Comments on: What Is NOT Included in That Bottle of Anti-Depressants

By: Lauralee Hensley

Lauralee Hensley — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:40:58 +0000

I think what really helps is being able to be honest with your husband and kids. When I have a particularly bad day, I’ll tell them I’m feeling overwhelmed and like I can’t do it all. They ask me how they can help. I’ll be honest and tell them. Sometimes it’s just each of them doing an extra chore so I can rest, or so I can take a long bath, other times so I have the time I need to tackle a bigger chore, like getting caught back up on something. A support team never hurts.
Yet, you have to realize a family member may have a similiar type of day once in a while and you need to help them out if they are in a similiar place.
I don’t have depression, but do have a genetic nerve condition that causes chronic pain and some weird symptoms and migraines, and normal stresses get to me sometimes too. However, I’m especially glad my dear hubby helps and understands.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:37:42 +0000

Good for you for getting help for yourself! I once was diagnosed with severe chronic depression that lasted for SEVERAL YEARS even with medication! I then managed to go off meds for 4 years, during which I managed several very big life stressors just fine.

I’m now back in a phase where I’ve turned back to medication to keep me getting out of bed in the morning and going to my part-time job. I’m planning to get pregnant this year and will be going off of them during the pregnancy, perhaps I’ll have several medication free years after that, who knows. But I’ll unashamedly take them again after that if necessary.

It’s too bad there is such a stigma about taking anti-depressants. Most people can’t be expected to understand what clinical depression is like though, so I’ve learned to stop caring what they think. I’m honest with all my friends about my struggles and they seem to admire me for my honesty and my ability to get help for myself when I need it.

So thanks for opening up about your own decision to take anti-depressants! It’s always good to know there are others like me.

As for the side effects – I’ve never heard of Pristiq – and I’m sure you and your doctor have reasons for choosing it, but please remember that you might benefit from changing it to something else. What works well for some, will work differently for others. You might want to consider it if you continue to have problems. My current combination of meds have no side effects that I can detect, but that was after trying a couple of things that did first.

I hope your condition improves! Life is hard enough without the extra energy one has to expend just to get by during a depressive phase.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:11:07 +0000

I love your honesty. My husband deals with depression and doesn’t always know how to help me understand, so that I can help him (he’s a man, talking does not come naturally). It was nice to hear about it from your perspective.

By: Hillary

Hillary — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:48:27 +0000

THANK YOU!!!! As other’s have said, your honesty is refreshing!

I was diagnosed with severe post-partum depression in 2005, but had truly been suffering from it since 2002. I went on Welbutron and as you stated life didn’t “change” but my ability to cope got better. I went off meds in early 2008 and in early 2009 my depression returned. I decided to pursue therapy first, before doing meds again and I’m happy to say so-far-so-good. That does not mean I may not need medication again at some point, but for now skills I’m learning in therapy are helping.

So many people, and I was guilty of this as well, are ashamed of their depression and feel embarrassed by it. I have come to realize that by not sharing my experiences, good & bad, can limit my ability to help someone else. I have learned that just by knowing someone else feels how I do, helps me cope that much better!!

So, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.-= Hillary´s last blog ..A milllion and one things to do……………. =-.

By: Amy Christensen

Amy Christensen — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:22:21 +0000

I agree with Erica that your honesty is refreshing! Too many people who are dealing with depression are afraid to talk about it. I hope that things get better for you. You deserve it!!