Hey, Prozac-bashers... get a life!
Over the last few weeks, there has been a load of negative publicity about SSRI medications, such as Prozac. Because some studies have shown an increased suicide link for people on those medications, there will now be warning labels on the bottles. Doctors have said they overprescribe the medication to people who want to "feel happy". And then there's this article in the Arizona Daily Wildcat: Brain Decay: One Less Crutch For False Happiness.
Now I'm sure this University of Arizona student got a good grade on her journalism paper. But I'm betting she knows nothing of what it's like to suffer with depression. Towards the end of the article, we have this:
When it comes to being down, many people choose to be depressed. Perhaps they’ve given up or they’re too pessimistic, but in many ways, they don’t want to be happy anymore. That brings the desire for false happiness that apparently only a crutch like antidepressants can give. But maybe the feeling that medication gives is only brought on by the acknowledgement that the person actually wants to be happy. Maybe it’s a momentary awareness that people can be happy on their own.
It’s time to reach for self-help books. Go on amazon.com, look up Iyanla Vanzant and do some “mental housekeeping.” Go for a run. Keep a diary. Even vegging out on the couch sounds like a better alternative to pill popping (depending on what’s on).
Let me tell you... I've read a
ton of self-help books, and they only go so far. There are some people
who are looking for an easy way out, sure. But for others, there
are real chemical imbalances which will affect their outlook no matter
what they do. And for those people, SSRI drugs can be lifesavers.
There's no amount of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps"
thinking that will help. I know... I've been there.
So, to all the "Prozac is evil"
people out there, I say to you... get a life! There are abuses,
just like there are abuses with alcohol or painkillers. And yes,
the drug is not for everyone. But just because it didn't work for
you doesn't mean that you have to get it taken away for everyone else.
There are people out there for whom fluoxetine has opened a whole
new world.
| Permalink |
Comments
Posted by Rob McDonagh At 09:49:10 On 01/04/2004 | - Website - |
I agree Prozac isn't evil, it helps some people, but it has completely screwed over others because no one bothered to consider the consequences of putting people on it before handing prescriptions out so often.
Posted by Mike At 10:44:55 On 03/05/2009 | - Website - |
If your sexual problems are still there two years after you stopped taking the pills, you need to stop blaming the pills for them. The pills were entirely out of your system in less than 90 days. Sexual issues are self fulfilling prophecies, though, so you're going to have to deal with them. Sounds like a counseling session is in your future, if you aren't already in treatment.
Posted by Rob McDonagh At 14:19:01 On 03/05/2009 | - Website - |