Prescribed Anxiety drugs today.......

[BADUNAME37]

If they were to screen everyone who is on some type of medication, nearly everyone would not have guns.

 

[NMGonzo]

Depression can kill you.

Ask my dad.

Oh wait!

You can't anymore.

The only answer is to keep a log on how you feel, what are your thoughts.

Consult a mental health specialists if you experience mood changes after the medication.

They can backfire ... badly.

 

[m2steven]

The only time you probably will ever have an issue of being incapable of determining your state and whether or not it's a state in which you should not have guns MIGHT be if you're on the drugs a long time and suddenly get off of them. The withdrawal can be mentally unpredictable. Generally SSID's cause a lessening of the highs and lows of life and will probably add to your ability to use your weapons responsibly.

Use your guns in good health.

 

[gyvel]

I think the real issue here is one that everyone has overlooked: At some point in the future, given the way things are going in this country, a person's medical records will no longer have the confidentiality that they now enjoy, especially regarding mental health issues. I believe that a person's mental health issues will become criteria for disallowing approval in NICS checks, issuance of CCW's, etc.

Allegedly, there is at least one case in Arizona where a veteran was prescribed antidepressants by the V.A. which then proceeded to share that information with Social Security, and somehow the information became public record, causing him to be denied approval on a gun purchase background check.

All it would take would be for one of our liberal anti-gun friends in Congress to add a rider to another important bill requiring that mental health issues/history be divulged by any prospective gun buyer, and you can bet your butt that it would be promoted in such a way as to appeal to the otherwise apathetic public out there.

I could easily see that as a case that would work its way up to the Supreme Court, but it would take years.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Being fairly familiar with HIPAA regulations, I'd say there are several lawsuits just waiting to happen with "stuff" like that. I won't even get started on government, medical records, personal freedom, citizens' rights, or anything like that as I'd probably raise my blood pressure up too high.

 

[gym]

You should ask your doctor this question. He is in a better position to evaluate you than a bunch of people who don't know you.

 

[seanie!]

Sent you a pm.

 

[Magnumdood]

Depression

I've seen varying statements regarding depression in this thread to the effect that we, as patients/consumers, are being unnecessarily prescribed medications for the depression. One poster even said he'll never take a chemical that alters the way his brain works (do you ever drink alcohol?).

There's a difference between being situationally depressed (job loss and housing market were mentioned), or having the blues, and being clinically depressed. Clinical depression saps all the joy out of life to the point that it hurts to be alive. Yes...hurts to be alive. I've been there. I got help, an SSRI; I remember exactly where I was and what day after I started taking it that it worked (11 days). I felt the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. Sadly, some refuse help, and suffer endlessly, and some take their own lives.

Don't let this get into your head and scramble things any more than you need to. Just by asking the question tells me you'll know if you need to have someone hold your guns for you.

It's the folks who don't ask because they don't know they are mentally ill that concern me.

 

[SomeDude]

If you are under 25 it can cause suicidal thoughts or tendencies when you start to take them. I say lock them up until you see how the first several weeks go and then go from there.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

If you're just on an SSRI, then no it won't make you go postal, if that's what you're asking.... if anything the opposite; you'll be more relaxed. Might be more apt to leave one somewhere that you shouldn't, being forgetful; so watch out for that. You're simply gonna be less "anal retentive"; think of it that way.

If you are under 25 it can cause suicidal thoughts or tendencies when you start to take them. I say lock them up until you see how the first several weeks go and then go from there.

Well, ok, then there's that, if you're in that age group - so that's good advice; like some have said, read the side effects carefully, and talk to the doctor about side effects.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I always thought that they want to know who the state said needed to go into a mental facility -- who was actually court-ordered to go into a mental institution.

 

[84B20]

Inspector, you are right at least for New Mexico and Texas, two of the states I have CCW's in. Commitment to a facility is the criteria.

 

[Chuck Warner]

The real problem lies in the definition of adjudicated as well. If your doctor finds you to be Bi Polar...is that official enough to be considered adjudicated? should it come up and you answered no to that on the 4473....Felony committed. Thats on the Federal end, which overrides the state definition.

 

[edSky]

I assumed the question was being asked from the point of view of the health care debate and guns being taken away from people who are just keeping anxiety at bay.

Some people are pretty "normal" but shy or lacking confidence or just plain "nervous." Anxiety meds my help them speak in meetings, sell with confidence, or whatever. These folks are our friends and neighbors and shouldn't have to worry about their right to defend themselves wherever and whenever being taken away from them. The only difference between them and a large chunk of the population is that they sought help. Go figure, huh?

 

[BADUNAME37]

I think part of the problem lies in the fact that computers are beginning to all be interconnected through the Web, so the details which used to be kept pretty much confidential between patient and doctor are all beginning to become information which is available to various other parties.

As time goes on, there will be more of this, as more data is shared. There will come a time when the data is just too much and will raise a flag for most average citizens.

