[shortandcute]

My doctor has me on fluoxetine, trazadone, estradiol (i'm menopausal), and 800 m of ibuprofen.I would still pick up the 'scripts, but it has taken a while before i could bring myself to take them. partly because i have certain dietary concerns and i was worried about what was in them. partly because i was afraid of the side effects, partly because i was afraid of what my family would think (my sis is VERY ANTI-MEDS), and partly for "religious" religions ("A good Christian doesn't need them, rite?) But it got to the point where I was going to kill myself and was starting to hallucinate and have delusions. Those are things I've always struggled with but it has gotten really bad. I have strict orders from my doc to excercise because of my back pain, but I couldn't bring to even do a lttile because of my depression. But I finally started taking them, and from the first day, I started feeling better.

[splitimage]

I really struggled with the idea of taking meds at first. It wasn't that I was anti-meds per se, it's just that I didn't want to admit that I was that sick. But my first psychiatrist was pretty blunt with me, she said to me "There are some people for who meds are optional, there are other people who need medication. You're the latter. Now you can either take the prescription now, or go home and think about it for 24 hours and come back and pick up the prescription tomorrow." I took the prescription and within a month was feeling better. Now I can't imagine functioning without my meds.

splitimage

[healed84]

Yes, I struggled with the option to take meds for a couple of months and then when I filled the rx it too me a couple of weeks to actually start taking them. I am not against taking meds. I believe there is a time and a place for it. I take it wen I feel it is needed. Really it has to do with myself than anything. My T had been stressing the importance of me seeing my Dr. for meds b/c panic attacks were over taking my life. I also had a fear of their side effects. Finally, I started taking them and life has gotten so much better. My Dr.. just gave me an rx for Trazadone for insomnia. I have it for a week and haven't started taking it yet (Insomnia has gotten bad again) and it is probably caused by the celexa. I know I will start at some point, I just have to feel ready.

[dolphingirl]

I've struggled with the idea of taking meds, well actually I'm still struggling some with it. I am not against the idea of taking medication if it is actually needed, such as a person has tried other coping skills and therapy, but their mental health is still interfering with their functioning or if mental illness is actually due to a chemical condition. The part of that I personally struggle with is knowing if I myself have fully tried coping skills and fully tried therapy, yes I go, or if maybe I haven't tried enough or if there is a coping skill I've missed. I'm also the type of person who likes facts versus philosophical type reasoning and that's why I have trouble with the chemical imbalance part and it seems like psychiatric meds is kind of a "guess and check method" because a medication is not guaranteed to work. I also like to be independent, have been raised to be independent, and my mom's independent. My mom had been offered anti-depressants a couple of times and turned them down. Part of me just doesn't want to be dependent on something else. My sister also makes fun of people who take anti-depressants or maybe she is just specifically making fun of a girl who "brags" about taking her "happy pills", so I'm not sure what she would think about me taking mood stabilizers or something like that.

All that to say, yes I struggle with the idea of taking medication. I think they are appropriate when a person has tried non-pharmaceutical treatments and is still having trouble functioning. So, I should probably get over my uncertainty/doubt over whether or not I have tried enough non-medication methods, because I don't think t would mention meds if I still haven't tried enough non-pharmaceutical methods. I should probably get over the whole "I want to be independent" image and worrying too much about what my family thinks. I think that at this point, either way, I'll have to have help of something, other people (friends/support people) to help crisis situations or medication (if it works).

[WikidPissah]

I choose to not take them, and I think that anyone who doesn't want them shouldn't be pushed to take them.

[jlmass]

I don't think anyone wants to take them but sometimes they are needed.

[fishsandwich]

I don't take them, and I'm also skeptical of the science that "says" that they work/are targeted at any specific condition. I think the biggest thing to remember about them is that what they do is numb you out a bit, so when you hit the level of numbness where you can function, that is enough of the drugs. Some docs have a tendency to pile them on and on -- I know being on five or six psych drugs is not uncommon -- and the side-effects from that are usually more debilitating than any underlying mental distress.

[WikidPissah]

Originally Posted by jlmass

I don't think anyone wants to take them but sometimes they are needed.

There has to be some level of "want" for a person to actually take them. If you honestly don't want to, you certainly shouldn't have to.

[ickydog2006]

I kind of agree with jlmass. I think I would change it a little though.
No one wants to need medication.
I hate the fact that I have a medical condition, that left untreated, will probably kill me. We want meds to be able to 'fix' us (at least part of us does, just because we want to be 'fixed', but we don't want to need 'fixing' in the first place.

[mommyof2girls]

Nope, I do not struggle with taking meds.... I know how I feel when I don't take them ..... So the choice is very clear for me....

