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cory.iyoobAny of you have experience with ocd based anxiety? I’ve had generalized anxiety, irrational fears, obsessive behaviors and unwanted thought patterns that I’ve only just recently mostly gotten over. At times when I was younger it’s gotten so bad I was barely able to leave my room for days. It’s genetic so both my sister and mom have it also although there’s is more depression and generalized anxiety. They decided to go the Prozac route but I decided not too and I’m really happy with my choice. They frequently become depressed again and have panic attacks about fears that their meds are no longer working (then they take Xanax for that which is also dangerous). It’s a scary and sometimes unstable lifestyle to live. I’ve learned that with diet, friends, family meditation, staying busy, biking, music and most obviously skiing I can maintain happiness. Honestly, It actually helped me with my skiing since I’d become obsessed with certain tricks/rails and hike for them for days haha (there was one season where’d I rarely even take the lift lol). However I’ve learned to let my friends rather than my anxiety fuel my skiing and have been happier ever since. My point is, depression and anxiety are sold to us as very understood diseases that you simply need to “recieve help” for. While couseling can be very beneficial, I would stay away from long term use of anti anxiety/ anti depressants unless you are at the last straw since they aren’t actually as reliable as most think. Do your own research, these companies are there to make money and don’t necessarily care about you if that doesn’t help them make more. It’s the marketing of these companies that make depression seem like such an easily treatable illness but in reality it’s very complicated. Also have patience, it was a slow progression for me to move on from my own ocd and anxiety but I find that’s actually more comforting since it feels more stable than if I just magically felt the way in an instant after some time on medication. Did your depression or anxiety just smack you one day after being completely happy? I doubt it, so why would you expect it to go away like that. Hope this helps.
theabortionatorDiet and exercise are great, but there are a lot of people that absolutely benefit from taking prescription drugs. I think the fact that they are corporations and for profit is somewhat irrelevant. They made the drugs with hopes of profit, but that's the same with anything. If they weren't making money they wouldn't be doing it. That doesn't mean that all medicine is bad.
Also I don't think that depression is sold as something we know everything about. Even regarding pharmies doctors are tweaking the dosages or trying different drugs to find something that works for each person, then evaluating things farther on to see whats helping, what isn't, and if they can make things any better.
I'm glad that things are working out for you but swearing off all medications because your mom and sister still had issues is crazy to me. Also there's no guarantee that without the meds they'd be better off. The whole down with the corporations thing gets a little old. Not every large company is evil, not every doctor is trying to kill you.
I had pretty bad OCD for a while, all through school. Also at one point was scared to even go into the store, or walk down the hallways of school. Like to pay for my gas, sometimes I'd sit in the car just waiting, terrified to walk into the store. I had all kinds of patterns I had to repeat or I'd freak out. I worked through a lot of stuff with my own behavioral modification although I didn't know what that was at the time. I'd force myself to go into places, or talk to random people, even if, especially if it gave me anxiety.
cory.iyoobGod damn I relate to last paragraph of the quote heavily. Check your messages. I agree with on a lot of points and haven’t ever ruled taking them completely out for myself. I’m just in a way better place now and I’m happy I’ve shown myself it’s possible to get better without them. But I also only just turned 18 so I have a lot of life ahead of me where these symptoms could relapse. In terms of importance for me the diet and exercise were least important, more of distractions tbh. For me the most important things were family, friends, finding something you can put your obsession into (skiing) and active changes in my mindset in terms of understanding my weaknesses (aka im not just crazy but have high dopamine levels haha)
You provide a very good point about sister and mother also. I was only basing my opinion slightly off of the view of what I’ve seen from them since that’s more just a small amount of antidotal evidence. Also I do not think most doctors themselves have bad intentions in any way all (most doctors probably are friends or related to someone that’s depressed, it’s not an us and them thing) I always saw it more of a large system that sometimes becomes defective because of its desire to make more money. I also find sometimes doctors need to pay closer attention to recent evidence. For example, why do some doctors still prescribe antibiotics for non bacterial colds when it’s known that they aren’t effective and it’s going to lead to antibiotic resistance?
