Antidepressants and such claim to correct a chemical imbalance caused by genetics, but there is no evidence backing the theory that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance at all. In fact, depressed people who start taking medication for it are far more likely to commit suicide than those who don’t.

I know a lot of people who take anti-depressants and tell me how wonderful their “happy pills” are, and how they feel so much better, but do they realize their personalities change? It seems odd to me to take a drug that doesn’t just temporarily change your state of mind and who you are, like alcohol does for example, but changes who you always are and leaves you numb to the state that your brain would normally function. Why do people continue to take anti-depressants, and why do medical doctors continue to act as psychologists and prescribe them? Is there another agenda for someone here or what?

My friend’s currently on pretty strong anti-depressants to help manage her depression and anxiety. However she asked me today if she were to get drunk, would the alcohol and the anti-depressants have any effect on her? She’s been known to have low-level hallucinations so would the alcohol in her system cause her to hallucinate? What other effects?

I’m curious as to why cannabis is illegal as it seems to be less harmful than tobacco or alcohol.
Cannabis isn’t addictive in the same way as alcohol/cigarettes
yes it can (I’ve heard) cause depression but so can alcohol
yes I’ve heard it can cause mental illness but cigarettes cause cancer and lung disease…
So why? Ps. I’ve never taken cannabis Im just curious (:
x

I have been diagnosed with begin PVC’s in the past, along with Mitral Valve Prolapse, which the doctor said would cause me no problems.
I am diabetic, and also suffer from depression and anxiety and panic attacks.
I am on Klonopin .5 mgs 4 times a day, and Prozac 80 mgs per day, and Remeron to help me sleep.
The Prozac is working so good, that I usually take 4 Klonopins per day, 2 prior to work and 2 at night, with the Remeron to help me sleep.
Last night I didnt take any of my meds due to the fact that I didnt want the medicines to exsaparte the effects of the alcohol.
Any ideas, on why the palpatations. I also drank a bottle of Gatorade, and a bunch of water prior to drinking.

I was a single mother most of his life (until I got married to another man about 4 years ago). He does not know his biological father…his father was alcoholic and abusive, so he’s always been out of the picture. I, too, battle with severe depression (which my son has witnessed), and I tend to yell at my son a lot and have little patience with him (even when he was a little boy), but at the same time I’ve always let him know how much I love him and have had many fun times with him as well (very conflicting). I want the two of us to go to counseling, but he refuses. I love him so much and it tears my heart that I caused his depression and low self esteem. My son is a good kid by social standards (no drugs, no alcohol, polite to others). But, it seems as if he hates me…I love him so much and this is breaking my heart to see my son feel this way. He reminds me a lot like myself when I was his age…low self esteem, non-assertive, and keeps his feelings internal, and even suicidal. …Please, anyone who can help…I love him more than life itself…I don’t know what to do. I just want him to be happy. …He enlisted in the Navy a few months back, and now is desperately trying to get out before he has to deport for boot camp in October…He said he made a huge mistake to enlist in the first place and was just trying to run away from his problems.
I can’t tell you ALL how much I appreciate everything. Lora R, thank you for sharing your article (I saved it)..I do special things (doing his laundry once in a while, leaving his favorite candy bar with a special note on his bed, etc) Catdog, thank you…I believe & pray to God a lot, especially for my son, but you’re right, I think we need to start going to church. Shel, I cry when I read your answer…I’ve taken to heart every word of your encouragement. I do tend to give out too much opinion (even when it’s not wanted), and it is time for me to be his soft place to land.
…We do have good times, but when it’s bad, it’s really bad…my “weapon” is my mouth, and I must stop being so impatient…I’m just so afraid for his well being when he says he wishes he weren’t alive.

Thank you everyone for the Navy advice…He is truly depressed, and I think seeing a doctor will help…He has already talked to his recruiter about this, but, as expected, his recruiter is not responding well

I gave up alcohol 4 weeks ago today after 5 years of binging, Anyway while I feel great for doing it on the like of tonight a Sat night I am bored stupid without it. I gave up as I did have a problem and it was causing anxiety and depression which have lifted in the past month but I can’t help feeling slightly bored.

I went out last night and didn’t drink and it was so boring, In a hot smell club sober it was awful.

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I have recently gone through some major life changes. I’m 26 yrs old and my husband of 3 years committed suicide in October 07. He was addicted to drugs and alcohol and had become very depressed. After he passed away, I bought a townhouse and moved from the home he and I had shared together. I now live with a roommate (a girl). I dealt with my loss very well at first, having my best friend here with me all the time, but I’ve recently been feeling physically ill. I am very tired all the time, I don’t sleep well, my body aches, I have headaches all the time, my legs hurt, and my eyes bother me a lot. I just wondered if my physical pains could be caused by depression? My roommate is planning to move in a few months and I’ve been very worried about being alone and also paying all the bills myself. I’m scared that I will be even more depressed when I’m in this house all by myself. I have not been happy lately, and I do think I am a bit depressed.

I rarely wake up rested, and if I crack a smile, it makes me sick to my stomach. I am becoming increasingly awkward around friends, because I no longer like to talk. I used to be cocky about my brilliance, now I feel thoughtless.

I’m nearly sixteen years old. Do hormones cause prolonged depression?

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a 25 year old male that personality has been changing over the last 6 months…becoming more and more withdrawn, having a hard time connecting ideas and sentences. erratic behavior..hard time controlling impulses..depression, alcohol abuse…detatchment from reality, wandering..lack of hygiene, changes in eating habits..weight loss..loss of self awareness. this person is going to see a specialist..i’m just wondering if there is something that could cause this that is not so much chemical but would show up on an MRI…once it started it’s been getting progressively worse and worse. thank you.

does it cause wight gain? what about alcohol? how good is it?

thanx