How many people are on, or know someone on anti-depressants?

Question

To me life is full of ups and downs, and of course at times its hard to cope........ I'll probably get introuble for my opinion, but sometimes i see depression as a way out of dealing with life.

I'm the sort of person who is quite often down in the dumps but i just see that as my personality and i have a hard time dealing with things.

what are your views on depression, how many people do you know or do you take anti-depressants.

Answer 1

Your life is "full of ups and downs?" Have you considered whether or not you might be bi-polar? Are your "downs" down enough that you have a hard time going through the day? When you have your "ups" do people say you are talking too fast? Do you go on major shopping sprees when "up?"

Have you tried non-medical treatment? I keep the room bright & well lit when I'm feeling down. And cheery music helps too. Sometimes something as simple as brushing my teeth will help me turn the tide & get more productive. And, of course, counseling or support groups are great for times you have difficulty dealing with things.

I've been on anti-depressants before. My nephew died suddenly almost 2 years ago. It took the meds to keep image of my nephew's body in the ER from occupying my head 24/7. When I first went off antidepressants I thought I was doing fine - but my boyfriend (unaware I was ever on meds) asked what was up. He said I was being aloof, ignoring guests we had visiting. I didn't think I was doing that. But I apparently was. So I went back on them for a few more months.

I'm off them again. I am prone to having Restless Legs Syndrome when on anti-depressants. One thing no one can decide for you is whether the benifits outweigh the side-effects. The did at first, now I don't think they do.

But, even then, if you go on meds, before you decide to go off them, ask a few people if the've noticed any change in you. I heard on story of a couple in a councelors office. The councelor asked the wife if the meds were helping. She said "Maybe a little." The husband piped up. "Are you kidding me?! Its like night and day!!!"

My advice is to try non-med first, then try meds if you need to.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

Well you are absolutely entitled to your oppinion and I do think that too many people take depression meds too soon. It isn't gonna make your problems go away but the people that have alot of trouble coping, it does help you deal a little better w/them. I AM on meds and have been for many yrs.I actually tried to stop them a few mths ago thinking maybe they weren't doing much but I was wrong.I didn't realize how much they were helping. I cried all the time over any little thing.It's hard to undersatnd what it's like unless ur suffering from depression urself. I just felt like I was gonna go outta my mind. I really hate when some1 say's well why is so and so on meds? They have nothing to be depressed about? It's not about what u have or don't have in life.It's hard to explain.....It's not to be takin just cuz you feel a little sad sometimes. Hope any of this helped.

Answer 3

I know a lot of people on them, and I've been on them myself at one point decades ago, and it is not a cop-out. I think a lot of people have misconceptions about what antidepressants are like. They don't put you into some kind of a false delirium, so that you can avoid working through your problems. In fact, I found that they basically made it possible for me to work on the actual problems. Before, when I was depressed (and I wasn't depressed ABOUT something in particular, just "blue", I couldn't seem to push myself into taking any action. With the antidepressants, I could go out and do things (go to a therapist, exercise, etc.) that made it possible to pull myself out of the depression.

Answer 4

I do have anti depressants but have chosen not to take them. Therapy is good. I am an upbeat person normally, but life took a not so good turn and I couldn't deal with it emotionally. The pills, help for short term but if you get into psychotherapy and excersize, it helps wonders. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

I myself am on an antidepressant and have been for a year or so. I have a dibilitating disease and fought going on it for a long time, in the end I gave it a try. It has worked well for me and while I think that they are totally overperscribed, I believe they can work for those in need.

Answer 6

If you are depressed the best thing to do is take up a hobby or buy fish. fish are really fun to watch and take care of. when im depressed i hand feed my fish and i feel much better. anti depressents only make you worse after the effects are over

Answer 7

Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain- which is why medication works, it helps to rebalance those chemicals to work properly. For people who are "truly" clinically depressed, not just down in the dumps sometimes or blue on occasion, the "ups and downs" of life are often difficult to deal with properly when your brain is not functioning to it proper capabilities. Being depressed is not a cop-out. On the contrary, for those of us that take anti-depressants, we would not be able to function on a day-to-day basis were it not for the meds. Without the meds, many of us are overwhelmed with daily life, decisions, and stressful situations- we cannot motivate ourselves to get out of bed, to shower or dress, to eat, to do any of the things that are a part of normal routine. Anti-depressants reset the natural balance of chemicals in our brains so that we can think clearly again, and participate in life. Nobody (that i know of) WANTS to be depressed. Anyone with access to healthcare and is able to recognize their signs/symptoms as depression (which is the hardest part) would get help to change things. When I was first diagnosed, i was 19, and refused to acknowledge that I had a problem. I believed it was NORMAL for teenagers to cut themselves and want to die. I thought is was part of adolescents. I went on/off meds for many years. During those years I was in/out of ER's and inpatient hospitals, I OD'd 4 times and finally was able to realize that when I was on the meds i was able to cope better with stress, think clearer and function better from day to day. I was ready to acknowledge I had depression. Since that day, I stay on my meds, and attend therapy as needed (depending on my life's situations). I am happy now and thankful that my attempts in the past were unsuccessful- i have forgiven myself for the pain i caused my family and friends. But, i KNOW it is not something I chose for myself or wanted. It just like having any other disease (like diabetes) that requires daily medication to balance. It is very sad that in a society with such a high rate of mental disease and the vast array of treatments for it, there is still such a negative attitude towards it. It prevents people from seeking the help they often need. Anti-depressants saved my life, gave me back my life. As for how many people do i know that take them- tons. Many of my closest friends i met in treatment. I feel sad that you are willing to view your times of being "quite often down in the dumps" as an aspect of your personality and settle to be unhappy. I don't mean to sound harsh- I am not at all mean-spirited. I apologize if it sounds that way at all. i only mean to say, perhaps you are depressed and could benefit from at least speaking to your doctor about it. Why settle to be sad, if it is not necessary. I would not want someone to describe me when asked "what's she like?" as "well, she's smart, she's cute, and she has a down in the dumps personality." see what I mean about how you describe yourself. I hope that my information and personal story has helped in some way to explain what depression is and how anti-depressants are used therapeutically. Good luck to you.