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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there is no shame in taking anti depressants

48 replies

Reallytired · 15/01/2010 21:27

If some has clinical depression or any other kind of mental illness it is a reasonable option to take medication. It does not mean the person is weak. Taking medication is admitting that you have a problem. Often admitting a problem is the first step to solving it. Anti depressants are a valid option and should carry no stigma.

Using medication does not rule out other methods. Infact the use of medication can make things like CBT more effective.

I know someone with depression who is very proud that she not taking medication. I think she is misguided. Both her and baby are suffering unnecessarily.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 15/01/2010 21:28

yanbu
does she maybe worry about stopping taking them once she's started

BrahmsThirdRacket · 15/01/2010 21:29

YANBU. I think long-term antidepressants are given out too easily sometimes, but they can be a lifesaver.

But it's not really up to you to say that someone else should take them. Looking at causes is more important than treating the symptoms.

BelleDameSansMerci · 15/01/2010 21:30

I've just started taking them (again - last time was over five years ago). I am much better for taking them - no more waking up in a cold sweat due to anxiety and panic. I think I'm better able to look after my DD too. I feel no shame in taking them or admitting it - clearly!

You are, of course, being very reasonable.

GetDownYouWillFall · 15/01/2010 21:33

Also look at this:
Ashamed to be on ADs?

Wonderstuff · 15/01/2010 21:36

YANBU - if you have an illness affecting any other part of the body you don't feel shame taking a medicine to make you feel better.

Ronaldinhio · 15/01/2010 21:36

none
I started last week and I know I will be better for it
If I had a broken leg I'd use a plaster of paris to protect the limb whilst my body healed it
I'm using ads to help me whilst I get well

LittleMrsHappy · 15/01/2010 21:37

From going on a personal note, Ive just declined ANTO-D not because I am ashamed to take them, but simply because I want to deal with the problem in hand and not mask the problem by taking anti d.

For me anti d are the very very last step and not the 1st port of call x

Skegness · 15/01/2010 21:38

yanbu yanbu yanbu yanbu. Such a common perception though.

Skegness · 15/01/2010 21:40

Hope you start feeling better v v v v v v v v v v v soon, ronaldinhio, LittleMissHappy and Belle.

Fruitysunshine · 15/01/2010 21:41

My GP explained to me that depression (my specific one was PND) was a chemical imbalance and the meds helped address that.

LittleMrsHappy · 15/01/2010 21:42

Thankyou skegness, and I hope all of you ladies feel better soon x

deaddei · 15/01/2010 21:42

Definitely NBU.
They helped me through a difficult year and although coming off them was not nice, I would take them again if I felt as bad as I did then.

TigerDrivesAgain · 15/01/2010 21:42

YANBU

I think people do worry about having this "on their record". I've had a few clients who are (in my completely unmedically trained) opinion, struggling one way or another, and several of them have not wanted to get help from their GPS or even take ADs that have been offered them because they feel it's either bad for their records (whatever that's supposed to mean, employment records I suppose) or they don't want to admit it's a problem.

I've taken ADs, but I didn't tell anyone apart from DH (and all of you lot now), and I suppose it was because I didn't want to have to have any discussions with people (work, family, friends) about it. Your friend doesn't have to tell everyone about her medication, or anyone, even.

fernie3 · 15/01/2010 21:43

YANBU I refused medication for anxiety even though I was totally housebound for over a year and in fact did not leave one room for 2 months because the anxiety was so out of control. I told people I was proud to be dealing with it without BUT the real reason was that I was too anxious of taking tablets - not of the medicine itself but actually swallowing the tablets - I had to take medication to lower my blood pressure in pregnancy and I cried bitterly 3 times a day just swallowing it

Maybe there is an underlying reason she doesnt want to take it.

TigerDrivesAgain · 15/01/2010 21:44

GPs, not GPS. Doh

I assume most of them could find the way to the doctor's.

PersonalClown · 15/01/2010 21:46

YANBU.
It took me a long time to realise/accept that my brain just doesn't function properly. I have relapsed countless times in the 10 years I have been diagnosed.

Good times and bad times in my life.
I will be on prozac forever. It keeps me from becoming a sobbing, exhausted suicidal mess.

Now I am bonkers by choice

kinnies · 15/01/2010 21:46

There should be no shame at all.
Dh was so proud of me when I told our gp that I was feeling so low.
It took a lot for me to be open about suffering from pnd, but it was a choice. Take the drugs or leave my DC without a Mum.
I obv made the right choice. It sickens me to think there are people suffering so badly because they feel ashamed .

lucyellensmumagain · 15/01/2010 21:49

She IS misguided. Its like trying to battle the flu without lemsip/paracetemol/bla bla bla I mean, why would you do that - you wouldnt deny yourself pain killers if you had a bad back - you might try alternatives to complement them but no one in their right mind would deny themselves medication.

Your friend is probably scared, truth be told.

octopusinabox · 15/01/2010 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tispity · 15/01/2010 21:58

i donno - there was a mum at baby group who practically used to introduce herself with the words 'i am on ADs'. i got the impression that people were wary of her because of it. she later told me that it was a way of warning people in advance to keep away from her if they felt any prejudice against people with mental health problems. i have never suffered from depression myself but if i ever did, i don't think i would feel the need to walk around wearing a sandwich board advertising it

CMOTdibbler · 15/01/2010 22:00

YANBU - they can be like the splint that helps hold your broken leg whilst it mends itself and lets you get on whilst it does - they may not fix the underlying problem, but they make it possible to function whilst you do that

Original poster
Reallytired · 15/01/2010 22:02

(((((fernie3)))))

You can get some anti depressants in syrup form.

tispity I think its weird to tell the world that you are taking anti depressants. Its a bit like if someone decided to discuss contraception at a baby group.

OP posts:
sanfairyann · 15/01/2010 22:06

I wouldn't want it on my medical record to be honest and I wouldn't seek treatment on the nhs either for the same reason. I'm not proud of that though - I was depressed a while ago but it never occured to me that there was even any help available. bit dim really. dh has had both ads and cbt on the nhs and his work have been brilliant about it but it's a pain when applying for life insurance/new job etc and he has to declare it and go through a whole load of questions.

NaccetyMac · 15/01/2010 22:06

I don't think they should be a first or only line of attack, and I also do not believe GPs without psychiatric training should be prescribing them.

THere is research to show that SSRIs(Prozac etc) perform no better than placebo.

I am also wary of being treated medically for a problem that is social or emotional.

So I don't think there should be shame, but there should be more discussion and thought.

BTW, when I applied to Ofsted to childmind, I had to go and see a psychiatrist appointed by them due to declaring my PND. And the GP had to fill in a form to declare fitness. So it does affect you. It has been a factor in other jobs I have had too - hasn't stopped anyone employing me, but it has been mentioned.

Ronaldinhio · 15/01/2010 22:08

thanks