I just been diagnosed with DEPRESSION?

I am the most happiest-go-lucky person in the world. I am having concentration and memory problems. And no sex drive. My Dr prescribed me with Prozac. I think he's nuts. But he wants me to humor him for six weeks. Will I get addicted to this after that amount of time? Will this make me a dull person?

I just been diagnosed with DEPRESSION?
Well that 1st answer pretty much said it all for what you need to do to help yourself get better.





The fact that you consider yourself "the most happiest-go-lucky person in the world" points to bipolar disorder instead of just regular depression.





Yes, continue to humor your doctor until the 6 weeks are over at least, since depression and all mental illnesses are nothing to take guesses on.





There may be unwanted side effects, but that's a small price to pay for correcting your mental pathology.





Don't worry about the ups and downs you might experience when being on Prozac or any other antidepressant, as that is just part of the trial and error process of depression treatment and therapy.
Reply:The prozac should not do anything to you if you are not depressed. If you are depressed, in time it will help you mentally focus and give you more energy. It will probably not help your sex drive though. Most of these types of medications actually decrease your libido. No, you will not get addicted, or become a dull person.
Reply:Please educate yourself on the harmful side effects of Prozac.


Dr. Peter Breggin has written tons of books on the subject.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738204...





http://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Psychiatry-E...





All the best!
Reply:Diagnosing "depression" as a disease is the drug companies' way to increase their profits. Don't let them tell you that you are depressed and that you need to take these harmful, fraudulant drugs. It's as simple as that. You do not need them. If you really feel that you are depressed, there are hundreds of natural ways to relieve you of that. It is not a "medical" condition that you need to be drugged up for.
Reply:You sound like you NEED it desperately! Take it.
Reply:Prozac?? Wow! Thats a heavy anti-depressant. It's known to be highly addictive, and yes you can get addicted in the 6 weeks. You see doctors are doctors and theeasiest way sometimes to deal with a patient is to do what they think is the quickest, not always best. Prozac wont necessarilly make you a dull person in that amount of time, but i will calm you. I would advise you, when the 6 weeks are up. Quit the drug and heal yourself with the best cure, laughter! Keep positive people around you like you closest friends and family. You'll do great! take care
Reply:Hi Tina,





I don't think your Doc is nuts. He's just trying to help you. I am a sufferer of Chronic Depression (and Anxiety) and have been on Meds for over 20 yrs (now 40 yrs old). I don't think I would be alive today if not for my Meds. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't make life "perfect" but it does help me to be able to help myself, like see a Therapist and figure out why I'm feeling the way I am. I need help and I believe the strongest people are the people who DO reach out for it when they need it.


As far as Prozac goes, I'm not sure if it's addictive, I did take it for only a short time and it didn't work for me.





Here's a link to a site that has some info on it ...


http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/drugs...


(hope that this is ok to do here) It's just one of many sites you could check out.





I too have problems with concentration. My Depression, as far as I have learned, cannot be traced as to why or how I got it. The Doctors and Therapists surmise that it could be due to my upbringing, drug abuse, heredity, etc...etc. Why I have it is not the issue to me. It's about learning to get help and continue on with my life. After all, Doctors are just humans who can only help us by what we tell them. We are the ones who sometimes have to take chances to see if we can improve our lives.


And as far as becoming a dull person? I am NOT a dull person! I have my days, but most of all I know that it will pass if and when I do. My life is not perfect, but who's is? I just take it one day at a time and believe in myself. Just take it this way...each and every moment...and you can never go wrong.


Best of luck!





LC
Reply:I don't think you can get addicted to Prozac and it shouldn't make you a "dull" person - although there are some side effects. It is possible that you were misdiagnosed, mental illnesses can be hard to diagnose properly. Concentration, memory problems and loss of sex drive are symptoms of depression though so your doctor is definitely not nuts. It might take awhile to figure out what exactly is going on in your body but be patient.
Reply:You also sound like you are in major denial. After six weeks on the medication, bet your memory and concentration are a lot better, but you can safely and easily taper off any antidepressant over about the same amount of time that you were taking it.


So, when you say you are the "happiest" person, with NO sex drive.....well, that's sort of an oxymoron. I assume that is one of the reasons you went to see your doctor.


Suggest you follow up with a therapist, get to why you are depressed as your denial will not allow you to find it on your own.