Depression and being unemployed
When I lost my job a while back I got very low, I just couldn't get out of bed in the morning. I started eating crap and put on about three stones in two months. My wife ended up getting me an appointment with the doctors and he put me on prozac. And they worked. They worked too well. I ended up not caring about cash anymore. Whereas previously I would be really careful with my redundancy money, I suddenly didn't seem to give a shit about what I spent my money on. After the end of my third month of unemployment I'd blown all my redundancy on a brand new stero, concert tickets, you name it. I was broke. And then I started using my credit cards.

Now, years later I am in employment but am currently getting constant hassle from the banks who want to know where their money is. I'm ok now, not depressed at all. But if you are unemployed think twice about taking prozac. It might take the edge off and make you feel like you can get up in the morning, but it fucks you up so much in the longrun its really not worth it.

I might be losing my job soon and if I do I won't touch anymore pills to make me feel better. I've learnt the hard way. The best way to keep from getting depressed is to take walks and keep your mind busy. Get a hobby. Do anything except take those damn pills.
(Lizard King, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 10:42, 5 replies)

Now...
Anti-depressants work differently for different people.

I know for a fact that at various points over the past ten years, not taking mine would have resulted in massive downturns in my mood and suicidal tendencies - this happened twice.

That said, last year I got a job outdoors and stopped taking my pills after a couple of months because I was feeling much better.

I don't really want to offer advice on this because I'll instantly be contradicted, but I will say: horses for courses.

And YES! Walking is brilliant for reducing the symptoms of depression and restoring motivation, regulating sleep patterns and giving you something to do. Good advice there :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 10:50, closed)

I think your first mistake
was eating crap.
( M3rx likes the Asian ladies, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 10:53, closed)

depends
if it was his own, or not.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 17:18, closed)

This sounds familiar
Only it had a more er, dark tinge to it. I'll keep the details out as they're not relevant.

They switched my uppers to downers and then I worked out fine.

Funny that: downers help prevent depression for me.

Walking also rocks. \o/
(mmmm curry doesn't really understand this sig lark, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 17:07, closed)

Nice to know your ok now, mate
Exercise is really good for this sort of thing. I've been round a few people in my life who needed some help with their depression, they took the medication and it seemed to work for them. But one of my mates did something similar, started taking pills and suddenly became hooked on internet gambling - he's now paying back the thirty grand he lost over the course of a couple of months.

But like No3L says above, some medication works for some and not for others. If it doesn't work go back to the docs and demand they change it; not always easy with some GP's, I know.

Anyways, glad things worked out well for you.
( SpankyHanky, Tue 7 Apr 2009, 17:12, closed)