Anti-depressants

And weight loss! That clinches it!

It wouldn't surprise me if the figures had gone up in the last few years partly due to the recession, as many people have had to struggle with financial difficulties.

Due partly !!

Long time ago now Jingle but I remember lots of bright colours and music! Unfortunatly I had put on 2 stone so it was just as well I lost it easily.afterwards

I've put on weight but know-it-all darling son reckons it's because I eat too much. I do wonder whether it's the tablets though.

A lot depends on the GP [dishing out the meds]It's certainly very difficult for young people to be prescribed them though.Although my grandson's GP does the actual prescribing, it's only on the say-so of grandson's clinical psychologist and team.They want it to be a last resort.However, it's been an enormous help to him, and as Grandma60 says it can be a lifeline.

Not sure how hard/easy it is for adults to get helpful drugs for depression.

I think I did eat more when I was taking fluexitine but I think that was because I felt much more relaxed and enjoyed things more. I also remember I seemed to spend more money! but still they got me through a difficult time.

My feeling is there is a bit too much scare mongering about a lot of prescription medication. I spent 6 months in significant pain, and with decreasing mobility as I pondered whether to take the methotrexate my rheumatologist wanted me to take. I was genuinely scared silly by the list of possible side effects. My GP was brilliant, and when I asked what he'd do in my place, he said 'take the drugs', yes there are risks, but with inflammatory arthritis, the risks are the same as with the drug, but worse. So, I took the drug, at a very low level and within 4 weeks could walk my dogs 2 miles. I could also get out of bed, and walk downstairs, something I'd found so difficult for months. I was 46, and here I am, still on mtx, no side effects at all. I've had another treatment added after a flare up 4 years ago had me struggling again.
So far as ante depressants go, I have in the past taken fluoxetine (prozac) at a time when my arthritis was stopping me doing much, frankly. It was a wonder - and helped me through until the new disease modifiers kicked in. I have also worked with many people who suffer anxiety/depression. I've seen the improvements that come as mental health improves

I totally agree Iam64 about scaremongering. I friend of mine who was also going through a bad time with her health and personal life was bullied by her sister to stop taking her prozac on 3 different occasions. Each time she became suicidal. The sister who had never had any serious problems in her life kept telling her she was weak to need to rely on chemicals. I kept trying to point out that if she was diabetic she would have to rely on insulin so what is the difference.?
I lot of the blame goes to irresponsible journalists IMO.