[AngelWolf3]

I struggle with the idea. My T and Pdoc says I might benefit from an antidepressant or an antianxiety. The problem is that I have been on them before. I have successfully managed to be off of them for about 6 years now. I just remember the heck I went through trying to find the "right medication." They tried Atevan (hallucinations), Paxil (passed out), and then Zoloft. They tried to pair Zoloft with Risperidal (turned into a drooling mess literally) and then with Buspar. They finally just left it at Zoloft.

I don't want any cocktails anymore. Yes I am anxious, and yes I am depressed, but I am not sure if I want to go that direction again personally. Frankly, it scares me because of the history I had with meds.

I agree that some people need them if they so choose, and that those who feel helped by them, I think that is great, really I do!
I just don't know if I am ready to choose again.

I actually wish I would have never started taking them.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by WikidPissah

I choose to not take them, and I think that anyone who doesn't want them shouldn't be pushed to take them.

No one "forced" or "pushed" me to take them. I was going to kill myself and was hallucinating.

[WikidPissah]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

No one "forced" or "pushed" me to take them. I was going to kill myself and was hallucinating.

I'm sorry. I know what that's like, honest. (my dx used to be schizophrenia) What I am trying to say is that it should be a person's choice. If someone doesn't want to take them they should have the right to say no. That's all. Sometimes the psychiatric professionals don't give their clients other options.

If you weren't pushed into taking them, then it was your choice. Perfect. That's all I ask is that people have a choice.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing medication. I am not criticizing anyone for doing so. I applaud everyone's effort to get better no matter how they choose to do it.

[regretful]

I'm taking them now, but it's always been a struggle with me. I thought I was stronger than the depression; but I know that I'm not. I'll take them now to get through this rough patch, but will get off of them with medical supervision as soon as possible...I figure 6 months is a good enough time for me to rebound.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by WikidPissah

yes. I love people who come out with both guns blazing telling me I don't have choice, or my own thoughts for that matter.

I choose to keep my sig, because I have a right to and I believe in it.

The title of this thread asks what my view on anti-depressants is, and I am entitled to post my view.

ETA: please don't drag this out on this particular thread, as I am sure the OP doesn't want to read some huge debate. I won't respond further.

I believe fuelandjet said that you do have a choice. We are living in America here and I don't think anyone on this site had said otherwise. When I started this thread, I said nothing about whether or not anyone has a choice. Even if something is prescribed, we always have a choice whether to take the meds--I've always felt that way. I never felt I was pushed into it. I asked if anyone struggled with the idea of taking meds, I never asked if anyone had a choice or not, or if they were going to jail if they didn't take them. I would appreciate people reading my posts thouroughly and not answering questions I did not ask!

[WikidPissah]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

I believe fuelandjet said that you do have a choice. We are living in America here and I don't think anyone on this site had said otherwise. When I started this thread, I said nothing about whether or not anyone has a choice. Even if something is prescribed, we always have a choice whether to take the meds--I've always felt that way. I never felt I was pushed into it. I asked if anyone struggled with the idea of taking meds, I never asked if anyone had a choice or not, or if they were going to jail if they didn't take them. I would appreciate people reading my posts thouroughly and not answering questions I did not ask!

again. I meant no disrespect to you or anyone else who takes meds.

[CastlesInTheAir]

The first time I ended up on medication, I was afraid of it and came off of it after 6 months because I felt I did not need it. My mistake was that I did not give myself other tools or resources to use if symptoms came back. I simply told myself I know what to look for and will know how to react. However the mind is a funny thing, when symptoms returned the symptoms were different, I pushed through that one with minimal medication. The third time I ended up in the hospital in which I end up on stronger medications then I had ever taken. At the moment hehe I feel like a slave to my medication because the withdraw from the one is ridiculous. I kind of feel like alternatives should be pushed more such as CBT, DBT and other therapies (also be made more affordable and available) that way medication isn't the only thing pulling you through and could possibly make someone able to stop taking medication. everyone is different though....

[fishsandwich]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

I believe fuelandjet said that you do have a choice. We are living in America here and I don't think anyone on this site had said otherwise. When I started this thread, I said nothing about whether or not anyone has a choice. Even if something is prescribed, we always have a choice whether to take the meds--I've always felt that way. I never felt I was pushed into it. I asked if anyone struggled with the idea of taking meds, I never asked if anyone had a choice or not, or if they were going to jail if they didn't take them. I would appreciate people reading my posts thouroughly and not answering questions I did not ask!

You do realise that the way you phrased the poll made it sound less like you were asking about a personal struggle as you were inquiring after an ideological standpoint. "everyone who feels depressed should take them" or "no one should take them no matter what!!!!" are not statements that refer solely to a personal struggle . . . .

