"I don't want to be dependent on antidepressants"... anyone say this?

[wallflower]

My psychiatrist told me that medication is not the answer BUT is a very important component. He used the analogy of getting to work in your car... you need petrol, air in your tyres and a working engine, you need all these components as without one it simply won't function as it should.

I was very 'anti' medication following my terrible experience with citalopram, however my psychiatrist said that if I was to go for CBT (what I wanted to have) WITHOUT medication... it wouldn't be as effective. I can totally see where he is coming from since being on mirtazapine for 3 weeks.. it has helped 'take the edge off' and engage better but in no means has it 'cured' me.

[Catbrian]

I'm on a lot of meds, both for MH and for pain.  I feel equally resentful for being tied/dependant on both.  It's a common thread I've read on the Forum.

Whether we're on them for life really depends on a lot of things; who we are, what we're doing and how we are dealing with our issues.

I like to think that one day, I'll be more at peace with myself and with those dark disturbing issues and MAYBE the future can be free of meds

[Wallow]

That's what i long for - just to be at peace with myself.

[Martin]

Me too. To be at peace in my mind would be lovely. I bet loads of people in here want exactly the same.

[Catbrian]

I wonder if people suffering depression want to have inner peace more in our lives than those who are not depressive.

[Martin]

I wonder if people suffering depression want to have inner peace more in our lives than those who are not depressive.

I can only reply with my own opinion and I would guess "yes" because the lack of inner peace has a big impact on our mindset - which, as we know, is typically not very stable most of the time.

Personally, I would love to wake up each day with a resounding amount of inner peace - a level of which enabled me to be fully functional, physically and emotionally, throughout the day.

[Catbrian]

But, I'm not sure if most of the people we see getting up in the morning and going about their business, do have that inner peace.  Most of them probably don't even care about inner-anything.

[Martin]

Maybe not an inner peace but sufficient 'peace' to manage with the issues that take some of us up to or over the edge.
We've all known people who don't seem to worry, don't appear upset by the little things and manage through challenges without being rattled be "what if" and "I can't do that - someone will laugh at me" and "but nobody will like me" etc., etc.,

I'd like to be closer to that than the complete head case that I am who can't stay happy or positive for more than short spells.

[Buttercup]

I'm going to be a bit controversial here.

I don't think that meds will ever give you inner peace, that has to come from working hard on changing your own mindset. I'm terrible at this but although I always have self doubt to varying degrees I work hard at enjoying life. For me walking helps emensly it makes me feel more at peace with the world and giving me a strength to tackle things head on.

[Martin]

I don't think that meds will ever give you inner peace, that has to come from working hard on changing your own mindset. I'm terrible at this but although I always have self doubt to varying degrees I work hard at enjoying life.

I agree - I find medication simply keeps things (almost) at a manageable level (most days) but does not prevent the period of complete self-doubt, mind snowballing out of control to depths that can be extremely painful and destructive. I've been on medication for months and although I get longer 'ups' I still get dreadful 'downs' to the point of doubting everything in my mind, turning everything into a negative though, becoming completely self-destructive.

For me walking helps emensly it makes me feel more at peace with the world and giving me a strength to tackle things head on.

I too love to walk. Walking the dog is a great part of the day. Also going for a bike ride when the weather is on our side.

[Catbrian]

Blueeyes, I can understand where you are coming from

I would totally agree buttercup. 

I think we need to strive for that inner peace.  Two themes that regularly come up in this forum (for me, anyway) is the need to live in "the here and now" with our lives "in balance".  They sound simple enough but the self-discipline required to apply this to our day-to-day existence must take a lifetime to perfect, if ever at all.

[Martin]

I think we need to strive for that inner peace.  Two themes that regularly come up in this forum (for me, anyway) is the need to live in "the here and now" with our lives "in balance".

Absolutely.

[Pip]

I take two different meds for high blood pressure, one for cholesterol, three different ones for pain relief and an NSAID which equates to 20 tablets a day.  Since 2005 I have been on and off anti depressants which haven't really made any difference to my depression so I'm currently not taking any for that.  If I could I wouldn't take any meds at all but I know my physical health would be much worse and I would be a time bomb for either a stroke or heart attack as my BP at worst was 210/160

[mat]

I was actually thinking about this earlier on,  my ad medication is working great but there is going to come a time in which Ill need to come of them. Because I'm sure you can't be taking ad for your whole life ??

[Buttercup]

There are people who do take them for their whole life.

I think it's always daunting to come off them but I know people that have and have recovered, so there is hope

Xxx