I wouldnt do it... though I've never been severly depressed or tramatized so I dont really know the full extent to this. But to me anti-depressents are just more ways for you to feel bad.... sure they can help you feel "good", but really once you stop taking them, like you said, you feel horrible. There's worse side affects than most ppl taking anti-depressents even have! That's my opinion...

Posted: Sep 2, 2008

hoi. depression. runs in the family - this is nothing new to me. depression is the result of a chemical imbalance, its something that cannot be controlled. the antidepressants aren't a drug that give you "extra" endorphins. they merely raise you to the appropriate/normal ammount. so when first taking them, you think "wow i'm extra happy" - well, of course you feel that way because your whole life you've been feeling what you thought was normal, but really its not. so when you finally adjusted to taking them, you were feeling "normal", how every one else feels who don't suffer from depression. when you stopped, its only natural that you felt like crap because you're taking away something your body and mind grew accustomed to. i wouldn't quite look at it as being a drug - something to get addicted to. though at first i thought antidepressants were fake happiness. i suppose one could still see them as that. i refuse to take them because i find natural happiness better than chemically induced happiness. but there is nothing wrong with taking them. i encourage people to take them if the depression is bad enough. but i also understand not wanting to depend on a pill for happiness.
well there you have it ^^ those are my thoughts, opinions, and a bit of psychology.
great article btw ^^

Posted: Sep 2, 2008

Hello Funny Bunny,

I am sorry that you are feeling badly at the moment. My advice is to try to find a support group for women.

During the 1980s I ran such a group for women who had had and continued to have, very difficult lives.

I must say here that the participants continued to attend the group for years and I was criticized for "hanging on" to clients. However, the members themselves found it beneficial and continued to make slow but very marked changes in their lives.

The support of other members who understood their experiences was the key to the success of the group, not the facilitator who mainly kept people "on topic" and subtly and sometimes not so subtly introduced concepts and stratagies for coping with "life".

It seemed to me at the time that doctors (including friends of mine)were prescribing anti-depressants rather than spending time listening and/or making appropriate referrals to people who would/could.

I AM NOT AGAINST THE USE OF ANTI-DEPRESSANTS AS AN INTERVENTION, however, I seriously question their use as an ongoing treatment.It seems to me that it is much more compassionate to help people to develop coping mechanisms rather than chemically alter their personalities/affect.

From what I have seen, Booksie Members go a long way towards supporting each other through some very difficult times.

Good Luck with your journey THROUGH this difficult time.

Kind regards,
Susan

Posted: Sep 2, 2008

I am so glad u brought this topic up-I have never been able to handle not one single anti-depressant or mood-stabilizer-I suffer from severe, chronic depression and mood swings-but, I have tried about thirty different kinds of medications over the past five or six years and I have had severe side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and attempt, social anxiety, panic attacks on a daily basis, hallucination, hearing voices, heart palpitation, and significant weight loss, including extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, chills, sweats, and basically being knocked out for up to 24 hours straight, and this was on the lowest doses possible....right now, I just started on Cymbalta, and it seems alright-we'll see...oh, and I can't live without Xanax, unfortunately at the moment...I would definitely go through withdrawal if I went off of it cold turkey-but so far that's all I have been able to handle for a year or so now-I been going through a lot of physical health problems, so it helps calm me down and sleep better than I could without it-wow!..I am not ashamed to discuss this anymore....please give me your personal thoughts on what I've spilled out here...I would appreciate the feedback
Here's a list of a few meds that turned out bad for me:
Zyprexa
Lexapro
Zoloft
Lamictal
Prozac
Seroquel...
btw, I am 26 years old, female, single mother of one child....

