Depression: at what point should you consider medication?

[CarlosTL]

There are many degrees to the depression and I am sure a majority of people in today's word suffers from some kind of depression be it mild or severe. I try to avoid using medication at all costs for fears of addiction (I am predisposed to addiction), but at one point should one consider medication? It remains one's choice after all and not the therapist's. Have any of you experimented guilt over taking antidepressants?

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

For a long time I had no family doctor and when I had another health issue flare up I got one back in 2013. He had known since then that I was a depressed and socially awkward person. Twice he ended up putting me off work in the past because of how bad my depression became. It wasn't until last year though that we tried medication. I hate taking it not because I feel addicted but because sometimes it makes me feel emotionless. Maybe that is a good thing, I don't know. But it is a scary thing. I am hoping once I start therapy that things will slowly get better and in time I can stop taking the medication. I had been dealing with all this since I was 12 but it was never looked at by a doctor until I was 27 almost 28... So my issue is a bit different after having it with no medication for so long. The pills I take are no cure I still have bad days but way less. I don't think of suicide as much. I am noticing though that my sleep is still an issue. I sleep to little and a mix of to much... I don't feel guilt over taking the antidepressants I just hate how they make me feel sometimes.

 

[fuzyon]

Using medication can be really scary but beneficial at the same time. You have to find what works best for you and make sure it doesn't affect you negatively, you don't want to get addicted to antidepressants. That being said, I would consider medication when depression starts to slowly destroy my life, when I have no motivation to do anything and I lay in bed all day thinking only about negative things. That's the moment you should consider antidepressants to get you back on track.

 

[redpanda]

If depression is seriously impacting your life (relationships, work, health, etc.), consider medication. If it makes you feel better, antidepressants don't tend to be addictive. There are some anti-anxiety drugs and tranquilizers that have addictive properties but the average SSRI doesn't. I say this as someone with an addictive personality. Avoid stuff like clonazepam and xanax (but if you're being treated for depression and not anxiety, you wouldn't be given those anyway).

 

[EdmondA]

You should consider medication as soon as you feel symptoms. I know that in my personal experience, i wish I had taken steps to treat my illness with the appropriate medications a long time ago. It would have saved me and my loved ones a great deal of frustration and heartbreak. You wouldn't even ask this question if the affliction was something plain to the eye. For example, "When should you consider seeking medical help for for severed arm that was just ripped off by an angry grizzly bear?"

 

[Robilas]

I think that you should consider medications when the symptoms are getting more warning, but I still consider them a last resource. When I tried them there were a lot of collater effects for only a minimal benefit, so I'm always reluctant to take antidepressants. However when I feel like I can't do anything else to improve my mood or I'm having serious issues because of depression, I go ahead and take medications. Keep in mind that the collateral effects change from person to person, so maybe I was just unlucky.

 

[John Snort]

When dealing with depression I suppose the first thing you should do is try to identify the underlying cause. If you can't then there are strategies you could use to help you cope (drink less acohol if you drink, get enough sleep, exercise every day, etc). Should that also not help then you need to see a doctor. They'll conduct an assessment and let you know if you should start taking depression medication.

 

[joshposh]

I don't advocate medication for majority of the ailments that humans suffer. There are tings in nature that we can consume to combat it naturally. However, I do realize some people are way over their heads and it has stricken them physically to the points where medication is necessary for survival. I would only look into medication when it is absolutely necessary, but only as a temporary process to get them going and then have them switch to a natural depression reliever.

 

[DavidRosenberg]

I don't think this is something where there is a hard and fast rule that works for everyone.


People are unique, and so is depression. I think it's best to treat each instance on a case-by-case basis.


I would also strongly recommend talking with a medical professional.

 

[rz3300]

Well this is really the crux of the issue with most people, and it is a difficult decision. I would say that more than anything do your research and consult the people that you love and trust and see what they think, and not just once either, but keep going to them through the whole process. Everyone responds differently to medication, so listen to your body and process with caution.

