Prescribed Anxiety drugs today.......

[sniknah]

My doc prescribed me some anxiety drugs today, don't want to make this too personal..but do I have anything to worry about the guns that I own and posesse? I would think not..but just wanted to get some opinions. Also if someone is on anti depressents can that cause a concern? I know millions of people are on these, so my guess is this is not a problem. I could see if you were depressed to the extent of being a danger or suicidal.. thanks

 

[hso]

Your question is not about your guns, but is instead about you so don't worry about the guns.

Research the medications and their side effects and whether the may cause any behavior that would be unsafe.

 

[DasFriek]

Since your asking this it tells me that you will know when its time to have your guns put up for you until a later time.
I went 20 years without owning any for many reasons of course,but a decent amount of the time was i wasn't mentally able to handle the responsibility like i should.
I did this myself,no one took them or told me i couldn't.

Everyone is different,and most i feel can govern themselves when issues like this arrive.
At least i feel that way if you are a responsible person to begin with.

Good Luck,life can definitely have its bumps and bruises that it likes to deal out.

 

[9MMare]

There are many studies that show anti-depressants can lead to many unintended side effects. I highly suggest, for your peace of mind and safety, and that of your family, that you take advantage of the Internet and do alot of research.

I dont know how old you are, but the risks are higher for some age groups.

Good luck to you and dont hesitate to reach out to others when unsure.

 

[wankerjake]

There are many studies that show anti-depressants can lead to many unintended side effects

All drugs have side effects... all studies about a drug list side-effects. It's a trade-off for what you are trying to treat, which is the real issue of concern. What I think you may be referring to are the black-box warnings on some anti-depressant drugs... and to apply them to this post would be making too many assumptions on my part. The thing about researching side-effects on the internet is that you can find a loooong list of side-effects that most people interpret inappropriately. But, in general, the condition being treated will be the main determinant of whether handling firearms is a good idea. It is safe to assume that drugs to treat anxiety will not alter mental function in a way that would impact your use of a firearm if you don't use the medication in a way other than what the physician prescribed it for... I'll send you a PM, let's just say this is right up my alley professionally

 

[Matrix187]

I'm assuming the anti anxiety drugs you prescribed were an SSRI of some sort (zoloft, prozac, lexapro, etc), and maybe some sort of benzodiazepine (valium, xanax, ativan, klonopin) for use as needed or for short term while the anti-depressant/anxiety drug kicks in. A lot of people take these drugs and don't do negative things to society. How the drugs pharmacological activities affect ones ability to use guns in a particular manner has never been studied. Needless to say, it's something to not worry about IN MY OPINION. Even with the drugs/metabolites in your system you are still YOU. The drugs wont magically transform you into some sort of programmed person.

Disclaimer: I'm not a medical professional/medical doctor, and only your physician can give you sound advice. I just stated my opinion...

 

[wankerjake]

Needless to say, it's something to not worry about IN MY OPINION. Even with the drugs/metabolites in your system you are still YOU. The drugs wont magically transform you into some sort of programmed person.

This is very logical reasoning.

 

[JWF III]

Personally, I refuse to take any kind of drug that effects the way my brain works. To me there's just to much of a chance for something to get screwed up in there. I've been sort of depressed as of late, but I know it's job related (or lack there of (housing market)) related. So I just deal with it, and know it'll improve sooner or later.

But in you're situation, I agree with what others have said. You're asking about it beforehand. That alone shows a great deal of responsibility. So I'd say on that alone, as long as you make no decisions out of emotion (good rule for anybody to follow IMHO), trust yourself. And don't be affraid to stop the perscription and ask for help if you deem it necessary.

Wyman

ETA-

only your physician can give you sound advice.

That's a joke. The only sound advice they can give is how to pad their/drug company's wallets. Yes, I'm a bit cynical of the healthcare system, and it's "professionals". I feel most of them are in it for their best interest, not ours. Just like the politicians.

 

[wvshooter]

Why is a larger and larger percentage of the US population taking these things year over year, year after year? Could it be the easy way out for the doctor and the patient? Could it have something to do with drug company profits? Just get the patient buzzed so they stop complaining. The better solution for most people might be better diet plus some kind of excercise plus attempting to eliminate whatever is causing the stress. But it's so much easier to swallow a pill. I'm afraid for where we are heading.

 

[chris in va]

Doctors, heh. My friend was diagnosed with bipolar back in the early 90's and was given a whole galaxy of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Some worked, some just had really bad side effects. She was a guinea pig for years.

Last year a doctor finally found the correct medication for her and she's been much more herself than I've ever seen her. Unfortunately outside influences have tried to wreck her well being, but i'm impressed with her 'normalcy' getting through all this.

BTW she just got her CC permit in the mail last week. She finally felt like things were under control enough to carry.

The better solution for most people might be better diet plus some kind of excercise plus attempting to eliminate whatever is causing the stress

This is *very* true...to a point. She feels so much better when physical exercise is part of her day. But in many cases medication is also incredibly important, as I have witnessed over the years. Despite what a lot of people think, depression can in fact be a very real chemical imbalance in the brain not cured by diet, exercise and stress reduction.

