Depression...

[nzspokes]

no. No i dont believe it ever is.
And those i know that do self medicate, do so superlingly, upstanding members of the community like.
Drug use may exacerbate underlying mental conditions, but narry may cause.

You keep believing that......

[Akzle]

You keep believing that......

well you know now i have to ask for proof. So, what drugs cause what mental conditions?

[swbarnett]

well you know now i have to ask for proof. So, what drugs cause what mental conditions?

Any drug that kills brain cells will lead to at least minor brain damage if used to excess or for too long.

[Akzle]

Any drug that kills brain cells will lead to at least minor brain damage if used to excess or for too long.

mmm yes, so what drug kills minor brain cells?

[Tazz]

Alchamahol? But that's socially acceptable so it's ok, where as medication is the devil.

[Akzle]

Alchamahol? But that's socially acceptable so it's ok, where as medication is the devil.

slight difference. Alcohol is a neurotoxin. Not a drug. For a really epic alcohol buzz, try some meningitis.

symptoms of meningitis.
Fever
persistent headache
Neck stiffness and pain that makes it difficult to touch your chin to your chest
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion and disorientation (acting "goofy")
Drowsiness or sluggishness
Sensitivity to bright light
More severe symptoms include seizure and coma

[swbarnett]

mmm yes, so what drug kills minor brain cells?

Alocohol spring immediately to mind.

Anything that restricts the flow of oxygen to the brain would qualify.

And, yes alcohol is a drug. The Oxfoed dictionary defines a drug as:

A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body

[Akzle]

Alocohol spring immediately to mind.

Anything that restricts the flow of oxygen to the brain would qualify.

And, yes alcohol is a drug. The Oxfoed dictionary defines a drug as:

A medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body

so all foods (substances) are drugs? (have a physiological effect)
yes?


-e-
and please feel free to be specific about "anything"s that restrict blood flow.

[swbarnett]

so all foods (substances) are drugs? (have a physiological effect)
yes?

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that. You may well be right. More likely the definition is a bit vague.

I did, however, find something that defined a neurotoxin as a drug that causes brain damage.

-e-
and please feel free to be specific about "anything"s that restrict blood flow.

Anything that lowers blood pressure will lower the amount of oxygen getting to the brain. Asprin for example. That's why people on medication to lower blood pressure are advised not to take it.

[Akzle]

I did, however, find something that defined a neurotoxin as a drug that causes brain damage.

given the alcohol culture in nz id say thats exactly correct. Except it isnt a drug.
When you take a drug,
It alters your chemistry. The result is what you feel as a high. Consider cannabanoid and opiate receptors. (consider also sugar, coffee, msg etc. yes. They do drug your food.)
When alcohol is consumed, what you feel is your body's immune/ defence system reacting to the toxin, as pointed out, some pathogens also cause a similar reaction.

Anything that lowers blood pressure will lower the amount of oxygen getting to the brain. Asprin for example.

perhaps i should have been clearer in my definition of self medicating.
The use of substances, typically non-pharmaceutical, as and where the individual deems it apropriate without any "professional" doctors advice.
Asprin wasnt exactly where i was going with this...

[Akzle]

Anything that lowers blood pressure will lower the amount of oxygen getting to the brain.

also i dont believe this to be 100%
i doubt most peoples blood typically carries 100% of its oxygen capacity.

[Winston001]

Ok just to muddy the waters and give a nod to the anti-drug people here, there is a major schism in psychiatry between using medicine on the one hand, and using psycho-analysis on the other.

The Freudians say (with some validity) that drugs only treat the symptoms and the real reason the human brain messes up the neurotransmitters is because certain traumatic events have affected the brain.

The psycho-pharmacists on the other hand say So what?. The SSRI drugs can be life changing and they work. By all means have counseling or analysis but in the meantime treat the illness.

Seems sensible to me.

[ZeroIndex]

Ok just to muddy the waters and give a nod to the anti-drug people here, there is a major schism in psychiatry between using medicine on the one hand, and using psycho-analysis on the other.

The Freudians say (with some validity) that drugs only treat the symptoms and the real reason the human brain messes up the neurotransmitters is because certain traumatic events have affected the brain.

The psycho-pharmacists on the other hand say So what?. The SSRI drugs can be life changing and they work. By all means have counseling or analysis but in the meantime treat the illness.

Seems sensible to me.

I have to agree with you... while for some people with depression, counseling/analysis can, and obviously does help.

Antidepression meds can be life changing and they "can" work. I went through 4 different SSRI/SNRI/NaSSA/Antidepression meds before I found a cocktail that worked.

Everyone's brain is wired differently, and even though I went for counseling/analysis... it didn't make the slightest difference; and often I would leave those sessions feeling worse than I had before I went.

I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, with constant suicidal ideation, I spent a week in a respite center at one point when I was right on the verge of driving my car at high speed into a concrete bridge substructure (somehow I managed to pull myself together long enough to check myself into hospital. After that, I was assigned a psychiatric nurse who tried to help me adjust my day-to-day patterns, which didn't help. Once I got onto (after 2+ weeks) a cocktail of Venlafaxine and Mirtazapine (nicknamed: California Rocket Fuel), my whole outlook on life changed. Before I got onto CRF, I used to wake up... sad that I hadn't just died in my sleep, days were dreary, I couldn't find a single reason to live for. The only reason I made it through was fear of a failed suicide, and living the rest of my life as a braindead vegetable. Yes, morbid I know.

Back to CRF: I mean, since I got onto my new meds, life is looking fucking great... and it's not due to any of the counseling etc (of which I haven't had since I switched). My psychiatric nurse is amazed with my improvement and this Friday, I'm finally ready to go see WorkWise in regards to getting back into the workforce.

TL;DR - Before the right medical treatment, I couldn't find a reason to live... and now, I can't wait to see what life will bring me next!

[Winston001]

Along with some other crap I couldn't leave the house for a month two years ago. Was living alone at the time and just freaked the fark out about having to deal with people. I still don't/can't check voice messages on my phone for some reason and crowds of new people are a bit dicey.

Yeeeuuupp...been there. Still can't open mail until it piles up.

Keeps life interesting for better or for worse but I'd have been fawked without meds, more sunlight and a bit more exercise (as stupid as the last two sound). Anyone who says otherwise about meds, good for you, but it's what worked for me (and others)....

True. Sunlight and exercise really help, its getting started that is hardest.

[ZeroIndex]

True. Sunlight and exercise really help, its getting started that is hardest.

I tried the "sunlight and exercise" ...that didn't help me get over my depression when I was on the wrong meds / counseling, although, now I'm just crave going out and doing stuff... it's fucking awesome