[letitbe123]

Sorry this is long, but it is something really important to me! Thank you in advance for your time.

Hi all, I am a 17 year old female. I have been in therapy for a year and a half. My depression is not as bad as some peoples', but I do feel down a lot. I am not the person I used to be. I am not ambitious anymore. I am often unable to concentrate because of my constant thoughts/worries. I am always feeling tired and unmotivated. One of the worst feelings is feeling like you are not living up to your full potential, and that is what I have been struggling a lot with. I've been trying to turn things around, but I can't get bad thoughts out of my head. I want to be the highly motivated, great person I was before.

My therapist recommended medication to help with my worries/sadness & to get me on the road to being productive again. I have 2 major concerns about this.

My first concern is the ethics of medication. I feel like being a heavy thinker is just who I am. My thoughts deeply sadden me. But the fact of the matter is my thoughts are real. I don't want to have this false sense of optimism by going on medication. I also don't want the medication to make things seem better, when they really aren't.

My second concern is that I drink socially on the weekend with my friends. I've had a few other friends who've gone on depression medication, and after a night of drinking they had felt very depressed and anxious the next day. I don't want to worsen my symptoms. I've also read that depression medication cannot be effective if used with alcohol. However, a psychiatrist I saw said that people get around drinking and being on an antidepressant all the time. Going on medication & stopping drinking is not really a good option for me because I will be going to college next year & I want to party.

Bottom line: I would love to feel better and BE better, and I feel that going on an antidepressant could affect my brain chemistry in a positive way. But if I plan to continue drinking socially, and am not completely sure if I'm in line with the idea of medication itself, is it worth it?

[mazing]

I would really talk to your therapist about your concerns. Medication wouldn't necessarily need to be permanent but could really help in the short term, along with therapy. You would need to talk to your therapist and doctor about whether they are considering short- or long-term medications.

The decision for me was when it was put in terms of the illness. If for example you were diabetic and needed insulin to live a happy, healthy life would you do it? Would you take the medication, even for the rest of your life, if it then allowed you to live your life well? Mental illness is no different. The medications are different but the reasons for them is the same. The purpose is not to alter who you are or your thinking, and if you can get on the right dose that can happen. The purpose is to allow you to be the best you can be and to live your life happily.

I would speak to your doctor about the alcohol. I know that there are ways around it so they may be able to find medications that are not affected by alcohol.

[Nomad17]

I'm a 17 year old female as well and I, personally, hate taking medication and drive my parents, therapist, and psychiatrist crazy because of that. I've been taking medication for 6 years and I've been on over 15 different combinations. Some medications have worked for me in the past, but its hard to find the right ones, and sometimes side effects do suck, but is it worth it? Yes, I think it is. Although I can't find meds that work for me in my situation, and the ones that do become ineffective quickly, maybe you could be different, find some great meds, stay in therapy, and get off of them in little time. I've known people who were in very very dark places and meds worked very well for them. There is no magic pill though, and I hate that expression. It'll take more than meds, but meds can help along with therapy and support. And meds don't make you some kind of zombie and steal your thoughts, they help you concentrate and think more clearly. About the alcohol, I would ask a psychiatrist about that. I'm a nerd and don't drink.

Don't knock it until you try it. It doesn't take meds that long to get in your system and start taking effect-if they will. It'll take around a month or less. If you're thinking about it, I would talk to your parents, your t, and maybe even get a psychiatrist appointment just to talk about it, because meds CAN help.

Just my advice, I hope you find what you're looking for.

Nomad

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by letitbe123

Sorry this is long, but it is something really important to me! Thank you in advance for your time.

Hi all, I am a 17 year old female. I have been in therapy for a year and a half. My depression is not as bad as some peoples', but I do feel down a lot. I am not the person I used to be. I am not ambitious anymore. I am often unable to concentrate because of my constant thoughts/worries. I am always feeling tired and unmotivated. One of the worst feelings is feeling like you are not living up to your full potential, and that is what I have been struggling a lot with. I've been trying to turn things around, but I can't get bad thoughts out of my head. I want to be the highly motivated, great person I was before.

My therapist recommended medication to help with my worries/sadness & to get me on the road to being productive again. I have 2 major concerns about this.