Posted: Sep 2, 2008

thank u so much, Lien for your immediate response...and for some insight...my name is Megan, but I prefer Meg...if I get a chance I will take u up on that offer to email u...thank u again for talking with me-I don't want to be dependent on a pill the rest of my life either...but I will just leave it at that for now...and I will message u another time...take care, and I wish u the very best as well.:)
Sincerely,
*Meg*

Posted: Sep 2, 2008

i never get depressed so its difficult to comprehend the need for such drugs , however i do know it takes courage to give up something you depended on so strongly . i have seen the damage that both drugs and drink can do to people , so seeing someone fight back fills me with hope and joy . i have absolute faith that you can beat this , go for it chuckles .
terry

Posted: Sep 2, 2008

Hello Lien, this is an interesting debate; let me offer you a doctor's perspective:

First of all, if a doctor insists on using only drugs, WITHOUT any cognitive-behavioural therapy, RUN FROM HIM. No matter what class of depression, drugs alone DO NOT WORK. The only time when mainly drugs are indicated is when someone is in an acute depressive episode with imminent self-harm. That is the only time when it is justified to knock someone out till proper, long-term treatment can be planned and discussed with the family. I repeat, drugs alone do not help.

Having said this, I would like to add that drugs form a significant part of the treatment for depression. As Alice has already mentioned, there is a shortage of the feel-good chemicals or neurotransmitters (serotonin is just one of them) - the body is unable to produce them in sufficient amounts, and so they need to be administered externally. Drugs do have a role. But at the same time, the electrochemical pathways within the brain can be modulated by cognitive-behavioural therapy, and without this, the treatment is essentially incomplete. Without the c-b therapy, one would end up requiring drugs forever (if using only drugs, one ends up treating only the symptoms and not the root cause - for instance - if you have fever, you would need to take antipyretic medications, but unless you root out the infective agents that caused the fever in the first place, the fever itself will continue).

Similarly, drugs ARE required in the treatment of depression, especially during the acute phase or in the initial stages of treatment. But they should NOT be the mainstay of treatment. If only drugs are used, one would certainly end up becoming dependent on them, and suffer withdrawl symptoms as you and several others have so succintly described.

What is ideally required is a combination of drugs and cognitive-behavioural therapy, with the latter taking progressively more importance as the treatment continues. Drugs are needed to make the mind more receptive towards the therapy, but that should be it. They are not, and should never be, the end all and be all of treatment. And all this treatment, whether drugs or psychotherapy, none of it will work unless there is a strong supportive base for the patient, either in the form of family or friends or both.

I have had a single episode of depression once for which I had required treatment, and I also have a bipolar tendency (if you like, you could check out my twin poem called Depression/Mania - the poems themselves are not too great, but the comments given are highly insightful). So I speak as one who has seen both the sides of the story - as a doctor and as a patient too.

Phew! I think this is the longest comment that I've ever written. Hope it helps.

Posted: Sep 3, 2008

Hi Lien, I could empathise with you since i am also on the same boat...
Urja had highlighted the technical part brilliantly...without going into that,...i would like to add that there are plenty of ways to avoid anti depressants like joining Gym, eating right, dressing up in a pretty way, taking time off for urself with ur "girl friends", and to just sit under a tree and enjoy the sounds of nature,
Yoga, helps and also Karate ( which unleashes locked energy)....Music, books, aerobics are add-ons....
Home SPA, Eucalyotus oil, Hot stone massage are another great stress relievers...
try them....i would strongly suggest Eucalyptus oil...
if the discussion is still open, i would like to come back with more points which i have gathered recently through various health magazines....

EXCELLENT TOPIC

Posted: Sep 3, 2008

I fully agree with Pratibha. I would also like to add that those measures are part of the 'behavioural' therapy - remember the 'cognitive-behavioural' therapy I was talking about?

For anyone who has any confusion about my previous comment - NO, I did NOT advocate taking of anti-depressants. In fact, I have recommended very limited usage. But one cannot shy away from the fact that there are situations where medications are specifically indicated, and I am sorry to say that if anyone thinks that an acute episode of severe depression can be cured purely on the basis of will power (which anyway isn't very high at that point in time), they are sadly mistaken.

