[Ruth_intheclouds]

(background info: i'm 15)

i used to be on Lexapro until I decided to stop a few months ago. It's helped my self esteem a bit; made me feel a tiny bit normal, you know? i understand that medicine can help you, but i didn't like feeling like i needed it...
however, this hasn't done much good for my anxiety and agoraphobia/depression. things at school are too loud and too bright...it's harder to deal with. but is that worth dealing with if i have a shred of dignity left?
i understand the benifits of medicine and i respect anyone who takes it- really, who am i to judge anyone? but i still feel bad when im on it. and i feel like the medicine i was taking wasn't even working as well as it could have.
i stopped going to my therapist, and have pretty much no sort of theraputic help in a few months.

any imput? im just really confused and i dont know what to do. each day is getting harder to deal with, and im tired of this constant headache..

[waynec]

Originally Posted by Ruth_intheclouds

(background info: i'm 15)

i used to be on Lexapro until I decided to stop a few months ago. It's helped my self esteem a bit; made me feel a tiny bit normal, you know? i understand that medicine can help you, but i didn't like feeling like i needed it...
however, this hasn't done much good for my anxiety and agoraphobia/depression. things at school are too loud and too bright...it's harder to deal with. but is that worth dealing with if i have a shred of dignity left?
i understand the benifits of medicine and i respect anyone who takes it- really, who am i to judge anyone? but i still feel bad when im on it. and i feel like the medicine i was taking wasn't even working as well as it could have.
i stopped going to my therapist, and have pretty much no sort of theraputic help in a few months.

any imput? im just really confused and i dont know what to do. each day is getting harder to deal with, and im tired of this constant headache..

do you feel physically bad when on it or "spiritually bad" as in weak willed? i understand not wanting to have to rely on meds everyday to cope with life but isn't that better than not coping. there are days during my anxious periods i will awake and decide i don't want to work this today and take a pill. next day i may decide to do my not pill techniques to deal with the anxiety. and most days i don't even think about taking a pill. as long as you are making the decision whether to take a pill or not you have dignity. if you decide to seek help because you want to get better you have dignity. don't let internal misappropriate pride keep you from a happy successful life.

[dailyhealing]

I have been resistant at times to being on medication. And I have tried to go off multiple times. Sometimes I've been able to cope for fairly long periods of time without the meds, but ultimately I always end up back on them due to major depressive episodes and anxiety. I have come to accept that I need to be on meds, and I have no plans to go off anytime soon, if at all. I know that depression is an illness like any other illness, and it can be treated. While I understand the desire to be "normal", I personally don't feel that you lose your integrity by going on meds. I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Free_at_last]

Set your pride aside and get back on your meds. The important thing right now in your life is to keep up your grades and get your degree.

I encourage you to get back in touch with your therapist to help you sort things out.

Things will get better.

[Elana05]

Originally Posted by Ruth_intheclouds

(background info: i'm 15)

i used to be on Lexapro until I decided to stop a few months ago. It's helped my self esteem a bit; made me feel a tiny bit normal, you know? i understand that medicine can help you, but i didn't like feeling like i needed it...
however, this hasn't done much good for my anxiety and agoraphobia/depression. things at school are too loud and too bright...it's harder to deal with. but is that worth dealing with if i have a shred of dignity left?
i understand the benifits of medicine and i respect anyone who takes it- really, who am i to judge anyone? but i still feel bad when im on it. and i feel like the medicine i was taking wasn't even working as well as it could have.
i stopped going to my therapist, and have pretty much no sort of theraputic help in a few months.

any imput? im just really confused and i dont know what to do. each day is getting harder to deal with, and im tired of this constant headache..

Hi Ruth,

I can relate. I used to dread that I would have to take meds. I put it off for years as I looked for other ways to address not feeling well. But when I was diagnosed with depression and started reading more about it I realized that it was an illness with real symptoms and a real danger in not treating it. Studies have found that untreated depression can actually damage parts of the brain. I hope you will go back to finding a medication that is right for you. You will certainly maintain your dignity in doing so. There is nothing to be ashamed of; quite the opposite, it is important to take care of yourself and seek help from a doctor. Many people take medications for all sorts of things: heart problems, diabetes, ADHD to name a few... Sending supportive thoughts your way.
Elana

[BlessedRhiannon]

I've gone the med route (Lexapro for me too) and it was helpful, but I felt strange while taking it. I tend to have odd reactions to medication, so it's not my first choice. At the time, I needed something to blunt my reactions enough that I could stop panicking long enough to learn other coping skills.

I chose to go off of meds after about 4 months...when I had some life changes and my anxiety dropped to a manageable level.

Now, I'm seeing a new therapist, and working again on my anxiety and depression. She understands that I wish to avoid meds if possible, but has told me that if she thinks it's necessary, she will push it. So far, she has not pushed it. My therapist has told me that I've chosen the harder route, by not going on meds, but she also understands that it's important to me. I have learned some great coping skills and am able to manage my anxiety much better than I used to be able to. Is it hard...yes. Would it be easier with meds...probably. But, I'm comfortable with how things are going right now.

So, my suggestion is - if meds make you uncomfortable, then it's okay to try to go without, but you really need professional support to do so. If you're going to stop the meds, at the very least, find a therapist that can help you learn other coping skills, and that will support you in your desire to not take medication.