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Original poster

Why are people normalising antidepressants?!

283 replies

mumyes · 05/01/2023 21:04

Just watched yet another reel on Instagram about "the thugs that make me happy"...coffees with friends, downtime, fresh air...and my antidepressants.

It feels like the entire world thinks it's normal to take them.

I am in no way judging those who do, it just feels bloody tragic that life is so shit for so many people that this is now becoming what seems like the norm.

Lessen stress on people, pay them more, treat workers better.

Oh no, let's treat people like shit & shovel pills into them so they don't care.

Surely this is not a good thing.

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 05/01/2023 21:19

The thing is I had counselling and came off mine for anxiety in 2019. Lockdown got me back on them. I'm on a very small dose but scared to come off then as it's so difficult to get a gp appointment. Plus they seem to keep me on a level without numbing me.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 05/01/2023 21:20

I've been on anti-depressants on and off since I was in my late teens.

They saved my life. I'm damn grateful they exist and it makes me sad that people still think they shouldn't be normalised.

We normalise paracetamol for colds and ibuprofen for pain - so why shouldn't we normalise anti-depressants for MH issues too?

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 05/01/2023 21:20

BedfordBloo · 05/01/2023 21:12

The same reason we normalise putting plasters on cuts, running a burn under cold water, taking antibiotics for a bacterial chest infection, and taking paracetamol when you have a headache. Because antidepressants are the appropriate medication for depression in a lot of cases.

Why does it offend you to “normalise” taking medication when necessary?

This with spades on

Icouldabeenalawyer · 05/01/2023 21:20

Snarkysnarksnark · 05/01/2023 21:11

Do you realise that some people with good pay, stress free lives and bosses that treat them well can also suffer from depression?

Depression isn’t always down to life circumstances, even people with everything going for them that ‘shouldn’t be depressed’ can still suffer horribly with depression.

Absolutely normalise antidepressants. Keeping them as something to be ashamed of is what stops people seeking help and taking antidepressants when they are offered them.

Absolutely this

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:20

procrastinator8 · 05/01/2023 21:18

Nothing wrong with taking them / needing them and mental health struggles need to be normalised. But, re antidepressants, isn’t there evidence to suggest they only help a proportion of people? Aren’t there are more effective ways to deal with the issues for which they’re prescribed? Eg therapy. The issue is therapy is not accessible. Also, I think the adverse affects of most medications are often overlooked.

Therapy helps many people. But not all. For many talking therapies can cause them to go in circles. A truly good therapist is amazing though.

Masterion · 05/01/2023 21:21

"Why are people normalising pain killers? Just live with the pain!

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:22

There was a really interesting thread on here about what people did in the past when they were depressed.

The answers seemed to revolve around addiction, suicide and being put in an institution.

Modern medicine is allowing us to treat many mental health issues which have always been around. We just didn't have treatment in place for them then. Many people suffered needlessly.

Isittrueornot · 05/01/2023 21:22

So antidepressants don’t make you happy….they just make you have more energy so you don’t feel the need/want to stay in bed/not shower/not go for a walk/live your life, is that correct?

BHRK · 05/01/2023 21:23

I have several friends and family members on antidepressants, their lives are vastly improved by them.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists actually has a well-thought out position on this - although their exact mechanism on the brain is not fully understood, there is clear evidence they help many people.
And yes - people can suffer horrendous depression despite on the surface appearing like they have it all

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 05/01/2023 21:23

procrastinator8 · 05/01/2023 21:18

Nothing wrong with taking them / needing them and mental health struggles need to be normalised. But, re antidepressants, isn’t there evidence to suggest they only help a proportion of people? Aren’t there are more effective ways to deal with the issues for which they’re prescribed? Eg therapy. The issue is therapy is not accessible. Also, I think the adverse affects of most medications are often overlooked.

Lots of people can't face accessing other forms of help without first taking anti-depressants to get them out of the worse of their illness.

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:23

They don't make you happy as such. They give you a lift and motivate you. I would describe it as taking the edge off of depression and making it manageable.

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:24

I can only conclude that anyone who doesn't see the need for antidepressants is very fortunate to not have known the beast of depression.

Isittrueornot · 05/01/2023 21:25

So kind of like a “get up and go” pill. Can you overdose on antidepressants? What happens if you take more?? Do you have loads and loads of energy (like a limitless pill- if you’ve seen the film)

Chickenkeev · 05/01/2023 21:25

You might not mean to, but you do come across as judgemental. It's none of your business what meds people might take to keep them on an even keel. Simple as.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 05/01/2023 21:25

Isittrueornot · 05/01/2023 21:22

So antidepressants don’t make you happy….they just make you have more energy so you don’t feel the need/want to stay in bed/not shower/not go for a walk/live your life, is that correct?

