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?

I've never had them.

From my work role, I can say that most women are not on antidepressants - I'm not sure of the exact proportion but it is not 'most'.

I don't. I know one of my circle does, but that's it. I don't think most women do at all. That's not to say some people don't need them. I disagree about stigma. We are all open about mental health and if anything feel doctors offer them up too much.

People saying that they know no one on them are delusional.
Actually there are plenty of people who don't need them, or who might benefit but don't believe in them, or who prefer to try talking therapies, or who have tried them and found them unhelpful, or who deny that they need help, or who struggle to access medical help to get them.... Not everyone wants to take a pill or needs to take a pill. It's more delusional to assume that everyone thinks the way you do because we're all individuals with different circumstances.

Im actually surprised people feel just because they take them everyone else who is depressed should.

I definitely don't think that. People should do whatever works for them and what they're comfortable with. If a person is capable to do therapy and lifestyle changes without the use of meds, and they help, surely that's ideal?

I thought for a good while the meds didn't really do much for me, as despite trying several, I was constantly unwell (also despite lots of therapy). It so happens that eventually I have found one that helps for now, and I'm able to do all those healthy self-care things that one is supposed to, to care for their MH (no way I'd be doing yoga and meal planning if I was severely depressed). But if a person doesn't want to go through all the trial and error, and side effects and withdrawals included, to look for the one drug that might help, I certainly wouldn't blame them!

I know a few women who have taken them and a few who have been offered but decline. Even put together they are still in the minority though. There are probably stats out there somewhere if it interests you.

Gummy I don't know why men are less likely to take anti depressants. It may be because they are less likely to go to the Drs. It may be because GPs are more likely to offer other options first (there is lots of research to show that women and men with the same symptoms are often offered different treatment options purely based on their sex), or it may be that women are more likely to suffer from mild to moderate depression than men. I am sure there will be research around this though.

I was prescribed them for the first time in my life just before Christmas (i'm 47). I took them for about three weeks and stopped because the side effects of raging thirst, insomnia and aching joints were dreadful.

No, most people are not taking antidepressants.

I think a lot more people take them then admit to taking them, which is a shame because if everyone was more open about it I think it would definitely help with the stigma of it all.

I don’t take them now but have done in the past. I had horrendous pnd after my dd was born (16 years ago) and went on a dosage they don’t even prescribe anymore. I was on them for 2 years and gradually weaned myself off them as I felt better. Haven’t needed them since. They did space me out a bit and made me a bit detached but without them I would have killed myself.

My dh has severe depression and takes fluoxetine. It means he is able to work. Without them he is so depressed and up and down that he can’t mentally cope with the stress of working.

My best friend also takes them.

My mum takes them.

So many people take them. Those of you who think you don’t know someone who takes them, I bet you do. You just don’t know it.

I've never taken them and don't know anyone who does.

I've been on them for 3 years. I was reluctant for a long time for quite a few reasons and carried on without.. something happened in my life and I decided to go and see the doctor. I feel so much better for it. It's a low dose one and just makes me a less anxious and more calm person. I'm a single parent and most other single parents I know are on them. I'm a better parent for taking them and life feels less overwhelming. I also thing many people aren't open about it so chances are those who don't know anyone on them actually do.

I went to pick up my prescription once with a friend and I shooed him over the other side of the shop so he wouldn't see. I got home and questioned why I was so embarrassed. I decided not to be embarrassed and I wrote a Facebook post telling people I was on them, and there was no shame in it.. and how I feel it has improved my life. Apart from the many supportive comments on there, I received 4 messages from people who told me they were struggling in life and reading my post had made their mind up to go to the doctors.

I would have been one of those posters a few years ago who might have said that they weren't for me and I wouldn't take them but I have totally changed my mind on that now.

I have never taken them and only know of a handful of friends who talk about taking them. Not that there may be more who do, who just haven’t mentioned it. I very much doubt that most women take them, though.

It's really irritating to hear people who don't need antidepressants say "I never would take them".

Would you not take insulin if you were diabetic? Or painkillers for a broken ankle?

Don't be so arrogant. One day you might be very glad of something that helps your malfunctioning brain chemistry to right itself.

There are of course other treatments for all the conditions which are treated by antidepressants, which may be used either additionally or intsead of them, but in some cases antidepressants are actually essential and will save the person's life.

weegie exactly. How can anyone know what conditions they may suffer from in the future and what treatments may be required?

Seth that is a really helpful post, thank you.

Previous use of antidepressants noted on my medical records has effectively made me unemployable.

This is nonsense, and it's actually a dangerous thing to write. Imagine being desperate for help, but you daren't see your GP because you've been told an AD on your records will make you unemployable.

There are a few jobs that you would be excluded from if currently taking ADs, but if you're experiencing MH difficulties these roles would not be appropriate for you at the present time irrespective of medication.

In the vast vast majority of jobs, historical AD use would have absolutely no bearing on your career.

I don't take them anymore but I did for a few years as a teenager and in my early twenties.

I know a few people who take them now, both male and female.

Seth I’m a single parent of 3, one with SN, but don’t take them. My understanding was that depression was less to do with your situation than with a chemical imbalance, ie, just a random thing, like having a physical disease. I have been lucky that despite hard times, my mental health hasn’t been affected. Not down to anything I’ve done, just random luck, or genetic propensity.

I've never taken them , can never say never will as never know

I've been on them in the past. I put on weight and ended up more depressed .

Walking my dogs for 90+ mins per day has improved my mood immensely but I'm aware that that's not an option for everyone.

I don't take them. Life has ups and downs but surely anti-depressants just treat the symptoms.

Yes, would the poster who said that about the medical records and employability please explain what they mean? That is a deeply unhelpful thing to write, which may put people off getting much-needed treatment.

I know a few people who are on them though

I have never and know none of my V small family have, possibly some mh is genetic so am not predesposed to needing then.

I do however have ibs, asthma and pcos which also links to family history - I would think that most people have some ailment of sorts whether it be major or minor - mh or physical health - or combination of both which may be cause or effect of one on the other.

There is a lot of (unfair) angst towards the ONE poster who said she would never take them. That is entirely up to her, and she is allowed to voice this opinion, since that is what the op asked.