You know somethings wrong with you when you seek medical advice from PD

[Storebrand]

Plus exercise.  mmmm endorphines. 

[Suu]

I refuse to take psychiatric medications, partly because I don't believe they all work, and partly because I've seen the damage they can do when they are over-prescribed or given for a mis-diagnosis.

My brother is severely ADHD, I watched Ritalin eat his emotions away and turn him into an obese, angry child.
My mother is bipolar and we have YET to find a prescription that balances her right.
A friend of mine was diagnosed with depression when she was 14 (wut, bad parenting ITT?) and is now stuck taking pills, because when she doesn't, she gets severe migraines.

It seems that antidepressants are so common now they can be handed out like candy to people who may have just be having a few down notes. Shit, I've been crying my eyes out for no reason at least once a week for a year and I still won't go see a shrink. I just deal with it. I'm in control of my own emotions, not some Big Pharma-fed Shrinkydink. I learned what makes me happy and force myself in that direction when I get down. There's nothing scientific about it.

That's a good point.  

But I like sitting in my office and feeling my bones melt.

There are other things you can take that aren't prescription to feel that.  

But I can't get fired for coming up hot on a piss test, if I have a prescription for what they find.

Plus, I don't like most highs.  Horrible synthetic valium, however, gives me that melty feeling I can normally only get from watching old Blondie videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH3Q_CZy968

[Doktor Howl]

fuck antidepressants. unless you have SEVERE depression (and I doubt you'd be unsure of that), they're likely to do way more harm than good. What's your diet like? In many cases, mild depression can be relieved or eliminated entirely by, you know, actually eating food that's GOOD for you and that your body is meant to eat rather than stuffing your face with overprocessed, sugar-filled, nutrient-free crap.

and

Plus exercise.  mmmm endorphines. 

In all seriousness, this is the 169% correct motorcycle.

[Rumckle]

Gin and ECH are riding the correct motorcycle bicycle, a bit of exercise and some good food will make you happier than you'd expect.

I'd say see a psychiatrist before starting on anti depressants, to  both see if you are really depressed, and to make sure you understand the effects of the medication.

Well, anti depressants aren't exactly OTC meds, right? So you'd have to see a psychiatrist anyway to get them prescribed?

In Australia they're not, I have no idea about the US.
Plus there are always less than legal ways of acquiring such things.

I know from personal experience that you can be totally off your face on pills for years, and you will never have a problem owning or purchasing a firearm.  Go to a psychaitrist, and you're fucked.

Seriously!?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I just suggested going to a family doctor first because a lot of people have to get a referral before their medical insurance will pay for them to see a psychiatrist.  Of course, you should insist on seeing a psychiatrist before going on any medication.  

Sure...if you never plan on owning guns or needing a clearance.

I was under the care of a psychiatrist for years and it doesn't affect my ability to own guns. I'm not sure what kind of a "clearance" I would need that would be affected. It all depends on what you're seeing your psychiatrist for; a diagnosis of depression goes into your medical record exactly the same if it's diagnosed by a GP as if it's diagnosed by a psych, and while I don't know about anyone else, the GPs around here are ready to instantly diagnose you with depression and give you pills if you walk in and say "hey doc, I think I might be depressed".

A full assessment by a psychiatrist, and, if your depression is mild, trying alternate methods of dealing with it such as exercise, dietary changes, and light exposure are definitely in order if you want to do the best by yourself.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

fuck antidepressants. unless you have SEVERE depression (and I doubt you'd be unsure of that), they're likely to do way more harm than good. What's your diet like? In many cases, mild depression can be relieved or eliminated entirely by, you know, actually eating food that's GOOD for you and that your body is meant to eat rather than stuffing your face with overprocessed, sugar-filled, nutrient-free crap.

oooh ooooh ooooooh! This.

[NotPublished]

Aswell as that, a little bit of sun and playing in the dirt can help

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Aswell as that, a little bit of sun and playing in the dirt can help

HELL yes.

My beloved Surfer Boy has severe depression, and that's one of the reasons he surfs. After hours interacting with the water, in the sun, moving his (unbelievably beautiful ) body, he feels just fine. For a while, at least. Winter is really hard on him.

[NotPublished]

I'm starting to feel weird for not suffering from depression!

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I'm starting to feel weird for not suffering from depression!

I don't have it, either.

[Freeky]

I used to have it mildly, and it was situational. Never took drugs for it, just went to therapy about once a week.

I think I got it again. 

[Requia ☣]

The gun thing only applies if you actually get committed to a mental facility (even if it was voluntary).

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

The gun thing only applies if you actually get committed to a mental facility (even if it was voluntary).

Oh, how interesting! That means my ex can't own guns. I never knew that.

[E.O.T.]

The gun thing only applies if you actually get committed to a mental facility (even if it was voluntary).

Oh, how interesting! That means my ex can't own guns. I never knew that.

WEll, it's mostly because his penis is soo small, any firearm he MAY/ WOULD choose to own, would in itself be illegal.

[Richter]

Aswell as that, a little bit of sun and playing in the dirt can help

HELL yes.

My beloved Surfer Boy has severe depression, and that's one of the reasons he surfs. After hours interacting with the water, in the sun, moving his (unbelievably beautiful ) body, he feels just fine. For a while, at least. Winter is really hard on him.

I'm sure LMNO could recomend a see - through wetsuit provider for him.