What are your views about medication?

Question

I've had depression for over a year now, and I've been to a psychiatrist. Although sometimes I feel better it isn't for long, and I can't seem to get out of this sadness I've been experiencing. My psychiatrist said I should consider medication, but my mom is totally against it- she says it will make me insane. Should I try it to see if it helps me or is it too dangerous?

Answer 1

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are safe in the sense they are given to suicidal patients - they can't overdose on these medications. A psychiatrist is very knowledgeable and experienced in the treatment of depression and I would suspect you trust him. I've suffered from it for years on and off. Medication has helped me. Give it a chance, there is no reason for you to suffer if you don't have to.

Your mother isn't qualified to make that decision. She has a stigma against mental health issues. Your mother isn't the one suffering with depression and likely doesn't understand it. Anti-depressants do not cause people to go insane or they would take them off the market-real quick.

http://depression.about.com/

Forums are very helpful and lots of information is there.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I've been on two anti depressants in my short life so far. I've been on celexa and am now taking wellbutrin which works really good most of the time. sometimes I still have depressive episodes, but more often than not it really does help. I'm also on an anti psychotic known as risperdal it really takes care of the voices and paranoia and stuff. So what are my views on medication. I think that they are a blessing and a curse they can help you and at the same time cause awful side effects which for me is weight gain and sexual dysfunction.

So all in all I think you should give it a go the worst thing that will happen apart from the side effects is that it won't work. I really don't have any advice as what to do to change your moms views on meds, but if you're old enough to drive you should just go setup an appointment with your psych and see what happens.  

Answer 3

Medication will help you feel better then it will help you feel worse.  It is not a cure but a licensed trap covering over a problem with another problem - drug dependency to feel normal again is the trap.  In order to have a happy outlook you need to forgive yourself and others that have wronged you.  Then you need to give back to God who gives you the ability to forgive.  Then you will find it a joy to live for Him who made you.

God bless you.

Answer 4

Ask your doctor to put you on the lowest possible dose, try that for a while and see if that helps, then you can decide later if you need to increase the dose. Stay in your Psychiatrists care so he can closely monitor you. Have the doctor explain your need for the anti-depressants.

Answer 5

it wont make you insane unless you take too much.  its safe, but you just need to make sure you take the proper amount and don't overdose.

Answer 6

Anti Depressants ARE NOT dangerous! When you find the right one you will wonder how you went through what you did. You need help. If the doctor is saying you need them, then you NEED them. Your mother is NOT a doctor!

Answer 7

Anti depressants don't make you mad. They can be hugely beneficial. I think you should give it a go you can always come off of them if it doesn't suit you or improve your mood. I have been on anti depressants for a couple of years and I found them a great help.

hope you get on ok

Answer 8

SSRI's are chemical castration for me.  Wellbutrin doesn't increase my serition level, but it does give me a stomach ache, and freak me out a bit.  Anti-psychotics put on a lot of weight, do nothing good, and I've been told they can cause tumors in your frontal lobe, among many other horrible side effects.

Now lets get to the real drugs.  Benzo's...Valium, Xanex...those are personal friends and foes to me.  They give me strenght to fight my extreme introversion, but they also are extremely addicting.  They are the only psychiatric drug that matters to me.  I need to ween myself off of them after my public speaking class is over this next semester.  But, they do not make me fail my finals.

Then you have pain medication.  Ultram is a non narcodic.  Mostly people laugh at it because it is weak and useless to 99% of all human beings.  But for me it gives me energy, motivation, and it helps my back...and it doesn't have the euphoria of serious opiates.

Pills can ruin your life just like alcohol, and hardcore drugs.  Be careful with them.  Respect them, and use them at great caution.  Always have a consultation with the pharmacist when you are prescribed a new medication, and take extra caution until you know how you will react to the medicine.

It's a cruel world out their.  My cousin died 5 years ago due to a combination of meth, oxicotin and other medications.  She was 18.  Another friend killed himself with an overdose the night before his sentencing for burglary.

Know what you are getting into.  Choose light medication.  Don't ever borrow other peoples drugs, and don't ever give out your medication.  Be careful, and best of luck because I don't want you to die like my friends and family have.  It's a lonely world out their, don't ruin your life this early.  Blessings