 

[jdub3]

If its an SSRI, they can actually increase depression and suicidal ideation in some individuals. Benzo's basically make you more relaxed but can also decrease inhibitions in some.

Do you have someone that can look after your guns for a month or so while you see how the new medication affects you? That would be my recommendation. Depending on who it is, you don't even have to tell them why, maybe you will just be out of town for a couple weeks and don't want the guns to get lonely?

Good luck. I suffer from both depression and anxiety at times and its no picnic.

WVShooter asked why more and more people take these drugs? I think its a combination of healthcare profits and the fact that our current society promotes a lifestyle far from our natural state of being. We're essentially intelligent animals that now have to worry about mortgages, interest rates, our stock portfolio's, kid's tuition, etc etc instead of hunting and gathering. While life may have become physically easier and life-expectancies have increased, I think we pay for it with our mental well-being. My 2 cents.

 

[wankerjake]

Yes, I'm a bit cynical of the healthcare system, and it's "professionals". I feel most of them are in it for their best interest, not ours. Just like the politicians.

That's what makes our job so hard right there; lay persons not taking the advice we give them and not following our instructions. Denial about a diagnosis and instead of addressing with a health care provider, they stew about it at home and decide we're full of beans and they're not gonna trake those pills because that isn't what's wrong with them. If you don't want help, stay out of the doctor's office. It isn't about the almighty dollar, we're trying to help people be healthy.

Just get the patient buzzed so they stop complaining

Wow. You have no idea what you'e talking about. The classes of drugs in question don't work by "giving you a buzz". People without depression or have seen depression don't understand depression.

Quote:
The better solution for most people might be better diet plus some kind of excercise plus attempting to eliminate whatever is causing the stress

This is *very* true...to a point. She feels so much better when physical exercise is part of her day. But in many cases medication is also incredibly important, as I have witnessed over the years. Despite what a lot of people think, depression can in fact be a very real chemical imbalance in the brain not cured by diet, exercise and stress reduction.

Absolutely, when possible this is what you want to try first. However, some diseases like bi-polar disorder are very real and are best treated with medication. Chemical imbalances can cause a lot of problems.

If its an SSRI, they can actually increase depression and suicidal ideation in some individuals

I was hoping nobody would bring this up. They don't increase depression. Depression is a risk-benefit kind of treatment, and yes folks it's a real disease. The risk is only in people who already have underlying suicidal tendencies. They aren't going to make people with anxiety start thinking about suicide. They aren't going to make a non-depressed person depressed. There is no reason to even consider this side-effect from the information the original poster has given us. Bringing that up will only scare him and possibly cause an effective treatment to become ineffective due to non-compliance. Don't even listen to this hype sniknah.

 

[DaveBeal]

Having taken a few types of antidepressants, I can tell you that while they do tend to have side effects, these effects are generally not dangerous.

 

[wankerjake]

Just get the patient buzzed so they stop complaining

Sorry this statement blows my mind. Just want to add that depression and like disorders are very complex and can be difficult to treat. SOmetimes what is prescribed first doesn't work. That doesn't mean the doctor is an idiot or doesn't care. It just means it's time to try something else. Everybody responds differently to different drugs. Regarding the person with bi-polar disorder mentioned above, therapy can be hit or miss with bi-polar disorder. Glad she found something that works for her. I'll say this though, it is not good for somebody with depression to be told by family, friends, and colleagues that their condition isn't real and it's all in their head. You couldn't be farther from the truth. It's sad how many people think this way.

 

[Matrix187]

That's a joke. The only sound advice they can give is how to pad their/drug company's wallets. Yes, I'm a bit cynical of the healthcare system, and it's "professionals". I feel most of them are in it for their best interest, not ours. Just like the politicians.

I'll have to agree with that. I don't think I sounded my opinion quite well. My aunt died from being over prescribed. It's really easy to respond to a disorder with pills and keep on making your big salary as a doctor. Some really do care though... and some not so much.

 

[Prince Yamato]

The answer really depends on the drugs you take. Anti-depressants are used to treat a number of problems, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Anxiety (as you mentioned), sexual dysfunction, and many other things other than depression. They are not magic pills. They boost the body's serotonin production levels. Provided you are taking a moderate dosage and one of the major medications, the side effects are generally nil. The risk of suicide is only for people who are severely (very severely) depressed. Sometimes the medication can pull them out of their depression long enough so that they are no longer depressed enough not to kill themselves. That is probably not your case.

Since your problem is anxiety and not depression, the most severe side-effect you have to worry about is happiness... yep... happiness. Anti-depressants can make you really happy. So, I'd be more worried that you'd suddenly get so happy that you decided to max out your credit card on new gun purchases...

In short, you'll be fine...

 

[Monkeyleg]

Depression and anxiety are as real as a heart attack. Left untreated they can be as dangerous. At the very least depression or anxiety can make many of the precious years you have on this earth miserable.

If you're starting a new drug, it might be best to do it on a day when you won't need to do anything serious, such as drive.

