medication game
 

Hi. I don't think I've posted much in this forum before. I know that I have problems with depression, but I am scared to go back on any kinds of medications.
When I was a teenager I got to play the medication game - it was not fun! I have noticed that a lot of the drugs they tried on me now come with a warning stating that they should not be used on anyone under 18 and that use of the medications can make symptoms in teenagers worse, not better... but that doesn't stop me from being very wary of trying medications again...

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else went through the medication game and if anyone has any opinions on whether there are newer more effective medications out there now. I'm scared to try it again, but I also think it's scary to do nothing too.

With or without medications, there can be a "danger zone" in relieving depression. Severe depression is sometimes less of a risk than moderate depression. With severe depression, a person often doesn't have the energy and concentration necessary to harm themselves. When the depression first begins to lift (whether naturally, or with meds) the person starts to feel stronger, before they feel better. They still see no hope, but now have the energy and wits to harm themselves. (There's more than just this going on with adolescents). Adults are also usually better able to understand and cope with the knowledge that it could get a little worse before it gets better, or if it gets worse, it's time to try something else.

Often one antidepressant will work wonders for one person, and do very little for another. Some people do well on one antidepressant, some do better on lower doses of two. Unfortunately, a little trial and error is often involved.

Experimenting with drug cocktails is often needed because we have such a limited understanding of how depression, anxiety, ect. has an affect on the brain. Different classes of drugs (ie maois, ssris, wellbutrin, ect) work on different chemicals in the brain and some types work better than others. Everybody is a little bit different.

I would have to disagree with Colleen about people with severe depression not being able to have the "strenght" to harm themselves. They do..... usually it is not people with mild or moderate depression who commit suicide.

Furthermore, I was put on SSRIs (the type of class with the warning which you are referring to. i.e. celexa, prozac, zoloft, paxil) when I was a teenager and not only did they not do anything to help me, they actually made me worse. It was while on the paxil that I was admitted to the hospital.

If you and/or your doctor (psychiatrists really should be the only one doing the diagnosing aside from psychologists) think that your depression would be lifted with the aid of medication then you have to be willing to play the "try and let's see" approach. There is no other way.

Good luck. :)

It has taken over 10 years to find the right combo for me. I finally have my life back. Is it worth playing the game to find that fit?

Definitely.

Originally Posted by shrinkingchica:
Furthermore, I was put on SSRIs (the type of class with the warning which you are referring to. i.e. celexa, prozac, zoloft, paxil) when I was a teenager and not only did they not do anything to help me, they actually made me worse. It was while on the paxil that I was admitted to the hospital.

I agree with you SC, when I was on Zoloft it actually made my depression worse and gave me such horrible thoughts. I never ever want to take that stuff again.... where as Prozac worked wonders for me... go figure.

I went on Celexa and Birth Control at 16..and all I know is I got really fat LOL. I stopped taking Celexa when I was 19. I don't know anything about it really. A doctor gave it too me, so I took it. Then when I changed doctor's, the new one told me I was too young to become dependent on depression meds and basically said to get over it LOL. I haven't been on anything since. I do feel like I am strong enough to fight the battle on my own, but I almost enjoyed the complacency that took me over when I was on the meds.

Mary,

It isn't about "becoming dependent" upon an anti-depressant because one isn't "strong enough" to handle depression on their own. People who need anti-depressants take them because there is a chemical imbalance in their brains. For alot of people this is purely biologically based (meaning there is not external reason for it-- like the death of a loved one). Taking the meds helps the brain resolve the imbalance so that the person is at a normal level where every non-depressed person is naturally at.

I am guessing that you saw an internist or pediatrician who was prescribing psychotropic medications, right? Ideally, psychiatrists should be the only ones who dole out these types of meds.

The "get over it" approach to battling real depression is ridiculous. Would you tell a diabetic to "get over" their inability to process sugar, or tell someone with cancer to "sort out" their illness and just "get over" it? I don't think so. The same is true with real depression, especially major depressive disorder and other serious mood disorders. It is a REAL LIVE illness, and one that many people often need to take medication for. It is not to be taken lightly. For many people it has bean life-threatening or actually DEADLY for some.

Taking medication has nothing to do with strength. In fact, it requires a supreme amount of courage for someone to admit that they have a very real problem and need medical help to live with it.

Amen ShrinkingChica. That was a wonderfully written post.

Actually my gyno prescribed them for me, and my regular physician took me off of them. I just took his "your too young" advice and let it be LOL. I wasn't trying to insinuate at all that any of you are not strong because you are depressed.

My mom and grandmother have both been on anti-depresents and tranquilizers most of their lives..It's just something that runs in the family I guess. I went through a phase of cutting myself, and at 16 I was already heavily dependent on alcohol. (Long story short, I was very anemic at the time and mom was letting me drink a glass of red wine every nite, and I began abusing the privelage).
I just feel like I really can cope on my own now. I was going through some really terrible times back then that I am free of. I still have days were I get mad at nothing and cry about the stupidest little thing, but doesn't everyone? I no longer cut myself. I no longer abuse any substance. I guess I falsey believe that I am "cured" of my depression. I know it will come back. My mom always goes through ups and downs..sometimes she needs medicine, sometimes she needs LOTS of medicine, and sometimes she's fine on her own. I guess I am just in one of those periods where I am fine.

I am so scared that if I stay on any kind of medicine I will lose me, forget who I am. This depression thing sucks doesn't it? ;p

Sockmonkey, yes, depression sucks. It runs like wild fire in my family too, along with add and adhd. Imagine having depression and adhd.... you feel like your brain is in the middle of a tug of war :dizzy:

I have times when I don't feel like I need meds and I can "handle" it for lack of a better way of saying it...and then there are times when I'm at my doc's office getting some medication to help me along. Everyone is different ya know.

I think its wonderful that you came here and that you are aware of what your body goes through...just remember this... there is NO SHAME in getting help and if one doctor won't help...they are a dime a dozen...get a new one that will. I've had doctors who have brushed me off and then doctors who have been sooooo supportive. Just hang in there and keep the faith...help is usually but only a doctors visit away.

:hug:

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Thank you guys. It's good to find a place where people know why I am crazy sometimes LOL.

Originally Posted by sockmonkey70:
I am so scared that if I stay on any kind of medicine I will lose me, forget who I am. This depression thing sucks doesn't it? ;p

I didn't lose myself to the medicine these past 6 years.

I FOUND myself with the help of the medicine. It fixed what was broken so that the real me could come on through. :)