Maybe my skepticism of doctors is caused by a loss of a close family friend from an OD after he was started on pain pills. Along with many other family friends becoming hooked. This caused me to do a lot of research on the opioid crisis which is very clear example of a medical fuck up (66,000 deaths per year from ODs in the US, more than car crashes at this point).
But yea all the power to you if they work for you. From what I’ve heard, they are most effective against disorders like OCD and anxiety rather than depression. My point was more that these should be a last resort especially they aren’t guaranteed to work forever, the withdrawals can be be suicidial.
theabortionatorI mean, do your research, and get a second or 3rd opinion about anything major if you want, but I would be "skeptical of doctors". They're not always right, sometimes they fuck up, the prescription addiction especially with opiates sucks, but doctors are genuinely trying.
I personally hate going to the doctor and avoid the places unless I'm stupidly sick, or I know I broke something. That said it's not because I think they're trying to kill me, but I'd rather deal with stuff on my own, plus years of not having insurance. As far as ODs, I feel you. I'd be stoked to go a year with finding any friends ODing. Unfortunately doesn't seem like I'm going to have that happen anytime soon.
The drugs were given out a little bit liberally sometimes, but I absolutely don't think they did it with poor intentions. If your patient is hurting you want to fix the pain so they can live semi normally, sleep, do tasks without the pain. Unfortunately they ended up wrapping a ton of people into the shitty fucked up world of addiction. I mean even the scripts I got when I cracked a vertebrae and and my femur were gnar. I was only 16 then and they were giving me pills in mg and amounts that you can barely even find these days. So I feel for people, because myself and anybody else that ever got heavy dosages could have just as easily gotten addicted. Hell even people from shit like wisdom teeth.
I wish we would put more effort into research and treatment, I hope we decriminalize all drugs ASAP, but I can't shun medicine or feel that all doctors are bad because of this.
I don't take any right now. I know a lot of people that do and it's been life changing, I know a lot of people that don't and make it work. It isn't just for OCD.
I think that people should do their research and not go into anything blindly, but I don't see how they should be taken as a last result. Like let me get to the point where I'm so close to killing myself, and then try to do something about it. That doesn't seem very proactive.
Like I said, I'm stoked things are working well for you but people talking to their doctors and trying some of these drugs to get their lives on track is absolutely OK. If you don't want to and can manage, go for it, but don't tell people they should stay away from it.
I've seen friends who were a fucking mess before actually get their shit together and be productive. It's a crazy world out there. One thing doesn't necessarily work for everybody. Some people will struggle to find good doctors or a solid medication plan that works for them. Other people will find something that works, and be in pretty great shape.
cory.iyoobWhile I might be overstating the dangers of these antidepressants I kind of feel like you are understating them. I’ve been doing research for the last few days and here’s what I’ve found. Really if you stay on these drugs for longer than 6-8 weeks it’s at least somewhat dangerous. These drugs change your nuerochemistry and should be taken seriously.
“In other words, antidepressants are effective against chronic, moderate and severe depression. They probably don't work in the treatment of mild depression.” This comes directly off of here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0087089/
If you are for example getting bullied at school or just lost a loved one. These medications aren’t meant for you.
https://ssristories.org
Look at this website for horror stories of people committing crimes in either withdrawal or in use of this medication. While some may say that of course these people would have done this with or without medication. But it seems like a lot of these people were dealing with somewhat mild anxiety and depression and their medication sent them over the edge to kill themselves or someone else. In fact, 35 school shootings can be traced back to antidepressant use
https://www.cchrint.org/school-shooters/
I understand correlation doesn’t equal causation but this is very scary stuff.
It’s also becoming more well known that the withdrawal from these drugs can be hell and can make it almost impossible for you to ever get off of.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/health/antidepressants-withdrawal-prozac-cymbalta.html
https://youtu.be/0UVYwHSBRqw
You might ask why you’d ever want to get off them if you are feeling better with but they commonly carry side effects and the risk of no longer working. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia this a disease that could be caused by up to 30-40% of users on some anti-depressants.