No. They help produce chemicals like dopamine and seratonin - aka the "happy hormones."

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:26

Isittrueornot · 05/01/2023 21:25

So kind of like a “get up and go” pill. Can you overdose on antidepressants? What happens if you take more?? Do you have loads and loads of energy (like a limitless pill- if you’ve seen the film)

No absolutely not. Id encourage you to read the NHS website.

XenoBitch · 05/01/2023 21:26

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:17

There's circumstantial depression (for example depression because you lost your job or had a divorce) and also chronic depression that either could be genetic in nature, part of a broader mental health issue or condition such as general anxiety disorder or PTSD or issues with coping strategies.

Mental health isn't one size fits all. Any GP worth their salt wouldn't diagnose long term use of an AD (at least not alone) for circumstantial depression.

Show quote history

Anti-depressants are being dished out at an all time high rate at the moment. Not everyone on them has a chemical imbalance. Many people will be experiencing "shit life syndrome".... no pill can fix debt problems, or relationship problems. But pills are a quick fix dished out by GPs.
We need more help for the practical things that are impacting people's mental health, rather than dishing out pills that just masks things.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 05/01/2023 21:27

Isittrueornot · 05/01/2023 21:25

So kind of like a “get up and go” pill. Can you overdose on antidepressants? What happens if you take more?? Do you have loads and loads of energy (like a limitless pill- if you’ve seen the film)

No. If you overdose it can kill you, or at least have some horrendous side effects - the same as with most other strong medications.

MeinKraft · 05/01/2023 21:27

Isittrueornot · 05/01/2023 21:22

So antidepressants don’t make you happy….they just make you have more energy so you don’t feel the need/want to stay in bed/not shower/not go for a walk/live your life, is that correct?

What you have to understand is that depression isn't just feeling sad. Yes it can and usually does involve low mood and low motivation. But it can also be severe irritability, feeling like you'll scream and maybe even doing it if you're asked for one more thing. Intrusive thoughts, like checking your baby 30 times a night to see if they're breathing because it keeps creeping into your mind about SIDS. Being unable to make good decisions for yourself - feeling like you're unable to make a decision at all. Anti depressants just help you to be more normal, to think more clearly. To stay on an even keel.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 05/01/2023 21:28

Anti-depressants are being dished out at an all time high rate at the moment. Not everyone on them has a chemical imbalance. Many people will be experiencing "shit life syndrome".... no pill can fix debt problems, or relationship problems. But pills are a quick fix dished out by GPs.

And?

Sometimes you need medication to help you through the shit times in life.

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:29

XenoBitch · 05/01/2023 21:26

Anti-depressants are being dished out at an all time high rate at the moment. Not everyone on them has a chemical imbalance. Many people will be experiencing "shit life syndrome".... no pill can fix debt problems, or relationship problems. But pills are a quick fix dished out by GPs.
We need more help for the practical things that are impacting people's mental health, rather than dishing out pills that just masks things.

Show quote history

But how do you know which people have mental health issues and which are going through a hard time?

Noone is forced to take antidepressants.

All the recommended things...water, nature, exercise, healthy eating, therapy can be used in place of antidepressants.

Noone forces a patient to take them. They are one option. Every patient has a responsibility to make their own educated choice.

Beside we live in a modern world with modern problems. Unfortunately our Governments do not seem to want to implement long term fixes to prevent many of the things that make people mentally unwell or contribute to poor mental health.

NewNameFor2023 · 05/01/2023 21:30

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:10

Also is it normalising or is it reducing the stigma?

^^This

Its good that people are talking more about it and it enables others who may not have sought help to do so.

not all antidepressants are the same and some people just need a little help, others may need more.

JamSandle · 05/01/2023 21:30

I should also add many people on antidepressants will do doing all the practical things too...water, nature, exercise.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 05/01/2023 21:30

Isittrueornot · 05/01/2023 21:25

So kind of like a “get up and go” pill. Can you overdose on antidepressants? What happens if you take more?? Do you have loads and loads of energy (like a limitless pill- if you’ve seen the film)

Eh? Wtf Confused

procrastinator8 · 05/01/2023 21:31

Not saying there isn’t a need, but they are not benign pills and this is overlooked.
the side effects can worsen the preceding mental health issues for some. And it’s not simply a case of stopping them if they cause bad side effects, the effects can persist following cessation