Prozac Poll

[santarosie]

In curiosity about this article (Prozac, used by 40m people, does not work say scientists | Society | The Guardian (https://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/feb/26/mentalhealth.medicalresearch))
presented in this thread:
https://www.waccobb.net/forums/waccoreader/48320-prozac-used-40m-people-does-not-work-say-scientists.html#post81250

Do you personally know people, other than the severely depressed, who have been helped by Prozac? I guess what I am asking is whether you believe that Prozac works in general, as opposed to only in people who are severely depressed, as the authors contend. I have trouble believing the findings of the research in that story, based on my experience seeing people who have been helped by it.

Wondering what other people think?

[Tars]

Do you personally know people, other than the severely depressed, who have been helped by Prozac?

I don't know anyone who has mentioned using Prozac, for several years now. I don't think Prozac is prescribed nearly as often as it once was, at least for general depression or anxiety. There are so many other pharmaceutical options these days.

[Joan Price]

Do you personally know people, other than the severely depressed, who have been helped by Prozac? I guess what I am asking is whether you believe that Prozac works in general, as opposed to only in people who are severely depressed, as the authors contend.

I never thought I'd need antidepressants, but after my beloved husband died, I really crashed. My doctor advised that I go on Prozac for "situational depression" for six months to get me through the worst of it.

It helped me get back my mental balance so that I could function again. It doesn't stop the grief -- nor would I want to skip that part of my journey -- but it stops the elephant from kicking me in the chest.

Joan Price
Better Than I Ever Expected (https://betterthanieverexpected.blogspot.com/)

[kpage9]

I have used Prozac three times in the last 15 years, and it has really saved my bacon, psychically speaking. Once the old neurochemistry goes on "tilt" to the point that it stays that way, Prozac is just dandy--has been for me, anyway--for pulling my head out of my ass.


I don't know anyone who has mentioned using Prozac, for several years now. I don't think Prozac is prescribed nearly as often as it once was, at least for general depression or anxiety. There are so many other pharmaceutical options these days.

[Braggi]

... Prozac is just dandy--has been for me, anyway--for pulling my head out ...

Oh, that's funny. I've known several people who benefitted from temporary use of Prozac and another I'm concerned about because of the length of time on it. It used to be passed out like candy and I think that was a terrible error. Antidepressants shouldn't be used for everyday ups and downs. That kind of micromanagement of emotions takes away a vital part of being human.

I'm all for using emergency meds for emergency situations. I'm always suspect when someone is one something like this for years and decades.

My wife has met many people in her work that swear they would have killed themselves without Prozac or other SSRIs. I've only known a few myself.

-Jeff

[earthandsky]

Jeff wrote that his wife would have " killed herself without it". How ironic the statement. Prozac has not been prescribed as much these days because Prozac has been directly shown to induce depression and suicide in many young adults, usually between ages 20-27. I lost my stepson 5 years ago because of it.

Dan

[Braggi]

Jeff wrote that his wife would have " killed herself without it". How ironic the statement. Prozac has not been prescribed as much these days because Prozac has been directly shown to induce depression and suicide in many young adults, usually between ages 20-27. I lost my stepson 5 years ago because of it.

Dan

Dan, I'm very sorry for your loss and sadly, I do know what that loss feels like. However, that's not what I wrote, and Prozac has not "been directly shown to induce depression and suicide in many young adults ..." that's just wrong.

-Jeff

[Braggi]

... Prozac has not "been directly shown to induce depression and suicide in many young adults ..."

Here's an article about a major study on SSRI antidepressants and their link to suicide.

The link is significant: New UCLA Study Disputes Antidepressant/Suicide Link (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050205102643.htm)

-Jeff

[Cheingrand]

I spent nearly two years without adequate sleep and in constant nausea. I was treated for stomach problems as the likely cause. I lost 30 pounds and was having a hard time seeing the good in my life. I was finally prescribed Prozac last September and within a month I was sleeping well, had no anxiety and no need for stomach medications. I've put the weight back on and, despite the same family challenges as before, the outlook seems brighter.

I try to live an active healthy life without taking pills, but I have to admit that Prozac helped me.