What to Expect When You're Depressed - MEDICATION

MEDICATION

Prescription medicine is a subject of much debate among mental health patients. Those who are against it are very vocal and certainly have legitimate concerns. I have been told that no one, including psychiatrists, knows exactly how this class of drugs works. It is not as simple as replacing a chemical deficiency in the brain as we are sometimes lead to believe. Moreover each drug has its own set of benefits and possible side effects.

It is your choice.
I'm not trying to persuade anyone to take psychiatric pharmaceuticals. Many people have managed their depression through lifestyle changes and natural remedies. If this works for you keep doing it. Personally, I have not taken many prescription medications in my life. In fact prior to the last year I had only ever been prescribed antibiotics. So when my Family Doctor first suggested medication to manage my depression, I was a little taken back. Was I really that sick? I trusted her judgment and agreed to try an anti-depressant.

Side effects and success
The first drug we tried didn't go well. To make matters worse, I didn't immediately tell my family doctor about the side effects I was experiencing, I had terrible stomach cramps but did my best to persevere. I didn't realize at the time that had I reported my side effects right away she would have changed the medication immediately. I thought I was being heroic when in fact I was just being stupid. There is no reason to endure a side effect and no reason to suffer in silence. For medication to be effective, you have to be open and honest with the doctor prescribing it to you. Tell him or her everything you're experiencing even it is it nothing at all. Side effects are not consistent across all patients. You have to tell your doctor how the medication is affecting you. 

I have tried a number of medications. Some required frequent blood tests, others gave me vivid dreams and still others gave me an insatiable appetite (and consequent weight gain). One even gave me a brain “stutter” where my thoughts felt like they momentarily locked up. It was not until I met my current psychiatrist that the right med combo was found; where there was a balance between minimal side effects and tangible benefits.

Medication is not the only answer
Whether you decide to use medication or not, keep in mind it is not a panacea. I had one psychiatrist tell me drugs are only 30% of the solution and that exercise alone has a similar level of impact on improving mental health. Ongoing therapy, that is talking to someone who listens, is also key to recovery as well as mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other behavioural strategies.

Recovery will require more from you than simply taking a pill with water. That is why success in the fight with depression is non-linear. There will be many set backs. The key is to pick yourself back up and keep trying. Recover is not a destination, rather it is a choice made over and over again

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