Depression and medication.

[Static]

I am considering asking for medication for depression, but I am nervous of becoming dependent on them. Also I feel that they might be the only way for the current situation I am in.

Without going into grave detail I have severe anger and anxeity problems. Which is weird because I am an easy going generous dood, but my anger leads to thoughts of malicious intent. Its creepy honestly.

Anyone with personal experience of just general thoughts?

I am asking here for an unbiased, even though a slightly more insulting, view from people who truely know nothing of my personal persona.

 

[Lizardbreath]

I'm telling you right now that you don't need medication whatsoever. You just need initiative. Start doing some things with your life and start getting busy. I know this because there was a time in my life where I considered medication for depression but I just started doing shit all the time and now I am a very happy person.

I'm not saying you don't have a life, but just try things you normally wouldn't.

 

[Static]

How old are you LB? I considered it was just a passing phase of being young. But eh.

I am hoping going to college will help. But thats not for some months. Good time for constructive thinking.

 

[Lizardbreath]

22 and I went into the depression when I was 20. I just made a point to go about and start doing shit and now i'm A-Okay. No medication. Nothing.

 

[AxL]

You should go to a doctor (therapist or psychiatrist) if you feel you have been depressed for a long period of time (like weeks plus). A lot of times doctors won't even give you medication but recommend you find ways to deal with it, but medication can be extremely helpful if they feel it could benefit you.

If you are worried about becoming dependent on them, you can ween off of most medications under proper supervision when you feel you are ready. The thing you might have the most trouble with is a lot of the medications have beneficial side effects (like helping you go to sleep) which you definitely CAN become dependent on.

I'm not a doctor, so anything I said needs to be taken for a grain of salt. This is just anecdotal stuff that I have seen from friends and family, so I recommend you ask your PCP to recommend you someone who can help you.

I'm telling you right now that you don't need medication whatsoever. You just need initiative. Start doing some things with your life and start getting busy. I know this because there was a time in my life where I considered medication for depression but I just started doing shit all the time and now I am a very happy person.

If this were true there wouldn't be a multibillion industry around the issue. There are a lot of people who benefit greatly from antidepressants and other drugs. Sometimes taking the "initiative" isn't enough.

 

[Lizardbreath]

No it's a multibillion dollar industry because people think medication makes them happier.

All it takes is ambition and your so-called "depression" goes away. It's a matter of reaching outside your comfort zone.

 

[AxL]

No it's a multibillion dollar industry because people think medication makes them happier.

All it takes is ambition and your so-called "depression" goes away. It's a matter of reaching outside your comfort zone.

You have no idea how mental illness works, do you? It is a lot more then that. It is a GENETIC deficiency. Just because becoming active and taking control of your life worked for you, does not mean everyone has the same ability. I have seen family and friends get much better with the help of medication and therapy.

You are not the majority, sorry. There are many people out there who are better off in their life with the help of antidepressants and other medications. No one here is going to argue that they are magic pills that cure everything but when worked in a combination with other forms of therapy and types of structure they can greatly help.

 

[Static]

All it takes is ambition and your so-called "depression" goes away. It's a matter of reaching outside your comfort zone.

I am guessing you were just in a slump. I'm not saying medication is the only way but I've had morbid violent thoughts since the 3rd grade. Its odd seeing is how I am such a pasifist. And I honestly fear the day when I will explode.

22... never would of guessed.

And to Axl, I do plan on speaking to someone, I don't want to go headlong into any rash decisions to quickly. I am hoping talking might help as he/she can give possibly a different perspective.

 

[Metal Gear Flash]

i find that in these types of situations, medication should be a last resort

 

[Tipsy]

Anyone with personal experience of just general thoughts?

I am asking here for an unbiased, even though a slightly more insulting, view from people who truely know nothing of my personal persona.

No idea about if you should go on them or not, but I do have a warning for you. It's very hard to get insurance companies to pay for depression medication and if it is serious enough that they will pay for it you'll most likely get blacklisted for list in the insurance market. If you do get it, look into how expensive it would be without paying for it through insurance (assuming you have health insurance), though I haven't the slightest idea how much depression medication is.

 

[Carbon]

i find that in these types of situations, medication should be a last resort

Flash is right. I'm only 18 and I've had depression on and off for 4 years. It wasn't the same situation as you but I would sleep all day and I almost failed in school. I actually spent probably 40 hours in the hospital over a period of 2 weeks because doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me.

Medication can cause so many things to go wrong. The chance that they would work is not worth taking them imo.

I would check out something like Cognitive behavioral therapy. That's what I did and now I can cope with it drug-free

The ONLY case I would recommend medication is if you were bi-polar, which can be dangerous without medication.


@AxL

The reason why people use anti-depressants is that it's the easiest way to feel better instantly.

My doctor told me most antidepressants have terrible side-affects that can lead to situations as bad as depression. Also that there is no assurance that any medicine will work.

And another way to think of it, depression is part of emotion. You can't take pills to create emotion, there is no happy pill.

