There are many people who know very early that they suffer from depression. Perhaps as pre-teens you where a little melancholy but know one paid attention. You were young. Then you became a teenager and everyone thought you were just a little annoying, but still just being a sullen teenager. Next you go to college or begin life in the workforce and people think that's just your personality, or maybe it's the stress of change.
But you are beginning to understand something about yourself - you are tired, sad, listless, and often hopeless more than not. And this isn't who you are. Or who you want to be. You want to change - but you can't. You feel stuck. So finally, you go to your doctor who sends you to a therapist. You go for a while, and its fine -- but then you stop.
You go again after a 3 year relationship ends badly and you stop again. Each time you go for therapy, it's generally for the same reasons. I'm overwhelmed by my life. I'm depressed.
Finally, the third or fourth time you visit your therapist or your physician they give it to you straight. You have been feeling this way for years. It hasn't just been one episode brought on my grief or another huge life stressor. You have constantly and consistently had depressive symptoms throughout your life. You probably need to take an antidepressant, and you need to accept that you probably will have to take it for a long while.
You panic! Do you want to be on drugs for the rest of your life? Is this who I am? Weak? I need drugs to manage my life?
Learning to accept the fact that you could be taking antidepressants for as long as you need them is a very scary proposition for a lot of people, especially people who view depression as a character flaw instead of the mental health disorder that it really is.
If you were diabetic, you would try lots of things to improve your overall health, but you would also make sure that during that process you would be okay. So you take your insulin. People suffering from depression should follow that same path. Begin an exercise plan. Discover a hobby you are passionate about. Connect more with friends and family. Focus on taking care of yourself more. And while you are doing all of that...take your medication everyday - on time - and watch how you will finally gain control of a life that was once just a sleepwalk.
Related Reading: The Antidepressant Survival Guide : The Clinically Proven Program to Enhance the Benefits and Beat the Side Effects of Your Medication
by Robert J. Hedaya
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Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist, writer, and speaker. She has been helping clients with all types of life issues since 1998. She is the Founder and Director of www.GirlShrink.com, a site that offers expert online advice, counseling and coaching for women on a variety of issues such as relationships, mental health and more. Get information about our free advice & other services by Clicking Here.
