DISQUS

Gah. This whole "SSRI's are no better than placebo" crap and the "think yourself better" people dirve me nuttier than I would by if not for my daily dose of Paroxitine. I echo what the people above say about the difference between "feeling depressed" and clinical depression. If you've ever been in the grip of the latter, you wouldn't have been able to write this post.

I suffer from clinical depression. Apparently, my brain just does not make all the neurotransmitters I need, and they have to be supplemented with chemicals on a daily basis. It's now 8-9 years since my fist attack and, after three bouts of build-em-up/watch-em-fall-away, I am now on permanent medication.

As I spiralled down (1999), I got to the point that I couldn't make a decision at all - I'd get to the office and spend the day playing Freecell, not because I was lazy, or disinterested but because it was literally all I could do. I was the IT Manager for a government department and I could not make myself do my job. And I had loved my job. My performance (or lack, specifically) became the reason I got diagnosed - my boss said "shape up or ship out - you've got 3 months". I went to the doctor and got the diagnosis (which surprised the crap out of me - I had thought it was something to do with the M.E. I also suffer from - fun being me, I tell ya!), got the pills and got back to my usual self after about 2-3 weeks of treatment.

But only if I keep taking the pills. I can last about 36 hours before I start to feel the precursors. By 48 I will be in the grip of an unending anxiety attack, tachycardia, sweats, trembling, inability to focus and all the other joys.

Being a little down is not the same thing, Daniel. I know you don't mean it that way, but your last paragraph is more than a little insulting to me and, I'd guess to anyone who's been bitten by the black beast. Unfortunately, a lot of idiots won't differentiate and will take this latest furore as being vindication for their view that we should just snap out of it - yeah, right!

At least you should have quoted Keedwell's other point:
"Dr Keedwell says his theory does not cover severe depression, which is an illness accompanied by a catatonic lack of energy, cannot be worked through and requires the intervention of a GP" and, IMHO, drugs are always the last resort of a competent GP.

Gah. This whole "SSRI's are no better than placebo" crap and the "think yourself better" people dirve me nuttier than I would by if not for my daily dose of Paroxitine. I echo what the people above say about the difference between "feeling depressed" and clinical depression. If you've ever been in the grip of the latter, you wouldn't have been able to write this post.

I suffer from clinical depression. Apparently, my brain just does not make all the neurotransmitters I need, and they have to be supplemented with chemicals on a daily basis. It's now 8-9 years since my fist attack and, after three bouts of build-em-up/watch-em-fall-away, I am now on permanent medication.

As I spiralled down (1999), I got to the point that I couldn't make a decision at all - I'd get to the office and spend the day playing Freecell, not because I was lazy, or disinterested but because it was literally all I could do. I was the IT Manager for a government department and I could not make myself do my job. And I had loved my job. My performance (or lack, specifically) became the reason I got diagnosed - my boss said "shape up or ship out - you've got 3 months". I went to the doctor and got the diagnosis (which surprised the crap out of me - I had thought it was something to do with the M.E. I also suffer from - fun being me, I tell ya!), got the pills and got back to my usual self after about 2-3 weeks of treatment.

But only if I keep taking the pills. I can last about 36 hours before I start to feel the precursors. By 48 I will be in the grip of an unending anxiety attack, tachycardia, sweats, trembling, inability to focus and all the other joys.

Being a little down is not the same thing, Daniel. I know you don't mean it that way, but your last paragraph is more than a little insulting to me and, I'd guess to anyone who's been bitten by the black beast. Unfortunately, a lot of idiots won't differentiate and will take this latest furore as being vindication for their view that we should just snap out of it - yeah, right!

At least you should have quoted Keedwell's other point:
"Dr Keedwell says his theory does not cover severe depression, which is an illness accompanied by a catatonic lack of energy, cannot be worked through and requires the intervention of a GP" and, IMHO, drugs are always the last resort of a competent GP.