My view is this (I'm gonna push for short answer):

In the short term the drugs can be beneficial.
The long term of usage reveals a much larger problem. What I am seeing more and more of in the world that I live and work is the absence of 'self worth.' So many are depressed because they have confused self-esteem with self worth.

There is a long laundry list of reasons as to why so many struggle with self worth but I this is how I see it.

Depression is a symptom of a cause not the cause.

JMO

Adventure-Dude, you obviously know nothing about mental illness, "There is a long laundry list of reasons as to why so many struggle with self worth but I this is how I see it.", this comment is so shortsighted that it is an insult for one who has suffered now for 47 years with mental illness, "Not a self worth issue", depression is a symptom of Bipolar for instance, the depression suffered by Bipolar suffers is said to be the deepest depression one can suffer, the cause is a chemical imbalance, just like many other disorders.

Of course there are the so called suffers who seek out the likes of PROZAC and ZOLOFT, these are usually people who may have had a Trauma or Stress related incident which may have triggered some form of depression, however generally not as severe as the chemical based illnesses, such as Bipolar, Schizophrenia and General Depression disorders, the sufferes of these tend to be suicidal, as I myself have tried several times, I still get the urges, but the drugs help me fight this.

Sorry Adventure-Dude, you were right in your last statement, depression is a symptom of an Illness and/or trauma, although many people use this and many other terms quite liberally, these days. Many of whom are being treated with drugs by their GP, when probably all they need is a good rest, and maybe some Theraphy.

As you can imagin this is a subject which does tend to upset me a great deal, upon reflection, you answer was actually guite sensitive, and I apoligise for flying off at you for your comment. I do agree with your brief comment, generally people who are suffering some form of stress, due to trauma or work or life in general, will suffer some form of depression, this in turn causes issues with self worth.

People with self esteem issues are long term suffers, generally suffering from a chemical imbalence in the brain, coupled with major trauma/s in their life, (eg: Molestation, or some other form of physical or emotional abuse), speaking from experience you do suffer from both, feelings of self worth, and very low self esteem, resulting in a lack of confidence and a general passivity in nature. Sadly for people like me, people who will expolit individules for sex or control, can pick this in a person, which is why people seem to find themselves in a situation where this happens with more than one person and on more than one occasion.

What I will say is for the life of me I cannot understand some people who would try to fake these conditions, because the treatments in no walk in the park, I personally have to take a large quantity of drugs just to be able to function at what is called "NORMAL".

I prefer to think of normal as being a setting on a washing machine.

However lately after my most recent stint in hospital (3 months), I do feel the best I have in years.

YOu should re-read the article. Neither Adnauseum, nor Adventure is saying that depresion is hokum as a disease. Only that the Anti-depressant drugs are over prescribed to those not really suffering from them.

ANd I agree with that. There are legitimate people out there suffering. But most getting the drugs are not really suffering from medical depression. And I would say low self esteem is probably a major cause of those who are getting the drugs that do not really need them. But that is just personal observation.

In psychology, self-esteem reflects a person's overall self-appraisal of their own worth.

"Already have DG thus the second post, as you will see I apoligised and acknowledged my mistake."

Sadly your observation is wrong, most people who suffer from low self esteem do so as a result of a major trauma. However many do recieve treatment for mild disorders either real or percieved, generally due to stressors due to work or other life events.

When you live in the world of mental illness DG you get to know a lot about it, there is a big difference between a lack of confidence due to some minor stressor, and the feeling of a complete lack of self esteem/worth.

Mass media knows nothing about medication. Saying that "Prozac is no better than placebo" not only harms those people who have been effectively taking it for years (cheaper than Cymbalta and other newer medications), but it also harms the common patient's view of medication.

As a semi-related side note, Mass media also wants you to believe that common herbal remedies are as good as taking medications, and that they are "safe and effective", which is also not the case.

I some way you are lucky Little Whip, unlike you I have periods where mania and depression come together, no happiness just deep depression and no sleep, and a lot of anger, in my case mood stabilisers do work, however it took a long time to find that drug. I now have what I would deem "NORMAL EMOTIONS", previously all mood stabilisers made me feel emotionless, which in itself is very depressing, I know what you mean when you say you would rather the mania though. My life is better for drugs, and I no longer have the desire to suicide or harm myself, and I can control my anger. When I was first diagnosed my illness was called Manic depression, the new term is Bipolar affective disorder, same illness.

Mass media is one of the reasons there is so much misinformation about mental illness, they would have you believe that we are all a bunch of psychotics, I suppose it makes good copy.

Sorry for my mistake LW, I will correct the term happiness with euphoria, which in my view is similar to happiness, or a feeling of elation. Sorry to raing on your parade there are two forms of Bi-polar disorder, and yse you can experience symptoms of depression and mania.

The reality is mental illness presents in different ways in different people, it dosen't fit into neat little boxs, so while your symptoms may present in one way another persons may not.

I do not feel that bi-polar is political correctness, it is a term which describes the two extrems that can be suffered by people with the disorder.

Happy Easter to you all.

I am not arguing that point, nor have the knowledge to. What I am agreeing with Adnauseum about is that Anti-depressionn drugs are over prescribed. Often for situations that do not need, or merit the prescription. That there is a need for anti-depressive drugs is not something I will debate. That they are over prescribed to those who really do not need it, I am saying.

The best way to get over stress, depression and anxiety is to take a break from your regular schedule, go out, and take good sleep. This helps in clearing the mind and try consulting a specialist who can suggest you as how you can get over your problem. There are various prescription drugs to get over anxiety and depression, but these should only be used in accordance with the instruction of a physician and going on anti depressants should be the last option.Rather than going on drugs, one should look for the reason behind there problem . Keeping yourself busy and changing the schedule also helps sometimes to get over stress and depression. http://www.xanax-effects.com