I've been through the whole alphabet of anti depressants, including SSRI's. I had many side effects with SSRI's, including nervousness, drowsiness, the runs, and more. I never felt suicidal, but that doesn't mean you might not.

I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[JohnL2]

You may want to evaluate your diet. Common sense says it's the first thing you should look at.
Old hat but it's true; junk in junk out.

 

[Beelzy]

If you are taking anti-depressants, lock the guns up and give the key to someone else.

A very dear friend of mine was on them for a couple of years for Crones disease, all was
fine with him then one day at his workplace (Gunshop BTW) he went in the back and
blew himself up. Nicest guy in the world, his name was Dennis.......Miss you Bro.

They AREN'T kidding about suicidal tendencies Mate!

 

[JWF III]

If you don't want help, stay out of the doctor's office.

Been one time in 15 years. (With exception of eye doctor and dentist.) And yes I'm very healthy. In the last 14 years I've been working full time, I've missed ZERO days because I was sick. I've left early a handful of times, simply because I knew I wasn't producing enough to warrant me being paid what I was. Over the counter meds and I was well enough to be back the next day.

That one time that I did go was for a foot injury and a knee injury. Foot was just gout (best controled by diet), they prescribed a pill. After those were gone, I toke Advil for it a couple of times, and the ibuprofene (sp?) did better than the prescription. The knee, I asked them to x-ray it to find out what the problem was, she refused because insurance wouldn't cover it because it wasn't a traumatic emergency.

Yes I have reasons why I trust no doctor. I may find one that I trust one day, we'll see.

and they're not gonna trake those pills

Problem is that many times the pills that are prescribed are from the company whose salesman provided the best lunch that week. Not just the best ones for the job. Before you say I don't know what I'm talking about, I have a family that sales for Eli Lilly. I know (some of) what they do to push their products.

It isn't about the almighty dollar, we're trying to help people be healthy.

I said most, not all. You may very well be there for the right reason, but most are not. If it were like the French's healthcare, where a doc only made $50k, look at how many American doctors would go on to something else.

and yes folks it's a real disease.

I don't doubt that it is real. But the diagnosis of it is way overused. The diagnosed cases have increased exponentially to the population.

ADD/ADHD are very similar. Look at the number of kids in school being treated for it now as compared to 20 years ago. If I were in school today, there is no doubt in my mind they would want me on meds for ADD. Rather, 25 years ago they put me in some advanced classes where I actually had to work and pay attention. Problem solved.

Meds are not always the answer, but doctors use them first. When in reality, they should be the last resort (unless an emergency situation).

Wyman

 

[9MMare]

Why is a larger and larger percentage of the US population taking these things year over year, year after year? Could it be the easy way out for the doctor and the patient? Could it have something to do with drug company profits? Just get the patient buzzed so they stop complaining. The better solution for most people might be better diet plus some kind of excercise plus attempting to eliminate whatever is causing the stress. But it's so much easier to swallow a pill. I'm afraid for where we are heading.

I believe (just my opinion) that this is often the case for kids...esp those with behavior problems....anti-depressants and ADD drugs to *fix* them.

I think you are correct above, but also that patients are just as responsible for being so willing to accept pills as behavioral cures when there are often additional/other solutions, like diet, meditation, exercise, **lifestyle changes** that are 'harder to do'.

We like to take the quick and easy route. If so, then make sure you check all the positives and negatives first.

 

[9MMare]

Doctors, heh. My friend was diagnosed with bipolar back in the early 90's and was given a whole galaxy of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Some worked, some just had really bad side effects. She was a guinea pig for years.

Last year a doctor finally found the correct medication for her and she's been much more herself than I've ever seen her. Unfortunately outside influences have tried to wreck her well being, but i'm impressed with her 'normalcy' getting through all this.

BTW she just got her CC permit in the mail last week. She finally felt like things were under control enough to carry.



This is *very* true...to a point. She feels so much better when physical exercise is part of her day. But in many cases medication is also incredibly important, as I have witnessed over the years. Despite what a lot of people think, depression can in fact be a very real chemical imbalance in the brain not cured by diet, exercise and stress reduction.

OK, I'm not trying to be a bitch here, but this woman has a (long-standing) history of mental illness and is allowed to have a CC?

I'm new to the CC and gun ownership arena, but this sounds like the opposite of what is normally recommended. Is this not the sort of thing that background checks look for?

It is not up to me to determine her fitness, but I think it's responsible to question. If nothing else, I'll learn more about firearm restriction guidelines.

 

[9MMare]

By the way, I hope that constructive answers to my post above will help keep this thread from being locked.

I think it is very relevant and I'd like to find out more.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Is this not the sort of thing that background checks look for?

I've always thought that background checks checked your legal status and history, not your medical history.

 

[9MMare]

I've always thought that background checks checked your legal status and history, not your medical history.

At least some states have mental health requirements.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18354133

http://forums.about.com/ab-depression/messages?msg=9744.1


There was also an article from the NY Times but you had to subscribe.

But there were plenty of other's listed in the search results.