My brother NEEDS to be on his meds, or else he gets suicidal. I've seen him go off them at least twice. It isn't pretty.

There definitely people who need them but there are way too many abusers and hypochondriacs who think they need them. Those people ruin the validity of these drugs and give people like Tom Cruise to spread their word on this

I like to go to overseas places- like Canada!
-Britney Spears

This it really interesting! I am a pharmacy tech, so I see tons of people on these types of meds. It DOES bother us when people come and get a huge bagfull of drugs. We have one family that has about 7 members, and they are all on many meds. Mood altering, pain relief, sleep aids, you name it. I have to say, I don't think that is the right way to live. But, my husband has struggled with depression and I've seen the real difference the right med can make. He had cancer a few years ago, and he was very depressed. Those antidepressants really helped us BOTH through that tough time.

I have worked for a doctor before and the people who call in asking for refills on their pain meds when it is completely un-necessary is crazy. We are only allowed to refill their meds twice then after that they have to go to their regular doctor and they can deal with the crazy people. sometimes its nice to work for a surgeon because of this policy

I like to go to overseas places- like Canada!
-Britney Spears

I am a MH therapist and I work in a psych hospital. Yes, they are over-prescribed in some cases and abused by many. There is a associated stigma and bandwagon... But, the word is: in general, talk therapy combined w/ meds is proven to be most effective. Tom Cruise is a nut.

I think there is a stigma around anti-depressants and people taking them. The fact is the people who need these drugs don't take them because they don't like the label as "crazy." You're not crazy. These drugs save peoples lives. In fact, most SSRIs, mood stabilizers, etc. aren't addictive.

Of course not. I take the damn things myself. Even if I didn't I wouldn't put people down who take them. Anxiety and related disorders are true medical conditions, not just "all in your head" like some people are still dumb enough to think. I just ignore people like Tom Cruise and the garbage he says. He doesn't know a thing about it. Scientologists are so brainwashed it's absurd.

I'm no Britney fan, but if she needs to take the meds she shouldn't be ripped on because of it.

well, who are we to judge anyone.! Xanax would be the best for her, since she might need some 'chill time to rest', this will help her sleep to rest and repair her body.... TAKE ADVANTAGE THERE BRIT BRIT.

Uh......Dubaaabull standard much? lol, y'all know what I mean...

i think tom cruise means well, and he's entitled to his opinion. i'll take his position over all those hollywood people who have been in and out of rehab so many times. here's the thing; if someone needs medication why does it matter if it's for kidney dialysis or depression? meds are meds and at a certain point it becomes cruel to withhold help; even in the form of pharmaceuticals. as some of you know my now 8 year old daughter has been on a variety of medications since the age of 4, including an anti psychotic typically given to adult schizophrenics. when we started giving it to her it was a real eyebrow raiser, even the pharmacy intern questioned me. for people like my daughter there are no "good" choices, just different choices. if you've never needed the help of pharmaceuticals consider yourself very fortunate.

i'm bringing naughty back

I am very thankful that these meds are out there. I know how much they have helped my friends and BF and I wish some had been able to rise above the fear of being called "crazy" to seek help. Depression and other forms of mental illness are very real diseases to those who suffer from them and their loved ones.

I don't doubt that Brit is depressed and needs meds and counseling. I hope that she gets both.

anti-depression medications are the ONLY proven CURE for depression. therapy does not cure depression. if you can go to a therapist, talk it out, and aren't depressed any more, than you weren't actually depressed in the first place. you were just sad.

that being said, there is an abuse of meds because general practitioners can prescribe psychiatric drugs now rather than just the psychiatrist. therefore, the diagnosis of depression might not actually be correct coming from your regular doctor.

I think that meds DEFINITELY have a place for some people, but I also think that for some people who have just gone through some type of life changing event, or experience, to just automatically run to the dr to jump on a few pills to "numb" yourself isn't a good idea.... you really need to feel some types of pain in order to move past whatever happened (like Brit... she needs to feel depressed, or angry, or whatever, so she can learn from the experience and grow). In that circumstance, I don't think pills are the way to go, but I think katie is right that a psychiatrist should really be the only one prescribing mood stabilizers in the first place.... I feel the same way about ritalin, but that is a whole other issue!!!!

i sometimes wish i could take antidepressants.. lool.. sometimes i get so sad i dno if im actually depressed or jst very sad, whats the difference?

Tina - if you're sad you usually have a reason to be so and you feel the emotion of it, if you're depressed you most likely feel like you just don't have any energy or interest in doing anything, even things that you usually enjoy, you have no emotion...

When Tom Cruise made that comment way back when, I was LIVID.

Of course antidepressants shouldn't be abused, but when correctly prescribed, they can do wonders. I've been on them for a couple of years and they've made a world of difference. Maybe if Tom or any of the nay-sayers went through what I and millions of other depressed people went through, they'd change their tune about the medication.

No I do not judge people who are on antidepressants because I was on it I am off of them now and I will never go back on.

Katie223, that's total, utter bullsh*t and blatantly offensive to anyone and everyone who's ever needed to seek the assistance of a therapist (myself included) for anxiety and depression. Ever heard of cognitive behavioural therapy? Please don't be like certain celebrities and say sh*t you know NOTHING about.

"Just sad", good lord, people like you make me sick.

223, 225, whatever the hell your name is.

katie225- Your 2nd paragraph holds some validity. Your 1st, however, is not clinically correct. Where did you get that information? Is it just your opinion???, or have you completed actual studies in the field? If so, (although I would bet my house that you have done absolutely no research from credible sources or have a higher degree in this field) please tell us your credentials and what you base your theory on. Your use of the word "CURE" leads me to believe you have no higher education in this area. Is it something you read in an APA/ACA journal? As a mental heath therapist, I would really like to know. If it is your opinion, that is one thing, but please watch your wording(i.e. "only" "proven" "cure").

