Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Hello everyone,
I am new to this group and I have been seriously considering taking medication for a long time. I have been struggling with depression since I was a child, and in the last 5 years my anxiety has become unmanageable. I've asked a few people the big question: do you recommend taking medication for depression/anxiety. I usually get negative responses; and this is coming from people who have experience with medication and therapy. They discourage it, and recommend natural ways to "treat" depression.
I have had a couple bad experiences each time I have considered medication, and I'm beginning to wonder if there's a way to get what you feel you need without having someone jump down your throat and tell you otherwise?
My frist experience was with a nurse practioner. She listened to my symptoms, discouraged my decision to take medication only for a year or 2 (even with therapy), and she tried to prescribe me with ADHD medication instead. I thought it was realistic to take medication for a couple years with therapy to get back on my feet. However, this nurse practitioner kept saying things like, "If it makes you feel good, why stop?" and "It's like taking your vitamins every day." I left her office frustrated because I didn't feel like she listened to me at all. It was like talking to a car salesman only for medicine. Even if I have ADHD, I wanted to be treated for the anxiety I have been experiencing; because that's what I'm struggling with in life-- not my supposed ADHD.
A year later, I went to a new therapist (we moved). I told her I was considering medication but I did not want to take it indefinitely. Like the nurse practitioner, she was hesitant to tell me this was a possibility. She also said a tagline similiar to the one the nurse practitioner said "If it helps, why stop?" She tried comparing the medication to taking vitamin supplements, saying , "What's the difference?" I then said, "Well if I miss taking my vitamins for a day it wouldn't be detrimental to my well being." Also (correct me if I'm wrong), there can be serious side effects the come with taking medication and I can discontinue taking the vitamin supplement immediately without having to be "weaned off." In addition to this, she decided to tell me (on our first visit--with no real background on my life/history) that she thinks I might have schizophrenia because my mother has it.
Once again, I left feeling disappointed and confused rather than empowered. Even though I was afraid of this new diagnosis of schizophrenia, I took what she said seriously and asked close friends, family, even a co-worker of 2 years if they had noticed any schizophrenic behaviors. I knew that if I did have schizophrenia, I would need help with it and I would accept this if it was true. I tried to be specific and I did not tell them what happened with this therapist. After investigating, none of them (I knew they would be completely honest with me) supported what this therapist said.
So here I am, wondering if there's a better way to go about getting medication or to whether I should get medication at all. Can I just go to a doctor and have them prescribe me with what I need? I know what's wrong with me and honestly I'm tired of psychiatrists telling me what they think I have (and isn't it funny that I've received 2 different diagnosis even though I am telling them the same symptoms??). I'm losing faith in psychiatry and even therapy so If there's another way, please let me know. Of course, I'll do what I must.
If you feel you need medication, even if temporarily, I would interview psychiatrists, remembering that they work for you, until you find one that supports your view of medication. There are good doctors out there, but they may be hard to find. Perhaps even ask your primary care doctor for some referrals?
I wish you all the best in your journey :)
There was (still is I think) such a stigma at the mention of depression and needing medication. I was doing so much better. But I listened to his words...they were a bit different...he compared it to bp medication . If your body needs it to keep it healthy and well...why even think of taking a chance and taking it away. I am still on medication today. Over the course of time I have realized that other contributing factors (dysfunctional family, prior verbal abuse and very poor self esteem) have continued my need for a boost.
I think maybe they are just concerned with keeping us safe and "protecting their track record" as far as healthy outcomes. if they said ok and let everyone juggle meds...or stop each time they want there could be alot of very serious, very messed up people (not saying either of us would be though) Whoever you do decide as your doctor (or therapist) should support you. From the get go when I recently requested to change....she told me if I had any issues call her immediately. I did, she listened and adjusted it. They SHOULD DEFINITELY LISTEN TOYOU.
Good luck.
Sorry to be so vague.
From my experiences here on this forum, there are 2 main causes of depression.
The first is life experiences. A person who suffers abuse or trauma may develop all the classical behaviors associated with depression. Consider a child who is attacked by a dog; they may get triggered by dogs and present with anxiety and depression behaviors.
The second is brain chemistry. Our brains are very complex things, and chemicals can have a huge impact on our behaviors. Consider things like alcohol (being drunk) or using dangerous drugs. Those can have a huge impact on our behavior. Luckily most of those behaviors go away when we sober up. But imagine a brain that makes chemicals in the wrong amounts.
I suspect that for many of us it is a combination.
If we have the life experience thing going on, then I believe it is critical to get therapy to help us understand what has happened, how we dealt with it and what are options are. We can learn what triggers us, and develop coping methods. This can be avoidance as well as methods to face it head on.
If you have a brain chemistry thing going (and it could have, and often has, NOTHING to do with illegal drugs or alcohol) It is my personal opinion that if this is the cause of our depression, the primary cause, then medication may be necessary. If it is a contributing cause, then medication may help us while we deal with other issues.
I am leery of therapists who push meds on us way too soon. They need to understand what is the root cause of our issues. While this may take a long time, and using meds may be a good part of the initial treatment, getting to the root causes is critical.
Sooo, do you feel that you understand what has made you feel the way you are?
So basically what I want to say is that if depression is something that interferes with your life and you have tried the "natural" stuff and still feel the same I would definitely try medication out.
Medication changed my life in a very positive way. There is not a medication for one thing only, and YES ADHD meds are not solely for that, they are stimulants and help to stimulate the part of the brain that is slow and impedes focusing. At the same time, the right amount serves as an antidepressant fueling you with serotonin and helping you to be more positive and capable.
Go to a psychiatrist get a full evaluation and treat your depression NOW. IT can get better but it can also get worse when it is not treated.