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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Can't believe theses figures.

According to NHS England there was 70.9 million prescriptions for 'happy pills' in 2018. As the population of the UK is only around 67 million I find it hard to believe these figures.

Either way there must be a shit load of unhappy people out there.

Fortunately for you lot good old Opti ( who is all goodness and light) is always here on OOF to keep your spirits up.    

[Sir Tigger KC]

A friend of mine went through a period of depression, caused by a lucrative high pressure job that he hated and losing his Dad.  He was signed off work and prescribed happy pills and after a couple of months his employers offered him a £50k voluntary redundancy payment, basically to get rid of him. 

He took his £50k to SE Asia where he spent most of it on diving, booze and hookers (not necessarily in that order) and has been a happy chappy ever since! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

A friend of mine went through a period of depression, caused by a lucrative high pressure job that he hated and losing his Dad.  He was signed off work and prescribed happy pills and after a couple of months his employers offered him a £50k voluntary redundancy payment, basically to get rid of him. 

He took his £50k to SE Asia where he spent most of it on diving, booze and hookers (not necessarily in that order) and has been a happy chappy ever since! 

Sounds like more fun than necking Prozac in a damp bedsit.....

[LC0112G]

Some antidepressants are also prescribed for neuropathic pain  - that is pain that isn't caused by inflammation and cannot be treated with paracetamol, Ibruprofen or Codine. One such drug is amitriptyline. So not all prescriptions for 'antidepression' drugs will be for depression.

[Andy B]

Some antidepressants are also prescribed for neuropathic pain  - that is pain that isn't caused by inflammation and cannot be treated with paracetamol, Ibruprofen or Codine. One such drug is amitriptyline. So not all prescriptions for 'antidepression' drugs will be for depression.

SWMBO takes amitriptyline for exactly that ... ie nerve pain in her leg 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

It is true that most medications have more than one function.

[Sir Tigger KC]

It is true that most medications have more than one function.

Yes and some medications can have some nasty side effects!     

Hookers for example. 

[Keith ABS]

 I am prescribed amatriptaline to try and stop migraines.
Not working but have reduced.
Was on topiramate before that and suffered with more side effects and other problems than it was worth

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Some antidepressants are also prescribed for neuropathic pain  - that is pain that isn't caused by inflammation and cannot be treated with paracetamol, Ibruprofen or Codine. One such drug is amitriptyline. So not all prescriptions for 'antidepression' drugs will be for depression.

SWMBO takes amitriptyline for exactly that ... ie nerve pain in her leg

This approach seems to  covers all the bases. If the amitriptyline fails to cure Mrs Beanz leg pain at least she won't get depressed about it.

[Webby the Bear]

I’ve been on Citalopram for many moons. These are “double edged” in that they’re an anti depressant and an anxiety duller.

Prior to being on them I was a worry wart. On these i couldn’t give a shit! 🤣

When I worked at the building society most of them there were on something. I put it down to having to deal with c.... all day 🤔🤔🤔

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Be careful of those Webby. My son was on them and they made him feel so bad he came very close to killing himself. An old workmate of mine, a lovely bloke, who was depressed due to a bad back, was put on them and hung himself a few months later.
They seem to work well for some people and do the complete opposite with others.

[Andy B]

Some antidepressants are also prescribed for neuropathic pain  - that is pain that isn't caused by inflammation and cannot be treated with paracetamol, Ibruprofen or Codine. One such drug is amitriptyline. So not all prescriptions for 'antidepression' drugs will be for depression.

SWMBO takes amitriptyline for exactly that ... ie nerve pain in her leg

This approach seems to  covers all the bases. If the amitriptyline fails to cure Mrs Beanz leg pain at least she won't get depressed about it.

 

[78bex]

Can`t even imagine what some folks struggle with, the standard NHS response is to write out scripts for happy pills I guess 

[Webby the Bear]

Be careful of those Webby. My son was on them and they made him feel so bad he came very close to killing himself. An old workmate of mine, a lovely bloke, who was depressed due to a bad back, was put on them and hung himself a few months later.
They seem to work well for some people and do the complete opposite with others.

Thanks mate but no worries here. When I say many moons I mean at least 10 years.

