Posted by missy on March 8, 2000, at 6:31:09
In reply to Re: paxil and suicide, posted by Cam W. on March 8, 2000, at 0:25:13
>
> Missy - The reason that the drug companies say that you should not take Paxil (or any antidepressant) originally comes from the few deaths by suicide that were seen when Prozac was introduced in the early 1990s. Remember, the Church of Scientology played this up by exaggerating actual number of deaths and planting items in the mainstream press by experts (their "experts", not drug experts) as scare tactics. The reason that SSRIs should not be used in people with suicidal ideation is that these people, while depressed, haven't the energy to act on their impulses. The Prozac started reversing the depression, lifting the lethargy, and the people who had the suicidal ideation now had energy to act upon their impulses (as Bob has said above). Just because you think about dying while lying awake in bed (as many of us have done at one time or another) does not mean that you are planning on acting upon these thoughts (eg have formulated a suicide plan). It would be best to talk about this with your doctor and voice your concerns, and both of you can come to a consensus on your mental state (eg whether you are really suicidal or if it is the depression that is giving you these thoughts). Be up front with your doc and tell him what you have told us. Maybe it would be wise to ask what others in here think. They may have better insight or may find my logic wrong. Always get another opinion in this room; there are many knowledgeable people who have been where you are now. Bob has some good ideas. Good luck - Cam W.thanks for your input, guys. i definitely think i need to talk to psychiatrist in the near future, but right now, i'm just so busy with the rest of my life that i don't have the time. that's why the last time i went to my gp for a check-up, i just asked him about it. since i'd been on antidepressants before, he seemed to have no problem with giving me another one to try. i realize this wasn't the best decision, but i felt so desperate at the time, i thought that if i waited any longer (like however long it would take to get an appointment with a psychiatrist), i might not make it. my mood has since lifted a little, and after reading the posts about the sie effects of paxil and other ad's, i think i'd rather try going to therapy or something. i was in therapy while i was on prozac, but it was a lot easier then because i was in college and had counseling available to me right there. so not it's a lot more work, and i'm already stressed about not having time to do anything, but i'm only 23 and don't want to be on medication the rest of my life. another thing that makes me really depressed is knowing that this is hereditary. my mother and brother have both had depression in the past (never talked about it, but it was obvious) so i'm so scared that if i have children, they'll only suffer the same way i have and i would never wish my life and the way i've felt on anyone. does anyone have any thoughts on this? thanks again for listening - i know i babble sometimes but i don't really have anyone i can talk to about this - no one takes me seriously - they think that since i'm somewhat attractive and have a good family and a good job and i'm healthy, that i couldn't possibly be depressed. they don't understand that it has nothing to do with that - but i think you guys understand. so thank you - melissa
poster:missy
thread:26269
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/26342.html