Is medication necessary in combating depression ?

I'm getting the cart a bit before the horse here, as I've yet to write my feelings/perceptions concerning the depression/despondency I feel.

But I see a bit being discussed concerning "medicating" depression and am curious to ask....

Had been to counsellors in the past and had a couple 'recommend' I speak with family doctor concerning anti-depressants. Also had a friend,who herself in the past had mild depression bouts , suggest it- saying it can "get you over the hump".

I try to go the "all natural" route when possible, steering clear of 'chemicals'(read:drugs). I do understand there are occasions when necessary for those with biochemical imbalances and the like, but... should it always be part of the 'repertoire' in depression treatment?
I mean, some can(are) depressed just through life circumstances, sometimes life just s*cks and one gets stuck in a rut(like me) and needs guidance,direction to get "unstuck" -as much as possible.

Is there too much dependance on being 'medicated' to "make it through"?

I told one counselor I didn't want to walk around like a zombie in a drug induced stupor, if I wanted to just mask feelings I'd drink some wine- taste better and more fun. I may be just too analytical(my nature) , I seek logic - like if one does A,B&C you'll get a given result.

Please understand I'm not trying to 'step on toes' and realise there are those who need such as stated but so many want you to 'pop a pill' and just move on...

Opinions/suggestions welcome...

I don't really think that there are many who want to "pop a pill" and move on. There are many who don't want to take medication and actually need to. I for instance, have a chemical embalance and need medication where there are some who have situational medication. I am sure there are a few, as you suggested, though that don't want to work through it and hope medication will take it away. Nobody wants to be depressed.

If you have had a lot of  counselors telling you to seek doctor's help, maybe you should. Taking medication doesn't necessarily make you a zombie. If it does, you are on the wrong medication.

Speaking of wine, alcohol makes you more depressed, so if you are drinking, that could be the source of your depression. I only said that because of the way that you mentioned it.

Exercise and eating right can help with depression. There are also supplements that can help. But if you are being told you may need medication and you are actually depressed, I would take it into consideration. But realistically, your comment about popping a pill, I don't see it. Not on a large scale.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen...

BnotAfraid said...
Seeing a doctor for an opinon is important.

It all depends on how long the person has been depressed, what is causing the depression and if there are other factors involved.

Depression can be enviromental and/or chemical inbalance in the brain.

It is important to know what you are dealing with.

Thank you BnotAfraid,point well taken concerning the doctor. As I wrote, was suggested to me and will probably go if for no other reason to satisfy my curiosity of what would be prescribed.

Still will be going a 'natural' route:)

getting by said...
I don't really think that there are many who want to "pop a pill" and move on. There are many who don't want to take medication and actually need to. I for instance, have a chemical embalance and need medication where there are some who have situational medication. I am sure there are a few, as you suggested, though that don't want to work through it and hope medication will take it away. Nobody wants to be <nobr><a id="FALINK_3_0_2" class="FAtxtL" href="#">depressed</a></nobr>.

If you have had a lot of <nobr><a id="FALINK_2_0_1" class="FAtxtL" href="#">counselors</a></nobr> telling you to seek doctor's help, maybe you should. Taking medication doesn't necessarily make you a zombie. If it does, you are on the wrong medication.

Speaking of <nobr><a id="FALINK_3_0_2" class="FAtxtL" href="#">wine</a></nobr>, alcohol makes you more depressed, so if you are drinking, that could be the source of your <nobr><a id="FALINK_2_0_1" class="FAtxtL" href="#">depression</a></nobr>. I only said that because of the way that you mentioned it.

Exercise and eating right can help with depression. There are also <nobr><a id="FALINK_1_0_0" class="FAtxtL" href="#">supplements</a></nobr> that can help. But if you are being told you may need medication and you are actually depressed, I would take it into consideration. But realistically, your comment about popping a pill, I don't see it. Not on a large scale.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen...

