Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laogaiguk]

Are antidepressants good for a boost if you're already healthy?

[corroonb]

I doubt it. Most of these drugs have only been on the market for a relatively short while and the long term effects are still unknown. This guy sound like he's abusing the drug because it enhances his mood. Cocaine and heroin both do this but are illegal and far more dangerous. But even if its safe and legal, taking meds you don't need seems unethical and a complete waste of money. Very decadent and western indeed.

Even the drug companies warn that anti-depressants can impair the grieving process and affect the way the patient deals with bereavement. This guy sounds like a happy, happy jackass.

[Hollywoodaction]

Looks to me like an excuse to stay away from the gym.

[cwemory]

This isn't a particularly new idea is it? One of the authors mentioned in the article, Peter D. Kramer, wrote on this subject in 1993 in Listening to Prozac. He wrote of the possibility (and ethics) of "cosmetic" uses of antidepressants.

From wikipedia:

[jajdude]

Well, the guy said he feels happier. Experts say, "We don't know long-term effects" and things like that, but I don't think it's foolish to take something that can make you happier. Maybe he'll find out after another 20 years if it was a bad idea. If he has 20 years happier than he would have been, is there a downside? Sounds like a worthwhile risk.

Granted, he's not exactly saving himself from misery, and there's no question these drugs have saved many, many lives, but I wouldn't call him a fool. I'd reserve that insult for people doing a lot more dumb things.

[laogaiguk]

[cwemory]

[corroonb]

The thing is people are not supposed to be happy all the time, sadness is inevitable both biologically and emotionally. Happiness cannot exist without sadness. His attiude towards ectasy reveals his true reasons for taking this drug, he's simply afraid of feeling sad and/or bored.

I've taken anti-depressants for prolonged periods and I was unhappy with how they affected my feelings and responses to events. I felt utterly unconcerned by anything, therefore I was happy. However this also affected my drive, I didn't care about failing or succeeding because I was already 'happy'. When people are truly sad, its is because they are angry and confused, their depression is their mind's way of telling them that something has to change. Just taking drugs will not help with solve depressions that are anything other than chemical imbalances. Its basically a lazy and cowardly way of coping with emotions for this guy who is not depressed but it also robs him of the ability to learn from and express those emotions.

How much art would be lost if every artist who felt sad or depressed took drugs to alleviate their suffering? Great art is often born out of suffering and a desire to change the world for the better.

Other forms of mental illness such a schizophrenia and bipolar disorder do need medication almost all the time. Depressions are a normal emotional reaction to circumstance, past and present. I'm not against using medication in the short-term but it won't fix anything permanently.

The actions of this guy trivialise others' use of such medications and the difficulty people often have in paying for them.

[jajdude]

[igotthisguitar]

If the "DRUG" companies had their way the ENTIRE world would be consuming their product

btw- if for whatever reason you ARE taking anti-depressants stay away from ST. JOHN's WORT.

On its own it's fine, but together the two can lead to further serious health problems.

[corroonb]

[jajdude]

Yeah, I knew what you meant. Mine was kind of a philiosophical standpoint too. Who knows? These are tough questions, but good ones to ask. I don't think you were ever dogmatic or judgmental, just expressing your thoughts like I did.

Normal is a tough one. If one is too depressed to function at an adequate level, that isn't normal. Life, other people, work, and other things just demand too much for a really depressed person to deal with. We can all agree, if we have any sense, that for such a person, medication can be a godsend.

It makes me wonder about the people who need the stuff but cannot afford it, or else believe it is somehow wrong to take it. What about so many truly poor people in really poor countries? They cannot afford to be depressed! Strangely, it seems to afflict more people from wealthy countries, though I don't really know if that's true.

Sometimes I think, in the past, before good medicines existed, what was it like for some afflicted with any serious mental problem?

This has gone astray, since the original post was about a guy who was functioning fine, but wanted to be even happier. I just find the whole thing interesting.

[EFLtrainer]

[corroonb]