To think that most women are taking anti depressants?

[Jambalaya76]

Hi

I have been on and off these for most of my adult life. Life is easier with them and I find I am more able to cope with life stresses. I feel normal and tend to let upsets go over my head. Life is better with them. However, I have had a lot to deal with in my little life so feel like a need a little help.

Over the years, I have met so many people who say they also take them. Not that I ever bring it up. It made me wonder if I was to ask people, I wonder how many are taking anti depressants? This seems the perfect forum to ask.

So, how many of us woman here take, or have taken, antidepressants?

Bobby would you take blood pressure tablets if you needed them? To say you'd never take them is extremely narrow minded and downright stupid imo

@Bobbycat - yes lucky you that you haven’t needed them. I also would have said they were something I wouldn’t consider until I really needed them.

I think a lot of it is because we are so over stimulated. Everything is rushed and hurried and instant and there is pressure to do more and be more, we have total senses overload, that impacted with the amount of pressure with work, social interactions et all, it all gets over bareing. The drs are too quick to diagnose depression and anxiety and medicate rather as it’s cheaper and feesable rather than look at the bigger picture of peoples lifestyles and healthy coping strategies, as that implies other people are responsible like employers etc to make sure there is a healthy work like balance.
I’m not denying mental health issues arnt real at all, the opposite, they very much are but often they are a product of environment and we don’t look to change that environment as a society we just pile more stimulus on and medicate saying it’s normal and everyone does it.

I was on them for a bit for migraines (another use for them!), but haven't ever taken them for depression or anxiety. Wouldn't be averse to it though! I did take diazapam once briefly for panic attacks - it was loooovely!!! :)

I took them for about a year 25 years ago and thankfully haven't needed them since. No one knew I was on them simply because I didn't feel it was anyone else's business. It's very easy for someone to say they would 'never' take them if they've never had the need for them, because they haven't been in the situation of feeling they have no other way out. I would like to think I will never take them again, because I hope I never need to, but one really can't say.

I’m not denying mental health issues arnt real at all, the opposite, they very much are but often they are a product of environment and we don’t look to change that environment as a society we just pile more stimulus on and medicate saying it’s normal and everyone does it.

I think there is definitely truth in this.

I don’t and would try everything not to. Ditto most of the women in my life. I know a couple who do though and would never judge or lecture. They just aren’t for me and you asked.

I had infertility for years and a rollercoaster ride of treatment. I then had PND and they did nothing for me ( was pressured to try them by GP),other interventions such as counselling and support at the time did.

I’m all for recognising poor mental health and not being ashamed to talk about it.Its something I would happily talk with friends about and not judge. I’ve had some really shit times during my life( including bereavement)as have friends and I guess most of us but prefer to work through things in a more mindful way. Ads feel like sticking plasters to me. I focus on better mental health in other ways which clearly works for me if I’m down or going through something incredibly hard. Over the years I’ve got better informed and handle things much better in my head.

That is not to say that I wouldn’t ever use them but I’d try other things first and I’d have to be unable to function. I get this may happen, nobody can predict life. However shit things have got to date though I’ve always managed to put one foot in front of the other and talk myself through things. I was lucky enough to have parents who combined taught me to do that and family support. We all support each other. Life can be and is tough at times for most of us.

Hope I don’t sound like Pollyanna but you did ask.

I've never taken anti-depressants and neither have any of my female friends,so think it's a bit of a sweeping statement to be honest.

N0rdicStar

Agree 100%

I only know 1 person out of a large circle of close friends who has ever taken them. So no I don't think most women take them

My GP did not immediately reach for her prescription pad when I went to see her about my anxiety and depression. She said they were an option and I could try them if I wanted to, to go away and think about it if I wasn’t sure and just give her a ring if I decided to try them. Which I did. She also referred me to the primary mental health care service and I had a phone assessment with them. I’m glad I decided to try the medication (citralopram) as it has made a difference. As pps have said there were times in the past when I probably should have taken them but didn’t.

I’m all for recognising poor mental health and not being ashamed to talk about it.Its something I would happily talk with friends about and not judge. I’ve had some really shit times during my life( including bereavement)as have friends and I guess most of us but prefer to work through things in a more mindful way. Ads feel like sticking plasters to me. I focus on better mental health in other ways which clearly works for me if I’m down or going through something incredibly hard. Over the years I’ve got better informed and handle things much better in my head.

You seem to be suggesting that medication is the lazy way out?

Yes and I never tell anyone. Only one friend knows and I'm very close with my friends!

No, a last resort.

I was asked about me and I replied.

I’ve had some really shit times during my life( including bereavement)as have friends and I guess most of us but prefer to work through things in a more mindful way. Ads feel like sticking plasters to me.

But there’s a difference between dealing with shit times ‘mindfully’ (which is fine, I run & talk to friends when things are shit) and having a chemical imbalance in your brain which needs medication.

Citalipram did zilch for me, literally nothing. They made me feel hideous coming off them too.

Other interventions were massively better and have lasted a long time. I still reap the benefits.

I'm lucky enough to have never needed them but if I did I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be embarrassed about it. For all the posters saying you can never say never, it might happen to you like cancer - yes true - but I've never had anything close to cancer in my life but I have had all sorts of mh issues over the years which i have dealt with through a mixture of various non medicinal therapies and exercise and meditation. So i think i know a little bit about 'the strengths and weaknesses' of my own mental health and how to deal with it when it goes down hill and so far that has not included antidepressants. I believe (maybe naively) that I have developed coping mechanisms to never need them.

Isn’t PND a chemical imbalance?

And I don’t run to friends thanks, I do a whole host of things often on my own.

Belittling difficulties because people don’t use ADs is a bit shit.

I never had them and know only 1 woman who did for a while.
My issues turned out to be caused by vitamin deficiency. Luckily my gp decided to run full tests before prescribing.

I doubt "most" women are, but I certainly am. So are a few of my female and male friends. We're all in our 20s and childfree so god knows what that says about us lol.

I've never taken any. I am resistant to taking any medication though - but I would take it if it was the only way to get better.

In my 20s, I went to the doctor with a persistent chest complaint after flat mates complained about my cough! GP (who I had never visited before) decided I was depressed and tried to persuade me to take ADs. I had no symptoms of depression and was perfectly happy, so I refused. I didn't get any help with my constant cough, so my flat mates had to endure it until it eventually cleared itself.

Given this, I think a lot of people may have been on ADs at that time (late 70s).

*And I don’t run to friends thanks, I do a whole host of things often on my own.

Belittling difficulties because people don’t use ADs is a bit shit.hmm*

I think Empress meant that she goes running AND talks to friends, not that she runs to friends......

Sorry, bold fail.

I'm resistant to taking any medication unless it's a last resort. I struggled with pnd for 3 years and then took them for 5 months. They certainly helped.

We have recently lost our second baby at 20 weeks. So far, I'm managing without.

I've not read the full thread. I would say 50% of women I'm friends with are either regularly taking ADs are have done in the past (current age range from mid 30s - mid 50s), for a whole variety of reasons (bereavement, post-natal depression, PMS, anxiety). Despite efforts, unfortunately I think there is still stigma attached to admitting being on ADs.

I have taken them on and off since my mid 20s. I’m now early 40s and take them for health anxiety. They just take the edge off the anxiety, not much else. I know quite a few people who take them both male and female. All functioning with good jobs and families but obviously have their inner struggles.