To try medication or not?

[narahman2]

I've struggled with on and off anxiety and depression for years and have always been way too scared to try meds for a number of reasons - I know it can take awhile to find the right one and I don't want to deal with the side effects, I don't want to be dependent on something and feel like I can only feel normal when I'm on it, I don't want to be unable to drink ever again or be nervous to drink a little bit for how it'll interact with my medicine, etc. Not to mention the stigma that surrounds mental illness and that my family especially has... I feel like I'd have no one to confide in.

Does anyone have any advice on this? It's so hard because when I'm feeling good I'm in the mindset that I don't need to get on medication after all but then the next day I can experience another bad bout of anxiety all over again and rethink the whole thing. I'm just so afraid on how it'll affect my life.

[Coop1313]

You have all of us to confide in and we all know people sometimes need a little extra help to get through the day. Finding the right men can be tough but it will be worth the effort once you do! As for the drinking, I was a casual drinker and was hesitant too, but now I don’t miss it at all. I thought I would miss it, but now my friends are pumped they have a consistent designated driver😂

[narahman2 in reply to Coop1313]

I appreciate having this board to confide in because I feel so alone

[Coop1313 in reply to narahman2]

I agree 100%. It’s nice to know that I am not the only one who has these thoughts and feelings. Plus it’s really helpful to hear that some people that were going thru what am have come out the other end and are leading normal lives.

[Dolphin14]

It's about quality of life. The decision is yours.

I wouldn't worry about what other people think. More people are on meds than you know they just don't talk about it.

As far as your family goes, you don't have to tell them. It's private information if you are an adult.

[Gentlespirit]

I have depression flareups and have been on and off medicine for years. I actually limit the med