Antidepressants - quick question

[[pretty on the inside]]

The doctor suggested I might want to give them a try, but I'm not totally convinced. I'd rather not have to take pills, and I always thought they were bad for your health? Also, I like having a drink or whatever from time to time, and don't they react badly with most drugs?

I was just wondering whether it's possible to get better from depression without medication? (or if I'm just being stupid by refusing them?)

[sherlock holmes]

I don't think they're bad for your health. Sure, you can get side effects but other than that they're fine.

You can recover from depression without the use of drugs, it depends how long you've been depressed and how much therapy you've tried. You might get to a point where you want to try medication.

It's best to avoid alcohol whilst on medication, but that doesn't mean to say you can't have the ocassional drink, but it has to be ocassional. And just the one. Alcohol is a depressant and will counteract the effects of the anti depressant, and can also make you tired/sick/dizzy.

With anti depressants it might take a while to find the right one for you. I've tried quite a few. Some had no effect and others made me feel worse.

To be honest, I wouldn't go on medication if you're not really convinced it's for you.

[tamobhuuta]

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I'd rather not have to take pills

fair enough, i think. it can be a pain, remembering to take them, taking them when you go away, and i'm not good with swallowing tablets either so that put me off. meds areb't for everyone.

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I always thought they were bad for your health

no, not if you have the right one. some of the older ones can be very strong but newer ones are usually used for the first line of treatment. they can still have side effects, but if they're too bad the doctor should stop the meds or change the dose. and if they help with the depression, that should be good for you physically well, because depression effects you physically as well as mentally.

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I like having a drink or whatever from time to time

yeah, generally you should avoid alcohol but again, it depends what you're on, what dose, and how you react to it. for some meds it makes the side effects worse but doesn't changetheir effectiveness, but for some they can stop them working so well or be dangerous (i'm not sure which though)

Quote:

I was just wondering whether it's possible to get better from depression without medication?

yes it is, but i think you'd be making things very difficult for yourself if you refused medication for that reason alone. we have our pride but there is no shame in taking meds, it doesn't make you weaker.

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(or if I'm just being stupid by refusing them?)

no not at all, it's your own choice and as long as you're properly inmformed about it i don't think it's any more stupid to not take meds than to take them.
really it's best to ask your doc because they can answer your questions properly.

[one lie at a time]

Where's the harm in just trying them? They might really help you. I think it's alright to drink with most anti-depressants as long as you don't drink in excess. Have you brought your questions and concerns up with your doctor? If you haven't, consider trying. If you decide to try, you could stop taking them if you don't like them. But it might really be worth it.