Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Please help me feel less ashamed about anti depressants.

26 replies

guild · 02/10/2023 20:14

I've suffered from health anxiety for a while now. I've taken anti depressants in the past and I feel it's time to start again.

I can't talk to anyone in real life about this. I just feel ashamed. Please, help me feel less alone. I just feel like I've given up. I don't judge others at all for taking them, I recognise that it's just medicine and we all sometimes have to take medicine to get better. But I just can't apply this to myself.

OP posts:

Iguessyourestuckwithme · 02/10/2023 20:24

I always thought it was normal to struggle so much and then I got sertraline and it made me feel better.

Then that didn't work so efficiently so I've been prescribed a further medication.

7 weeks ago I had such a severe crisis that I needed daily visits from the home first team and saw a psychiatrist within 10 days of crisis.

I was reluctant to tell any of my friends but they have all been supportive and I know several also use a variety of antidepressants and / or therapy to support better mental health.

MrsElsa · 02/10/2023 20:27

If your leg was broken you would accept a cast to support your leg while it healed.

Likewise if you are struggling emotionally or mentally you would accept the support of medication in order to get back to an even keel.

weegiemum · 02/10/2023 20:32

Taking antidepressants for mental health is no different from taking insulin for diabetes. You wouldn't feel ashamed for taking thyroxine if your thyroid wasn't working properly, so why be ashamed in taking antidepressants. I've been on antidepressants for 23 years, and I'll be on them for the rest of my life, they're an essential part of my healthcare.

I hope you eventually start to feel better x

JobMatch3000 · 02/10/2023 20:39

As PP, when I finally admitted to people that I'd had a mental health issue and had been prescribed antidepressants I found that lots of people had too. We just don't talk about treating mental health in the same way as a broken arm or a headache or PMT. Noone batted an eyelid when I asked around for paracetamol in the office last week. I understand the stigma attached to talking antidepressants and I had to psyche myself up to take the first one but they have been prescribed for a reason, and that's to make you better.

UpUpUpU · 02/10/2023 20:45

So not be ashamed OP. I was in them for years and I never told my new partner. I have recently weaned off them and did tell him after I’d finished as had some emotional and physical changes, and I did feel weak. He gave the same advice as everyone on here that it’s no different to a medication for any other health condition.
I am grateful to be well right now but I wouldn’t hesitate to take them again if I needed them in the future. I’d also reach out to family or friends next time too x

Wolfiefan · 02/10/2023 20:48

I found it part of my illness to be reluctant to take meds. Felt like I should be able to cope without and guilty that I couldn’t. Now I’m on meds and have done CBT. I realise I needed them to help me. Just like I need an inhaler for my asthma. Just think how you and your family will feel if you are doing better. You deserve to be well.

Soubriquet · 02/10/2023 20:49

Try and see it like this.

The brain is supposed to be making a hormone which reduces depression and anxiety but for some reason, your brain isn’t making this hormone. You are taking the tablets to help the brain.

Alicenwonderland · 02/10/2023 20:54

I always suffered with anxiety and it was just 'me'. When I was in my early 40s it all got too much (abusive relationship) and I ended up having a breakdown. I was really reluctant to go onto antidepressants but I spoke to a good friend who had a long history of mental illness and I said it felt like I'd given up. He told me words I'd never forget. He said it was a kindness that I was doing for myself. It really was the very best thing to do. It got me through those dark days and I've been able to successfully stop them three years later. I wouldn't hesitate to go back on them if I ever needed to. Be kind to yourself OP xxx

NCforthispostonlytoday · 02/10/2023 20:55

Taking anti depressants is absolutely NOT a reason to be ashamed of !!
I have so many friends who are taking medication to help them ,including 2 of my children who are fully functioning adults. If you need medication for any reason then just take it 💐Xx

NCforthispostonlytoday · 02/10/2023 20:57

Soubriquet · 02/10/2023 20:49

Try and see it like this.

The brain is supposed to be making a hormone which reduces depression and anxiety but for some reason, your brain isn’t making this hormone. You are taking the tablets to help the brain.

