his medication the day of the appointment and then as Eric was tearing around his office, suggested maybe he would like to have him for the summer. Never had a problem after that, at least not with that Doctor.
It seems easy for some people to be judgmental, and look down their nose at others when they are not the ones dealing daily with the depression,.
Beckyjean
—–
Medicine with Compassion
I appreciate your intelligent and eloquent responses to the letters you received regarding your initial article on Paxil. My wife is one of the grateful beneficiaries of the “miracle” of Paxil. She bravely suffered for more than 20 years, sometimes going for several days in a row without being able to sleep, often crying all night long and then putting on a cheerful face in the morning for the children. Even during brief periods of respite she felt like she had this “thing” hanging over her head, which would soon be back to torment her. Through all of this she was a wonderful mother, a dedicated member of the Church and a loving wife. She served as Relief Society President, Young Women’s President, Primary President, as well as in various other callings during that time. She attended the temple, even though it was painful for her to do so because of “racing thoughts” which she had little control over.
A few years ago, my wife’s sister confided to her that she had suffered from anxiety, had been on Paxil, and that it had really helped. My wife revealed that she also suffered from anxiety and depression (it had been a “secret”). On her sister’s advice, my wife went to the doctor and got a prescription. Within a few weeks, my wife’s life became normal. She has been taking Paxil for a few years now and has experienced more happiness than in the previous 23 years. Her life is indescribably better.
Anyone who would suggest that clinical anxiety or depression only needs a large dose of self-control is so ignorant that they must be very inexperienced with life or very uninvolved with people. I only hope that people with such opinions will take advantage of the abundant opportunities in life to get to know other people. Perhaps then they can replace their self-righteousness with compassion.
My personal thanks goes out to you, for setting the record straight, and to the medical profession, for adding to compassion, diligence in the search for truth. Such diligence in depression research produced a drug which, as you have pointed out, has benefited thousands of people. It has also greatly blessed our family,
Rob
—–
Evil Designs of Men
You guys seem so fond of these antidepressants. I was wondering if, when LSD, PCP and Ecstasy were legal drugs, if you would be fond of them. If you ever, God forbid, have a family member or members have drug induced psychosis or mania and do something criminal, I pray you can forgive yourselves.
Yes, my tone is anger and will continue that way until these drugs are no longer on the market. After my son was arrested after a drug induced psychotic episode, I was praying for an answer. My answer came in the form of two thoughts, first “Joseph Smith would not let have let his children take these drugs,” he would even take alcohol during the operation on his leg. The second thought came “read, D&C 89,” The evil designs of conspiring men.
As a group we LDS are the most sugar eating, Prozac popping group in the world. We are paying the price in diabetes, hypoglycemia (anxiety and depression), Mormon mothers that have killed their children while in drug induced psychosis, two Mormon boys that have gone into school with guns, while in drug induced psychosis.
LDS children that have killed themselves while in Paxil withdrawal. As you hopefully know the FDA has put a warning out about Paxil’s increased suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, by a rate of 1.5%-3% over the placebo. GlaxoSmithKline has known this for at least 10 yrs. That sounds like an evil design by conspiring men and this is the last days. Go ahead and keep spouting the company line of how these drugs have helped so many people. The problem is that those that have problems on the drug are embarrassed, fearful and scared to talk about the abnormal dreams, hallucinations, memory loss, and violent thoughts of suicide and homicide they have had, because of the toxicity of these drugs. How do you tell people that you have dreams about killing your loved ones or walking into school with a gun? How do you tell someone that you have seen dark figures or heard voices while in class? I no longer trust anyone that is medicated, because their are not in control of their thoughts and spirit. My wife, 2 daughters and 1 son all had various side effects from hallucinations, amnesia, cutting or self harm, abnormally violent dreams, increased suicidal ideation. Yes, I am angry, because it was a Mormon Psychologist that suggested medication. After they all experienced side effects, he admitted that he doesn’t know anything about the drugs. We now stay away from sugar as much as possible and no one experiences anxiety or depression any more.
Unsigned
—–
Creating Balance – Not Control
Thank you so much for your insightful response on Paxil. Yes indeed, some people will need them for the rest of their lives. It is a disease much like diabetes, the body is lacking a chemical. It is an imbalance in the body; depression, anxiety, ADHD, ADD and others just happen to be brain chemical imbalances. My family has several of these imbalances and has been transformed, moved forward and somewhat de-stressed by the rightful use of medications like Ritalin, anti-anxiety and anti-depressants medications.
As for parents of children with ADD/ADHD, they work ten times harder parenting, directing, worrying, teaching their children than normal children with a tenth of the results. The same lessons even with medications are given year after year to these dear children with slow, tedious results. It is mind-boggling the pressure the child and parents go through. The medications just give the child and parent a fighting chance to make it through daily life in our culture.
I also worked in an Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities self-contained class for 2nd and 3rd graders in Georgia for 4 years. I have seen the differences that such medications can and do make in the quality of life the sufferers live. These children once on a proper dose of medication and with counseling can and do move on to regular classrooms. It is a wondrous thing to witness.
In no way does the use of Ritalin ‘control’ anyone. The cutting words of people who feel these drugs ‘control’ their sufferers is simply one more stress to an otherwise very difficult life and just plain not true. It does however, allow a person the benefit of a more balance brain chemical basis that then gives the person a ‘choice’ of how to act instead of just going with the thousands of random thoughts and behaviors from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. It merely levels the playing field a bit so that person can see life the way a person with normal brain chemistry does and make choices accordingly, and then, not perfectly.
Sufferers of these disorders do not choose to live like this. Many of us have tried harder than anyone else can understand to overcome our problems with prayer, scriptures, temple attendance and will power before we ever understood it was our bodies fighting us. We are not weak people, we are people with weaknesses. Thank you for lending truth in these matters. I hope those whose homes have been spared these disorders will listen.
Beth Anderson
—–
Don’t So Easily Discount Anti-depressants
Thank you for sharing your professional insight and understanding of the role of medication in controlling depression. I have dealt with depression for years and years. At one point in my life I thought the only real way out of it was suicide. Fortunately I didn’t take that road and because of a supportive husband who recognized what I was going through, and a very helpful doctor, I was able to get treatment and control the depression.
I have always considered myself to be a very strong, motivated, and positive individual, except when I have suffered through episodes of depression. It took me a long time to get over the notion that I was weak because I couldn’t work myself through the symptoms by positive thinking and action. Perhaps the readers who discount the use of antidepressants have never either been truly depressed over a long period of time nor have had a loved one suffering through depression. If they had, they would know that antidepressants can not only improve the quality of the patient’s life, but may very well literally save a life.
—–
Too Many Say ‘Pray Harder’
I wish that more people in the church especially would try to understand the importance of drugs in the treatment of anxiety-panic social disorders and depression. It is not just a “pray harder and tough it treatment.” My daughter suffers from both of these and doctors concur it is genetic. In her priesthood blessings she has been counseled to seek out doctors and follow their advice. She has a mixture of drugs including Paxil. Without them she could not function outside the house at all. With them she can
cope and is trying to move forward a step at a time. Without a great bishop and home teacher she would be lost, but there are far too many in the congregation that judge and increase her panic at church making it very, very difficult for her to attend. She is a beautiful young daughter of God and a return missionary and has been given this test to help her and those around her grow. Thank heaven for doctors who try to understand and drugs that can allow a child of God to function under seemingly hopeless conditions.
Dianne
—–
2003 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
