Posted by dannyboy on October 17, 2001, at 17:53:46
In reply to Should i take AD's?, posted by Edward on October 17, 2001, at 16:50:20
Hey Ed -
I would have doubts that you need to be on ad's. I think that these medications should really only be used if someone has experienced prolonged, marked changes in their personality and/or are virtually unable to function in day-to-day life due to depression or anxiety. Then, ad's can truly be a life-saver. However, if you tend to be less than an ecstatic person, and that is simply your personality, and you are still able to function and live life the way that *YOU* want to, you are probably fine.
Something to consider, which you might find way too much of a mind-wank, but here goes - I don't know if you are an American, but if so, be aware that our culture puts inordinate importance on seeming to be a chipper, upbeat person, always ready to flash a smile at every stranger and to display great zest for living. (We certainly expect this from everybody in the service industry...) Having traveled abroad (primarily in France) I have experienced that this way of being is simply a cultural construct - in France, you can be a serious, thoughtful, introspective person who is not a "sunny Jim" and you will be considered to be perfectly normal. In America, the same person could be seen as depressive and morose. I have gained a great deal of self-acceptance by living there, because I was able to realize that my feelings of being "out of tune" with others was due mostly to cultural expectations that I could not fulfill, and do not wish to fulfill.
Perhaps this is all nonsense, but it makes some sense to me... I wish you luck.
One more thing. My step father has experienced panic attacks his whole life, was taking medication for many years... However, he found that simply by breathing into a paper bag, he can halt feelings of hyperventilating. He still carries a bag with him wherever he goes, but never uses it anymore. Just knowing he has it comforts him. And he's been med-free for over a decade!
Daniel
poster:dannyboy
thread:81515
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011015/msgs/81521.html