Anonymous asked this question on 4/26/2000:

I have had feelings of being different and alone most of my life (I am 28). At age 19, I attempted suicide. After that, I just accepted the way I felt as a permenant thing. Last year, I was in a extremely mentally situation and was diagnosed as having severe/major depression. I was prescribed Prozac and although I didn't feel "better" I felt numb to the pain. I stopped taking it for fear of my military career. (the military is unaware of my suicide attempt and my diagnosis). Now the feelings are being more and more prevalent. Do you think I need to back on the medication?

patriciacare gave this response on 4/30/2000:

DEAR ANONYMOUS, I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TAKING YOUR PROZAC.THE DR. PRESCRIBED,AND GIVE IT A CHANCE.AFTER A WHILE YOU STILL DON'T FEEL IT'S HELPING.GO BACK TO THE DR. AND SEE IF HE MIGHT WANT TO INCREASE OR DECREASE THE DOSAGE.SOMETIMES THATS ALL THATS NEEDED.OR HE MAY A DIFFERENT BRAND. PROZAC IS ONE OF THE NEWEST AND BEST.DRUG OF IT'S CLASS TODAY.AND UNLIKE THE OLDER ONES. IT'S NON-ADDICTIVE.

I ALSO WAS DIAGNOSED,WITH SEVERE/MAJOR DEPRESSION.AFTER SUFFERING.FOR THIRTY PLUS YEARS.WITH SYMTOMS LIKE YOU DESCRIBED.THEY FOUND I HAD A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE.WHERE SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN.WITH OUT CERTAIN CHEMICALS, NECESSARY FOR A NORMAL LIFE. THEN THE DR. PRESCRIBED ME PROZAC.IT PROBABLE TOOK A GOOD PART OF A YEAR TO WORK FOR ME. BELIEVE ME IT WAS WELL WORTH IT.NOW LIFE LOOKS AND FEELS SO BEAUTIFUL AND NORMAL.THE NORMAL PARTI REALLY LOVE.

SINCE YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW IT WILL AFFECT YOUR STANDING.WITH THE MILITARY.PLEASE,PLEASE, TALK TO YOUR CHAPLAIN ON THE BASE. HE CAN ADVISE YOU THE BEST ON THERE RULES AND REGULATIONS.CONCERNING DEPRESSION AND THE MEDICATIONS USED FOR DEPRESSION. ALSO THE CHAPLAIN IS BOUND BY A SACRED OATH, TO KEEP IT IN COMPLETE CONFIDENTS.

PLEASE DON'T EVER GIVE UP.IF YOU NEED A FRIEND TO TALK TO I'LL BE HERE. JUST email me at: patriciah28114@yahoo.com.

YOUR FRIEND PATRICIA