Tons of people take meds. I even took an antidepressant 10 or 12 years ago to get through a tough spot in my life. I took it for maybe 2 or 3 years then discontinued it when it was no longer needed. And I used Xanax as needed very briefly 7 years ago right after I adopted my younger son and I was finding it too stressful to handle without help. I remember being paralyzed with panic a few times. There was one time in particular I honestly don't think I could have functioned without the Xanax. I think I would have wigged out in an important meeting with the case manager if I hadn't had something to calm me down a bit. Sometimes life is just overwhelming and it swamps our best efforts to stay strong.

You would be absolutely astonished at how many people take medication. They just don't talk about it, because they think they're admitting they're weak. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

P.S. I quit that antidepressant cold turkey twice, and both times I found myself very anxious and very, very angry. I had to go back on it both times. Finally I wised up and worked with a doctor to wean myself off gradually.

P.P.S. I'm remembering now how much I resisted taking that antidepressant. I remember filling the prescription and taking the first couple of pills and hating the way it made me feel, so I stopped. Then one day I was watching a children's cartoon, Clifford the Big Red Dog. And I was openly weeping because one of the little dogs on the program was sad because he had to give up his squeaky toy - a hedgehog, I remember. And I thought, "Jesus, I need to get a grip!"

So I took the damned pills, and they brightened my mood enough that I was able to get through. And it wasn't because I have a brain based disease. And it didn't last forever. I just used a tool that made it possible for me to keep moving forward in my life.