2007-02-20 08:35:55 · 10 answers · asked by CharlotteDenee 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Depression is a health condition caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Anti-depressants help to keep the chemistry in balance, thereby reducing the symptoms of depression.
More specifically, your brain can either produce inadequate amounts of the neurotransmitter serotonin (the "feel good" chemical) naturally, or insufficient production can be caused by significant traumatic or emotional events. Even not getting enough sleep at night can interefere with serontonin production. SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are the most prevalent type of antidepressant medication available these days (includes Prozac, Zoloft, and the like), and they work by blocking your body's ability to reabsorb the serotonin that it does make, thereby making more of it available in your bloodstream for use at any one time.
Some people, however, will even argue with science. They have closed their hearts and minds and there isn't anything you can do to make them understand until they are ready to, so don't knock yourself out trying. You will only be disappointed. The important thing is that YOU know the truth.
Hope this helps.
2007-02-20 08:56:47 · answer #1 · answered by Poopy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure if you mean explain it to someone who doesn't believe depression exists and think people in general don't need medicine for it / or people who are depressed and don't want to take medicine.
Depression for many is a biological problem. A deficiency of chemicals in the brain that cause a state of anxiety and misery. It is not something someone can jolly themselves out of. I never wanted to take medication . It got to the point though that I was so close to killing myself someone said, fine, try the meds for a month (they take a while to kick in) and then if they don't work kill yourself. Well even though it took many months for me to find just the right medicine, i will never forget when i realized the medicine was starting to help, the 3rd day on it (luvox) . I wasn't happy, per se, but it was like a grey curtain was lifted off of my world and i could see color again. I was still unhappy, but could work through it. Some people describe taking meds as the difference between trying to live with no sleep and trying to live with a good night's sleep. Hope that helps.
2007-02-20 12:34:16 · answer #2 · answered by Jebbie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask them if they believe in taking aspirin if they have a headache or other aches and pains.
Tell them depression is just another illness for which you take medication just like they would take medication for another type of ailment they might have.
Tell them if they don't "believe" in depression, then they have never experienced it and they are some of the lucky few.
If they still have difficulty in believing in depression, then they just don't want to "believe" in it. Avoid discussing it with them and take the medication when they are not around.
2007-02-20 10:38:34 · answer #3 · answered by Oenophile... (Lynn) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they don't believe in depression then there is not way you can explain why you are taking medication for it.
Depression is a illness. Just tell them that you are ill and this is helping you. Or if they get real funny about it tell them that you are sad and this is cheaper then alchol..
Hope you overcome it soon. Good luck
2007-02-20 09:47:30 · answer #4 · answered by Angel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they don't believe in it, there's not an easy way to explain why you need to take medication for it. Just explain that you have an imbalance and you feel the need to take medication to correct it. Whether they "believe" in it or not does not have to affect how you feel about it, and it definitely should not make you feel ashamed to be seeking treatment. Truth is, your medical problems are no one's business. If you choose to tell them, they should be respectful of the fact that you are sharing personal information with them. If they cannot respect that, they are not people you should share information with.
Good luck to you, depression is never easy.
2007-02-20 09:02:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why explain if they don't believe in it.??
FYI, depression is an illness, just like a cold or flu. We all get it at one time or other.
Sometimes something, like a severe illness, flunking a course, getting fired, etc triggers a more severe case.
Is there anything wrong with taking medicine for a cold? Then why is there something wrong with taking anti depressants?
The important thing is, do it under Dr's supervision, and when you get over the problem, get off the antidepressants if your dr suggests it.
2007-02-20 08:51:17 · answer #6 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who "don't believe in depression" would usually have to be classified as "ignorant."
You don't owe anybody an explanation, and you're just wasting your time talking to someone who doesn't believe in depression.
I have a lifetime of mental illness problems, and I've learned through experience that some discussions are best avoided.
2007-02-20 14:19:44 · answer #7 · answered by doug k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Psycho admits that He has become vulnerable and hard to endure anymore ... The person who does not think himself a Patient , how can he recieve any kind ya Medication??
The only thing is To treat Him/her with Best Attitude and Let HIm/Her to Believe that U r HIs/Her Best Well-wisher, Who can not see Him/her in any kind ya Pain ... All is Try realize him/her very slowly and try not over-dosage, as he/she can be weird .... Try to consult Pychiatrist and tell Him about ur near one's condition and try to prescribe some Medicines through Him .. and All is Put those medicines in Tea or Coffee or Any thing (the patient like most) ... Do u know wht kind ya this Medication is?? The invisible Cure, where patients attitude get normal without realizing him, and when he get relax, abstract Him and try to give him light dose by explaining ur fake friend's or family member's Psychic stories.... This is How my Mother Treat Me .. Im also Mentally-ill .. huh ..bye
2007-02-20 09:00:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Explain that depression is just a problem with the balance of chemicals in the brain. Just like diabetes is a problem with the balance of the chemical called insulin, depression is a problem with chemicals called serotonin and dopamine. You would not tell a diabetic not to take insulin (I HOPE) just because you can't "see" insulin. Does your friend "believe" in insulin? Then why don't they "believe" in serotonin or dopamine? These chemicals can be seen in the brain by PET scanning. Medications help to re-balance these chemicals.
2007-02-20 08:45:00 · answer #9 · answered by greengo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A patient who is not ready to heal cannot be healed. There must be a willingness for even if you secretly drugged them, they would just revert back to their old behaviour and thought process that got them there. You must be in a difficult situation and I feel for you. You have only two options: patience or leverage. Patience would be to just love them and watch, helping where you can. Leverage would be to apply pressure somewhere (i.e. a teenage or older child "time to move out", a spouse "I'm not happy and I'm considering a separation." Not threats, but communication that describes your limitations.
Best of luck!
2007-02-20 08:46:43 · answer #10 · answered by CharlieC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