Prozac

[Scarlett]

My best mate has just been prescribed a month of Prozac. This worries me as I do think that Dorctors hand it out like sweets when all the patient really needs is some counselling. Sometimes.
What is your experience of this drug? Does it work? Is it dangerous?

[Dr Red]

Doctors get paid for handing out prescriptions don't they?

[whiffey]

Serious depresssion is a life crisis. It is not a pull yourself together thing, it is a crossroads in someone's life. If prozac can help then well and good.

Scarlett, have you ever suffered sudden crushing depression ?

[Dr Red]

Yes Whiffey thanks for the pun.
Crossroads can't post at the moment.

[whiffey]

It wasn't a pun. Clinical depression is a serious emergency in anybody's life.

[cruella]

Hi Scarlett
I have watched a few documentary programmes on TV discussing the up side and down side of prozac. Yes, it does help some people but it can also make the depression worse. Some people can get suicidal while taking the drug.
I know of two people who actually tried to take an overdose while being prescribed this drug.
Alcohol must also be avoided at all costs while taking it.
I am sure your friend's GP has considered your friend's medical case before prescribing it.
Hope your friend does not have to take it for long.

[miffy63]

I agree with whiffey, if you are depressed and anti-depressants help then where's the harm?

My only concern is that your friend has only got them for a month, my experience is that they can take that long to start working.

Don't give her/him a hard time about the Prozac, support your friend.

[Dr Red]

I once continplated suicide, but then i thought to myself, why?, what about my family, i can't leave them, and at that point i realised and stopped.

[puddycat]

I also agree with Whiffey. If you've broken a leg the doctor will prescribe pain killers and most people quite happily take them. If prozac helps then why is it so different from any other medicine? I also think it's good that the doctors only prescribed a months wort. This should mean the doctor will monitor how your friend reacts to prozac and whether it's actually helping. Anti-depressants do take a while to work so you need to be on them for a month or so before deciding if they help.
Depression is debilitating and I hope your friend soon starts to overcome it. Talking therapies help but, unfortunately, depression is a growing diesease and there just aren't enough therapists out there.
Prozac has helped me and, although I had some side effects to start with I soon adapted to it. I'm now starting to come off it and haven't had any bad effects so far. My doctor has been very supportive throughout the year or so I've been on prozac and, despite being wary of it at first, I'm glad I have used it.

[Goodsoulette]

Doctors aren't supposed to start you on prozac straight away nowadays. After a messy eviction, my boyfriend breaking my arm, my grandad dying and one other big thing that I would rather not mention, I went to the doctors and he prescribed me prozac. I had been on it as a teenager (12 - 17) and then I remembered not being able to function without it, the terrible time I had coming off it. I also realised my problems were actual problems, not a gloom that overcome me for no reason and that with a bit of counselling I might actually feel better. I paid for it but am so glad I didnt go down that route again.

I really think it depends on the circumstances of the depression but if there are external factors causing it then mybe medication isnt the best answer.

[bednobs]

prozac can be good for depression. Not so helpful for affective depression (ie you are depressed because something has happened as goodsoulette describes) most of the news about prozac is about research done in teenagers with the drug.
problem is 1 months prozac = �14.21
i months counselling (assuming weekly sessions) = �160
waiting time to get prozac = at most 2 days
waiting time for counselling on the nhs = about 6 months
Its all a balancing act - is your friend willing to wait at least 6 months to feel better, or would she rather try something now?

[Scarlett]

She says she has insomnia and fatigue. I saw her this weekend and she was fine- well, appeared fine. She had a baby 10 months ago who was born with physical problems, and has had a hard time in her job- she has basically left it after 7 years. This is why I can't help thinking that her problems are circumstantial rather than the black cloud depression that seemingly comes from nowhere and is inescapable- and chemical /brain based. I may be totally wrong of course.

[alijangra]

Scarlett I can see exactly where you are coming from. Prozac certainly has it's place in treatment for actual clinical depression caused by chemical imbalance. I was on it for two years but under the supervision of a consultant psychiatrist. I believe it is definitely too readily handed out to people who are 'depressed' due to their circumstances where it would surely be more beneficial to offer counseling, guidance and support to help develop coping strategies.

[Scarlett]

thanks ali! I'm glad you see my view! I say this because I have had so many instances of going to the Doctor where they barely listen to you, and instead give you pain killers or whatever drug is available at the time. They are guilty of treating symptoms not causes, and often masking the causes with drugs that cover them up. How often do you come across a doctor who suggests trying alternative therapies, physio, counselling etc. They will all try and fob you off with pills first. Unless you have a REALLY good Doctor of course.

[tiggerblue10]

I was prescribed Prozac some years ago and the first 2 weeks were awful. I felt suicidal. I was warned about the possible side-effects. I only took it for 2 months though. Councelling was a lot more effective but I could only get a few sessions on the NHS.

[joko]

if she has had a baby it may be PND