I wish I could sound sweet and fluffy and dewy-eyed while stating the above facts, and then suddenly everybody would be agreeing with me. But I cannot - sometimes direct speech is the best way to present facts.

Lien, I hope I have not offended you, or anyone else who has been on medications (as mentioned earlier, I was myself on them at one point in time). But I wanted my opinion heard loud and clear because it is a professional opinion, and not a layperson's. And the intention behind it is to avoid any harm coming to anyone who denies himself/herself optimal treatment.

Posted: Sep 3, 2008

The thing with pills and side effects is that the medication's degree of effect varies from person to person. It's not as easy as deciding whether or not to take the medication, it's depended upon the person's level of mental stability and what's best for the present.

For example, if you are taken to hospital with broken arms and legs and when the doctors examine your body and they see blood leaking from your head, then they are going to put everything on hole and examine your head before doing anything else. This is because that's the best thing to do for the present since your head is critical and can determine whether you live or die.

Same with depression (and I'm no expert, this is purely my personal opinion), it depends on the person's degree of mental stability and how much anxiety/trauma they are likely to or are experiencing.

It's true for most drugs, they don't make sense. They present us with a paradox, which in some circumstances we just have to accept.

Put it this way...how many of us have said "I am not drinking that much alcohol again" only to do it again and again...

Sometimes, for us to get better it may be necessary for us to feel worse and then get better.

Posted: Sep 4, 2008

This is an excellent post i for my part have come of taking dothiepin hydrochloride tablets at 25g time 3 per day and now feel better for it.
It's been over 5 months since i went cold turkey but i was just sick of feeling tired all the time and everyone making fun of me saying i looked zombified and dug up.
The best way forward for any depression sufferer is not to take the tablets in the first place however bad things get because it is likely that you will become hugely dependent on their functional use.

The best way forward is to exercise your mind as well as your body distract yourself play games like scrabble which can utilise your positive thought process's.

I won't go back on my tablets and was originally told i would need to take them for the rest of my life i don't buy that neither was i given any consultation just a life skills course and most of the people on the 3 day course were fine they were not suffering from mental health issues but a lack of self esteem.

Try and find something that you believe in and maybe get an animal like a dog take it for walks this will release positive endorphines in to your brain .
I miss not having one as they act as a calming affect.
Try not to worry about things that are out of your control and join self help groups.
Marriage for me is a huge stress factor and my other half cannot be self reliant always placing the pressure of choices on me which drives me nuts.

I can now sleep perfectly without any tablets and feel better for my new healthy lifestyle. Good luck with your plight and let me know how you get on after all F/B you have only gone 1-2 weeks now i have managed 20 weeks or so.BD

Posted: Sep 5, 2008

I wasn't able to read-over all of the comments so I'm not sure if this was already said...

As you already know SSRI's--there are other 'types' of anti-depressants that work differently for the different kinds of depression. Taking the wrong type can, and most likely will, make things much worse.

You also mention stopping your meds...which I can totally understand, givin the problems they brang. I just want to point-out that chemical depression cannot be 'cured' and, if you have it, you will always need the right meds to feel semi-normal.

I must recommend seeing a different doctor if you haven't already. As mentioned by Urja, the treatment for severe/manic depression isn't just finding a drug that works.

If you're reading this RaisinGirl, Zyprexa and Seroquel are antipsychotics and rarely used to treat depression without the aid of another antidepressant...and are probably what caused the hallucinations and voices.

I hope you both eventually find the help you need. Having found a working SSRI on first try and...eventually...finding a working antipsychotic, I can only guess what you're going through.

Posted: Sep 5, 2008

YES, i second URJA on her comment regd the 'will power' in acute stage...
My Mom used to think that i am NOT able to control myself and I am weak to let the depression overcome me...She is a strong person and hence she thought i should be one...
i was so so upset with her and THEN URJA helped me recognise my signs and symptoms and suggested so many ways- I started going to GYM and started wearing pretty clothes and make-up after i got her "Directions"....How lucky I am to have her in MY LIFE...she does what she says....and that is why i listen to her always....
it sounds small thing but indeed these are the steps which pulled me through my hard times....

