[themusikhurts]

LONG STORY SHORT: IS IT OK TO BE ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS LONG TERM? LIKE LIFETIME?

LONG STORY LONG: I am 17 years old. I have been on and off anti-D's for the last like four years almost. I am starting them again now. My counselor and I have been talking fot a while, and well we are really close, like friends. And he told me that he is on them again and he is 32 years old. That he is going to stay on them for a longer period of time this time around and that he just feels better. I realize that at this point in my life, I just need a little help. But I am finally starting to realize that Depression is really not a psychological thing. That it's an actual . . . disease. It consumes you. I may be on anti-depressants for the rest of my life, just to keep up to par. I don't like that too too much, but if it means I can be happy with myself and my life, then maybe that's ok?? I just really want people to understand that... that its not that I'm . . . a psycho (for lack of a better word). I hate being judged. Anyone else feel this? Anyone on meds long-term? Is it too much to ask. . . to not be judged? Is my case that much different from a diabetic who has to be on meds the rest of his/her life? I just need some other views on this please... Any side of it will help.
Thanks,
mu$ik

oh, my dear fellow sufferer, there are hundreds of thousands of us who take ADs.......i've been on them for over 25 years and i'll always take them.....i wouldn't be here without them..........please don't worry about being judged here. we're right with you. love, pat

[themusikhurts]

thanks pat. i appreciate that

Themusikhurts,

As you say it really is no different than the diabetic who is on meds all their life. Why should you look at it any differently than taking a One A Day vitamin every day.

Look at all the people taking meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid as well as blood sugar. It just seems to be a part of out lives these days.

Think more about the benefit to you. You will feel better, less out of control, happier. You are the one who is important. If it is for YOU. It is worth it!

[Direction]

My thought is what ever it takes is what you need.

What medications you take is between you and your doctor and possibly someone else significant in your life. The rest of the world need not know.

[okiedokie]

Hi Musik,
You may or may not have to take them long-term. Or, you may have to take them for a couple years here or there.

The thing that I learned over the years, is that there is a correct med for one to take that will completely alleviate all or most of the symptoms. Don't settle for one that just gets you half-way there.

Also, don't base your health on what others may think. If you and your doctor end up deciding that you feel better taking them, then I'd think that's what you would choose to do.

Your comment about being really close to your counselor and more like friends threw up a little red flag for me. Are the boundaries a bit blurred? Do you think you could benefit more from a more objective T?

Take good care,
Okie

[sujunew]

I hate the fact that i need to take these tablets every day just to get by, but in January my pdoc stated as bluntly as poss that even with my meds I could still slip every couple of years or so (that seems to be my pattern) and that I will most likely need to take them for the rest of my life. So as much as I hate it, and hate what I think others will think of me, i know i need them to keep as well as i can. TC

[themusikhurts]

thanks for the comments guys. i really really appreciate them. Okiedokie... i think we do know our boundaries. or atleast he does. lol. i think he knows that i am in need of a friend. thanks, i will keep that in mind though. just to let you knonw... he is gay... no physical attraction or anything else to get in the way either. well, thanks again. im taking care, as should you.
mu$ik.

[Loralei]

I respond great to antidepressants (zoloft) for a period of time, and then after about 1 1/2 years, I start to have side effects like leg pains, etc. So I get off them until I can't stand it anymore (the pain of depression and despair get to be worse than the pill side effects), then I get back on them again.
Taking antidepressants is depressing But getting some semblance of a life back is better than being in the deep dark pit we get into untreated. Psychology and people's acceptance of mental health treatment has come a long way even though there are plenty of people who are ignorant when it comes to mental health issues. We all want to be understood, loved and accepted. I'm 43 and I still do not tell everyone I have depression. But trust me, I and a lot of other people understand you and you will continue to find people like us here who share your pain in some way or another. Go to groups and connect with people there to get support in addition to talking to your therapist. It truly does help when you know you are not alone and there are others who do accept you as you are and know you're not a psycho. You didn't choose your brain chemicals and what they do to you anymore than anyone with a physical condition.
Take your med as long as you need it and be proud of yourself for knowing what you need to do to live your life. That's a very mature outlook.

[attinson63]

I have been on meds since 1993 and i know i will be on them for the rest of my life. It's bad when i'm not on meds.. i'm not suicidal.. just a blubbering crying mess.

I recently had to quit drinking too. All the pill bottles say don't drink alcohol. Duh.

I take prozac, zyprexa (anti psychotic, but i'm not) and just started lamictal, a mood stabilizer. I also take ativan sometimes... an anti-anxiety.

I used to wonder if i really had to take them for the rest of my life.. but i've come to accept it.

I've been having a difficult time lately.. my boyfriend is moving to Chicago and I'm not... and i know without the meds i'd be more of a mess than i already am.

Don't worry so much about it. You're fine. If you need them, take them. It's ok!

[Soidhonia]

Hello. I have been on Anti-depressants for a long time and I function really well while taking them. Take care Soidhonia