Depression

[happygirl]

Do you think you ever beat it? Or is it lying dormant waiting to reappear or is it dormant in everyone and waiting for a trigger.

I recently went off my anti-depressants and the first few weeks were hell but I honestly feel great. Im sleeping better, I feel great.

Is it because im better or are things just good at the moment? I guess i wont ever know.

[lucyloo]

I suppose it might be different with everyone.
For me, it lies dormant, and it is a constant battle to remain on top of things.:(
Good luck HappyGirl, hope you keep feeling great!!:)

[Heather]

I have been on and off Anti Depressants for the last 3 years.....I now realise that I may be on them for a long, long time......I'm not happy about this, but if it enables me to find the wherewithall to return to my other self permanently, I'll keep taking them.

[Mad Old Cow]

I agree lucy i think it lies dormant untill something triggers it off again
i have been on Anti Depressants for about 9 or 10 yrs & i don't care if I'm on them for another 10 years, they help to control my depression to a degree & I'm happy with that

[crashtestwoman]

I too have been on Anti Depressants for many years and I feel that they help stabilise me enough so that I'm not curled up in a ball in my bed refusing to come out or in hospital having to be forced fed because I'm just so depressed I can't even eat or look after myself. If the anti depressants help with that I'm happy to pop a pill each and every day. It doesn't stop the depressive episodes but I bounce back a bit easier and and am able to somewhat keep sane enough to funtion while I'm on them.

[jeanieinparadise]

I was on anti-depressants a few years ago, but the best thing for me was seeing a psychologist who gave me some cognitive tools to help change my ways of dealing with the triggers.

I think the pills definitely helped, as it helped break my cycle and allowed me to move a bit forward.

I think that there have been times that I have probably needed them and didn't go down that path for idiotic pride.

I would like to think if things got so bad again I would turn to them before I hit rock bottom.

But - I truly think that a little therapy in conjunction can help you learn signs and triggers and try to stave off the nasty fog.

[mummyof3babes]

Yeah I agree with Di, I don't think it ever goes away. We can learn how to live with it and have our happy spells, but it always sneaks back in somehow...

Good on you for getting off the meds happygirl, good luck and I hope it all goes well for a really long time.

[Stormy]

It depends on the degree of your depression and more importantly what is causing it in the first place. Some people have a reactive depression.....and usually once the stimulus is removed, the depression will lift. :yes:

I think too often people forget that it is normal to become depressed about certain things - job loss, deaths, relationship breakups. I don't know a single person who has been on the receiving end of a dumping and felt ecstatic about it yet there seems to be this rush to whack the person on anti-depressants because they are experiencing an emotion which is quite normal for the circumstance. Sometimes people really just need your time to talk and for you to listen to them....they need to cry and feel that sense of loss because it is all part of the grieving process. That's all I wanted years ago yet the my family GP just wanted to give me a pill to make it all go away. Sorry but taking a pill each day did not change the fact that I had lost a loved one. In fact it just made me angry that they seemed to think my grief was unacceptable in the situation....

I'm not saying that anti-depressants don't have their place - they certainly do for people with major clinical depression. :yes: But for people who have a reactive depression, I really question their use. Of course, that is only my thoughts based on personal experience and observation. :dk:

[happygirl]

Stormy weather! I totally agree. 100% You worded that great. Working in pharmacy I see it everyday. The drs write what ever they feel like. Your sad .. take prozac or which ever one they find in the computer. I know my gp spent alot of time with me b4 deciding which one to go on.
The are over used in alot of cases... but for alot of ppl too its fantastic.
And i tell alot of my customers i was on them/ been on them. Only because they have walked in crying their eyes out because they have just been put on them and i follow it with" anybody can be on them, congratulations for taking hte first step"

[Cherie]

My Mum has said things to me like, if I have a few tears, or just totally p---ed off, she will say you are depressed ..go get something from the Dr.
I think no..I am Upset and I am Angry. Remember those things we called emotions before depressed became the word of the day.:blink:
I recently said "What, will he will give me something to make me feel good about being p---ed off?" I think she has given up on me now..:hehe:

Then again, Thats just me I am talking about.