Depression Forum - prozac , panic disorder
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prozac , panic disorder

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ilvmyonni

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 8
Location: virginia
prozac , panic disorder
Posted: 09-22-03 16:29pm

I dont doubt that these antidepressants work but I just wondered if you have to stay on them for life. I was just on prozac and it worked wonderfully but I got off after six months of treatment and my panic disorder returned after only 2 weeks. That bothers me since I would like to someday live a life free of any kind of drugs and I dont see that it is possible. I feel like I have to make a choice of whether I want to be anxious and depressed or on medication. I feel like panic disorder is a curse............Thanks for letting me vent...It feels good..But if anyone has any advice please contact me at my email or just write back to the forum..I am new here and would like to meet people who can relate to me.Because it seems co one around me understands..,thanks
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Tanya

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 145
Location: Hmm

Posted: 09-22-03 17:25pm

I understand how you feel. I have a panic disorder as well as depression. I am currently on 350mg of zoloft and I don't see that dose decreasing anytime soon. Although I would like to live a "drug free" life I realize that it may not be possible. It has been 4 years that ive been on zoloft and when the doctors tried to cut it down, I hit rock bottom once again. I wont be trying that for a long while to come. I figured I would rather be happy and be on meds than be drug free but miserable. Just my 2 cents!
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ilvmyonni

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 8
Location: virginia
Thanks
Posted: 09-23-03 07:25am

Yeah I kinda saw that one coming. It really sucks but I guess if you look at it differently it is not as bad as being depressed or anxious. Thanks for replying... :d
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STLSingleMomma

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 30
Location: St. Louis, MO
Advice From My Mother....
Posted: 09-29-03 10:12am

My mother put it this way...

"if you had diabetes, would you take medication to help live a full and satisfying life? You have allergies, you take medication to help live a "normal" life. This is a chemical disorder not unlike these diseases. The only difference is that the chemical disorder is in your brain, not in your blood. The most important organ is sick, and sometimes medication is the only way to live a full and satisfying life."

my psychiatrist said that most likely I will have to be on medication for most of my life, because i've suffered from depression & anxiety since childhood.

At first I had a problem with meds - until my mom came to me with, "if you had diabetes, you'd take medication and change your life to make it better." and I realized that I had the control of my life. And to take control meant to do what I had to to live a full and satisfying life. If we had cancer or diabetes or any other "biological" disorder - people would understand in taking medications. Unfortunately the stigma with having a psychological disorder is such that people believe we can just "stop" being depressed... Until the world realizes that it is a biological disorder, we just have to remember the truth.

It is hard asking for help, and it is hard to live on medications... But if it were any other disorder, I think we'd jump at medications if they worked to live a full and satisfying life.

Good luck,
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