 

[shcoo]

I think someone should consider medication when their intimate relationships or their employment are in jeopardy due to their mental health. Otherwise, you are still considered "functional" and you could look into other natural solutions like changing your diet or practicing more self-care and self-soothing techniques. I have been opened to taking medication for a few years now but have not gotten any prescriptions from my psychiatrist. Prior to that, I was terrified of medication - especially daily ones - because I thought they would warp my entire personality too much or leave me an emotionless husk.

 

[kgord]

I have tried meds in the past but couldnt get past the side effects. One actually caused a bad reaction, in conjunction with BP pills, and i had to be hospitalized for a brief period of time. Another one I took years later caused me to be awake for long periods of time. I know some can cause weight gain,,,so I would not take any of those that is the last thing I need! I could probably benefit from medication but it would be a last resort, based on my past experiences. Even though I know I am clinically depressed, I think making better choices would be much more effective than pills for depression.

 

[Zeller2016]

I have taken anti-depressants off and on for the past 16 years. I started with Paxil but switched to Prozac because it had no side-effects for me. Looking back, it was one of those things that I needed to do. I tried a variety of natural methods which included changes in my diet and meditation but it did not work for me. The only drawback is once you start taking an anti-depressant and you decide to stop, when depression comes back, it comes back hard.


When I first stop taking anti-depressants about 10 years ago, I was good for about 2 or 3 years. However, as my life became more stressful, my depression came back in a big way. I felt my whole life was hopeless and I wanted to kill myself. When I stepped back and realized what was happening, I decided to go back on prozac. After a few months of being on the medication, psychotherapy and regular exercise, the darkness and suicidal thoughts went away.


It felt like I was back to normal, but after awhile, I lost any ambition or hope for life and personal success. There

 

[angel27604]

For me personally I started taking them when my depression started affecting my parenting and personal hygiene. As a woman, I found it very sickening to not be able to get up and shower because I would sink that low. My children started taking care of themselves and their grades were dropping and everything. At that point I realized it was the meds or my family. So I took the meds. I am also predisposed to addiction. There are many addicts in my family from alcohol to crack...but at some point you have to realize you are not them and realize that you aren't going to become them just because you take the meds. If it is going to make you a better you for you and your family, then go for it!

 

[CarlosTL]

If depression is seriously impacting your life (relationships' date=' work, health, etc.), consider medication. If it makes you feel better, antidepressants don't tend to be addictive. There are some anti-anxiety drugs and tranquilizers that have addictive properties but the average SSRI doesn't. I say this as someone with an addictive personality. Avoid stuff like clonazepam and xanax (but if you're being treated for depression and not anxiety, you wouldn't be given those anyway).[/quote']
Thanks for the advice, always helpful from people with an actual experience with medication.


I am very cautious of medication not only because of fear of addiction but I have seen family members in a pitiful state because of depression medication, I don't want to reach that point...I also feel that whatever medication I take, the effect is never going to be lasting. Even cigarettes or Alcohol are antidepressants (very bad ones), but their effect is insignificant other than feeling euphoric for some time then coming back to reality.

 

[SheWrites1980]

I've never used any depression medication myself but some of my family members have. I have an aunt who is completely dependent on it and sometimes acts more like a zombie than a functioning person. Her doctor (I'm sorry, I'm not sure what type she sees) seems to change it up sometimes so it's not so bad. I honestly think her doctor is a bad person, feeding on my aunt's issues instead of helping her. However, another aunt simply takes an upper of some sort and it has improved her life in a lot of ways.


Of course, I think it depends on the person but in general I think if you find the right medication it can be a wonderful tool to deal with your mental health issues.

 

[Dragonfly1]

While it is true that addiction is a possibility, if depression is affecting your life, relationships, and job...medication should be considered. Medications are hit or miss and patients will usually have to try several before finding one that's right for them. I took Paxil for about three years, which really did help with anxiety and depression. I eventually was able to get off of it, which was the hard part.
I agree with the last post in that it depends on the person in general.

 

[janemariesayed]

Years had passed before I started to take medication. Before that, I would take St. Johns Wort. It always used to give me a little lift but my depression got worse. I also started having flashbacks and more panic attacks so I decided to give the chemical meds a go. So far, so good, they seem to be working.