Depression Forum - Depressed But Not Wanting to Take Medication

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Q: Depressed But Not Wanting to Take Medication

asked by: futurelovers on April 11th, 2007

Experienced User

I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (along with generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder) but I have had a bad experience with anti-depression meds in the past, which I took for about 3 months. They made me go manic during the treatment, so I think I might also have an underlying bipolarity issue which has slipped under the radar of the initial mdd diagnosis (I will get checked out for that to make sure). I also thought that Wellbutrin was going to give me a heart attack (even though it was mania with severe panic attacks) - that I got convinced I was actually in the process of dying, and that's when I threw all the meds out the window.

After those bad experiences, I'm now really scared to take anti-depression medicine again. Some of you may have noticed I made another post asking how depression was treated before medicine was invented, and that was due to this fact that I will not take AD meds anymore.

Can someone help me out here, please? Maybe convince me that I won't survive without AD meds? My psyc. told me that if I didn't take the meds when he first gave them to me - then I might've died. That was kinda what got me started on them, but at the same time I thought I was going to die from taking the meds themselves.

I have a big fear of such meds (also due to my GAD and OCD) but this depression is starting to get a hold of me (well, I've been hanging in there for 6 months now)...

Any help will be greatly appreciated - thanks in advance!

Replies(10)

Stan

replied on April 11th, 2007

Moderator

Why don't you try the natural route first to see what happens? Core to this is eating healthy, and then combine this with certain foods such as walnuts and then try some herbs and supplements that are known for having the same effect as medications without side effects. St. John's Wort, which is very well known, is the only one I can think of with a side effect; in some cases it makes you more sensitive to getting sunburned.

hawkeye69

replied on April 12th, 2007

New User

I know how you feel. I have all the same diagnosis as you. I use talk therapy which has helped so much, but it takes a long time. You must be patient with yourself. I also use Effexor which I find works really well for depression, OCD, and anxiety. I also do not have any unpleasant side effects. Maybe talk to your doctor about it and good luck to you!

Stan

replied on April 12th, 2007

Moderator

Yes, but keep in mind that no one knows the long term effects of using pscyhotropic medications. You may have no side effects, but they all carry side effects, some of which are very harmful to the body. Before ever taking medication, you should always try natural approaches to see how it makes you feel. There are never side effects in this process, it can only be good for you.

v00d00cita

replied on April 13th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

Stan Stepanic wrote:

keep in mind that no one knows the long term effects of using pscyhotropic medications. You may have no side effects, but they all carry side effects, some of which are very harmful to the body. Before ever taking medication, you should always try natural approaches

I totally agree with Stan. It's always better to try talk therapy or other kind of therapy than going on medication.

cgort1

replied on April 13th, 2007

New User

Depression

I totally agree with the natural approach. I think that if you would change your diet as well as your lifestyle... whatever it may be... you would see some kind of result. That is if your depression allows you to change your lifestyle. So not to sound like one of the preachy people but jesus helps! I had mild depression do to drug, then I became Christian and that all went away. I also had friends that had heavy depression and they no longer have those signs. The bible says where the Spirit of the lord is there is freedom! And it is true! Well God bless.

Chris

Stan

replied on April 13th, 2007

Moderator

I too know of people that found help through religion. Always try your best to fix it yourself before becoming reliant on medication. Once you're taking it, you're pretty much on it forever.

v00d00cita

replied on April 13th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

Indeed, but not only in depression problems... :\
But I believe there are always ways of dealing wiht those issues and getting better without using medication.

johnR

replied on April 14th, 2007

Experienced User

Future have you tried cbt? It has changed my life dramatically more than I ever thought anything could. I highly recommend cbt for panic, anxiety and depression. If you can't afford a cbt group pick up a copy of been there, done that? Do this! By sam obitz and start doing the tea form exercise in it. We used this book in my cbt group. Take care and know you can get better if you learn to think more objectively about your symptoms through the cbt exercises. The more you work on the exercises the more relief you get, I am still improving today. Good luck!

Akkette

replied on April 14th, 2007

Experienced User

My Experience With Meds

After being on anti depressants for quite a few years, I decided I wanted to take myself off it as i told myself i "didnt want to rely on medication to make myself happy" and the weight gain and the flat moods and gotten to me . I had gone thorugh a physcologist and a physchrist and was given many different methods to deal with the depression but for myself none of these were successful. After 6 months of an emotional roller coaster ride i went back to the drs and I have not looked back. If you have had a bad experience with one type of medicine consult your dr to see what other medication they can recommend. I was on Efexor at first but when i went on them for a second time i was put onto Zoloft. For me the difference in the medication was amazing. Zoloft did not make me gain weight like Efexor did and the "flatness" in my mood was no where near as bad as it was. My mood is quite stable with no where near as much ups and downs. Meds can be a scary thing but its a matter of finding the right medication for you.

Good Luck

Natalie

johnR

replied on June 1st, 2007

Experienced User

That's too bad Akkette, but I am glad you found meds that are helping you. I would suggest trying to use the tea form exercise from cbt while you are on your meds. Many people need meds to level out and help focus when they start cbt and then eventually pick it up so well that they no longer need the meds. Take care.

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