[aaronjb]

Can`t even imagine what some folks struggle with, the standard NHS response is to write out scripts for happy pills I guess 

You could argue that therapy would probably be more beneficial - but that's only available on the NHS if you're under 25.. over 25 and you're on your own, and shrinks cost an absolute fortune.

Did my time with Citalopram, too; a known side effect is "increased risk of suicide".. the brain is a mysterious thing! They did nowt for me so I gave up and went back to being a grumpy little shit, as my Fiancée would say

And yes, Webby, I think having to deal with customers in any sense has a lot to do with it!

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Can`t even imagine what some folks struggle with, the standard NHS response is to write out scripts for happy pills I guess 

You could argue that therapy would probably be more beneficial - but that's only available on the NHS if you're under 25.. over 25 and you're on your own, and shrinks cost an absolute fortune.

Did my time with Citalopram, too; a known side effect is "increased risk of suicide".. the brain is a mysterious thing! They did nowt for me so I gave up and went back to being a grumpy little shit, as my Fiancée would say

And yes, Webby, I think having to deal with customers in any sense has a lot to do with it!

Am I missing something here?

A tablet that is supposed to help you thrive comes with an increased risk of suicide.

I think they have feedback from literally millions of users, and just one or two of them may have suffered side effects which have to be listed. It is also possible the side effects are unrelated to the medication but that some people make a link between the two.

My guess is the vast majority of people suffer very few side effects with these medications which have been tested over many years .......or till the cows come home.

 

[Nick W]

It is true that most medications have more than one function.

Yes and some medications can have some nasty side effects!     

Hookers for example. 

one of the many reasons I hated playing rugby

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

There was quite a scandal about them 15 or so years ago, which resulted in them being banned for under 18,s. They effect the chemistry of the brain and in most cases don't have a negative effect. However in some cases, particularly the young (whose brain chemistry may be a bit different ?) they put them into a downward spiral from which it is difficult to return.
It may even be connected to cannabis use, as it alters the brains chemistry, and in some people in an extremely negative way, and the tablets may then exascerbate whats already happened. Not sure though, that's just a theory.

[LC0112G]

There was quite a scandal about them 15 or so years ago, which resulted in them being banned for under 18,s. They effect the chemistry of the brain and in most cases don't have a negative effect. However in some cases, particularly the young (whose brain chemistry may be a bit different ?) they put them into a downward spiral from which it is difficult to return.
It may even be connected to cannabis use, as it alters the brains chemistry, and in some people in an extremely negative way, and the tablets may then exascerbate whats already happened. Not sure though, that's just a theory.

Normal antinflamotary pain killers (Paracetamol, Ibruprofen etc) generally can't penetrate the blood/brain barrier and therefore are generally free of psychological effects. However, things like Amitriptyline and Gabapentin can (and do!) cross the blood/brain barrier and then they do have psychological effects. The severity of the effects varies on a person to person basis - my mum had vivid nightmares when she was on Amitriptyline, so they changed her to Gabapentin. She only needs a whiff of Pethidine to knock her out for hours.

[Webby the Bear]

Can`t even imagine what some folks struggle with, the standard NHS response is to write out scripts for happy pills I guess 

You could argue that therapy would probably be more beneficial - but that's only available on the NHS if you're under 25.. over 25 and you're on your own, and shrinks cost an absolute fortune.

Did my time with Citalopram, too; a known side effect is "increased risk of suicide".. the brain is a mysterious thing! They did nowt for me so I gave up and went back to being a grumpy little shit, as my Fiancée would say

And yes, Webby, I think having to deal with customers in any sense has a lot to do with it!

Am I missing something here?

A tablet that is supposed to help you thrive comes with an increased risk of suicide.

I think they have feedback from literally millions of users, and just one or two of them may have suffered side effects which have to be listed. It is also possible the side effects are unrelated to the medication but that some people make a link between the two.

My guess is the vast majority of people suffer very few side effects with these medications which have been tested over many years .......or till the cows come home.

As you say I’m sure one or two people of the many millions who take them have experienced something like this. I remember when I first went on them i felt a bit odd. But after the initial 6 weeks the tablets begin to kick in and the world becomes a bit rosier.