This is along with the other side effects about half will have.
nausea
increased appetite and weight gain
loss of sexual desire and other sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and decreased orgasm
fatigue and drowsiness
insomnia
dry mouth
blurred vision
constipation
dizziness
agitation
irritability
anxiety
They have also been known to cause serotonin syndrome in some people. Where they experience a lack of the mood regulating chemical serotonin in the brain. It’s caused by unusually high levels on serotonin in the brain. This is probably caused when someone with normal levels of serotonin is put on an antidepressant.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758
https://youtu.be/65zGATsfREY
This is all that I found in a few hours of research and I’m sure there are many other things to look out for when taking antidepressant and anti anxiety medication. Some people now are arguing that they shouldn’t even be taken for more than 6-8 weeks and don’t just start taking a drug because you’ve been down in the dumps or have had a few weeks of even major depressive symptoms. Just know that when you do take these drugs you are opening a can of worms and it may result in some very awful things.
theabortionatorDude, mental health is crazy. There are things that work for some people and dont for others. Even when things are working peoples lives can get rowdy because theyre still having issues.
I could probably find a website for baby Tylenol horror stories if I googled it.
If you don't want/need to take depression meds thats great, but don't tell oher people they shouldn't because you googled a few things yesterday. I know people that were fucked before they got on meds and have reallypulled things together. I have several close friends on anti depressents, antipsychotic, anti anxiety meds where its really helping them.
There are lots of depressed people taling meds. If something bad happens it doesn't necessarily mean it was the meds fault. Also it's well known that they can make people more suicidal sometimes, especially teens. They warn you about it.
I get it, you're 18, everything's a conspiracy but don't tell other peoplewhat they should do regarding mental health because you read a few things and feel super woke.
Sorry that I don't want to shun doctors knowledge, my friends experiences, because you think that everything is out to kill you.
They sure as fuck aren't perfect but damn, there are a lot of people seriously bennefitting from using them.
That's really all I want to say on this.
cory.iyoobChill out, I’m just warning people that these things can do really scary shit for some of the people that take them and that you should be careful. The difference between this and Tylenol horror stories is this effects a huge amount of it’s people. And I’m friends and family with many of people that regret taking them. Although you happen to know also know people that gained a huge benefit from the medicine. Your opinion holds no further weight than mine does because we are both basing our opinions off our own personal lives. Just because I’m only 18 doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of adults with the same exact opinion as me.
MinggBTW this is in response to you and borty. Just don't want to scroll bomb everyone haha.
While its true that antidepressants change your brain chemistry, that's honestly their purpose. Not all mental illness is based off of experiences alone - like stated before in a situation of sudden loss or an isolated instance. In a lot of cases of mental illness or addiction your brain chemistry is changed, which can happen in a multitude of ways, and medication may be the best way to get your body back in balance.
Take for example, a computer - you have your hardware and software. Hardware is the physical nature of the computer(brain) and the software is the programing(thought processes/interworkings of your brain). Sometimes you can fix a computer by updating its software and rewriting the programs(therapy) and other times you need to work on the hardware too(medications).
cory.iyoobChill out, I’m just warning people that these things can do really scary shit for some of the people that take them and that you should be careful. The difference between this and Tylenol horror stories is this effects a huge amount of it’s people. And I’m friends and family with many of people that regret taking them. Although you happen to know also know people that gained a huge benefit from the medicine. Your opinion holds no further weight than mine does because we are both basing our opinions off our own personal lives. Just because I’m only 18 doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of adults with the same exact opinion as me.
theabortionatorIm just pointing out that you can find "information" on the internet for anything. It doesn't mean that it holds that much weight, or that its even factual.
I mentioned that people should be careful, seek out different opinions, but the udea that all medicine and doctors are conspiring to ruin your life is delusional.
I'm really not trying to be a dick. Age isn't necessarily relevant but the "i read some things online the last day or two" definitely is.
Also there are people that have been persuaded to get iff their meds by friemds, family, church, and things haven't gone well.
It doesn't work for everyone. Some people have severe fucked up shit that a little hike with a friend every weekend isn't going to fix. Im sorry you cant grasp that. Im happy things are looking up for you but sweet fucking jebus you seem to have no idea what is going on in some peoples heads.
