Hello everyone. My name is James and I've been an observer on these forums for quite some time. I just recently decided to give this a shot, and this is the first forum that I have joined. First, a little background. I've been a depression sufferer for about three years now, currently seeing a therapist (don't know for how long though-$$$). I've been on Celexa and Effexor XR, plus Ritalin and Adderall for ADD, which I don't have. I swore off the pills about a year ago out of fear of using the meds as a crutch for my happiness. This is the thing that I want to get you guys' and girls' opinions on: I have felt better in these past few weeks than I have in a couple years. This is why: I fully realize that this problem is completely in my head. Even though I feel inadequate and unwanted sometimes, I realize that in reality, people do care for me and want to see me get better. Even when I felt my worst, there were people there for me. I am very lucky to be in this situation, even though I sometimes don't allow myself to see it. There might be a chemical imbalance in my head, but I can feel better if I make myself feel that way. Of course, this feeling is probably fleeting, and will probably go away like all those other fake "epiphanies", but that thought in itself might just be my unhealthy self-conditioned thoughts. When I was on the meds, I felt better (Effexor worked well), but something went off in my head that wanted me to get over this through communication and effort, not medication. What I want to know is, do you think I'm on the right track with this opinion? I know, from experience, that medication helps, but I wonder if it truly is the answer, or if we are just escaping the truth, just like drugs and alcohol. Do you all think that there is one answer, or that it's different for everyone?

Hi James,

Welcome to the Depression Forums! It's good to have you here.

There's no doubt in my mind that this question is different for everyone. Some people are able to get through their depression without medication, and some people aren't.

I think the main thing is what works for YOU. And if you're able to recover from your depression by changing your thoughts, then that is really great. If other people can't do this and need medication, then all that means is that they are different from you. There just isn't one answer that fits everyone. But if you can find what works for you, that is what counts. Good luck to you with this, James!

Wishing you the very best.

Joanna

This post has been edited by Joanna: Jan 17 2008, 01:44 AM

Welcome aboard, good to see you here. Joanna is right, whatever works use it. Personally I think the meds are a huge pain, going through them all and sometimes not seeing any results gets even more depressing, so if you can do it without em, all the power to you!

James

I will say that you are on a track that is wrong for me. Depression is a Mood Disorder. I have Bi-Polar, another Mood Disorder that certainly contains a good portion of depression. My moods fluctuate like everyone, however, my moods tend to fluctuate on their own disconnected to outside circumstances. When everything is wonderful, my disordered mood might drop into depression or jump into hypo mania. When everything is not wonderful, I may feel great. For me, medication helps stabilize these shifting moods.

You write, "I realize that in reality, people do care for me and want to see me get better. Even when I felt my worst, there were people there for me. I am very lucky to be in this situation..." It is next section that bothers me: "... even though I sometimes don't allow myself to see it." When I don't allow myself to see the love and support of others, I crash.

It's late; I need sleep. That is why this response is less than focused.

Love,
Larry

There are varying positions for treatment of depression. A lot is based on chemical imbalance and some on a situational phase of life. Sometimes meds are needed for the rest of your life and with situational phases for a short term. It all depends on how we respond to any type of treatment plan. Like Larry, I'm Bipolar and a lifer on meds if I want to have some semblance of a life. If you are doing well with only therapy, more power to you! If you do a lot of self-work, you can learn techniques and coping strategies to get away from depression when you feel it coming back. However, not even the best strategies are foolproof. At that point, the decision to go back on meds is up to you. You always have options available to care for your mental health.

You have a great support group. Don't look past their love for you. Having support gives you a better sense of self love and esteem.

It appears to me you're on the right track. Keep working on the positive.
Sheepwoman

i think it all depends on what u feel will work for you. depression can be endogenous or situational. if it is endogenous and is definitely a chemical imbalance then without meds it is unlikely u will feel better. if it is situational there is a chance that therapy alone or even just 'positive thinking' or self help methods can work. it all depends on the cause and the severity i think.
Even if it is endogenous sometimes when u are at the point u are starting to feel better self motivation and 'helping urself' in whatever way works for you can help u to feel better but in my experience medication is often needed to get to that point in the 1st place.
dont know if im making sense. ill put it this way. i know i need meds. ive been suffering with depression on and off since i was about 9 - 10 probably...often there is no 'reason' as such. i know i will probably always need medication. i recently had a bad episode which gradually got better but has lasted over a year, medication has been a lifesaver for me. at the same time tho i have now got to the point where if i feel myself having a bad day it is nowhere near as bad as before and i have the motivation to try and 'think myself out of it', listen to uplifting music, get out of the house, put on make up to make myself feel better etc. Now it is more possible to 'think myself out of it' but only because it isnt severe now and im much better. If ur at the point where u can do these things thats great but if ur depression worsens dont rule out the possibility of medication because sometimes it is needed. (think of diabetes...sometimes healthy eating is enough but if it gets severe enough ul need insulin...does that make sense?)
if this is working for you im glad and i hope it continues...

I for one cant stand or use medications. If your going to take the no med path, I wish you luck man. IM ROOTING FOR YA! GOOD LUCK!!

my philosophy is that i created my depression, so therefore i also have the power to defeat it because i haven't always been this way and i won't let this tragedy continue. now i understand that the roots may be very deep, and in some cases, the depression greatly influenced and possibly created by others, or the environment in which one grows up. but i still feel that if one can search deep within their soul, that they can find a way to kill depression on their own, without medication. call me looney if you want, (please do i actually enjoy it ), but it's a belief i shall not abandon, although i am very well aware of "exceptions to the rule" or however it should be worded. it saddens me to the most deepest and heartbreaking level to hear that someone will be on medication for life, and i'm talking about depression, not other things. it seems like such a defeat to me. but then again maybe i don't know what i'm talking about.

ps... i am one lousy conversationalist!