Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Voicelessness and Emotional Survival => Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board => Topic started by: Dr. Richard Grossman on August 07, 2003, 11:20:23 PM
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Interesting article for those taking anti-depressants. Confirmation that possible mechanism of anti-depressant action is new cell growth in the hippocampus. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/events/prneurogenesis.cfm. What else can one do to grow new hippocampus brain cells? Studies on mice suggest---consistent, long term aerobic exercise http://www.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/exercise.html
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I am prescribed Prozac - and I have read so many reports - one saying it "fries" your brain, the next saying it is actually capable of long term healing in the brain. I would be interested in knowing which direction there is the most evidence, - and if for instance, your hippocampus recovers, are you then able to stop taking medication? Very interesting stuff.
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Resurrecting another old post ...
I began regular exercising back in November of this last year. The changes I've noticed:
1. No more afternoon naps needed.
2. Increased energy.
3. No menopausal symptoms AT ALL!
4. Increased metabolism.
5. My depression is gone. Took about 1 month.
6. Increased reading speed and comprehension.
7. Increased stamina.
8. No colds, less allergies.
9. My anxiety is gone. Took about 6 months.
10. My heart palpitations are gone. Took about 8 months.
11. Lost over 40 pounds and counting. Now counting inches and body fat %.
and much, much more ...
This is something I wish I would have known when I began my healing journey years ago. I probably wouldn't have needed the anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications I took on and off for several years.
20/20 hind sight ... :D
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I started working with a trainer (only way I'd force myself to exercise) and the mental/physical improvements are wonderful. I'm like a new person. However there is no way I'd stop taking my anti-depressants. They're a life saver to me. I like the combo of exercise, meds and therapy. That's my personal deal, though.
bunny
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I think exercise, meds and therapy are a great combination to treat mental illness.
I've also been experimenting with supplements, most notably large doses of fish oil; anecdotal evidence suggests after several months of use people can ease up on their bipolar meds, I believe there's a long-term study under way.
I've also found having the puppy a real antidote to stress and depression- taking care of her, walking her and enjoying all her frolicing around has been really good for my whole family. I don't mind returning to an empty home since I got her, she's always pleased to see me and is a kind of therapy all her own!
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I've also found having the puppy a real antidote to stress and depression- taking care of her, walking her and enjoying all her frolicing around has been really good for my whole family. I don't mind returning to an empty home since I got her, she's always pleased to see me and is a kind of therapy all her own!
I know, I miss my big puppy, all 196 pounds of him! :lol: He was my companion, always by my side. :(
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I dont know about anti-depressants growing brain cells, one of the ones i was on were truly making me nuts and i would say killed a good few brain cells :?
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It seems like everyone has a different combo that works, but the main components are therapy, meds and exercise. I concur - but I also find meditation has had a good effect. It's kind of like do it yourself cognitave therapy, because it helps you detatch from the inner yammmering a bit. I've found over time it has gotten easier for me to recognize the internal messages programmed by the nParent, and let them go. I don't find it easy to still my mind, but I think that's why it's good to spend a few minutes working with it every day.
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what I've found is you have to shout out loud and make the doctors hear you about the INDIVIDUAL effect of medication on yourself.
I take an occasional celexa, just to balance out the mood swings.
My last doctor told me, in patronising tones:
'That's just the placebo effect'.
I was on form that day and replied, ' and you're just the buying into the biased pharmaceutical company research effect'!
After all- why buy only one tablet here or there when you can convince someone they need your meds daily for months if not years....
I have a friend in Holland who is part of a ten year research project in taking just one low-dose prozac a week; I don't think it's an Eli Lily funded project though.
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After all- why buy only one tablet here or there when you can convince someone they need your meds daily for months if not years....
I agree with this. I can take an occasional a/d and it works perfectly well, for a few hours or so, which is sometimes all I need. It doesn't take six weeks to work; I can feel it changing my mood within c 30 seconds. This may be placebo, but I am not sure you could achieve that degree of change of mood when you are really down without an active agent.
With a/ds I personally find no need to take full doses for months. The side effects retain their severity, while the a/d effect wears off, and I find that I have to up the dose to maintain the effect. So I prefer to take nothing, because that way I only have the depression, and not the s/fx. That is why I tried SJW instead, and I much prefer it.
At present I need more, so am taking full dose SJW daily, but as soon as I can cut back to one or none a day, I will. This is much milder than drugs from the doctor, and just as effective against depression. I am sleeping really well, and waking up without that horrible, 'God, I am still alive!!' sinking feeling. And considering what is happening at present, I think I am managing really well. <Crosses fingers.>