My first concern is the ethics of medication. I feel like being a heavy thinker is just who I am. My thoughts deeply sadden me. But the fact of the matter is my thoughts are real. I don't want to have this false sense of optimism by going on medication. I also don't want the medication to make things seem better, when they really aren't.

My second concern is that I drink socially on the weekend with my friends. I've had a few other friends who've gone on depression medication, and after a night of drinking they had felt very depressed and anxious the next day. I don't want to worsen my symptoms. I've also read that depression medication cannot be effective if used with alcohol. However, a psychiatrist I saw said that people get around drinking and being on an antidepressant all the time. Going on medication & stopping drinking is not really a good option for me because I will be going to college next year & I want to party.

Bottom line: I would love to feel better and BE better, and I feel that going on an antidepressant could affect my brain chemistry in a positive way. But if I plan to continue drinking socially, and am not completely sure if I'm in line with the idea of medication itself, is it worth it?

Well, first of all, partying should not be an option--it'll end up making your depression worse--besides, you are too young to drink. It's the ALCOHOL that will worsen your symptoms.

[onionknight]

Honestly, I would talk to your therapist, a psychiatrist, your parents, etc and really consider everyone's opinion. Think about what you hope to gain improvement-wise and how long/ how much you are willing to stick with medications.

It's true that they won't steal your thoughts and they can help, especially in the short-term, but it is also true that you don't know how your body will react, what side effects you will have and whether you are setting yourself up for a life-time of medication. You're young so you don't know how your emotional/ mental health will develop as you get older, but that isn't any reason to suffer needlessly, you know.

Personally, I'm a heavy thinker as well. My medication has shaved some of the emotional highs and lows that used to come with my though processes. But the catch is depression did this too.

[letitbe123]

Originally Posted by Nomad17

I'm a 17 year old female as well and I, personally, hate taking medication and drive my parents, therapist, and psychiatrist crazy because of that. I've been taking medication for 6 years and I've been on over 15 different combinations. Some medications have worked for me in the past, but its hard to find the right ones, and sometimes side effects do suck, but is it worth it? Yes, I think it is. Although I can't find meds that work for me in my situation, and the ones that do become ineffective quickly, maybe you could be different, find some great meds, stay in therapy, and get off of them in little time. I've known people who were in very very dark places and meds worked very well for them. There is no magic pill though, and I hate that expression. It'll take more than meds, but meds can help along with therapy and support. And meds don't make you some kind of zombie and steal your thoughts, they help you concentrate and think more clearly. About the alcohol, I would ask a psychiatrist about that. I'm a nerd and don't drink.

Don't knock it until you try it. It doesn't take meds that long to get in your system and start taking effect-if they will. It'll take around a month or less. If you're thinking about it, I would talk to your parents, your t, and maybe even get a psychiatrist appointment just to talk about it, because meds CAN help.

Just my advice, I hope you find what you're looking for.

Nomad

"I'm a nerd and I don't drink" hahaha that made me laugh out loud thank you for this reply! And yes I'll take that into consideration - thanks!

[letitbe123]

Originally Posted by onionknight

Honestly, I would talk to your therapist, a psychiatrist, your parents, etc and really consider everyone's opinion. Think about what you hope to gain improvement-wise and how long/ how much you are willing to stick with medications.

It's true that they won't steal your thoughts and they can help, especially in the short-term, but it is also true that you don't know how your body will react, what side effects you will have and whether you are setting yourself up for a life-time of medication. You're young so you don't know how your emotional/ mental health will develop as you get older, but that isn't any reason to suffer needlessly, you know.

Personally, I'm a heavy thinker as well. My medication has shaved some of the emotional highs and lows that used to come with my though processes. But the catch is depression did this too.

What do you mean that depression shaved some of the emotional highs and lows?

[ECHOES]

Medications can have a "flattening" affect (shaving some emotional highs and lows) and is a reason some don't choose to take it.

I hope you will also get a full medical checkup to rule out anything medical or (other) hormonal issues that could cause depression symptoms, such as thyroid function.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

[Tenrou]

Drinking on an anti-depressant, I've found out, is a bad idea. If I drink with my pill, it makes me sick, and even if I've sobered up before taking my pill, it makes the hangover that much worse because the medication dehydrates me - and so does alcohol. But being on the medication has actually helped me in my efforts to be sober simply because the side effects make drinking that much more uncomfortable. Also, I don't know if this happens to you, but even after drinking only a couple or whatever, the next day or two I have a sort of depression hangover that's hard to differentiate from the actual sad. I have to take that into account, too.