At what point does all this data become almost insignificant in light of the majority of citizens being treated for 'whatever'?

If/when the gov't is in control of health care, you can count on them scrutinizing just about everyone! In fact, I can see where it could get to the point where typical questions asked would be concerning guns, gun ownership, anything gun or firearm-related, etc. Look at the questions that were being asked about guns on those who were going to work for BHO and were filling in applications. At what point does it become really nobody's business?

Oh, and I can see that if the gov't takes over health care, every American will have to do a regular drug screening. I don't care, I am not hiding anything, however there are some people who would care.

 

[edSky]

It's my belief that the "I don't care, I don't have anything to hide" response is dangerous. You might not have anything to hide today, but who is to say that something - anything - couldn't arbitrarily be used against you in the future.

Cigarette smokers who were bombarded by print and television and billboard ads in the 50's and 60's thought nothing of smoking. Now that we know more (or think we know more) smoking can be used against people. What was once an innocent decision that was shared by a large number of people is something that may be used against former smokers who try to get various forms of insurance.

Today it's cigarettes, tomorrow it may be potato chips and pizza. I don't have anything to hide today. That I know of. But I regard my right to privacy as highly as my other unalienable rights.

 

[Darkness]

Ok, lots of info floating around in this thread. I'll just add my 2 cents worth as someone who is actually on an SSRI (Lexapro), and has been on it for almost 5 years. This is to fight depression, which as its own related conditions, including social anxiety.

The drug has changed my life. I have an easier time relating to people, and I am not on a constant drop as far as mood goes. I haven't suffered any of the increased-suicide effects from the medication. In fact, it has done the opposite for me, and completely removed any suicidal urge I may once have had. Now, off of my medication, I can get angry and aggressive, but, I still have self control.

Different drugs may have different effects on, well, different people. One thing to keep in mind is if you are feeling something weird, it is the drug causing it. The drugs do not take away your ability to think even if they effect your mood. If for some reason, the drugs do have a bad effect on you, go all Spock and realize that your feelings are seperate from your intellect.

Most folks won't really understand that statement if they have never experienced the situation.

Anyway, if you have any more questions, you can PM me.

 

[longbeard48]

I had a friend who lost his wife to cancer and was put on an anti-depressant. He became hyper and sometimes belligerant. Woke up one morning and went out to his pickup and put a .410 in his mouth and killed himself. If I was on an anti-depressant I would definately move my guns to a friend or family member's home. Just my $.02.

 

[offthepaper]

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

In Md, you have to sign a HIPPA waiver to purchase a regulated FA. If you check the box that says you are on antidepressants, I believe you are toast. If you already own FA's, they may come and seize those as well.

It actually discourages some from seeking treatment.
Good luck, my brother.

 

[gyvel]

The real problem lies in the definition of adjudicated as well. If your doctor finds you to be Bi Polar...is that official enough to be considered adjudicated? should it come up and you answered no to that on the 4473....Felony committed. Thats on the Federal end, which overrides the state definition.

I believe "adjudicated" refers to a court decision or mandate.

 

[qajaq59]

The only advice I would even venture to give you is to sit down with your doctor and discuss your feelings about this. Then do as he suggests.

 

[rodensouth]

Before there were SSRI's, depressed people were killing themselves. My wife tried when she was 16 and not on meds, and succeeded when she was 36 while on meds. I don't think the meds caused her suicide. The cross section of people on the meds automatically increases likelihood of suicide.

 

[22-rimfire]

Rodensouth, that's sad. I feel for you.

As far as the drugs go, I would worry about ME and not about the drugs. Concern yourself about what is causing your issues and try to get past them. If I had to take them to be "normal", I guess I would. Otherwise, I'm pretty anti-drug. Don't even take aspirin unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Difference is huge between "Anxiety" drug such as xanax or valium (which competitors pee in a cup to detect) which would steady your entire approach and give you an upper hand. When the Triathlete's Shooting Team trained here at Fort Sam everyone peed in a cup for traces of "Anxiety" drugs. It gives you an edge..don't let anyone tell you different. As for anti depressants, those are an entirely different group of drugs that I would Not shoot on..Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, etc. shooting no-no's. Not until you've become familiar with them. There's a transitionary period where you shouldn't be shooting. As someone mentioned, "Lexapro", anti-depressants when used as directed, and over a substantial period of time can, indeed, improve your life substantially! "Anxiety" drugs (you're term)..gives an edge in competitive shooting.

 

[chuckusaret]

IMO guns and mind altering drugs don't mix. If a person has some type of mental problem that requires medication their access to guns/weapons should be restricted both for their safety and ours.

I have seen the hidden mental disorders, such as depression, brought on by military combat service. These people while on their prescibed medication(s) are mostly as normal as you and I, but problems arise when they fail to take their daily medications. I am sorry, but I believe the risk is too great to allow them access to guns.........