[ouch]

Taking anti-dep meds makes me feel mentally ill. Is depression synonymous with being crazy? I don't like that label and it makes me nervous to have to take meds to feel 'stable'

Although some people are prone to label all mental issues as "being crazy", i don't think this is an adequate conceptualisation. At all...

[Dezdemona]

((((ouch))))
I'm sorry that you are having such difficulty with this.
Personally, I think the term "crazy" is a derogatory term used when describing a person with mental issues.

A depressed person is not crazy, nor is depression anything to be ashamed of...or any other mental illness for that matter. These meds are meant to help make you feel better. Its because of a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it so that our bodies cannot pull us out of depression by themselves. We need those meds to help balance things out.

So don't worry, you're not crazy. This is a good thing you are doing.

Take care
--Dez

[(JD)]

No, having depression does not equal being crazy. The term "crazy" isn't a legitimate term anyway... unless it is used to describe the erratic way someone is driving, or the strange way a dust devil crosses a desert. IMO

Most ppl at one time in their life, will experience some depression. Many need some type of medication to restablize. The main goal is to feel better and begin thinking clearer... if meds help, then so be it!

What you are thinking is probably being produced because of your depression. Depression tells us lies and makes us feel guilty if we don't believe those lies. Stay on your meds... they begin working immediately, but the longer someone has put off addressing their depression, the more likely it will take a bit more med to stablize them.

This isn't a purely imaginated disorder... it isn't ALL in your head as in your mind... it's in your body... finally MDs are seeing this, and addressing the physical symptoms that depression also causes.

No, you're not crazy. You don't have to tell anyone IRL about the depression. That way, they won't be able to tell you from the next guy who is struggling with something. TC!

[heartspace]

There are lots of people you probably see every day who take ADs. You just don't know about it, any more than they know that you take them. It's better to take them and function, than not to take them and not be able to function. You're not crazy. Crazy is a good term for describing actions occasionally, but not people.

[Hopefull]

Crazy? What does that mean? I sometimes think I'm mentally ill or something. But, my T says that a person can have a problem and not be the problem. I liked that.
Besides, our society has a very inaccurate view of people with mental health issues. They think that "mentally ill" people act weird or don't see reality. I find that I sometimes act a little off/cry too often. But, I would not say that taking ADs means that you are crazy.
Now, if I can remember this for when I go in to see a Pdoc for the first time in my life. She will probably prescribe an AD. So, if you're crazy, a very large group of the people that you see working at the local store (my drug store has one bi-polar, one person with a history of depression who was hospitalized for it and me). That is only the people that I know about in a staff of less than 20 people. I suspect you work beside people who have mental health problems or see them visiting their kids at your local school. The "mentally ill" or "crazy" is everywhere. We just have a very good hold on reality and need help with negative thinking/other depression related symptoms. A mental health problem is an okey thing to seek help for. (I need to remember this.)
We're all crazy. LaLaLa! LaLaLa! Let's go to the lunny ben together. HeHeHe! Heh, I don't need to. I hope you don't mind the humor at the end but I want to try to be in a good mood before I go to bed tonight. Sometimes, if I can get my mood up, I sleep better.

the feeling of craziness can be linked to depression. i do not believe that being depressed labels anyone as crazy.

when we as humans experience depression, we see alot of dark visions, have many dark thoughts, and things seem dark in general. it is these feleings that make us question our sanity. this is where the feeling of craziness comes in.

how would you define crazy, explain to me exactly what crazy means to you. many people have different theories on what "crazy" actually is, alot of it is down to personal opinion. i dont believe anyone is crazy. crazy to me is a descriptive word to describe someones physical actions, for example.

try not to label yourself, or think that depression makes you crazy. because it doesnt. if it did i think we would all be crazy...so that means it would be normality. which in turn makes the meaning of crazy become void. do you see what i mean by that??

i hope things brighten up for you. let me know if theres anyhting you want, a chat etc. im here for you, as are loads of people here.

take care, and speak soon

simon

[Rapunzel]

Sometimes the biggest difference between people who are being treated for depression and other mental illnesses, and those who are not being treated for mental illness, is that the ones being treated have the self-awareness to look for a way to improve themselves, while the ones not being treated often have more denial. I'm not saying this applies to everyone, but probably to more than you think.

Rap