Anti Depressants

[Anonymous]

Agree and no from professional experience anti depressant use does NOT preclude clearance.

[Anonymous]

Be careful taking any antidepressants. I took paxil, then gained 30 lbs, somehow my thyroid also slowed down to the point of needing medication, fast forward a few years later, took generic zoloft only to have intestinal bleeding. My advice is always be careful and cautious with any medications as they all and some have very bad side effects. I would recommend the natural route, like exercise, group counseling, or support group, get some sunshine, fish oil and vitamin B complex, and create a gratitude board or journal to see all the good in your life.

[Anonymous]

11:15 - is it more important to you to "zing" than provide accurate information? Should I report you?

I am very familiar with security clearances. There are MANY more things they are looking for. Antidepressants is NOT one of them. But if they find out you should be on them and are not, THEN you have HUGE trouble. People should be educated about this. Do not lie on a security clearance, and absolutely do NOT deny yourself the help everyone else knows you need or there will be big, big problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be careful taking any antidepressants. I took paxil, then gained 30 lbs, somehow my thyroid also slowed down to the point of needing medication, fast forward a few years later, took generic zoloft only to have intestinal bleeding. My advice is always be careful and cautious with any medications as they all and some have very bad side effects. I would recommend the natural route, like exercise, group counseling, or support group, get some sunshine, fish oil and vitamin B complex, and create a gratitude board or journal to see all the good in your life.

This is a common suggestion from people who've never experienced clinical depression or anxiety. Sunshine and vitamins just sometimes aren't enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you reading my mind? I'm 41 and I dont know if it's perimenopause or what but all of a sudden I'm so sad/angry/depressed most of the time and I cant shake it. I have an appt to see my OB/GYN next week to see if my hormones are out of wack. But I'm going to see if she can recommend an anti-depressant. I'd also like to hear from posters who take anti-depressants and how they've help you.

You sound a lot like me. I thought it was perimenopause because it seemed like I was PMSing all the time. I'd been going through a very rough period and had been going to CBT/therapy for the past year and didn't think I was depressed. I spoke to my OB/gyn about it (and she did test my hormone/thyroid) but also prescribed Celexa for me. It's helped a lot and I wish I'd taken it sooner. I didn't notice any side effects and it really helps me feel like my old self. I'm not on the emotional rollercoaster anymore, I'm not short tempered and I just feel better - like my old self.

I've also had NO problem with life insurance or security clearances. I'm a fed with a top secret clearance which was renewed just 6 months ago. I hope no one who is contemplating medication lets themselves be dissuaded from them because of these concerns. That thinking is archaic and counterproductive.

This is true for fed jobs where you have the luxury of wasting 6 -12 months of tax payer money waiting for a clearance, but as a contractor they will NOT hire you if you cannot obtain an interim clearance and one dis-qualifier is mental health issues.