one other aspect I should clarify - I have no side effects from Sertraline and I'm aware I am very blessed with that. Also, it was exactly the right treatment for my brain chemistry, and it's the most basic, simple action anti depressant available - it's method of action is very simple and balances neurotransmitters we already have in our brains.. it restores the levels - so it's like a diabetic taking insulin for their blood sugar... would you dismiss them and tell them they can use their minds to balance it themselves?
I've had no weight gain, no strange thoughts, I simply had a few headaches and then I began to feel less suicidal slowly over about 6 months. I increased the dose (with my GP) and have stayed on the highest dose recommended for the last 16 of the 20 years I've taken it.
I know without any doubt I would not be alive without it.
I still feel sad, happy, etc all the normal healthy degrees of emotion - I've just lifted the crushing hopelessness that was confining me to bed staring at a wall, motionless and crying... but it didn't magically take away all my issues - they were (are) still there... and as I've described I still developed an alcohol habit that nearly killed me... (extra problem with that - alcohol is a depressant...)
what I'm saying is yes not all psych drugs are necessarily positive - but many are life savers - for example a friend of mine holds down a great job and home life because of lithium for her bipolar - without it she's in a jail or psych ward... and I had a friend who could not get anything done because of her voices from schizophrenia - who was enormously helped by anti-psychotics (nb: Gemini Wolf... you stick to what helps keep you safe and independent.... never feel you need to defend your choice to help yourself stay out of hospital...
)
but if a person doesn't feel it's right for them fine - but don't critique me or others who conventional medication helps...
and please give some serious thought to the FACT that some people actually acquire mental health illnesses FROM recreational drugs - so if you're worried about psych drugs why aren't you also cautious /worried about recreational drugs/alcohol??
at least there are strict controls as to what's in the prescription drugs!
peace
I've had no weight gain, no strange thoughts, I simply had a few headaches and then I began to feel less suicidal slowly over about 6 months. I increased the dose (with my GP) and have stayed on the highest dose recommended for the last 16 of the 20 years I've taken it.
I know without any doubt I would not be alive without it.
I still feel sad, happy, etc all the normal healthy degrees of emotion - I've just lifted the crushing hopelessness that was confining me to bed staring at a wall, motionless and crying... but it didn't magically take away all my issues - they were (are) still there... and as I've described I still developed an alcohol habit that nearly killed me... (extra problem with that - alcohol is a depressant...)
what I'm saying is yes not all psych drugs are necessarily positive - but many are life savers - for example a friend of mine holds down a great job and home life because of lithium for her bipolar - without it she's in a jail or psych ward... and I had a friend who could not get anything done because of her voices from schizophrenia - who was enormously helped by anti-psychotics (nb: Gemini Wolf... you stick to what helps keep you safe and independent.... never feel you need to defend your choice to help yourself stay out of hospital...
)but if a person doesn't feel it's right for them fine - but don't critique me or others who conventional medication helps...
and please give some serious thought to the FACT that some people actually acquire mental health illnesses FROM recreational drugs - so if you're worried about psych drugs why aren't you also cautious /worried about recreational drugs/alcohol??
at least there are strict controls as to what's in the prescription drugs!
peace