If you have depression due to a real life, should you medicate?

Question

ie: loss of spouse or any other trauma, should you ride it out or take seratonin reuptake inhibitors?

Answer 1

This really depends on how long the depression has gone on for! If depression lasts for a certain period of time it is considered clinical depression. The amount of time can vary from country to country.
I would try other forms of therapy before considering drugs. There is a kick in period for all serotonin re uptake drugs. Usually about three weeks. Most trauma based depressions can be helped with therapy in a shorter time than this. Coming off them can be a major hassle too. There are other routes that can be taken. You could use things like minor antidepressants for short periods like Valium. These can leave you feeling foggy.

The best thing is to get your self support and some one or somewhere that you can talk freely and feel comfortable.

Answer 2

I truly think this very serious question deserves a good answer. Depression is very real and effects not only you but all around you.

When I lost my first husband with no warning, I managed to get through it ok. It was hard but I managed. I explored many spiritual matters and finally found, after a few years, a bit of peace.

This was my first deep love and I had wanted to experience the loss as it was, to really deal with the pain and face it. I did not want to hide from the pain of life. I needed to feel the loss completely.

A few years later I lost my next beloved to suicide. This time, it was only the knowledge of the effects of suicide upon ones family that kept me from joining him. This time, because of the means of passing, I had to do much research to understand and come to grips with my loss.

I managed once again to avoid meds, but people were commenting on my depression. Eventually I healed without the meds but life was definitely darker.

But my third loss within 7 years was too much to handle. This time my thoughts went too deep. When suicide began to pop up as an option, even if I would never do it, when all I could do was cry and never ever smile, it was time.

I knew full well that the meds would not change a darn thing but they would soften the blows of life a bit until I was stronger. I kept fighting taking them until a friend said to me, "You are going to explode at the rate you are going. Meds are not always wrong. You have a choice. Fall apart and have someone else put you together or take meds, take the edge off, and put yourself together."

I chose the latter option and never regretted it.

I was put on Effexor which has the side effect of helping change your body chemistry so that you need not rely on it forever. In other words, if your seratonin is very low, it helps to rebuild your levels not just replace them.

The best thing I can recommend is to speak to a counsellor or a doctor. The problem with doctors is they hand prescriptions out like candy after asking a few very general questions. Our world is becoming increasingly shackled by legal drug dependence. So perhaps a counsellor comes first?

I think there is no clear answer for any one individual. There are just too many variables and whatever works for you is the right thing to do. I did not mean to relate my story for anything more than to tell how I came to the decision for meds. It was a very hard choice but I truly think a wise one for me.

So ask yourself some serious questions about this. See your doc or counsellor and you will get your answers. I wish you the best of luck and happiness as you heal. And yes, you will heal.

I am sorry this is not a medical answer, just experience.

Answer 3

It really all depends. There are two types of depression. One can be caused by experience of trauma like the loss of a close friend or relative- which is believed to be temporary with minimum impact on daily healthy functioning. Then the other is depression which is caused by a chemical imbalance. Some people have a pre-disposition for depression and then experience trauma that may trigger the depression.
A chemical imbalance can be treated with medication.

Answer 4

It really depends on how long your depression lasts. A serious life altering incident can knock the wind out of your sails for a long time. Grieving can last a year or longer sometimes. If you find that you cannot do what you used to like to do, can't eat, can't sleep, not performing well at work, etc., then maybe some medication would be a good thing for a period of time.

Answer 5

I think in that situation then therapy is the best treament. Never try to ride it out alone. It can just push you farther down. Taking an SSRI will probably also be beneficial to help you to control your emotions but any medication is WAY more effective when coinciding with therapy. Take care of yourself and if your dr. recommends SSRIs then give it a try. Its nothing to be scared or ashamed of. More people than not need a boost sometimes..especially after a tramatic event.

Answer 6

Kathy, Contrary to popular belief depression is a real life issue. This is not something that is made up. I think what you need to consider is the depth of the depression. Just how it's affecting your life? These are questions only you can answer and when you do, you may need to seek professional help with this issue. Together the decision will be made as to whether or not drugs are necessary.

Answer 7

Well, I am kind of an anti pharma person myself - but when I had post partum depression I did need help to get out of it. I just felt like I would never be happy again, you know? I turned to herbal supplements and SAMe made a noticeable improvement for me instantly - I recommend it to anyone instead of zoloft or prozac. Here's a link: http://www.mynsp.com/carole/products/guide.aspx?stockNum=1845

I also think that meditation is so super helpful with depression. Some think you have to sit still to meditate - but I think we reach a meditative state in a variety of ways - exercise, chores, even reading light fiction can give your mind the rest it needs without forcing you to dwell upon painful details.

I also draw comfort from Angle Cards and Runes (particularly Runes - they have been very helpful for me during periods of major transition in my life). Here are the links:

Runes: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Runes-Handbook-Anceint-Anniversary/dp/0312097581/sr=1-1/qid=1170657172/ref=sr_1_1/002-0529028-3531238?ie=UTF8&s=books

Online Angel Cards: http://www.consciousone.com/c1Cards/cardsView.cfm?cardGroupID=1

Peace!

Answer 8

take some meds ,drink a bit to relax and go out and meet new people and have some fun.