LIEN, this article of urs is going to ROCk...

i am sure u r feeling better and i really admire ur courage to come forward boldly...my MOM said, i should not have disclosed my depression on Booksie...

NOW,I don't care and have decided to do " WHAT I FEEL IS RIGHT " and "WOULD TRUST MY INSTINCTS".....

Posted: Sep 5, 2008

I'm on the same page as Urja and Pratibha. I do suffer from severe depression. I used to be on three different medications and it made me even crazier. Today, I do yoga, watch what I eat (careful with the carbs and high-fats), and make sure I do aerobics for at least 20-30 minutes each day to raise my heart rate. I also have some really great friends to talk with and hang out. I am not a people-person, but I've found that interaction face to face with adults is vital to our health.
Because of other medical issues, I do take multi-vitamins and immunity boosters.
Check with your doctor. Check your thyroid levels, check for diabetes, and your red-blood cell count.
Anti-depressants did not work for me. Everyone is different.

MA

Posted: Sep 5, 2008

Hello again Lien,

Hasn't your article attracted a lot of interest ? I must say that while I have reservations about the long term use of anti-depressants for MOST people, I am feeling a bit nervous at the thought of people just stopping them overnight, as there can be pretty drastic side affects. I FEEL THAT WITHDRAWL NEEDS SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT.

There are some great ideas on here for keeping fit and healthy and I can add my personal endorsement of exercise, which while it sounds so simple, has made me feel energetic and alert again after having spent far too much time on the computer well into the wee small hours.

While not suffering from depression I certainly felt enervated and lethargic and tended to stay home rather than getting out and about and as I say joining the Gym turned this around.

I have another suggestion if I may ? I wonder if perhaps people here who do have problems with depression could set up their own Support Group ?

One way would be to obtain a (FREE) Yahoo Group site which automatically distributes any Mail to all members and has an Archive where interesting Mail can be retrieved using a Search Engine and Files where helpful articles and info can be stored, as well as a Links where links to relevant Web site can be added.

If anyone is interested let me know as I am happy to assist.

Kind regards,
Susan

Posted: Sep 5, 2008

Hi Lien, lots of good comments here, Urja is Very Very smart as well as others :D

I have to sympathise with you as I went 'cold turkey' myself in may of 2007. the withdrawals were herendous BUT I had made up my mind no matter what.

it is a shame how often the docs perscribe. it is the easy way out. and it is our fault as well partially because we want an easy way out, but the docs should still know better, they are suppose to.

I am So happy for you that you are at a point where you can now deal with the past emotions and the present ones as well. So that is a good thing.

One thing that might change and it is a good thing; when I quit my inspiration came back full blast as if it had been stuck now it was pouring through non stop. I jsut wrote like crazy lol. I wish you the best of luck don't give up
peace and love ~katie

Posted: Sep 5, 2008

I think the best anti depressant is to step back and realize some people have it worse then you.

Posted: Sep 6, 2008

Sometimes the antidepressants are necessary for a while, for a period of time of your life (in my case 4 years) but I also took mood stabilizers and this is something you need for the rest of your life because there are substances that your body does not produce, the same happens with the people that have to take insuline injections or medicines for the blood pressure. They are necessary. But talking about depression I can say that I could overcome it. You know what was the door to be free of depression and antidepresants??? JESUS. Your faith in God your prayer for Him that is the doctor of doctors can take you out of depression. That is my experience. Nice topic! Good job!

Posted: Sep 6, 2008

I was placed on anti-depressants after my mother died. The one pill I ended up taking put me to sleep for 18 hours. I hated it. I returned the bottle to the doctor, and told him no thanks. He tried to talk me into trying just half of the pill, but I stubbornly refused.