Therapy in addition to the tablets would be the way forward but it’s sooooooo expensive. I’m sure everybody would benefit from a bit of therapy but as said it’s too costly.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

It was a lot more than one or two.
According to Swedish reserchers 500 young women* between 1999 and 2013. The study was on antidepressants in general. Citalopram is of the SSRI group which is thought to be the worst type for making depression worse in some people.

https://www.madinamerica.com/2018/01/antidepressants-save-people-suicide-right/
* young women were studied because they are apparently more susceptible to the negative effects.

[aaronjb]

They also entirely robbed me of the ability for rumpy pumpy, which was a bit depressing in and of itself Worse, I'd been persuaded to go to the doc and get them by my then girlfriend, who promptly cheated on me partly due to the lack of rumpy pumpy.

Now that was depressing!

Did try CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) briefly, but my "engineer" (Sorry, Fuse19, I never went to University so I realise I am a lesser mortal, but still have that title at work ) brain can't get past the whole "It's all hokum!" aspect, so that didn't do anything for me either - and/or I never gave it a proper chance because it was £150 a pop and they wanted to have four sessions a month..

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

They also entirely robbed me of the ability for rumpy pumpy, which was a bit depressing in and of itself Worse, I'd been persuaded to go to the doc and get them by my then girlfriend, who promptly cheated on me partly due to the lack of rumpy pumpy.

Now that was depressing!

Did try CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) briefly, but my "engineer" (Sorry, Fuse19, I never went to University so I realise I am a lesser mortal, but still have that title at work ) brain can't get past the whole "It's all hokum!" aspect, so that didn't do anything for me either - and/or I never gave it a proper chance because it was £150 a pop and they wanted to have four sessions a month..

Yes.....it would be amusing were it not so depressing.......

[STEMO]

I get very down (depressed?) from time to time, don't we all? As you get older, life becomes samey and predictable, which can lead to boredom and feeling low. Sometimes it lasts a few days, other times longer. But I am old and wise enough to know that, in my case, it will pass. You have to get through it, without the pills if possible.
I don't doubt that folk who are clinically, suicidally depressed need help, but remember. For every 'up' you get from the pills, there is an equal and opposite 'down' waiting for you when you stop. Just like alcohol or any other drug, really.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I get very down (depressed?) from time to time, don't we all? As you get older, life becomes samey and predictable, which can lead to boredom and feeling low. Sometimes it lasts a few days, other times longer. But I am old and wise enough to know that, in my case, it will pass. You have to get through it, without the pills if possible.
I don't doubt that folk who are clinically, suicidally depressed need help, but remember. For every 'up' you get from the pills, there is an equal and opposite 'down' waiting for you when you stop. Just like alcohol or any other drug, really.

As a genuine medical doctor I can tell you there is a clinical condition known as 'derv despondency'

Derv despondency is where people's lives mirror the car they drive. For example, if you drive a plodding lifeless diesel car, a car that won't rev, or has any enthusiasm for knowing what can be found on the dark side of 4000 RPM, then it is unsurprising such people feel 'held back' and in a low mood.

Dr Opti's remedy for this malaise is to prescribe a a meaty howling V8 petrol engine with a minimum of 500 BHP.  Just like a good antidepressant this will help the depression lift.

But, be warned, derv despondency/depression, if left unchecked can prove devastating. Watch out for symptoms such as posting online just how far their dreary means of transport went on one gallon of the planet killing spores,

If this is the highlight of your life then nothing can be done to rehabilitate the unfortunate lost soul and such people will probably take solace in the purchase of a tartan picnic rug and a beige cardigan with wooden buttons.

Nothing further can be done to help such people.



 

[dave the builder]

I get very down (depressed?) from time to time, don't we all? As you get older, life becomes samey and predictable, which can lead to boredom and feeling low. Sometimes it lasts a few days, other times longer. But I am old and wise enough to know that, in my case, it will pass. You have to get through it, without the pills if possible.
I don't doubt that folk who are clinically, suicidally depressed need help, but remember. For every 'up' you get from the pills, there is an equal and opposite 'down' waiting for you when you stop. Just like alcohol or any other drug, really.

As a genuine medical doctor I can tell you there is a clinical condition known as 'derv despondency'

Derv despondency is where people's lives mirror the car they drive. For example, if you drive a plodding lifeless diesel car, a car that won't rev, or has any enthusiasm for knowing what can be found on the dark side of 4000 RPM, then it is unsurprising such people feel 'held back' and in a low mood.

