I am on meds for depression and anxiety. I was wondering if I am getting cured or just treated. I am afraid that when I quit the medicines I will get the symptoms back
2007-02-17 13:08:45 · 10 answers · asked by Lisa 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
meds usually just help deal with the symptoms and don't cure the person. then the person feels good and stops taking the meds and the symptoms come back. that's why they are in and out of hospitals. if you go for therapy while you take the meds, you have a better chance for a cure. don't stop taking your meds.
2007-02-17 13:16:46 · answer #1 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The drugs that are available only treat the lack of certain neurtransmitters(NT) in the brain. For example, in depression the brain is lacking in the NT serotonin, mainly. Therefore we use drugs that replace this NT such as Prozac, Zoloft etc, which are all serotinin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) which allow more serotonin to hang around and not be used up. Thus, more serotinin, less depressive thoughts.
If those drugs don't work then we think it must be due to other NTs that could be missing such as norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA etc, so we try to use drugs that keep these around longer.
Other mental illnesses work in the same way, ie schizophrenia has too much dopamine so we use dopamine antagonist to lower it.
So no, if you are on a pyschiatric medication you are getting the chemicals that you are lacking, but not being "cured". Having said this, occasionally the brain "kicks into gear" and does allow for the normal amount of NTs to be produced, so in essence the drugs have helped cure. But this is usually self limited and the patient must resume the treatment later down the line.
2007-02-17 13:20:40 · answer #2 · answered by lsu1000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"oldhippyp" gave an excellent answer, & I agree. Note the last two sentences. Depending on the type & degree of depression, medication~valium is the least addictive & probably won't make you feel like you've had a lobotomy~can be very effective in "stabilzing" you so you can participate in treatment without anxiety. Far too many doctors hand out pills like candy, many of these pills have the potential for harm. Medication without "reinforcement" is rather useless. Also remember that you are unique regarding what sorts of medications you can take safely. I had a client on prozac for what he felt was a "social" disorder, (introverted, etc.), & it served only to make him agitated & angry~hostile, even. There are no simplistic answers, but a doctor should explain WHY the medication is prescribed, & suggest alternatives, if possible. For some people, withdrawal can be dangerous. I "feel" that you need something in addition to medications.
2007-02-17 14:36:45 · answer #3 · answered by Valac Gypsy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may be cured, this happens often. Talk to your doctor about getting off the medicine, there may be a protocol you should use to cut back. If you have been depressed for many years you may be only treating the symptoms, which is still great!
2007-02-17 13:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by Ron H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In many cases anxiety and depression are related to problems or bad mental habits that a person has picked up over many years. In other cases they are related to an imbalance in a brain chemical that can be corrected. The most important use of medication in mental illness is to help to bring a persons life under control so that an underlying problem can be addressed. I do not believe that just talking medication without other forms of treatment is a long term answer. But it will keep a person comfortable and able to be a partner in their treatment
2007-02-17 13:34:47 · answer #5 · answered by oldhippypaul 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They only treat the symptoms. I wish I'd never heard of antidepressants. I was on Paxil for 10 years and then was weaned off of them, I felt worse than I did before. They never tell you what happens when you try to get off of them. The pharmaceutical companies want you hooked for life. Antidepressants are like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.
2007-02-17 13:16:43 · answer #6 · answered by msuzyq 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These medications are NOT known to cure these illnesses, they only control symptoms. This is not even really disputed by the mainstream psychiatric community.
2007-02-17 13:12:07 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. CoCo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may want to get counseling to learn coping strategies to help you with your symptoms.
Vigorous physical exercise can relieve moderate depression
2007-02-17 13:50:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are to control what you are feeling. I have been on antidepressants before and supposedly they were to control my chemical imbalance. I don't believe in meds.
2007-02-17 13:18:06 · answer #9 · answered by barelygotout 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are merely being treated to control the problem that you have.
2007-02-17 13:11:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