I DID try to commit suicide, but the people at my job knew me too well. They sent someone to my home to check on me when I didn't show up to work that morning. I never tried to do it again. I was still depressed, but that wasn't the answer I was searching for.

Sooner or later, you either have accept the depression and try to fight it on your own. Or it ends up destroying you. Took me a long time, but I DID beat it on my own without any help from pills, drugs, or alcohol. Those things only make you forget for a short time. When the effects wear off, you're right back where you started. Maybe even worse off, as you might feel regretful for depending upon them.

Nor am I going to say that religion helped as some people have written. I'm not religious at all. I never have been. I just believe that whatever I do in this life will determine what I'll be in the next.

For some, Anti-Depressants may be just what they need to come to terms with whatever hurts them. But I think they just stifle who you really are, and your emotions are still going to be hectic and miserable.

Posted: Sep 7, 2008

well ,
i only had a therapist, not a psychiatrist, i couldn't have them subscribed to me, but I know that i would never take them, basing your happiness on a pill is only going to make matters worse, and I currently shocked my therapist at how depressed I get, how far i take things when i get depressed, how bad my anxiety is, how unbelievable my childhood was,
and mostly my teachers were concerned when i was hospitalized from a suicide attempt, and kept in Cincinnati children's psych ward.
I think that anti-depressiants are just something to make you think your happy, i think they just manipulate your mind to not care about it anymore, to make you think your life has turned around, many people think that after they have taken them they can start their life over, but what happens when your pill bottle goes empty? you fall to peices and melt aways before everyone's eyes, all your progress for nothing.for you i would actually suggest something, though it seems like nobody may care about you, because i feel like that many times, just count up people and how they have ever helped you find things you like doing think of ways you can try to do to make you happier. i've tried every form of suicide from jumping off a bridge to cutting my wrists with a fork. the knives were hidden and what i can tell you is that i found a reason to live. even though my own childhood friend commmitted suicide, even though he wasn't strong enough, i found that even though i may be weak, i can find strength in numbers. i found someone to confide in. my childhood had kidnap near death experiences abuse rape heartbreak. i have had alot. and i'm only 14. don't depend on a pill to help you through life is my opinion . well i'm here for anyone and everyone lol but srsly. anti-depressants shouldn't be taken really. its to addictive and only makes life harder and you numb to the pain. being numb to all isn't the answer.

Posted: Sep 7, 2008

I really liked what you had to say. I was prescribed anti-depressants, but I never took them. I myself thought, WAY before I even popped the first one, that I don't wanna depend on that damn tablet to make my life better. So I decided to not take it and change my life and happiness myself. I had a very close friend commit suicide in March. Can you guess what happened like a week before she passed? She stopped taking her anti-depressants... Ain't that strange!? Aren't they there to help you, not hurt you? Well in my eyes your opinion is right on track and I'm right along with ya. I like your opinion and that someone actually wrote about this. Good work!

Posted: Sep 7, 2008

I've never been on anti-depressants but I did go through a period of depression. I never sought professional help for it but things got better for me. I wasn't at the level of depression that some people experience but it was hard to manage back then. I've heard terrible things about anti-depressants and how they do trigger thoughts of suicide. I even heard where some make you more depressed than you were before! So what's the point? They've always frightened me. I haven't heard flattering things about them. I am sure they work for some but they caused so many problems with folks I've known personally who were on them. Great post, thanks for sharing!

Posted: Sep 7, 2008

I guess i've been lucky. I have never used anti-depression; only because i've never really required them. I have had many serious bad times, but nowadays if I get any, i just do some physical exercise... It works like a magic for me. And plus sleep has never been a problem for me. Great article, really gained my knowledge on that one...

Posted: Sep 8, 2008

Yesterday I heard a radio interview regarding handling depression. The description and Web address where you can hear the interview follow.

The points that came out of the author's (who deals with depression himself) study were that the two most successful strategies were exercise followed by family and support.