Dr Opti's remedy for this malaise is to prescribe a a meaty howling V8 petrol engine with a minimum of 500 BHP.  Just like a good antidepressant this will help the depression lift.

But, be warned, derv despondency/depression, if left unchecked can prove devastating. Watch out for symptoms such as posting online just how far their dreary means of transport went on one gallon of the planet killing spores,

If this is the highlight of your life then nothing can be done to rehabilitate the unfortunate lost soul and such people will probably take solace in the purchase of a tartan picnic rug and a beige cardigan with wooden buttons.

Nothing further can be done to help such people.

Excellent post 
however...
you fail to take into account the cost of the prescription
V8 petrol engines and real petrol fuel to run them is not available on the NHS
I doubt Poor Uncle Stemo's pension can stretch past a few tins of cheap,not branded beans for him and a bag of bonios for t' mut   
it's grim up north
you clearly have a lack of awareness of first world poverty being a opulent landowner 

[Nick W]

Keep the rough and noisy pile-driver V8s for work trucks, and upgrade to a V12. Which accelerate you briskly down a motorway sliproad, and hit the rev-limiter in top without you even noticing the engine was working because it was smooth and quiet. 8MPG is a bit hard to take though

[STEMO]

I get very down (depressed?) from time to time, don't we all? As you get older, life becomes samey and predictable, which can lead to boredom and feeling low. Sometimes it lasts a few days, other times longer. But I am old and wise enough to know that, in my case, it will pass. You have to get through it, without the pills if possible.
I don't doubt that folk who are clinically, suicidally depressed need help, but remember. For every 'up' you get from the pills, there is an equal and opposite 'down' waiting for you when you stop. Just like alcohol or any other drug, really.

As a genuine medical doctor I can tell you there is a clinical condition known as 'derv despondency'

Derv despondency is where people's lives mirror the car they drive. For example, if you drive a plodding lifeless diesel car, a car that won't rev, or has any enthusiasm for knowing what can be found on the dark side of 4000 RPM, then it is unsurprising such people feel 'held back' and in a low mood.

Dr Opti's remedy for this malaise is to prescribe a a meaty howling V8 petrol engine with a minimum of 500 BHP.  Just like a good antidepressant this will help the depression lift.

But, be warned, derv despondency/depression, if left unchecked can prove devastating. Watch out for symptoms such as posting online just how far their dreary means of transport went on one gallon of the planet killing spores,

If this is the highlight of your life then nothing can be done to rehabilitate the unfortunate lost soul and such people will probably take solace in the purchase of a tartan picnic rug and a beige cardigan with wooden buttons.

Nothing further can be done to help such people.

Nah, I'd be very depressed if I had to spend more on road tax than I do on fuel. Then there'd be the frustration of having a car capable of travelling very fast, but spending it's life stuck behind diesel astras and the like in traffic jams. Derv fumes emanating from the tailpipe getting into your expensive climate control system and choking you at your leather covered steering wheel. Big veins sticking out of your temple as your realise that, on today's roads, you can't realistically travel any faster than the car in front........but it costs you so much more to do it.

[Doctor Gollum]

A diesel v8 could be considered a partial cure to the ails of plodding around. Whilst not quite as satisfying as a big petrol in terms of noise, it should tear the road up. Literally 

[aaronjb]

A diesel v8 could be considered a partial cure to the ails of plodding around. Whilst not quite as satisfying as a big petrol in terms of noise, it should tear the road up. Literally 

Also tyres. Wheel bearings. Suspension bushes. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

A diesel v8 could be considered a partial cure to the ails of plodding around. Whilst not quite as satisfying as a big petrol in terms of noise, it should tear the road up. Literally 

Also tyres. Wheel bearings. Suspension bushes. 

Following the remap my car has 570 BHP and a dieselesque 530 lb ft of torque.

Having only two driven wheels traction can be (and often is) a problem.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

A diesel v8 could be considered a partial cure to the ails of plodding around. Whilst not quite as satisfying as a big petrol in terms of noise, it should tear the road up. Literally 

Also tyres. Wheel bearings. Suspension bushes. 

Following the remap my car has 570 BHP and a dieselesque 530 lb ft of torque.

Having only two driven wheels traction can be (and often is) a problem.

........not sure what this has to do with antidepressants though.

Oh yes.... the moral of the story is that a dreary derv will make anyone depressed.