Hi Karen, and believe me, not trying to offend and none intended( saw your response before edited)- the last thing I want to do. I just get the sense at times some find it easier to 'medicate the patient' (I'm writing of some therapists) instead of 'getting down and dirty' to work a situational depression through. I understand there are those,as I stated initially, that have biochemical causes for their depression and need medication- not writing of those cases.
I do know what it's like to have someone use a term or phrase in a derogatory manner, such as a person telling me "you must have missed your happy pill today"(snicker) because of my demeanor at that moment - not too helpful~

Naw, I'm not a drinker, though I do enjoy wine on occasion and such has never been a problem for me. Reason I used it to illustrate a point in post above. I also know how alcohol can trigger and exacerbate emotions, I saw it first hand in my father (and in some of his brothers), no fun being 10 yrs. old and getting jacked up by a drunk against the wall threatened with having to "fight the old man" to prove you are a man. And this from a "professional man", who on the outside exude confidence and success, but was really a "functioning alcoholic" (used to be known as "closet alkies"). But I digress...

Am trying the "natural" route first, still in trial stages ...

Thanks for your input Karen, much appreciated(and ya got me to state a little of me past, as painful as much is)

Michael In NYC said...
I'm fairly new to depression. I've decided on an all natural approach. Primary Care Doctor strongly supports this approach.
1. Healthy Diet with emphasis on fruit, vegetables, salads, fish, legumes, whole grains.

2. Exercise. I'm walking 8 to 10 miles a day.

3. Therapist.

4. Supplements: Stress Formula (with 26 ingredients). Mood Formula with GABA, Taurine,
L-Theanine, Holy Basil, Reflora. 25 mg DHEA. 400 mg Magnesium Glycinate.
Daily Multi Vitamin. I just ordered SAMe 200 mg.

I just started this regimen and so far so good. I'm so hoping that I will continue to be successful.

Hello Michael,

I lived in NYC at one time meself (Brooklyn) and spend years on "the Island".

I've found walking and hiking to be great stress relievers - not to mention keeping one in shape:)

I Like your formulas, do you purchase ready made or are you mixing them? Interested in trying something like this myself.
Best in your endeavours and continued success - John

I am truly sorry about your past. My mother was an alcoholic, schitzophrenic and bipolar. It was hard for me too. I know what you went through. It is scarey especially when you are little. Not a fun childhood. But we get beyond that in time. I take meds for chemical embalance. I will have to take them for the rest of my life. Not fun when you think about it, though we never do know what is going to happen in the future.

I editted my post because I didn't like the way it sounded. I was a little thrown off by your post, but when I reread it I understood it more. You are basically just asking a simple question. Some people can fight depression without medication and I hope that you can. Nobody wants to take it. And knowing you have to for the rest of your life can be quite concerning. I hate that thought. So it is back to one day at a time.

Keep posting...

Hugs, Karen...

Hi John,

Everyone is different, so my side effects may not be the same as what you may get, if you get any at all.

I take Celexa and at first I was really tired during the day. I switched to taking it at night and that took care of that.

Also, when I first took an antidepressant I was put on Lexapro and didn't notice any side effects at all.

What I DID notice was that my life became bearable. I didn't feel like I was moving through molasses. I stopped dreading every day of my life.

Worth it.

Truivia,

It often takes six to eight weeks for an antidepressant to reach full potential. Give the next medication that long before giving up. The healing process is really gradual. It could take months before you feel better, but you will.

Best wishes to you to feeling better.

Hugs, Karen

I am going to throw a cat among the pigeons because I do not believe that medication is the answer to depression. Medication is a mask to disconnect you from the depression the same way a pain killer doesn't really stop the pain but disconnects you from it. I believe in treating the body holistically and many physical symptons are a result of unresolved mental tension/trauma some even going as far back as birth if not before.

Indigo while I find your post a bit offensive, I'll keep my opinion of 'holistic' medicine to myself because everyone is different and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from getting help in the way that works for them.

Same as Karen, I have a chemical imbalance. I've tried everything else for my depression and nothing else works. Everyone is different. Some of us do need meds for our depression.

Post Edited (Kaely) : 9/3/2012 12:51:17 AM (GMT-6)

Kaely said...
Indigo while I find your post a bit offensive, I'll keep my opinion of 'holistic' medicine to myself because everyone is different and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from getting help in the way that works for them.

Same as Karen, I have a chemical imbalance. I've tried everything else for my depression and nothing else works. Everyone is different. Some of us do need meds for our depression.

Hello Kaely,

It is not my intention to cause offense and I do not understand how anyone can find my post offensive. It is an opinion that I hold based on my career and life experience.

From your post I also assume you have a negative opinion on holistic alternatives and its not one of the everything you have ever tried firsthand.