[Benny_Cake]

Originally Posted by EUSSR

Heart medications are subject to far more stringent standards than anti depressant medication though.

If heart medications were subject to the same standards as anti-depressant medication, there would be a record number of dead people.

If the suicide rate for Depression is so high, why are anti-depressants still being prescribed? If the medication isn't working across the board, why continue to prescribe?

Do you have any evidence that anti-depressants don't help? The point you seem to be making is that the suicide rate for depression is high, so therefore anti-depressants aren't effective. That proves absolutely nothing about the efficacy of the medication - getting results involves getting the specific drug and dosage combinations right. And medication is only part of the solution, no one claims it is a silver bullet.

[EUSSR]

Originally Posted by Benny_Cake

Do you have any evidence that anti-depressants don't help? The point you seem to be making is that the suicide rate for depression is high, so therefore anti-depressants aren't effective. That proves absolutely nothing about the efficacy of the medication - getting results involves getting the specific drug and dosage combinations right. And medication is only part of the solution, no one claims it is a silver bullet.

Did you read the letter I posted earlier? It will clear some misconceptions about the effectiveness of anti-depressant drugs. The suicide rate is still far too high. This can be attributed to the lack of efficacy for these drugs. Otherwise, why prescribe them? For fun? It's a gigantic waste of tax payer money.

[Dudess]

Anti-depressants help people - I've seen it. They don't make problems go away but they help people actually get out of the bed and start day-to-day functioning again, and try to tackle their problems.
The pontification re drugs by people here who don't have a clue is getting quite tedious.

[Benny_Cake]

Originally Posted by EUSSR

Did you read the letter I posted earlier? It will clear some misconceptions about the effectiveness of anti-depressant drugs. The suicide rate is still far too high. This can be attributed to the lack of efficacy for these drugs. Otherwise, why prescribe them? For fun? It's a gigantic waste of tax payer money.

So because they don't help everyone, they shouldn't be prescribed to anyone?

Let me give you an example of someone who is on anti-depressants - me. Thankfully, I'm on a low dosage but I can honestly say that I have found it a help. I also go to counselling and have found that all this, in addition to lifestyle changes has helped me to cope a lot better. The cost of the medication is paid for out of my pocket, not by the taxpayer by the way.

[EUSSR]

Originally Posted by Benny_Cake

not by the taxpayer by the way.

Of course it is. At least to some degree. See The European Social Fund for more details.

[Benny_Cake]

Originally Posted by EUSSR

Of course it is. At least to some degree. See The European Social Fund for more details.

The European Social Fund is primarily focused on employment related issues. If you can point me in the direction of information that shows they are covering the cost of my medication, I'll be glad to read it. My bank balance tells me otherwise.

Edit: I'm should add that if someone is getting medication which is helping them cope with depression through the medical card scheme, I've no problem with that at all, in fact I'm glad.

[DeVore]

We're veering off topic. This isn't a thread about the evils of Big Pharm and I'm decidedly uncomfortable about any suggestion people come off meds by anyone but a relevant qualified medical practitioner.

DeV.

[Mr Benevolent]

Originally Posted by DeVore

I'm decidedly uncomfortable about any suggestion people come off meds by anyone but a relevant qualified medical practitioner.

DeV.

Bloody right too. The worst thing about someone being on meds for mental health issues (from a family perspective) is trying to convince them to stay on them. Nearly impossible and f*cking frustrating.

And before anyone starts moaning, the meds are for psychosis, not depression. Ever seen someone with a psychosis not on their meds? No fun for them or their family.

[EUSSR]

Medical Advice is not allowed on boards.

[cloud493]

I'm not a medical... Person. But at the end of the day, if a doctor prescribes you something, you should take it unless it's really not helping.

[EUSSR]

Originally Posted by cloud493

I'm not a medical... Person. But at the end of the day, if a doctor prescribes you something, you should take it unless it's really not helping.

Yes, because a Doctor is never wrong. They also don't have medical insurance.

[Benny_Cake]

Originally Posted by EUSSR

Yes, because a Doctor is never wrong. They also don't have medical insurance.

I'm reluctant to drag such a useful thread off topic, but remarks like this are unhelpful and potentially dangerous. People should only make decisions regarding medication in consultation with their physician.

You still haven't explained how the ESF is covering all or part of the cost of my medication by the way.

[Dudess]

Finding a big conspiracy in everything with little to no proof, and ignoring all claims to the contrary (including personal testimonies) is real renegade rebel stuff that doesn't make one think "Oh no, not this whingey teenage emo shyte again".
Must tell my GP Dr Mick that he, from his practice in Ballincollig, is an agent of the evil pharma companies - it'll give him a bit of a chuckle.

[cloud493]

Originally Posted by EUSSR

Yes, because a Doctor is never wrong. They also don't have medical insurance.

I'm not claiming they are. But they will know better than you, you can't diagnose yourself.

[Wibbs]

Originally Posted by DeVore

We're veering off topic. This isn't a thread about the evils of Big Pharm and I'm decidedly uncomfortable about any suggestion people come off meds by anyone but a relevant qualified medical practitioner.

DeV.

+1.

When studies came out to show that for low and mid level depression placebo was as effective as anti depressive medications the conspiracy types had a field day. Yes it was very interesting research, but in their rush against big pharma the same people neglected to see or understand that they still worked. Hey I'd be first in line to suggest that there may well be an over reliance on these drugs in less extreme cases, just as I would over the historical over reliance on antibiotics but like the latter they are still very effective treatments for many people and conditions.

Originally Posted by Benny_Cake

And medication is only part of the solution, no one claims it is a silver bullet.

Indeed. Ironically the anti pharma people expect that it is or should be a magic bullet and are dismayed to find it may not be(few medications are), even if it's a great help to many people.