rebafan asked this question on 4/22/2000:
I've spent the last four hours reading some of the answers here. At least one "expert" is blatantly, fundamentally ignorant about depression: PLEASE take care when reading replies in this forum! Just because a person claims to be an "expert" does not mean that a person is! If you see any "expert" suggest Scientology or CCHR, please be very, very cautious when considering that person's reply.
ECT is an excellent and effective treatment for depression that resists all other treatments. It is safe and effective.
Anti-depressants are also totally safe and effective. They do not make one "worse," nor do they make you "angry" or "violent." If you read an "expert" who says otherwise, please realize that that "expert" does not know what she or he is talking about.
PLEASE seek expert medical advice from trained medical professionals--- take what you read in this forum with great skepticism. If you read an answer from an "expert" that suggests you not seek psycological or psychiatric advice and treatment, dismiss such "advice" because that "expert" does not know what she or he is talking about.
Your mental health and well-being is far, far too important to risk on taking advice from self-professed "experts" in this forum. Your telephone book will list psychiatric and psychological experts for you, and provide you with actual help and advice.
PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS HERE!
CeeBee gave this response on 4/22/2000:
Hi --
I've been part of AskMe since the first of this year, and usually read answers that have been given by other depression experts. I have always been impressed by the wealth of knowledge and experience and opinion offered each questioner usually by a number of depression experts. And no, I don't agree with each and every expert, and I'm sure they don't agree with everything I say either. The depression expert who is a Scientologist does offer solid advice especially to those experiencing a mild or reactive depression. I quote:
1. Clean up, get done the various jobs you've been "meaning to do." 2. Bring yourself up to date socially and write a letter, make a call, or see the people you've neglected. 3. Take a 1 hour walk every day. Start at home for 1/2 an hour and then walk back, a different direction every day. If you can't walk, do something physical, throw something for 1/2 an hour, if you can't throw, spit for 1/2 an hour-- this is meant literally. 4. Get a physical examination (not a psychological exam) and fix those things that are chronic. 5. Take twice a day 100mg. of B1 and 250mg. of vitamin C. I would also recommend Calmax nightly (from health USA 1-800-523-8899). 6. If specific to you, give up pornography, soap operas and the news for at least 2 weeks as all these things can cause restimulation.
There's nothing wrong with this advice. He and I part ways only when it comes to major depression which I maintain can be tackled and brought to its knees with psychotropic medication. And I have seen ECT bring people back from a profound depression which no other remedy has touched.
Like I said above, there are enough experts responding to questioners who can accept or discard whatever answers they receive. I don't think the AskMe administrators or any of the experts on this page should play censor and ban an expert because they don't agree with his answers.
Thank you for reading this.
CeeBee
The average rating for this answer is 2.7.
rebafan rated this answer a 2.