PRISTIQ

I have been taking ‘happy pills’ since I was diagnosed with depression in 1993. Depression runs in my family and I was no exception to the diagnosis. As I grew up, my mom became an advocate for education and treatment of the disease. When I began to have symptoms, I was able to recognize it almost immediately and get help.

I was lucky. I got help early.  And ‘happy pills’ have been part of my existence for the past 30 years. I’ve learned a lot through my experience. I learned to turn to God and trust in Him. He loves us no matter what.  My depression required me to talk to a doctor and be open to taking medication. I’ve learned that not every medication works the same way for everyone. And I learned the importance of therapy/therapists.

God, doctors and therapists have truly been blessings in my life, but I need to add one more type of person to this list: friends who care.

Occasionally, throughout my ordeal, I have had to change medications. A few times, my body built up an immunity to the medication. And, at other times, medications aren’t the ‘right fit.’

A few years ago, I needed to change my medication. I had tried something that didn’t work, so my doctor and I decided to try a new medication called Pristiq. I was excited to try this pill because I thought the name was incredible. It made me feel like I was an X-Man – perhaps because it rhymed with Mistique. Things like that amuse me.

I began taking Pristiq. I didn’t notice a difference right away, but then I suffered a panic attack. I’ve heard about panic attacks, and I’d been stressed before, but it is not the same thing.

The Mayo Clinic describes a panic attack as “a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers sever physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Often, a person in the midst of a panic attack feels as if they are losing control, or even dying.”

My panic attack was at church. My family always arrives at church 30 minutes early, just so I can have ‘my’ spot. This Sunday, another family was sitting in our location. Suddenly, without warning, I began crying uncontrollably. I began shaking and sweating. My heart was pounding. It was frightening and humiliating. I missed sacrament meeting that week, and hid in an empty classroom. 

My husband and daughters were completely bewildered at the irrational behavior of their wife and mother. They didn’t know how to handle the crazy situation.

My best friend Amy also recognized that for the past week I had been out of sorts. She noticed that I was easily irritated and withdrawn. So, she went to work. She did what she does best: research. She remembered that I had changed medication recently and looked up symptoms of Pristiq. Sure enough, one of the side effects was panic attacks.

Amy brought her concerns to Scott and together they confronted me. They kindly asked me to go back to the doctor. I did. And they gave me a new prescription. Within a month, I was back to ‘normal.’

How do you respond when mental challenges confront you or those you love? As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains, “Above all, never lose faith in your Father in Heaven. … Believe in miracles. … Hope is never lost, … Seek the advice of reputable people with certified training, professional skills, and good values. … [And remember] Our Father in Heaven expects us to use ALL of the marvelous gifts He has provided in this glorious dispensation.” 

ALL of our marvelous gifts include loving spouses, children and friends who come to our rescue.

At least that’s the way I remember it.