One more thing. My Mom had severe depression because of her chronic back pain. She took antidepressants just long enough to get through the "slump." So if it's a situation like that...you may need them but not for long.
april
Hi, not if it's chronic. I had to take classes with a Psychologist for my weight loss surgery. I asked if anxiety and depression meds were one i could get off after losing the weight (hoping that would be a cure). He said if you have two or more bouts of depression (moderate to severe) then you would not be able to be off meds basically ever. I agree with him now as I've tried to reduce them and cannot. It's a hereditary chemical imbalance in the brain which is balanced by the meds. It is what it is. It doesn't mean you are crazy or anything...there is just a medically imbalanced set of chemicals in your brain that need regulation. I take Lexapro, don't feel weird and have had a really great attitude since starting it years ago. I am a big advocate for finding the right med as it has made all the difference in my life. It's a whole new world out there without the down and out feelings.
Hope this helps.
april
I'm very new to all of this as I've never had any bout of anxiety/depression until the birth of my 3rd child. I've always prided myself on being very well grounded and stress free.
I fought my issues for a solid week thinking I could beat it....the anxiety basically shut me down...I couldn't think, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep....
I've always been a 'non-med' type person who hates to even take aspirin for a headache.
With all the above said, I had to get help. I'm not there yet, but am trying to clear my head with the help of meds so I can think clearly and get on with my life. I'm not saying it can't be beaten....but I don't know if the consequences of not getting help via meds was worth the risk.