[InfiniteSadness]

i would say it may keep me out of the hospital. Maybe even from being completely neurotic, bed ridden.. Less suic. ideation. Is anything wrong with this picture?

[Weownthesky]

I'm "ok" without but, but I never would've kept a job or got my drivers license if I wasn't on my medication (too social anxious for my first job and couldn't pass my learners license without panicking or even leave my House to hang out with friends before meds after high school)

[Love&Toil]

I think we need a combination of meds and therapy to help us maximize our functioning. I too believe I wouldn't be where I am in life if it wasn't for my medication. I was suicidal as teenager, and had postpartum depression/anxiety, etc. Meds have truly helped me to function.

I wouldn't say there was anything wrong with this picture. It just is what it is. We have an illness and some of us require medication.

[kiwi33]

My psychiatrist has a nice phrase for the single psych med (Venlafaxine) that I am on - it will "build a strong foundation".

With that foundation in place, my clinical psychologist has taught me Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness/meditation methods.

That combination, plus my hard work, means that I can function effectively.

[Webgoji]

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

i would say it may keep me out of the hospital. Maybe even from being completely neurotic, bed ridden.. Less suic. ideation. Is anything wrong with this picture?

My Viibryd keeps me from committing suicide. So yeah, I need to rely on it completely.

[venusss]

I take handful of natural supplements to help me take the edge off.

But I guess I define fuctioning in other terms than not killing myself and not being in hospital... sure chemical can help with that, but you gotta do the living yourself. Just like crutches enable you to walk with broken leg, but don't the walking.

To expand on your crutches metaphor: But some people need crutches permanently (like my husband), not just temporarily. The crutches go beyond just being a temporary aid; they are actually necessary to be able to do the living in the first place. My husband will never be able to walk without crutches; in fact, he'll probably move into a wheelchair soon. No amount of will power or healthy living or therapy (physical or otherwise) is going to fix that. Those aids can't be taken away without him being pretty much left bed ridden. Medication can very well be that important and that necessary for some.

[venusss]

Yeah, but it's still combination of using crutches and your doing.

And unlike meds, crutches usually don't "stop working" or "poop out" all of sudden. This is why one should have lotta coping skills at hand and not "depend" solely on medication. There is lot of other things that need to be done.

[gayleggg]

Meds keep me stable. I could not have a normal life if it weren't for the meds. They keep me sane. I go to counseling but it is just so they can keep an eye on my mood level. I definitely depend on meds.

Originally Posted by venusss

Yeah, but it's still combination of using crutches and your doing.

And unlike meds, crutches usually don't "stop working" or "poop out" all of sudden. This is why one should have lotta coping skills at hand and not "depend" solely on medication. There is lot of other things that need to be done.

LOL. You clearly have not lived with someone who must rely on crutches permanently before. Trust me. They absolutely can stop working and poop out and need replacement, or different types might be needed because the physical need might change in some way, etc. My husband actually has crutches that he can adjust as needed depending on his pain level, stability, stance, etc. Kind of like meds have to be adjusted from time to time. Just sayin'.

[Fresia]

I completely rely on the meds to survive, live, and to keep living. In my case, though the therapy has helped tremendously with coping skills, I could not have made it to therapy in the first place if it weren't for the meds when they started to work or been able to return to return to work. The coping skills are helping me to keep the job too though now. Meds alone were not enough by themselves but are my foundation and lifesaver.

[Altered Moment]

I see permanent crutches, or a permanent wheel chair, or a prosthetic limb, as a tool that becomes and extension of ones self. Even an integral part of ones self. You could say the same for eye glasses or contacts which some people have to totally rely on.

Still people have to learn how to use the tool. Use their own will and muscles to use the crutches. Maybe meds if they are working good could be said to be an extension of yourself similar to eye glasses. In my opinion it still takes lots of other tools to deal with life even for the most mentally healthy people. Even more tools for us. My current meds are allowing me to function whereas in a deep depression I wouldn't be able to, but I still have to do the functioning. I think Venus makes a good point that even with the help of meds we should give ourselves credit for doing the footwork it takes to get out of bed and shower and face the day. Some days are easier than others to do that.

[-jimi-]

My med brought me from severe, non functional depression to mild depression. That was a huuuuge step.

I know all people do not have the same good help, but some do!

[Jolisse]

Yes, I need my medication to function. Even with medication I'm having a rough time, no one seems to have any idea how to help me.

[InfiniteSadness]

For me its almost like cancer- the illness, just a mental cancer. The med can reduce it but the "cancer" is always there..