anti depressants

[CaliBoa22]

so my therapist recently brought up going on medication. N I don’t think there’s anything wrong with medication but it makes me feel like “damn I’m that mentally ill” which lets be real I am but like damn. So I set up an appointment w a psychiatrist anyone got any tips?

[Agora1]

CaliBoa, you know when I was your age, I knew I was "high strung" aka Personality A.

Never did I think of myself as mentally ill. When I was told by my doctor that he could

give me something to calm down that feeling, I accepted it. *as I would accept any medicine

that I needed for an illness.

Try not to think of the medication offered as meaning you are mentally ill. Think of it

as you would think of a band-aid for a sore or a cast for a broken bone. These don't have

to be a forever pill.

When you are on meds and have therapy, you learn to get to the bottom of your issues

and address them. Without meds you stay stuck in a cycle of fear, with meds you can go

forward and begin to get your life back. Stay positive and accept the help with no regrets

or negative thoughts. xx

[fauxartist in reply to Agora1]

Great advice Agora... and statistically 1 in 10 people experience one form or another of depression at some time in their lives as well as chronically now in society. So... obviously it's an issue. My SSRI has saved me from circling the drain many times. I find myself more evened out emotionally. It's not a cure all and is very subtle... but anything to where I was is an improvement.

[AnxiousSilver]

"I don’t think there’s anything wrong with medication but it makes me feel like “damn I’m that mentally ill”"

Listen, I get it. I was like that too in my mid-20's when this first happened to me.

& "It's OK" to think that way.

.

Whether you are on it for a short time or the rest of your life, it really comes down to this:

If it's "helping you", then it's a good thing. (simple as that)

[AnxiousSilver]

"So I set up an appointment w a psychiatrist anyone got any tips? "

I can share some.

Alright. Your first appt. will be the longest, but that's OK, your psych just needs to ask you some questions. (which takes a little while)

.

If you have a spare notebook, (or a pen and few sheets of paper) this is what I would do. Bring the notebook (or paper), so you can write down anything that you think that your psych says that's important.

If your psych does prescribe meds, then it's OK to ask him/her what side effects to expect, and how long to expect them.

Before you leave, make sure you make your next appt and get a phone number, just in case you have any questions with your meds.

.

& Finally, remember that we are here.

[DownNOut112]

I agree. What is the benchmark for mentally ill and "you're normal, you just got some issues." I dont want meds, but when is it necessary to need them.

[Blueruth]

I can totally relate! If you decide to follow their advice then do not get in the mindset of "for life". It doesn't have to be. You can and should do other things to get back to health and probably do away with the meds. Personally if a doctor tells me it is "probably for life" i look for someone else. Not that there aren't reasons but I don't want someone assuming that on a 60 min visit.

That said you gotta do the work... go to therapy, eat healthy, exercise, learn mindfulness. All those things are going to help you. There is also just plain old "growing up" which is what was part of my healing too.

[ashleybakerr01]

i dreaded and hated the idea of meds. But accepted that they may help me.And as they said above, it doesn't have to be forever. I just recently started up again on my meds about month ago. They had to up my dose once but now im feeling little better. I plan om staying on it for awhile then trying without again in a few good months. Along with therapy and learning to eat better again. Just know you aren't alone and this site is very helpful and we're all here for you

[designguy]

The sooner you have the courage and take the steps to heal the better the quality of your life will be and you'll be grateful you did. Sometimes meds can help in that process which doesn't mean you need to be on them forever. You can also quit them if you find they aren't helpful for you just be sure to do a slow taper off of them under medical supervision. Meds definitely helped me realize what "normal" could feel like in my journey.

[Danceruby]

Its personal. I'm 76. First of all it takes a while to find the one that works for you. Unless they get it right with the first one. I started in my 40s and finally found one that worked. I have gone off and back on. Lots of trauma in my life. Now I'm back on and will probably stay on them. I see death as a release from sadness, so I have to watch that. I take care of myself physically and can run 3 miles, no health issues. I recommend that because depression is a disease of the mind. It's totally individual. I wish you well!