Meds absolutely benefit many people. Thats a smple fact. Dispute it, read articles that say that's fake news, but it's just a fact. I never said they were for everyone, i never said that there are not risks. Just simply that it's bullshit to tell people that they should stay away from anti depressats because in your 2 days of internet reading believe that everything a lie.
Im not mad, im not hating, i just get frustrated at the thought of giving advice on real medical issues, with pretty much nothing.
I don't necessarily have a ton of information. Im not a doctor, i haven't done heavy research, i havent taken classes. Im just saying this shit works for people. It shouldn't be taken as lightly as eating a piece of candy, but nothing should.
Doctors aren't sitting their conspiring to ruin your life. They're not perfect, some care more than others, but they're definitely trying to help.
Go ahead and downvote this as well.
theabortionatorJust had nowhere to really post that and not into the weird facebook status thing.
cozzeyWhen shit hits the fan, sell everything and get a van for your South America trip. Try and survive for as long as you can and then try and go to the next place. If you don’t like somewhere you can just leave, it’s the ultimate freedom if you can get the funds.
theabortionatorThat's kind of what I've been doing. Worked a bunch of different places, did some random travel off that or just getting the fuck out of the good ole USA. I've depleted most of the loot I had saved. Got some good fun out of it though.
Was thinking of finding some shit hole shack near the beach in Indo or Costa Rica or something and trying to rock a couple months and surf errday. Idk now though. I surfed the last 2 summers, but realized that's about the only time I was in the ocean for years. Actually jumped in with a buddy late night last week, but really been out of the water. I guess the year round winters added a bit, and getting older. I used to be all about the ocean and swimming in general. I guess maybe I'm just not that aquatic anymore.
Also at least I have an option for rent and a job set up for the winter season if I want it.
cozzeyIm in the jungle of Costa Rica rn. Definitely wish I was on the coast but this was kind of my mental breakdown and time away from my normal life before I return.
theabortionatorThat's legit. I dig getting away. Booked a lot of random flights or drove my car random places in the states the last few years. Put 90 miles on the car in 2.5 years and was out of the country 10ish months of that.
I'm hoping things work out for me because I like tahoe. Probably will only do 1 more year at the same mtn but there's plenty of options and I have better paying offers as well. Would be cool to lock down to an area for a while, and grow a friend base instead of meeting people and then dipping.
I def feel you though. They say you shouldn't run from your problems but when shit gets too real, I start looking at plane tickets. Actually booked this Asia trip because I was feeling really shitty and depressed. So at least that's something to look forward too. Gonna try and check out several countries.
Never done any south america though. So that's next after this trip I think if I'm still kickin around.
cozzeyWishing you the best of luck
MinggTake for example, a computer - you have your hardware and software. Hardware is the physical nature of the computer(brain) and the software is the programing(thought processes/interworkings of your brain). Sometimes you can fix a computer by updating its software and rewriting the programs(therapy) and other times you need to work on the hardware too(medications).
DeebieSkeebiesStill battling post-concussion symptoms even years after the fact. Drank myself to the point of insanity almost in the last year, got that monkey off my back, now doing the therapy route and its been good, but tough too. Anxiety and depression really got the best of me and I failed out of school almost, girlfriend broke up with me, and lost jobs/unemployed and living at my parents. Its never too late to seek help, and its not an overnight fix. This shit will take years upon years. Hope you all get the help needed and finally get back to fully enjoying life. Theres moments that make you smile every now and then but battling substance abuse issues and mental health issues are tough as nails battles.
freestyler540Ive been to the edge myself in 2010. January 4th 2010 to be exact. My life was a mess, I couldnt get help, my so-called friends wouldnt answer the phone and my family was putting unbelievable pressure on me at the time. Due to my job, a safety sensitive workplace, I could not afford to get professional help or I would lose my medical certificate and lose all hopes to work in my field again. I had to keep things under wraps the entire time. Took 6 years to come back from the deep end on my own.
freestyler540Now to finish the story, ran out of time...