Do you really not believe that your thoughts play a huge part in your emotions, and the human body is not capable of natural change by producing more or less neurotransmitters? What physiologically makes an individual depressed in the first place? Do you not believe that can be reversed the same way it was brought on? Do your research before you start spitting out random "facts".

Fact: Talk therapy along with meds is proven to be most effective, in general. This is not always the case... (that is the in general part).

There is nothing wrong with anti-depressants. They can make a huge difference in a persons life..I'm grateful such drugs exist. I would never judge anyone who is, or has ever been on this type of drug.

I'm on Wellbutrin and Prozac due to all the chaos I have to deal with. The Wellbutrin also helps keep my ADD under control. I think it's stupid that people are trying to say Brit's on drugs because of PAXIL....Paxil isn't a drug you can abuse and get anything out of it...now Xanax is abusive and can be used recreationally...since it's affects are instant. I'm glad that Britney did the responsible thing and got help for her anxiety/depression rather than let it get the best of her!

When other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers I kind of wanted to be a vampire.
Angelina Jolie

i learned what i know in my abnormal psychology class with a professor who holds a doctorate in the field. i have a bachelor's degree in psychology (which doesn't mean i'm an expert, but i also didn't just read about this in some book). depression is a chemical inbalance in your brain, and no matter how much you talk about it to someone, you can't change the chemistry in your brain by just hoping. sometimes you can wait it out, like after a major life-changing event. and yes, i have heard of cognitive behavioral therapy and from what i've heard from my professors is that the results are inconclusive. the results for antidepressants, however, are not inconclusive. the only known cure for depression is medication, and that means that someone who is depressed usually has to take the medications for the rest of their lives.

this is NOT to say that talk therapy has no value. like i said before, talking helps to keep people taking the drugs. and yes, talking along with taking the meds is the best way to do it.

why should it be offensive to people who need to talk to a therapist? i don't find it offensive, and i DO talk to a therapist! most average people find human comfort in talking to a therapist and there's nothing wrong with that. however, if you're suffering from major depression, talking to a therapist alone will not cure you. and by cure, i mean take away your symptoms.

i didn't mean to mislead anyone by using the word "cure," it's just that's the way that it was described to me. i should clarify: when you're on meds, (usually) your symptoms go away completely (depending, of course, on the meds and other factors). when you're off your meds, the symptoms come back. you don't just take a magic pill once and never have symptoms again, you have to keep taking the pills usually for the rest of your life (as my professor said).

no, i have not done research myself on this topic because i had an emphasis in evolutionary psychology rather than abnormal psychology. i'd like to think, however, that my degree and my education was not completely worthless and that i have a little bit more understanding on the subject than tom cruise.

Hey honey31, I like your avatar. I have several friends who have to take them. They are good people.
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Brad is so hot!

I dont take them. But why judge someone for the meds they take. That is silly.
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Makes my skin crawl

No, I don't judge them.

~Procrastinate Now! Don't Put It Off~ (Ellen)

No, I don't judge them.

~Procrastinate Now! Don't Put It Off~ (Ellen)

I have no problem with anti depressants and think they are great for the people that need them. Part of using anti depressants is also making sure you are constantly working with your licensed professional. One class does not make an expert.

Absolutely not.......

katie, I could not agree more. I also have a Bachelor's in Psychology, and while that most certainly does not make me an expert, I also have more knowledge than someone like Tom Cruise who just information out of his ass.
You stated everything perfectly.

katie225- If that is what you learned, then that is what you learned... I can't fault you for that. The only thing I still have a problem w/ in your comment is this: "no matter how much you talk about it to someone, you can't change the chemistry in your brain just hoping". I don't agree with that b/c of what I have learned and witnessed. This is by no means me saying drugs are not beneficial, b/c they are wonderful for so many people, but talk therapy is also wonderful for so many people. I have learned that in many cases brain chemistry IS capable of change (it changed in one direction for the individual to become depressed, so with some work, why couldn't there be a possibilty for it to change back) and that there is a major mind/body connection.

I'm done w/ this topic ...

well i am 16 now and i have been taking anti-depressence since i was 12 because of some personal reasons i lost my verginity when i was 14 and felt horrible for lieing to my mom and telling her i was still a vergin so i took way more than i should have and i od'd and was hosspitalized....i told my mom it was because my boyfriend broke up w/ me and she still doesnt know...i love sex and could care less if she knows or not but i am saying dont over use and abuse ur privliges of feeling better and dont do things to make it worse

jgasia & thejenster14: I really like your comments on this topic! How refreshing to hear so many people understand the benefits of SSRIs and other mental-health meds --- yes, some meds are sometimes (if not often) abused (painkillers, xanax, etc) but SSRIs and others have wonderful benefits and really do save lives. The stigma is really unfortunate... and the truth is more people are on these meds, and leading happier, more fulfilling lives because of them! The bottom line is that you've gotta take care of yourself - your wholeself: body, mind, and spirit. If meds work, great! If not, great also - there's lots of things that can improve a person's level of life happiness - you've just gotta find the combo for you!

jgasia, I've heard of the 'training your brain' too., and I agree, the chemicals can be changed., our minds are more powerful than most people think.

thanks jenna!

and i'm done with this topic as well.

at least we all agree not to judge people!

a girlfriend of mine once got a valium shot. She felt better instantly. It worked really good.

I dont judge and i dont think people should either. ive been there. and am happy to say i dont need to permanently be on them. Everyone needs help either it is temporary or permanent.. have friends that need them(bipolar)....those scientologist do they believe that you shouldnt take asthma medicine?