are we all on pills to cope with life?? a sample of what I am meeting in NJ

[RobRiguez]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

I don't know; I've never been on any before (no medical insurance), but now I'm seriously considering getting on some.
My life is such crap right now; it's so hard to cope.
I'm thinking something for anxiety, at least. My anxiety is making me completely non-functional.

I took an antidepressant for a while that helped with anxiety/OCD-type obsessive thoughts. I couldn't shut my "what-if" thoughts down. I also had therapy. The way the shrink explained it was this: When learning to ride a bicycle, it helps sometimes to get a push and then you can pedal on your own. The meds give the push and the therapy helps you learn to make the changes in yourself that you need. Eventually I weaned myself off the meds. The thoughts are back, but I know what they are, can figure out where they are coming from, and can manage my life much better now.

Just taking a/d's without the goal of someday not needing to take them is what too many people are doing. It takes some effort and work to get through but going through is the only way, not around or up or over.

THIS is what I'm talking about. You HAVE to fight your way through the obstacles of life.

[angerinthenation]

If you think about it, Jersey has the most pharmaceutical companies in the nation. So I wouldn't be surprised if there was something in the air driving people crazy to keep those same folks in business and have everybody taking meds. That's real talk. That's why I'm convinced that if you live in Jersey long enough, you will have something wrong with you.

[FlyersFan]

Originally Posted by CaptainNJ

people are looking for the easy way out. its pathetic. they pretend that they need these pills because they have some kind of problem. the problem is they are human and they are weak.

There will always be some who will find or create a reason to take a pill instead of facing the problem but then there are those who are just overwhelmed with lifes problems at times.....the single moms....and dads.....those who have suffered a great tragedy or loss.....those drowing in financial trouble.......those that face severe illness or crisis alone.....for those who have found themselves coping with a temporary or long term difficult emotional situation/problem theres no shame to admit to taking a perscription medication to help get through the difficult period......yes...it can be a "problem" to be human at times....and yes we can be weak at times.....for those of us with normal emotions and coping skills thats never going to change.....but.....thats why when we face difficult times we as "weak" humans need loved ones to lean on and a little more understanding and compassion rather than being judged for our weaknesses. Life is much more difficult and stressful than it was in the 50s and 60s.......if you've never experienced a seemlingly overwhelming problem or crisis alone consider yourself blessed.

[JG183]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Just taking a/d's without the goal of someday not needing to take them is what too many people are doing. It takes some effort and work to get through but going through is the only way, not around or up or over.

the difficulty for a large percentage of a/d users is that once these medications are started, even after the condition has remitted, withdrawal symptoms occur (which are typically far worse than the original symptoms) if they try to wean themselves off it.

so until some other breakthrough comes along, they are on the meds for life...

[Booey Fan]

Originally Posted by RobRiguez

THIS is what I'm talking about. You HAVE to fight your way through the obstacles of life.

Aren't you a special, holier than thou person.

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

ok, I go to a gym 5 days a week, and have meet so many people on either xanax, an antidepressent, or a pain killer. Now I have a friend who drowns his sorrow in budwiser, and another friend who loves oxycontin.

My point is where are we learning our coping skills??? I have no choice but to cope with life due to past drug addiction but I am wondering is this the norm for so many people, just pop an antidepressant and /or a xanax? Ohh this is legal I forgot.

I find a lot of ways to cope with things - some good, some not so good. But one thing I avoid like the plague is drugs.

I think people rely on drugs way too much. I avoid even aspirin or advil or cold medicines. When I get a headache, I take a rest to see if it will go away, often the headache is from tension. If I have sinus problems I use a nasal irrigation similar to a neti pot. I use natural remedies like mint tea and I drink lots of regular tea to keep healthy. While I do eat some "bad" foods, I am careful to include enough good foods to deliver the vitamins and nutrients I need.

When I get a cold I knock it out with several vitamin C and zinc tablets washed down w/ orange juice (because vitamin c tablets need to be activated by a natural vitamin c source) and I take a long nap or sleep - my colds almost never last more than a day.

I also walk every day, at least 2-3 miles, even if it's not in "workout" mode. Walking is good for the body, gives energy, but also clears one's head. On weekends, when I can, I take the walks in the mountaiins or wilderness (hiking) and it's even better.

I think if people just were careful and tried to find the natural way to keep healthy or resolve illness they wouldn't be on so many drugs, and drugs always screw up something even if they're helping with others.

Years and years ago my mom was overweight and had heart problems. Her doctor put her on tons of meds for the heart. The meds probably saved her life, but the doctor also told her to alter her lifestyle because the meds could only do so much for so long. She lost weight and became more active and eats well and many of those meds went away. I know of several people who have reversed diabetes by getting healthy, rather than relying on drugs all their lives.

Drugs are necessary in desperate situations. If I'm so in pain from a headache or bodyaches that I can't sleep, I'll take advil or nyquil. But mostly I avoid it. The problem people have is they take the drug in a desperate situation but never fix the situation, they just keep taking drugs.

It's like the way some complain about people on welfare, but even worse. It's a dependency that's much more selfish and self-defeating.

[BergenCountyJohnny]

Originally Posted by Jane72

I don't know; I've never been on any before (no medical insurance), but now I'm seriously considering getting on some.
My life is such crap right now; it's so hard to cope.
I'm thinking something for anxiety, at least. My anxiety is making me completely non-functional.

I have felt like you at times; I have suffered from depression.

I have never been on meds, although one time years ago I was so depressed I should have been. But counseling works very well, it just takes longer. I probably would have had an easier and quicker time getting out of depression if I took the meds.

Some people are so depressed they NEED meds. I have a friend who one time was so depressed he couldn't function. They gave him lexapro and it helped him function, and after a while of living normally again and counseling he gradually got off the lexapro and has been fine for years now.

It's like any drug; it may be necessary at a time, but to continue on it as a crutch forever is defeating the purpose.

Think of this: When they do surgery on a person, they are cutting that person open. It's not good to cut a person open! But it's a temporary "hurt" that is part of a plan to fix a bigger problem. Well, drugs are the same thing - part of a plan to temporarily "hurt" a person while trying to fix a bigger problem. That goes for drugs for mental or physical problems.

So if you are that down and depressed you need to:
A - get professional help
B - IF they suggest meds, take them
C - once the meds stabilize you a bit, work with the counseling to get better and phase out the meds as soon as it is possible

Good luck

[Whoelsebutcharles]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

ok, I go to a gym 5 days a week, and have meet so many people on either xanax, an antidepressent, or a pain killer. Now I have a friend who drowns his sorrow in budwiser, and another friend who loves oxycontin.

My point is where are we learning our coping skills??? I have no choice but to cope with life due to past drug addiction but I am wondering is this the norm for so many people, just pop an antidepressant and /or a xanax? Ohh this is legal I forgot.

Drowns his sorrow in budweiser? How about drowning your sorrow in straight vodka, moreover binge-drinking straight vodka?

[Mightyqueen801]

You don't just "pop" an antidepressant and presto, feel better--or feel high. That's pretty ignorant. I'm appalled that with all the information out there, people actually think this.

A/d's work over a long period of time, similar to high-blood pressure medication, but to correct brain chemistry. It usually takes about six weeks to really feel any effects.

They definitely are overprescribed. The ideal way that antidepressants should be used are as a jump-start to therapy, to help one's mind clear enough to work on making the structural changes that come with the therapy. Too many doctors just write a prescription now, and then the person is relying only on the medication.