"After a mighty struggle with depression, Graeme Cowan has written the handbook he wishes had existed in his own hour of need. He wants people to know that the illness does pass and that indeed, many people feel their lives are better after their illness than they were before it. Their values change - they appreciate simply being well, that's enough to make it a good day! Graeme Cowan's book is titled "Back from the Brink, Australians Tell Their Stories of Overcoming Depression"
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/06/18/1954128.htm

Susan

Posted: Sep 8, 2008

It is a difficult situation to be in. I myself am currently on 'happy' pills but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't ask myself if I'd be better without them. The worst symptom of my depression (about a year now) has been insomnia - months and months of 2 hours per night really begins to take its toll. I resisted anti-depressants as long as possible, preferring to try to just deal with it, with the aid of counselling, but I just became so tired. My doctor preferred to prescribe me anti-depressants rather than sleeping pills and sleep has now become easier (not great, but easier). The problem is, my moods have not changed...or have they? Would I have been worse without the pills? Will I get worse if I stop taking them? I can't face the possibility that I might feel worse than I do. I don't want to go back to sleepless nights. But I am unwilling to rely on pills forever....so now, as well as the depression itself there is this nagging in my mind adding more pressure! Oh, cruel irony...

I intend to come off the pills, sooner rather than later, as I personally want to prove to myself that I am stronger than this. I have joined the gym. I know my own mind. I can recognise the signs and I have people who love me and support me. I do not want a crutch.

I sympathise completely with anyone that suffers with depression. The worst part is that you can watch yourself, see yourself dipping into the bleakness and know in your heart that you are better than this...and at the same time you feel that there is not a single thing you can do about it. The pills don't take away the pain, they just dull it a bit. That's why they should only be seen as an 'aid to recovery', not as a cure. The root cause must be addressed, your sense of self rediscovered. The answer is within. I firmly believe this.

Writing helps me. It allows me to express myself. I have found poetry helps me to take a snapshot of my feelings and really analyse them. The beauty of Booksie is that with comments, feedback, I also get to share the insights of others on those feelings. It is a revelation and the best anti-depressant there is.

Great article on a subject that is very difficult to broach in other forums. Hopefully it will be helpful and educational to many people. Well done.

Posted: Sep 8, 2008

*Sends an internet hug*
Sorry you're not feeling well...
Honestly, I don't know what I'd do. there have been times where I've felt so bleak that I'd be willing to go for just about anything to make it go away....but at the same time, I don't want to rely on something that quite possible will make me worse instead of better. (I've never been to a doctor for anything like that, so this is all conjecture)
But this was definitely a thought-provoking essay. thank you, and awesome job!

Posted: Sep 9, 2008

What a thought provoking article. Sorry it is based on real life experience. You have explored the topic well and pose lots of questions.
I have had periods of depression and a prolonged bout of depression (but not bad enough that I never got out of bed in the morning.) However it was bad enough that I developed an eating disorder to in some way try and "cope" and ignore what was killing me inside. Would anti - depressants have helped me? Some say so. I daresay I may have been fortunate I didn't seek help at the time, because I have heard stories about the "addictive" nature of medication in order to control depression. When I did seek help I wanted to get better. (the reasons for my depression many and varied)
However I believe there is depression and depression. There are the "blues", the "winter blues", simply feeling sorry for yourself, real depression brought on by grief or lost love or loss of job, trauma etc. or after math of illness and very real depression caused by chemical inbalance in the mind. The last of these my require medication to correct it and to prevent suicidal thoughts. There may be no alternative. The others in varying degrees may be able to be corrected with sun lamps, counsel, self management, diet change, healthy living, exercise, combinations of many things. In many cases, not all.
So is all depression purely in the mind? Can one just "snap out of it." I don't believe so. Recovery from depression is a long and painful process. For some it is a never ending battle. For some people anti-depressants are the only answer, for others they are prescribed far too readily.
I think in your heart you will know if you have depression that you can overcome without meds. If you wake up each day with a small beam of hope, a will to have a better day you have the tools within to manage your depression (sometimes with help - never be afraid of asking) It is the fine line here that is the worry. Can you see yourself when hope is gone? When you want to avoid the world, feel useless, unloved and are at risk of harm?
Not sure if I have touched properly on the questions you pose? For me there is no black and white answer. I can only judge from my own experience and the voices of other depressed people I have known in real life or on the e-ways.
This is a very brave post Bubbly. I wish you well.

