[ericanoel912]

I know this is common, but I feel ashamed that I have to be on medication to help my depression and mood swings. It makes me feel abnormal and so out of control like, "You need meds just to control yourself". I hate it. My psychiatrist just prescribed Abilify and I am hoping and praying so hard that it helps. Is anyone else on it?

[kaliope]

I thought that for so so so so many years. I was so adverse to meds. believed all the myths about them. then I hit bottom. I had a major breakdown. I was hospitalized against my will. I knew I would be dead without doing something drastic. so I got on meds. I committed to three years. and it took that time to find the right ones. and the change in my life was so incredibly different I now kick myself for not getting on meds thirty years sooner. I still hate taking meds but I think how much better my life is and that is my motivation.

[Swabbingred]

Abilify worked well for my depressive symptoms and positive spectrum of schizophrenia but the side-effects are quite broad, with a wide-array of them - people are bound to get one (weight gain being the most common). Anyhow, the lethargy whilst on the medication was unbearable so I got off of it.

I'm not taking Abilify (costs too much), but I can relate to your feelings. Fact is, if I hadn't let this last episode slide for so long, thinking I could do this without meds, it would not have gotten as bad and be taking so long to get back on track. I wish there were a better option than this stuff, but at this time, this is all we've got. Healthy alternative approaches are better, but not as quick or effective for the severe episodes. It sucks.

[Angelique67]

Give the Abilify a good 12 weeks or slightly longer, at the maximum dose you'll be on, to kick in. That's about how long it has taken to start fading the voice I was hearing. Good luck!

[ericanoel912]

Thanks y'all.... I'm terrified of weight gain. I had a really bad bout of anorexia/bulimia/binge eating last year and I'm afraid I'll be dragged into that.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by ericanoel912

Thanks y'all.... I'm terrified of weight gain. I had a really bad bout of anorexia/bulimia/binge eating last year and I'm afraid I'll be dragged into that.

I hope not. But Abilify is very stabilizing so I doubt that would be a lasting problem even if it did start again. But I hope not. Try to think positively. And best of luck.

[ericanoel912]

Okay, thank you. That's very encouraging

Originally Posted by Angelique67

I hope not. But Abilify is very stabilizing so I doubt that would be a lasting problem even if it did start again. But I hope not. Try to think positively. And best of luck.

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by ericanoel912

I know this is common, but I feel ashamed that I have to be on medication to help my depression and mood swings. It makes me feel abnormal and so out of control like, "You need meds just to control yourself". I hate it. My psychiatrist just prescribed Abilify and I am hoping and praying so hard that it helps. Is anyone else on it?

Yes it is very common. I don't think any of us wants to go on meds. It is something that is very hard to accept even if you don't take meds but need help. It is a process of acceptance not an event.

I look at it this way. If your car were to break down and you didn't know how to fix it would you get help? Would you feel any shame for having to get help with that? No. Its the same thing. we need the help of others for just about everything. I don't grow my own food.

[Utterly]

Originally Posted by ericanoel912

"You need meds just to control yourself"

No one is full aware of every process, especially every low level process in the mind. It would be overwhelming, exhausting and basically impossible. You're aware and in control of the conscious part.

Sometimes the neurology or neurochemistry of the brain gets out of whack, just like any other issue in the body. You wouldn't (or it would be appropriate anyway to) feel inappropriate for taking a beta blocker for hypertension.

You're not actively in control of your blood pressure OR everything that goes on in your brain.

Treat yourself gently and kindly!

[kiwi33]

Originally Posted by ericanoel912

I know this is common, but I feel ashamed that I have to be on medication to help my depression and mood swings.

I think that it is common.

I had a distinct *gulp* moment when my psychiatrist told me that probably I will need to be on my AD for the rest of my life. He pointed out that if I was a Type I diabetic I would need a daily dose of insulin - "meds for the head" are fundamentally no different.

Another image which you may find helpful is that psych meds can "build a strong foundation". Once that is there other approaches (for example, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or other "talk therapy" approaches) can help.

There is good evidence that a combination of psych meds and talk therapy is often more effective than either is in isolation.