 

[AxL]

The reason why people use anti-depressants is that it's the easiest way to feel better instantly.

My doctor told me most antidepressants have terrible side-affects that can lead to situations as bad as depression. Also that there is no assurance that any medicine will work.

And another way to think of it, depression is part of emotion. You can't take pills to create emotion, there is no happy pill.

1. Sorry anti-depressants have proven to help certain people. That is a fact.
2. Antidepressants have side-effects just like any other medication. If the benefit outweighs the negative, most people will decide what is right for them. There are plenty of people who take antidepressants everyday and who are completely normal and have no problems.
3. Once again, Mental illness is a GENETIC DEFICIENCY. No one is arguing here that antidepressants are "happy pills". They are a tool used to help a person.

You guys seem like you arguing antidepressants and other medications are nothing but a joke, and I can assure you they aren't. And I'll state this one more time: Just because YOU wouldn't benefit from medication does not mean EVERYONE is the same.

 

[x42bn6]

I disagree that it's genetic: I say the reason something works for someone and doesn't for another is nothing to do with genetics. It's simply how we're brought up and to a lesser extent, genetics - who we are.

Medicine should really be a last resort, but do consult your practitioner for medical advice. It's not like any of us can give you any. But do stay strong.*

 

[Carbon]

It is genetic. Depression is hereditary.

I never said medicine doesn't help. Part of that help is the placebo affect imo, and I think medication is for someone who is bordering on suicidal. The negatives certainly outweigh the positives. I know for a fact some anti-depressants disallow you from eating certain things while others cause you to lose your sex drive.

There are ways to deal with depression that are not drugs, and are as equally effective in subsiding the emotional issues of depression.

CBT is what I used and I do it now unconsciously whenever I feel low.

 

[AxL]

I disagree that it's genetic: I say the reason something works for someone and doesn't for another is nothing to do with genetics. It's simply how we're brought up and to a lesser extent, genetics - who we are.

You say? Oh ok. I guess the issue is solved then.

Back to being serious. Yes other things can help cause mental health problems (biology, traumatizing events, etc), but genetics play a factor. Just like if someone's family has a history of a heart disease that person is more likely to be at risk for a heart attack. And I'll actually throw in a source for kicks.

Heredity (genetics): Many mental illnesses run in families, suggesting that the illnesses may be passed on from parents to children through genes.
Mental Illnesses Basics on MedicineNet.com

 

[Static]

I would check out something like Cognitive behavioral therapy. That's what I did and now I can cope with it drug-free

The ONLY case I would recommend medication is if you were bi-polar, which can be dangerous without medication.

Well I like the name of it. I am honestly up for whatever my therapist will think is needed. ------ I have been diagnosed with Bi-polar (about 3 years back)

Honestly it is the only thing that can explain it, I am a very compassionate and caring person. I actually cried one day when I couldn't help a dying baby squirrel, Laugh if you want, I'll never see you, and it killed me inside every time it cried out. Yet when my anger comes to me I have this murderous rage that scares me, I lash out at people I love and wish misery (every sense of that word) on "friends."

No idea about if you should go on them or not, but I do have a warning for you. It's very hard to get insurance companies to pay for depression medication and if it is serious enough that they will pay for it you'll most likely get blacklisted for list in the insurance market. If you do get it, look into how expensive it would be without paying for it through insurance (assuming you have health insurance), though I haven't the slightest idea how much depression medication is.

I am pretty sure I am covered since I am a loyal employee of UPS with a fantastic insurance plan. I am more worried of the effects than the pay.

I disagree that it's genetic: I say the reason something works for someone and doesn't for another is nothing to do with genetics. It's simply how we're brought up and to a lesser extent, genetics - who we are.

Medicine should really be a last resort, but do consult your practitioner for medical advice. It's not like any of us can give you any. But do stay strong.*

My father is a manic depressive. Wether that's why I am I have my reasons to believe it is not. I have my reasons for depression or depressive thinking stems from my childhood. Which is when the brain makes its decisions on how it views the world and its people.

I find blaming genetics is a way of the mind protecting itself from whatever really caused it. I do not say this with 100% certainty but its the way I think.

 

[Carbon]

Do CBT before you resort to drugs. That's all I can say as someone who has been/will be depressed.

I'm sure you can look it up somewhere or I know many therapists use it to treat patients.

It basically talks about the triangle of mood, behaviour, and thought.

 

[Gimmi]

I hear the only true cure for depression is suicide. anything else is just avoiding the real issue.

 

[Beer $lut]

Medication should be your last choice. There are a lot of alternatives out there. If you haven't had these problems all your life than most likely you don't need meds and I would strongly recommend not taking them. Try acupuncture, eat healthier, exercise, try yoga, mediation, natural medicines like amino acids and things like that can help but you'll need to see some type of natural nutritionist to aid you with it. Look into proper ways of meditating and reflect on why you might be angry and anxious.

 

[Lizardbreath]

Medication should be your last choice no matter what.