To medicate or not to medicate, that is the question.

[smirkymonkey]

I have a friend who insists that nobody should need medication for depression, that we should just get through it and learn from what it has to teach us.

I agree that as a society, we are over-medicated, but I also think for those of us who are clinically depressed (not just going through a hard time in life) or non-functional in this (dysfunctional) society it can be a life saver.

I think depression is a multifaceted disease, and that there are things you can do to mitigate the impact on your life, but I also think there are situations where it's called for.

What do you think?

[no name no slogan]

1. I USED to think that way

...until I had a severe episode that nearly cost me my life.

A big part of my depression is due to a glandular problem-- that is, my body chemistry is not normal. And no amount of "counselling" or "life lessons" can fix that.

I had been episodic my entire life until the episode I had ten years ago. That one nearly killed me, and no amount of talk therapy could fix what was wrong-- not when I could not concentrate and didn't have the energy or will to do anything.

I went on meds, and they helped me get myself to the point where my brain functioned again. I had the will do improve my life, to work on my issues, get back to 'normal', etc.

I used to think that it was possible to get over depression without using drugs, but the more we learn about the electro-chemical workings of the brain, the less I believe that. I think cognitive therapy is still good, but it isn't the cure-all that many think.

[smirkymonkey]

3. I sorry to hear of your experience and I agree with you.

There have been times in my life where medication really saved me (would have lost job, apartment - everything due to not being able to function or show up.)

Thanks for your feedback!

[no name no slogan]

10. Thanks for posting this thread-- mythbusting is job #1 with any MI

The myths and superstitions around brain disorders and simply astound me at times. Some people are truly still in the dark ages when it comes to mental illness.

I never thought I'd get 'used' to being on drugs all the time, but now it is just routine, like brushing my teeth. I have accepted that in order to live life 'normally', I'll probably be taking drugs the rest of my life.

Do I wish it was different? Well, sure, but I DO know that life has been better with the meds than without.

Thanks for the great thread! :)

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. I think the cutesy commercials and names don't help...

People think it is just an easy answer, and it's not. Going on medication is hell as anyone who has can tell you. The adjustment period is a nightmare. For me, at least, things got worse before they got better.

My partner used to always complain that I slept too much, was too tired, didn't have enough energy, etc. I was just starting seroquel and klonopin at the time. Anyway, I kept telling him that he couldn't understand because he wasn't on it. So I guess he decided to be a smartass one day and took one of my pills without my consent. That's how little he knew about it. He thought it was like an asprin or something that you can take even if you don't need it.

He passed out (I wasn't there, he says he was walking to the bathroom and he just got all foggy and didn't remember anything else). He slept for a day and a half before waking up. I came home the next day and every time I would try and wake him up, he would just say he was still too tired. He could have KILLED himself for being so stupid, he had no idea how powerful those little pills are. But, he never ever again said that I slept too much.

As far as the cutesy commercials, I mean the one for Zoloft with that cartoon and the giant cartoon of the brain and its "chemicals" (which I find so sad that it has to say that it is a dramatization). How can you take a serious condition seriously when the manufactureres of the drugs to treat it are dumbing it down trying to make a quick buck?

The cutesy names? SAD, seasonal affective disorder. They named it SAD on purpose making it essentially a joke. "I'm SAD" ha ha ha...ha.

[smirkymonkey]

4. I know, it's too easily positioned as a cure all for whatever ails

you and I think in many cases, people need to do some work on themselves to get through their baggage instead of just taking a pill.

On the other hand, there are some types of mental illness that no amount of therapy or "inner work" can eliminate entirely.

[DemExpat]

5. I think that people 'should' try other approaches first....

even long term counselling with lots of support, before resorting to meds.

I was on medication for 6 years, and at the time I felt I couldn't survive without them, but it was only after I kicked them all that some real healing and self-fulfillment could take place in my life.

But, you know, if someone is going to kill themselves, or lose their job or home, then the choice to wait and see becomes quite silly and self-destructive in itself.

I would love to see many less people being offered these meds as soon as they go to the doctor with mental health problems. Many people do not have the time, inclination, or finances to pay for long term talk therapy and support.

My brother in law killed himself while on anti-D's 2 years ago, (he had been in therapy and on meds for 5 years) and everybody I know who is on them (and that is quite a number in my circle of family, friends and acquaintances) would rather not be because of uncomfortable side-effects and/or fears of long-term use.

So I would say they are a blessing in small doses, short-term perhaps for depression and anxiety, and a real blessing for mental illnesses such as psychosis and schizophrenia long term.
I am afraid that even anti-Ds are habit-forming in some ways, and hard to kick after long term use. I went through the hell of kicking tranquilizers 24 years ago, so know how addictive they are (valium etc.) Prozac was also a disaster for me when I tried it 8 years ago - it ended up worsening my panic disorder and throwing me back in my progress for at least a year.

Just my experience and my view.

Bottom line - avoid if possible, but each person must find out for him/herself which road to take - and ALWAYS under good supervision and support.


:hi:


DemEx

[Nikia]

7. Drugs was the answer my doctor gave when I went in for anxiety

She didn't even ask about my life circumstances or anything else. She never even suggested counseling. After trying a few different drugs, which I told her that I couldn't take after going through my trial period on each of them, she referred me to a psychiatrist, who set up group therapy for me. I partially wonder if this had anything to do with having HMO insurance.
I have new insurance and am getting counseling through an independent counseling group. I have a small copay (No copay if I would go to the clinic under the PPO plan)but I consider it worth it not to have decsions for me made based on the organizations association with the insurance company.
I really feel bad for some people because a lot of the time, there are circumstances or behaviors that cause or make the depression or anxiety worse. For a doctor not to even ask about my life's circumstances before giving me anti depressents and minor tranquilizers is irresponsible.
When I found out how much my counseling costs though, I can understand why HMOs encourage drugs. My counselor charges $105 per session (I pay 10%, insurance pays 90%). Drugs are cheaper.
I think drugs should be used in severe cases. I think that talk therapy should be given too in any case, at least initially to determine if a person's circumstances, behaviors, or thought patterns might be major factors in their illness.

[smirkymonkey]

8. I am sorry to hear about your brother-in-law and your bad

experiences with Anti-D's. It sounds like you have come a long way and have been very brave to face all that you have. It is inspriring to hear that you seem to have come out on the other side of it. :hugs:

I agree that other methods should be exhausted first. My policy is that if I am functional and non-suicidal, I try to work through it via other methods.

However, if I am stuck in a seemingly long-term (over three months for me) pattern of debilitating depression where I can't even get it together enough to seek out help and can't perform my daily functions, then I consider the medication option.

What is unfortunate is that sometime the quick-fix of medication is a cheaper and more feasible option for the uninisured or those of us with health plans that don't cover therapy sessions, but do cover medication. I still don't think mental illness is taken seriously by the healthcare/insurance communities, unfortunately.

[TrogL]

6. Try a low dose

See my "I'm back on anti-depressants" thread

[bling bling]

9. Very good question.

I have no idea what would have happened had I not gone on medication. It ended up being a bad experience for me but I cannot deny that it did help me at first.

Depression for me was a progressive thing, it started as minor symptoms like lack of concentration and irritability and grew to the point where I a basket case. After 5 weeks on medication I started to get progressively better.