Prozac Nation
February 28th, 2008I’ve held a largely internal debate whether or not to talk about this publicly. However, given the responses to my posts regarding living with depression and with the idea of being more open, I’m going to share.
Given the amount of stresses that we’ve endured since 2004, I thought it might be helpful to look at a brief presentation:
click image to launch presentation
The decision was not made lightly and the professionals don’t think I’m chronically depressed. I started talking 20mg of Prozac a day after we returned from San Diego. o
Tags: depression, presentation, prozac
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February 29th, 2008 at 9:14 am
BTW .. Jon.. do you know if your stress plays a role in your nose-issues? I’ve often wonder that for myself. Off to see the ENT today and hoping for much relief. Please tell me he will give me some. Is yours improving?
February 29th, 2008 at 9:56 am
For the people who commented on the confusion between “clinical depression” and stress, I’d like to add my own personal insight/experience.
I’ve been through a couple of extremely stressful times in my life. The first one I went through without the use of any drugs, and it took several years for me to come out of the fog, but I finally worked through it. The result of those missed years was flunking most of my college classes, dropping out, and not graduating until I was 25. The second time, a doctor gave me Zoloft. It really helped me function, and (with therapy), I was able to get my life back in control within a matter of months, rather than years. I was never clinically diagnosed with depression.
Yes, maybe you get over all the stuff without the drugs, but it could take a long time, and in the meantime, you could lose your job, family, etc. Taking anti-depressants can help you become functional while you deal with what life hands you. I hate to liken it to having a cup of coffee when you’re tired, because it’s much more serious than that, but it’s the same idea. I wish I had had something to help me through the first time.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Welcome to the Prozac Club.
Proud and “maintaining a theraputic level” since 2005.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I hope you put up a follow-up presentation of your stress levels after you’ve been taking Prozac for a while. I know I had to go through a six-month round of trying different meds before I found what worked for me (Effexor and Welbutrin combo). So good luck to you! (and who knew GEORGE! was so stressful?)
February 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Jon, I agree that your commenters who have suggested that the stresses in your life are not worthy for medication can go suck it. We should never judge each others’ life choices but instead encourage one another when we have found something that helps. Even if that thing has a stigma attached to it. Which by the way, it should not. For those who don’t know, depressed people can’t just “snap out of it.” I’ve been there myself. It’s sometimes a chemical imbalance in the brain. If someone has diabetes, we have absolutely no problem with them taking insulin, right? So why have a problem with someone taking something to help out their brain?
And why, now that I think about it, do we even have problems with what other people are doing anyway? Shouldn’t we be worrying about ourselves? Jon did, and he’s found a solution.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am
a+ on presentation.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:25 am
We are all just giant chemical factories and when something (illness, stress, environment) upsets our precarious internal chemical balance, we need to do something to re-establish that balance or life can become unbearable (and it’s hard enough when you are feeling good).
Menopause threw my internal chemicals for a loop and Prozac not only got rid of my depression, it is also helping to control the butt-kicking hot flashes. I call it my “brain vitamin”.
Good for you for not being afraid to get the help you needed and for sharing your story with us.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
You know, though, the answer could also be Obama. ; )
February 29th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I’ve not read all of the comments, but after reading your post of the 29th I’m sorry that you had jerks respond to this.
Jerks suck.
I’m not chronic either, but I’ve been on a low dose of anti-depressants ever since a whole string of stress type things happened to me, and it was the best thing that ever happened. I felt more even, and like I could deal with things.
That combined with talk therapy was able to get me over the thing that broke the camel’s back (the camel being me), and now I’m 1000% better than I was before the camel’s back broke.
I’m rooting for you.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I can personally attest to the little (and big) stresses adding up to depression. It was explained to me that stress over time changes brain chemistry, or more precisely, how the brain uses its chemicals. The result is depression, and meds help the brain get more “in balance” again.
I salute you for taking care of yourself, that’s hard enough.
Opening your private life to scrutiny by the unwashed masses in the hopes it might help someone else is really awesome, especially since you’re already depressed.
You and Heather deserve medals for bringing mental health issues out in a way that encourages discussion, not derision.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Your post really speaks to an analyst like me. Bar graphs rock.
Good luck with the meds. I’m glad you’ve found what helps.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
When two of my premature triplets (!) came home from the NICU and then one went back in an emergency situation, I shut down. I threw up a lot from the stress and couldn’t take care of the one baby at home. I went on prozac and starting counseling. It helped. I called what I had “situational depression” TOO MUCH STRESS and I had no choice but to be in it. Five years later, when all three started full time school, I weaned myself off the drug. My stress had reduced to a manageable point. I’m not clinically depressed, but needed the extra help for an incredibly stressful time in my life.
Good luck and good health!
February 29th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Jesus Loves You … *anyway*
February 29th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Hope you start feeling better soon! Thank you for all of your honesty and sharing….HUGS
February 29th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
You guys have had a crazy few years. I think you are making a good decision for yourself and your family.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I hope the Prozac helps……….I’ve been taking it for about five years now, and it really helps me feel like I’m not living under such a heavy cloud ALL the time……..I’m so glad both you and Heather take such and active and HEALTHY approach to mental health……….I read both of your sites daily and enjoy them very much! Take care and hang in there…….It WILL get better!
March 1st, 2008 at 9:00 am
I resisted taking meds for years out of some confused ideas that I should just be able to will myself out of my depression. I’m glad that the medication I take helps me to be myself again, be a better mom, a better colleague at work, a better teacher. Oh, and it keeps me alive, because when I was depressed, the pain seemed so unbearable that I just wanted it to stop somehow. So good for you for getting the help you need!
March 1st, 2008 at 11:34 am
You’re wrong about Jesus, unpopular as it is to say. I’m praying for you and your family to have joy and peace this year.
March 1st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi, I have been on Prozac for 3 years. I know that does not sound like a success story since I am still on it, however, it has made a huge difference in my ability to function and get out of bed to go to work. I recently got blasted a little for saying “it saved my life.” But, it has and I have tried everything else. It makes therapy bearable.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I’m 25 and over the last 4 years, I’ve tried just about everything there is when it comes to Anti-Depressants. I also have high anxiety, so I’m on a nice little combo-cocktail that seems to work (at least for now).
Ever since I was introduced to Dooce.com, I’ve admired Heather’s courage and strength when it comes to her disscussing her health issues. I also want give you a big hug for being her support through it all. Even the support needs help sometimes.
Thank you, to you and Heather both…for being so awesome.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I will always need to take Effexor because of a chemical imbalance. And I am so grateful that my doctor found something that let me enjoy living my life. I enjoy reading both you and Heather’s posts about depression and your honesty. Thank you.
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Be well and happy. Sending good vibes your way.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I am proud to be a fellow prozacperson. just switched from Effexor after 7 years. I like prozac better. people look at me and think I have a “charmed life” but it’s a skewed view. no one could no except the person in it. lots of anxiety. started with older son’s puberty, my dad dying, huge, horrible lawsuit in which husband was involved. overwhelming anxiety. just because I look normal doesn’t mean I’m coping people! my dr thinks prozac is better with anxiety than many others. and it cuts down on the ocd tendancies a bit. so I won’t have the cleanest refrigerator in the world anymore……..
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:23 am
John, do whatever you need to do to be okay for and with your family. Everyone else’s input (except the doctors and the folks who aren’t here to judge) be damned. Good luck.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Best of luck with your meds. I have been taking anti-depressants since the birth of my daughter 8 years ago, and it has made all the difference. I have been reading the Armstrong blogs for a few years now, and I adore you all! Sending you only good thoughts and well-wishes from Maryland.