Posted: Sep 10, 2008

FunnyBunny I sincerely apologise for inadvertantly calling you by someone else's user name yesterday in my longer comment (apologies to Bubbly also) I knew the author but Bubbly must have been on my mind. So sincere apologies to both and trust no harm was done.

Posted: Sep 11, 2008

hi funny bunny. i really liked this article. Im curious. Are u still off your drugs or on you back on them?
Depression runs in the family for me, my mom has it and her moms has it and now i have it. I suffer from more then just depression. i also have social phobia and ocd and add...
I've been on Valium for a long time and i think it hurts me more then helps me.
when i first got on it, it was like "WOW! I feel great!" I felt stress free and hopeful for once.
the feeling eventually went away. they help me some with going to school and being able to put one foot in front of the other, but bascially i'm back to the way i was before i started taking them.
I think it depends on the person when it comes to Anti-depressents.
but, anyway i'll stop babbiling. great article.

Posted: Sep 12, 2008

this is basically in response to CDaws-I am fully aware about what u stated in your comment...I do have a disorder that goes hand in hand with depression, as do many, many people just in the united states alone....it's all about finding the right combo, and I have only been suffering badly since I spiraled into postpartum depression a year and a half ago, and at the same time I developed a very painful illness....so for me, I have tried many combos, so far I have no tolerance for any-they make my symptoms worse or my body just gets really sick BTW, Zyprexa could have killed me-it was that bad(I recommend that you stop by my page and read my short article on chronic illness)...if u would like...thank you

Posted: Sep 12, 2008

I took antidepressants for a few months after I went to a psychiatric hospital for wanting to commit suicide. I decided to stop taking them because the bottom line is, if you depend on a drug for your happiness, you are exactly the same as a druggie. You can't depend on a pill for your happiness, because it's an artificial happiness that just masks pain and never takes it away. The only permanent solution to depression is somehow working through it; talking to someone close to you, seeing a therapist, or just thinking it through yourself... The pills are just there to take your money.

Posted: Sep 12, 2008

Okay. This is my opinion. I am on anti depressiants and anti phsychoatics. I am bi polar and possibly schitzo. I quit taking my meds. They messed me up more than helped me. I hated them. Now I'm not saying stop but I had to. It f-cked me up more than anything. I've been on three anti phsychoatics and mood stablizers and shit. So anyway. I don't think they help. Their just a legal addiction.

Posted: Sep 13, 2008

Hi FunnyBunny,

Just wanted to say how much your article had got me thinking. It inspired me. I now have a new poem on my page on the subject of hope, something that many people in this situation can sadly lack.

I invite all here to read it - maybe in some way it can help, or at least start you thinking...

Hugs and support to anyone that suffers from depression.

jmevee

Posted: Sep 13, 2008

as for your question, i won't depend on pills to make me feel all right. yes, pain comes and go. our lives is full of ups and downs. i haven't fully experience deep pain, and i might get clingy to anti-depressant(which i hope won't happen), but then, it's useless to depend on something that last only for a short period.

i'm really sorry about your childhood, but anti-depressant don't seem to be a solution to anyone suffering from depression. stay strong!! i'm with ya:)

Posted: Sep 19, 2008

well, i cant say i know how you feel, ive never been in a potisiont to take these kinds of meds, but i get a pretty good idea from this piece.
great work, well done.

Posted: Sep 24, 2008