The Positives & Negatives of Taking Antidepressants

Antidepessants are a blessing for me. I have been taking an antidepressant for 16 years, and have no bad side effects. My problem was caused mostly by a lack of seratonin and some events that were occuring in my life. The major event was the fact that my daughter had terminal cancer, and the doctors had given up on her. This news about my daughter's illness actually helped me to find out I was depressed. I can call this a blessing also because she miraculously recovered from the cancer eventually.

As I look back over my life, I recall incidents that possibly proved I may have been depressed for most of my younger years. I remember days when I felt down and wanted to die. Or I would lose my composure, become angry and cry with no good reason. I imagine how much happier my early life might have been had I known I was a victum of depression.

After taking an antidepressant for a few weeks, my life completely changed. I had become, and still am, a much happier and contented person. I still, today, have times when I feel like the world is against me. These times do not happen often, and when they do, I also pray for sustenance to get through them.

At one point, my doctor said she thought it was time for a change, and prescribed a more potent antidepressant. After a few days of taking this antidepressant, I began to feel tired and non-caring about anything. As I soon told my doctor, this product made me feel like a 'zombie.' She again prescribed the original antidepressant, to my relief. I have also been told, and have read in medical journals that the antidepressant I am taking causes the least side affects.

I am aware of the younger people, mostly teenagers, who may be diagnosed as being depressed, when they are simply going through various stages or times in their lives. Taking antidepresants at such a young age could be disturbing later. Some doctors believe that these youngsters are actually enjoying this diagnosis because of the attention they receive, lack of expectations and parental laxity. Some studies also found that two percent of the youngsters became suicidal after taking the antidepressants for awhile.

There is also a problem of some stigma that exists concerning mental illness treatment. Many people find themselves seeking mental health help at some time in their lives, thus, it is much easier for them to understand and recognize the causes of mental illness than in the past. I have never felt awkward or even considered anyone thinking of a stigma in this regard; so I talk openly about my condition without fear. In speaking out about depression and antidepressants, I hope to help others who are plagued by this trauma.