[Hopefull]

I found an interesting book that is basically just the stories of people on anti-depressants. I was shocked on how many drugs they take. How many drugs do you all take?
I am only taking an anti-depressant for the first time in my life. As of the second week, it helps me get up in the morning, improves energy levels, focus and decreases crying spells. But, I don't want to get stuck on it for life. How do I prevent getting stuck on it? How do I keep my drug intake down? I willl probably ask T about this. But, I don't think she has ever taken a psychiatric drug and I think you all would understand my fears better than she will. I am still having trouble sleeping. Pdoc had mentioned an herb that might help with sleep. If I could fix the sleep problem and keep Lexapro, I think I might be able to fix the rest of the problem except for the negative thinking. I have always had to live with an extreme level of negative thinking. So, I suspect that part is with me for life.
Do you believe in the medical model of mental illness? It bothers me because it takes away the issue of a hard life. It makes us sound broken. My T once said that she thinks I may have "injured" my brain. My insurance tried to compare it to a broken leg. My old T tried to compare my need for her to her need for insulin--she's diabetic. But it isn't the same.

[DaveyJones]

I sure understand your reluctance to take drugs...and depression is such a tricky disease.

I think that it is beyond question that there is a medical (physical) component to chronic depression. Brain imaging studies seem to make that clear. And research clearly shows that your chances for recovery double when you do both drug and talk therapy.

In my opinion, your best chance for recovery to live a drug-free life are to do both now, antidepressants and therapy; but I think that you can work on the negative thoughts...they are a large part of your condition. There are several therapeutic modalities (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, REBT) that deal directly with changing these thought patterns. You recognize these thoughts as part of the problem; think about taking the steps to change these thought patterns, it can make a huge difference in the course of your recovery.

Hope this helps...

DJ

I take a HUGE amount of drugs each day for my bipolar. It seems to be the only thing that can help me. My husband & children are horrified by it. I have a zip loc bag full of pill bottles in my purse when I travel.

I do think there is a biological basis for mental illness as well as environmental triggers. For example, my mother had bipolar & was abusive, committed suicide & so my childhood was traumatic (plus an alcoholic father who didn't do much to protect us kids). I think both the genes & the environment combined to trigger my bipolar which started with a suicide attempt at 15.

I went through YEARS of therapy & tried all sorts of anti-deprssants until I was finally diagnosed with bp & started experimenting (cuz that's what it was) to find the right combo of meds for me. Once that was achieved I no longer needed to go to therapy--that's just me--most docs recommend therapy & medication for bp consistently. I found I was no longer ruminating on all the awful aspects of my life & could start to feel some joy. I'd never felt like that before so I'm a big believer in meds for those that are benefitted by them.

I've read that some people can "retrain" their brains by taking AD's for at least a year & then the brain will start producing the chemical that is needed on its own. Both my dids have had periods of depression where they needed to be on AD's, but thery are both drug-free now. They did take them for at least a year. Hope that is the case for you. I WISH it were the case for me.--Suzy

[ickydog2006]

I was on Wellbutrin for a while, that was after they tried, Lexapro, Prozac, and other anti anxiety meds.

I've been really blessed to be able to get off my medication after awhile (and withdrawal sucks), but I look back now and know I probably would've commited suicide if I hadn't been on it and started therapy.

As Davey suggested, I did both and managed to work through my 'deeper' issues to the point that I could live without meds (except occasional anxiety med). You should keep in mind though that everyone is different, and many do end up taking meds the rest of their lives.

Hope things work out for you