THIS ..exactly the same as being diabetic and body not producing enough insulin.X

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 02/10/2023 21:22

I reduced and stopped taking my medication last year after a snarky comment from someone in occy health. I then ended up back at the doctors (I suffer horrendous anxiety) let's just say she wasn't very happy and informed me that coming off my meds was never going to work due to it being a chemical imbalance and if I had a headache I'd take paracetamol so just take the meds 🤣🤣. Please see the doctor, get the meds and don't care what anyone else thinks

Crucible · 02/10/2023 22:26

There is no shame, you've done the right thing. You're really brave. Think of it this way, if a friend confided in you all the things you're going through, what would you say about them taking meds to help them?
Do it!
Take the meds,
get help,
whatever gets you through,
here is a big hug

So do the same for you x

TreeHuggerMum1 · 02/10/2023 23:33

If me taking one tiny tablet a day (sertraline) for my panic disorder and agoraphobia, means that I get to spend time outdoors with my friends, family and gorgeous children, why wouldn’t I take it? It isn’t my fault that my brain is wired differently, same as it isn’t yours. I feel no shame whatsoever.

icantchangetime · 02/10/2023 23:36

You don't have to share your medical situation with anyone, it's private. There should be no shame involved.

Original poster

guild · 03/10/2023 06:32

Thank you. Trying to remember to read these comments when I sit in the doctors waiting room today. I know it doesn't make sense. When I was on them before I felt so bloody proud to come off them, it felt like progress. Going back in feels like a million steps backwards. Hoping to begin feeling different soon.

OP posts:

desikated · 03/10/2023 06:59

Oh OP.

It is an amazingly strong and brave thing to do to GO BACK on anti depressants. It show you have great insight and self awareness, that you know you need to do something and that you are willing to do something that you find hard in order for a longer term gain.

This isn't forever, it is something you're doing at the moment to make the best of your life.

Also, do know that bloody loads of people take ADs. Like, LOADS.

One step at a time xx

HateLongCovid · 03/10/2023 10:15

I take them and I know they help me to keep it together to be a better mum and wife. I don't feel shame. I could try and push through without them, but what would be the point in that? It wouldn't be good for me or anyone else around me.

Squit · 03/10/2023 10:19

Sertraline absolutely transformed my life. I tell this to anyone who is half inclined to listen.

it breaks my heart to think that anyone might deny themselves such a transformative drug out of some weird misplaced shame.

FiveShelties · 03/10/2023 10:20

My husband has high cholesterol, it is inherited, nothing he can do about it and he takes medication to stop him from having a stroke.

I do not understand why that is different to taking anti depressants, your body is not working as it should and you are taking medication to counterattack that - there is no shame involved.

LabradorLady1 · 03/10/2023 10:21

I totally empathise with you. I struggled for so long with this feeling the second time I took citalopram about 3 years ago. I pursued CBT/ counselling for months after acknowledging I was struggling but continued to shun meds as I wanted to prove to myself I was a ‘normal’ person who didn’t need them. The CBT/ counselling helped a bit but eventually I got exhausted and felt like I was unraveling from the daily battle with anxiety and went back on the meds. After two weeks I felt like my old self again and remember thinking I should have done it sooner!! Please don’t beat yourself up, life is too short. Also, so many people have taken these meds- you’d be surprised!

lilyblue5 · 03/10/2023 10:24

I am proud of myself for getting some help - you should feel this too.
We were strong enough to advocate for ourselves and by taking these we are getting better (or for me at least, taking the edge off so we can get therapy etc alongside).

You should not feel ashamed.
Someone once told me to think of an AD as a multivitamin. Keeps the body ticking over nicely.

You’ve got this OP ☺️

MrsJagoRoss · 03/10/2023 10:26

I felt the same OP and i even didn’t take them until months after they’d been prescribed. Once I was on them I realised I’d been a bit daft about it. They helped me so much. I think if you’ve been on them and come off, you know even more than the first time that you do need them again, iyswim?

SunRainStorm · 03/10/2023 10:48

PennyPinkPineapple · 03/10/2023 10:55

I said something a bit like this about myself on a thread a few days ago, and another poster said that diabetics need insulin, and that this is no different. There's nothing to be ashamed of

Hapagirl48 · 03/10/2023 16:43

I was on Prozac a few months ago because I was going through a hard time. It actually did nothing for me so I came off it, but while I was on it, I told a few of my friends and family and everyone was supportive / also on an AD. It really works for some people and saves lives. As pp said above, it’s private so don’t feel obliged to tell people but equally don’t hide it away like a shameful secret if you do want to talk about it. Trying to feel better and doing all you can to try is nothing to be ashamed of. Good luck!

Flip

1 2