This really irks me as I struggle with taking my meds for my depression without others saying I did it with no help etc. Do people say that to others who are on heart medicine or insulin for example?

I AM on antidepressants and these medicines along with counselling help keep me alive. I am learning new coping methods and dealing with the past. I really wish people would stop trying to make me feel guilty for needing help. I have an illness that is treatable with meds.

Does this bother anyone else? Or am I the only one?

Most mental illnesses involve messed-up brain chemistry. That's why the meds are so important. They smooth out the wrinkles so counseling and other activities can get done. I sure hope the people who tell you that don't take anything for headaches, toothaches, or backaches--and certainly no Viagra for ED. I hope they "do it with no help."

Well I'm not a fan because its un natural, I take mine because otherwise I tend to be a wreck and they help me to be more stable in some respects.

Some people don't understand why people need meds to help them, because they have no experience in the matter.

It doesn't bother me because I've tried a lot of other things before trying my meds and so far this has been the best option for me.

Here is the problem. Depression is a normal part of life. SO when others look at it they draw from that well of personal knowlage. On the other side is the clinical depression. That can vary from mild to extremes. Many don't understand that. I believe that is where the flak is coming from. People expect other to "get over it" when in fact some things last a lifetime and it's a matter of learningto deal with it rather then flat out getting over it. The fact that your reaching out and doing what you need to do is something to be applauded and not ridiculed. Good for you for doing so.

Meds are great and help a lot of people.

I even have seen it on boards such as this... the people who brag that they fought it without meds. Some of us don't have the brain chemistry to do that/ or we were really messed up as a child etc.
I think that it can at times it can make it harder for people to go for help when they hear others say that.
Now I am not perfect at times I try to tell myself I can do without the meds and try it for a few days and realize how wrong I am.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mogrann

This really irks me as I struggle with taking my meds for my depression without others saying I did it with no help etc. Do people say that to others who are on heart medicine or insulin for example?

I AM on antidepressants and these medicines along with counselling help keep me alive. I am learning new coping methods and dealing with the past. I really wish people would stop trying to make me feel guilty for needing help. I have an illness that is treatable with meds.

Does this bother anyone else? Or am I the only one?

---

The smart thing to do is get help when you need it.
It does take courage to admit you need help when you have those that do not understand clinical depression saying that you don't need meds. When what they "got over" was nothing like clinical depression.

When the depression causes changes in the chemistry of the brain, it requires the meds to rebalance that chemistry and counseling to help understand what is, and will be happening to your thought processes due to these changes.

What really bothers me is it seems the ones who know the least are usually the loudest voices.

You are doing well and I know you will keep doing better.

Try not to let the uninformed bother you. Hope they don't remain ignorant all their lives.

Glad to hear from you again. Keep in touch

Keep your mental illness to yourself. If people see you taking them, they are vitamins, allergy pills or something benign.

I know they are a necessary part of life for some people and they can be transient for most.

ADHD meds are controversial, but they are mental meds too. If you want an analogy to use for your friends, see what happens when you put ADHD in the same category.