Can we all stop attacking the poor woman now?

[missbelle]

.....And back to the original question
Meds were my lifesaver. I wish they were more around when I was younger. I have been on meds for 22 years ,and my life would have been so much better had I taken them sooner. I made inappropriate decisions, was impulsive, and constantly sad/depressed. I used to question that and wonder if others felt the same way. Not until I had a breakdown was I put on meds and life changed. I still had old ways of coping from not being on meds. I had to get rid of these old ways(I would run from problems). Finally though I realized I did not have to be impulsive, and that I could live with myself, and did not need and thrive on drama. I will be on meds till I take my last breath.....and its very o.k.!!!

[Hope for Serenity]

I guess you can label me ignorant to the "to take or not to take" debate. I never knew there were such strong opinions out there, however, everyone is entitled to their own. Now to address the question with my own experience, yes, I did have an issue taking them. Mine was due to my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (along with my Depression, Panic & Anxiety). I constantly had to have control over EVERYTHING (so I thought...lol). I was actually going through a horrible Post-Postpartum Depression after my first child which was boarding hospitalization. I couldn't even be alone with him for fear I would do something horrible. Mind you, I did not want to, but I had this over riding fear. Please Note: He is now 26 and survived...lol. I was prescribed meds, I would take them because deep down I knew they would help, but then 5 min later the OCD would kick in and I would make myself throw them up. However, I did eventually take them regularly and yes they did help. They were my saving grace. I have been taking Psych meds off and on ever since. More on than off. I truly believe for MYSELF that I will be taking them in some capacity for the rest of my life to maintain somewhat of a balance. I know how I am when I am not on them and I know how I am when I am on them. Granted, I am older now and your body changes so meds do need adjusting. I have accepted it. The sad thing is that the world we live in today is a harsh world and life does not come easy. You must do what is best for you. I always say if I had a broken arm or leg, would I not have it fixed? Why suffer if there is a choice for you. Only you can make that choice. My favorite lyrics from a Led Zeppelin song are:Yes, there are two paths you can go by but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on. My Best to You...Hope

[Fresia]

My choice is not whether or not to take the meds, it is whether or not I want to function or be suicidal. If I choose to live my life and have one, I need to take the meds among other things to help with my treatment (lifestyle, therapy, etc.) because only in combination has there been help. This is not the same for everyone and I whole heartedly respect that for those who choose not to medicate that they have treatment strategies that work for them and that all of us have the help we each deserve no matter what route we choose. The nice thing is that we do have choices in what works best for each of us.

(((((Shortandcute)))))) Best wishes in your therapy and finding what works best for you! Be well.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

We are living in America here and... Even if something is prescribed, we always have a choice whether to take the meds--I've always felt that way. I never felt I was pushed into it.

Even in America, some of us have the experience of being threatened if we did not take medications. I had no original opposition to them, and in fact at one point begged to be given some, but I found out none worked for me -- and my claiming that was ignored or denied by many. That kind of experience leads to estrangement from the system!

[TheWell]

After a couple of months with my T he suggested that I consider seeing a psychiatrist in the practice about going on anti-depressants. I balked, I was not interested. He didn't push but every now and then he would ask if I had changed my mind. As my moods got darker and the hole I had fallen into seemed deeper I realized that I might need more help to get out. I had spent most of my life suffering from depression. At times it was mild and at other times it was really really bad. I know now that I also have Borderline Personality Disorder.

It took two doctors and a long time to find a combination that worked for me. But I now know that this is how other poeple feel every day. They don't have to struggle to get up the energy to do simple tasks. They don't feel like they live at the bottom of a well (my username) and are constantly trying to climb out of it. They don't use self-harm and pain to cope with the stresses of life. I know I need to be on these medications.

Here is a list of the meds I've tried...
Abilify,*Ambien,*Cymbalta, Doxepin,*Effexor,*Klonopin,*Lamictal,*Levora,*Lexapro,*Lithium,*Neurontin,*Nortriptyline,*Prozac,*Remeron,*Ritalin,*Seroquel,*Synthroid,*Trazadone,*Viibryd,*Wellbutrin,*Xanax,*Zoloft

Right now I'm on...
Remeron, Lamictal, klonopin, Naltrexone, Topamax

I very much struggled, and still struggle sometimes, with the idea of taking meds. I was, and still am, ashamed to need to take them. I really wish that I didn't need them, but I can't function so I'm currently open to the idea of taking meds, IF they help more than they hurt (side effects). The problem is that antidepressants don't work for me. I've tried SSRIs, SNRIs, NARIs, tricyclics, tetracyclics, lithium and now lamictal/lamotrigine. So far nothing I wish I could just get better already!! And if meds can help with that, then I'll keep trying (for now).

*Willow*