My mother put it this way...
"if you had diabetes, would you take medication to help live a full and satisfying life? You have allergies, you take medication to help live a "normal" life. This is a chemical disorder not unlike these diseases. The only difference is that the chemical disorder is in your brain, not in your blood. The most important organ is sick, and sometimes medication is the only way to live a full and satisfying life."
my psychiatrist said that most likely I will have to be on medication for most of my life, because i've suffered from depression & anxiety since childhood.
At first I had a problem with meds - until my mom came to me with, "if you had diabetes, you'd take medication and change your life to make it better." and I realized that I had the control of my life. And to take control meant to do what I had to to live a full and satisfying life. If we had cancer or diabetes or any other "biological" disorder - people would understand in taking medications. Unfortunately the stigma with having a psychological disorder is such that people believe we can just "stop" being depressed... Until the world realizes that it is a biological disorder, we just have to remember the truth.
It is hard asking for help, and it is hard to live on medications... But if it were any other disorder, I think we'd jump at medications if they worked to live a full and satisfying life.
Good luck,
