Bluesky,
Counseling is a must because we don't know how to deal with some things life throws at us and a qualified person can give us understanding and help in finding ways to cope with the past, deal with the present and improve the future. I fully believe in counseling.

I understand your feelings about meds. Depression is a nasty illness and it can take control whether we want to let it or not. It can become very severe and you can't just wake up and decide not to be depressed and it's gone. Don't I wish, don't we all.

I was very against taking meds myself and didn't for a long time. Finally I decided that I needed something because I was no longer functioning and didn't see any future for myself. I started taking an antidepressant, low dosage and did that for I guess about 7 months. It helped alot. At the time I wasn't doing anything, going anywhere, being around people was complete stress and I hated myself and what I had become. Taking the meds didn't make everything go away, I still had to work really hard to get myself back up but they did help by taking the edge off. I was able to think more clearly and less emotionally. I was able to deal with some things that needed to be dealt with.

I did decide at one point to stop taking them and weaned myself off. I knew that life would still be hard but I was able to focus enough at that point to carry on and find my way. I have been off the meds for months now and although things can be really tough I can deal with it. The only difference I notice after being off them now is that my anxiety can be a little higher and sometimes I feel a little more down. I have considered starting them again because with the change of seasons and life stresses I feel like I should be keeping it together a little better. I'll just see how things go.

I do know that because of my personal efforts to make changes in my life and because of personal strength I will not need to use them for the rest of my life. They aren't a cure all but they do help a great deal.

Are you talking about taking meds and counseling for yourself or some family too?

Wish you the best.
Heidu

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.
John Ruskin