I shunned medication for a long time because I didn't want to lose myself. I identified myself by my depressive thoughts and anxiety episodes, and I was so afraid the meds would make me a different person and take away my ability to philosophize and think more deeply about the world. One of my friends told me something that helped immensely with my decision to start meds: when describing my depression and the anxiety thoughts I get, she put her foot down and said, "It's normal to be sad sometimes. It's normal to be nervous. It's not normal to be afraid of everything to this degree. It's not who you are; it's an unhealthy part of you. Medication won't take away who you are, if your doc is doing it right; instead it will lessen your symptoms so that you can find the real you, that's hidden underneath the sad and the panic."

It was a real epiphany moment for me, to think that maybe there is something more to me underneath the sad and the panic. Obviously it's something between you and your doc, but if they feel it might help and you're comfortable with the options - if you want to see who you are under the sad - I think it's worth a shot. And like others have said, it doesn't have to be forever.

All the best.

[Travelinglady]

Some folks drink as a way to medicate themselves. Alcohol is a drug. It can also interfere with sleep and affect brain development. It's possible to party without drinking--believe me, I have for years. If anybody questions your decision, then tell them it's a personal choice. I also have alcoholics in my family and there's a genetic component to that. It's a miserable life.

True, some people drink and take meds, but it's not a good idea. How depressed are you? Have you ever contemplated doing yourself in? Are there events in your life that you feel are causing you to be depressed? Meds can literally be a lifesaver for some people.

[rockgal]

Originally Posted by letitbe123

Sorry this is long, but it is something really important to me! Thank you in advance for your time.

Hi all, I am a 17 year old female. I have been in therapy for a year and a half. My depression is not as bad as some peoples', but I do feel down a lot. I am not the person I used to be. I am not ambitious anymore. I am often unable to concentrate because of my constant thoughts/worries. I am always feeling tired and unmotivated. One of the worst feelings is feeling like you are not living up to your full potential, and that is what I have been struggling a lot with. I've been trying to turn things around, but I can't get bad thoughts out of my head. I want to be the highly motivated, great person I was before.

My therapist recommended medication to help with my worries/sadness & to get me on the road to being productive again. I have 2 major concerns about this.

My first concern is the ethics of medication. I feel like being a heavy thinker is just who I am. My thoughts deeply sadden me. But the fact of the matter is my thoughts are real. I don't want to have this false sense of optimism by going on medication. I also don't want the medication to make things seem better, when they really aren't.

My second concern is that I drink socially on the weekend with my friends. I've had a few other friends who've gone on depression medication, and after a night of drinking they had felt very depressed and anxious the next day. I don't want to worsen my symptoms. I've also read that depression medication cannot be effective if used with alcohol. However, a psychiatrist I saw said that people get around drinking and being on an antidepressant all the time. Going on medication & stopping drinking is not really a good option for me because I will be going to college next year & I want to party.

Bottom line: I would love to feel better and BE better, and I feel that going on an antidepressant could affect my brain chemistry in a positive way. But if I plan to continue drinking socially, and am not completely sure if I'm in line with the idea of medication itself, is it worth it?

You should definitely talk your concerns over with your therapist. Taking medication (or at least finding the right medication) isn't going to make you a non-deep thinker or flatten your emotions to an unnatural degree. If you get flattened out - and some people do - you'll look for a different medication. I've only ever felt flattened out on one medication. What a good medication response can do is bring your moods and thinking back to a place of normalcy where you can go about your business and do the things that you want to do and feel more like yourself. And it can really help you make better use of time in therapy too.

About the drinking thing, that's really a very small price to pay for feeling like you're living your life more fully. Not drinking doesn't stop partying. You can drink non-alcoholic beverages or limit yourself to a single glass of something that you want to taste. Isn't the point of going out to be with friends, hear music, and relax? Trust me, people will respect you for confidently knowing your own mind and making an independent decision to do what's right for your well being. (And that ultimately goes for a lot of choices in life! Believe me.) Sorry for sounding a little preachy, but I really do think you can have lots of fun in college without consuming lots of alcohol, especially if you're not feeling depressed!