I believe that it is dangerous to take antidepressants to achieve happiness because it takes away control from the person to feel in charge of their own life.
I believe depression is an unpleasant feeling that should not just be ingnored but looked at and try to find out what is the root of the suffering and then find ways such as changing attitudes or accepting a painful reality. That way you can truly permently take control of your life and transform it into something positive.
I think using antidepressives is almost like using alcohol to numb pain and escape reality instead of taking charge of it.
What do you think?
2006-12-03 06:33:28 · 8 answers · asked by Alejandra 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I became severly depressed 6 years ago because I became almsot incapacitated by an illness, I was at the time 18 years old, my family was unloving and my mother treated me cruelly, I needed a lot of help and psychiatrists only gave me antidepressants, didnt tell me how to deal with grief, disapointment, physical pain, emotinal abuse, etc, that is why I do not agree with the use of antidepressants as the only solution.
2006-12-03 07:46:18 · update #1
I think antidepressants are given too often. Depression has a root cause and until the root cause is addressed, then you will be depressed. I am not saying that sometimes antidepressants are needed, but for a short time. I have known of people who have been on depressants for years. Getting exercise, eating properly and having plenty of rest can help depression. Getting interested in something outside of yourself can also help. I also think that dependence on drugs of any kind is not good for you, whether they are prescribed by a doctor or not. All drugs have side effects, even aspirin.
2006-12-03 06:45:59 · answer #1 · answered by Flyby 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Antidepressants do not make a person happy. They alleviate the symptoms of depression, which is a biologically based illness. And, if you suffer from major depressive disorder (which is not just feeling depressed or sad)..that takes away your control to be in charge of your own life...in that situation, antidepressants may be the only thing that actually give you back some sort of control in making your life better...allowing you to work on things and truly take control of your own life and transform it into something more positive.
Using medication to treat an illness is nothing like using alcohol to numb pain and escape reality. Antidepressants do not numb pain or help you escape reality, they treat an illness and make it possible to actually face reality.
2006-12-03 15:12:47 · answer #2 · answered by Jess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it wasn't for antidepressants, I'd be dead right now!! My husband of 22+ years would not have a wife anymore, my 17 year old son would not have his mother anymore. They saved my life and antidepressants are NOT used like alcohol to numb the pain. They are used because our brains in some cases are missing some of the chemicals it needs to function on a daily basis. I'm not ashamed that I have to take psychiatric medications to feel better. They are NOT a cure all or catch all either. As soon as I'm delivered from Bipolar disorder by God then I'll stop taking the medicines. Blessings.
2006-12-03 15:29:08 · answer #3 · answered by AMCgremlin 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with poetgirl. Antidepressants do not make you happy nor or they prescribed to achieve happiness. They are given to help one deal with depression or in my case panic disorder.
I believe that meds are best used along with therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy at that.
I also agree that is is NOT at all like using alcohol or food to numb or escape reality. It is more like doing something to help yourself move forward so you can take charge of your life.
We can not ignore the chemical factor involved with depression. I'm not talking about having a case of the "blues" or feeling sad. I am talking about full blown depression where one can't function, get out of bed, eat, think straight, is often suicidal etc. That is much more than an "unpleasant feeling."
Good question. :)
wishing you all the best.
2006-12-03 15:25:01 · answer #4 · answered by Sugah 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless you've been depressed and gone through this yourself, you have no room to talk.
I had a depressive bout which required medication for about 6 months. Then I went off it and I've been fine ever since. Sometimes the brain chemistry needs a little help to get through a tough time.
2006-12-03 14:35:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not me. I had no quality of life until I had medication for depression. Until you feel it in your own mind and body you can't possibly know how devastating and debilitating it is. I have always eaten nutritious foods. Sometimes it takes more.
2006-12-03 15:12:48 · answer #6 · answered by Patty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that they should only be used to stop people from killing themselves
If people take too much then they could become dependant on them
2006-12-03 15:13:15 · answer #7 · answered by Alistair 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are we not allowed to feel sad sometimes, Why give up control of our life's to a little pill.
2006-12-03 14:47:51 · answer #8 · answered by queendebadow 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