The summer of 2012, I finished my 2 months on the ship and went back to my apartment. I cleaned out my stuff, put it in a Uhaul storage unit, took as much as I could in my car, flipped off the roomate in hopes to never see him again and drove off to BC to complete my dream. I drove day and night, making a few stops at locations I wanted to go. I went hiking when I wanted, where I wanted; biking at locations I have only dreamt of and lived out of my MEC tent. I had 3000$ to live off until work called me back.
I drove from Quebec to Owen Sound, went to collingwood to ride, Thunder bay, Winnipeg, Regina, Canmore, Banff, Fernie, Invermere, Nelson, Rossland, Kelown and Vernon in 3 months. I biked everyday and lived in my tent. I had no bills to pay, always had something to do and relaxed with complete strangers every night. I risked my limbs on the hardest stunts I could find, rode the toughest DH trails people would only talk about and camped on the side of the highway. It was soothing to be out of the routine, never had to rely on people and I was truly the person I wanted to be. When I stopped in Nelson, I immediately fell in love with the town and the people felt like home...I feeling I never had anywhere else in my life. I found a place to live and kept travelling. By Kelowna, I was broke and went back to work.
I felt better at work; confidence was rising. I was making friends again. I didnt ever see the 3 months go by before finishing my work season.
To work out the last bit of emotional pain, I went skiing every day. 130 straight days from 9am to 4pm. I got to sweat out everything by hiking in the mountains, feeling fear again and breaking out of my shell. I even met a girl, but it didnt last long...however, It didnt matter in the slightest. I had my ups and downs, but the downs were getting shorter and further apart. I still had episodes, but the difference was a was able to cry again when needed. I built up a community of friends and felt like my life was back on track.
2 years ago, I was fired from my job from a piss test. On my way home, I had 50hrs to think about my situation, but for some reason, I saw a way out of it; it had nothing to do with self harm...it was suing the bastards who fired me. I had fighting power and things were falling into place. A year later, I won my case and everything went back to normal.
So moral of the story; when you are in a rut; change locations and start anew!
Titus69Jesus christ dude, that's one fucking story you got there. I hope you're doing well today and that case helped you financially what did you sue for? Idk what you failed for but if its thc, that's bullshit, anything else kinda makes sense.
BigPurpleSkiSuitI'm too drunk to respond to this story coherently but I'm glad you made it out okay freestyler. I'm trying to decide what I want to do and if its indulge my ski addiction to the max or move forward with work and school. I don't know what I'll do but I'm glad you're making it
Titus69I dont really know what it is, I've just felt shitty lately since I made the move to salt lake. I can tell I'm super stressed out lately and feel slightly depressed, I catch myself eating shitty and feeling down a lot. I've pretty much been broke since I got here, but like a few other issues, that's my fault. Month before I left for utah we had to put our dog down who was essentially my best friend since I graduated and lived at home which was still one of the worst days in my life and wont go into any details but 2 weeks before I left my brother began feeling on edge, he found immediate help, but if anything it's making my time with this shit worse cause it drives my anxiety to think I'm gonna do the same but worse. Grew up constantly being shit on for stuff like my height, teeth (before braces,) and my book smarts. Pretty much since high school my life has been mediocre except whenever I'm skiing or doing one of the like 5 things I enjoy.
Worked a shitty minimum wage part time job for a year post grad that made me feel embarrassed every shift before moving up to an awesome full time job with great people that I left to come west, still have a fun job out here but it's not helping. I'd love to be in a relationship so i can have someone who can keep me stable and learn from and all that shit, but like today on a dating app (I know I know) I start talking to a girl thinking oh finally I can maybe get somewhere and bam already ghosted, makes me feel even worse about my self confidence and will only raise my social anxiety and trouble with women/people. Faking happiness is also so easy to me, i constantly think about the phrase/quote of how depressed people are nice to others, cause I really dont like making people feel shitty like myself so in public I always am polite and never argue cause I don't wanna stress myself and others out. I sometimes think about just sending to somewhere like Hood or back home in the presidentials where I am at peace and see where that takes me, just wanna escape my stress. I'm not really on the edge atm, my 4 best friends are out here but I'm still just losing my mind so often, I just want some fucking snow so I can do the one thing in life I truly love.
NzeskibroDating apps are lame anyways, you would be better off meeting chicks in person as hard is it seems