Anti depressants

[98753267a]

AIBU for being apprehensive about taking anti depressants?
Struggled with chronic depression for 5 or so years. Have tried them for a while once and they didn't work.
I'm now at a point in my life where I just don't like the idea of pumping my body with stuff. I don't use hormonal contraceptives, rarely use painkillers unless really necessary, really rarely use antibiotics unless completely needed, so pumping my body with anti depressant drugs to change brain chemicals just really freaks me out.
I'm only asking as I'm at a point where medication might be my only option but I really don't like the idea!

You are not unreasonable for being apprehensive about taking them. You say it may be your only option left. What else have you tried?

I'm the same as you , I had blood tests a while back because I was so tired and while discussing this I broke down in front of the doctor and let it all out , I didn't realize I was depressed until then despite feeling shit for ages , I started the meds and I feel so much better 8 months on that I really wonder why I hadn't recognized how bad I had felt before. I was dead against any meds before but now I take elthroxin and Lexapro and it's what I need so I'll carry on with it .

I take them.

I have done for the last 4 years.

Had to stop when I was pregnant but went straight back on once not so I’ve been on and off them for a good 10 years.

Honestly, the way to look at it is, your brain is missing a hormone and this tablet replaces that.

You wouldn’t leave a broken leg without treatment so please do go ahead and try them. The doctor will carefully monitor you to make sure you’re given the correct dosage and type as there are so many to choose from.

I accidentally ran out last week and went 4 days without taking any before I was able to get my prescription. I never realised until then, just how much I depended on them to live a normal life

I have struggled with mental health all my life. Reckon I was first told I needed ADs 20 years ago, and have been refusing them ever since.

After an almost complete collapse last year. I started on them in December, seeing no other option.

They have changed my life. I feel like 'me' again. I wish I'd started them years ago.

I can finally admit that my mental health is too fragile to be able to manage without them. And that's okay.

I am a better person for my family and friends now. I have hope for the future and feel like I might even be happy again.

If you are really struggling, you don't have to. If you have a chemical imbalance in your brain, you need help to correct it. If you developed another illness which needed treatment, you'd take the medicine. I don't think this should be any different.

I wish you strength and luck.

Antidepressants have saved my life. I have a long history of depression - looking back, I was depressed at age 14 (having suicidal thoughts due to bullying at school), and although it wasn't diagnosed until much, much later, I am sure that I have been clinically depressed to some extent for most of my life.

Antidepressants help me function, and help me not think about suicide.

As other posters have said - the ADs will replace something your body is missing - if you had diabetes, you wouldn't think twice about taking insulin - this is the same - your body isn't making enough of the chemicals your brain needs to keep your mood stable and good.

The ADs may be the support you need to start feeling better - and when you are feeling better, it is easier to do the other things that will help lift your mood - therapy, self-care (eating right, exercise, hobbies that give you pleasure, sleep) etc.