I want to take anti-depressants, but...

[Tizzie]

I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety and depression by my GP. I went to therapy for a few months after being diagnosed. Both my GP and my therapist told me that taking anti-depressants would help me out a lot. My mother disagreed, and decided that I should try more natural methods of treatment. Nothing she has tried has worked.

I stopped going to my therapy sessions, but now I feel the need to return. My mother is not supportive of the idea of returning to therapy.

I feel like I'm running out of time. I'm 17 years old, and I would like to start taking anti-depressants because I truly feel that there is no other option at this point.

A few of my siblings were taking anti-depressants, but they had bad reactions to them. This has turned my mother completely against the idea of even thinking about taking them. I don't know what to do.

Is anyone able to tell me their personal experiences with anti-depressants so I can make this decision and persuade my mother, once and for all? Thank you..

[smallwolf]

Tizzie,

Psychology was working for me, until one point when things went very bad for me, and I was put onto ADs (call these "medication A"). Now they take to time to work. And while I was on them I noticed the reactions or side-effects I was having. At this time I was also assigned to a psychiatrist so she was giving me any prescriptions. To make what could be a long story shorter, based on the side effects we (she and I) determined it based to change medications (medication "B"). Since the change, I have not had any of side effects associated with "medication A". That said, someone in my family uses "medication A" without any problems. But that person went through a couple of different ones also.

You said "I stopped going to my therapy sessions, but now I feel the need to return. My mother is not supportive of the idea of returning to therapy." Can I ask what it is about therapy that your mother disagrees with? That would seem to be "natural method"?

Are you still at school (based on your age)? Could you maybe speak with the school consellor? they might be able to help you out initially?

With anxiety and depression (for me) it is a case of re-wiring my brain to think more in positive terms and less worry. There are various ways to do this, and this is where therapy helps, or can help. You can try to self-help, by reading books, or readings threads on the forum here.

For me, ADs are a way to help me manage things, but not a cure.

Tim

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Tizzie,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for joining us.

So it sounds like you want to take antidepressants but your mum doesn't want you too. You said how your sisters took them and got bad reactions to them - but how come your mum is against therapy though?

I'm on some good medications now and I find them very helpful, but it's been a bit of a hit and miss. I've tried a lot of different meds over the years, some with awful side effects - but I persisted a little until I found the right one. The tough thing about meds is that we'll probably all have some side effects in the beginning but they'll wean off, or it may be that the med just isn't for you.

What is it that makes your mum scared? I get that she's worried because of your sisters, but bad reactions doesn't necessarily have to ring alarm bells - there are lots of ways to work around them.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Tizzie,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for joining us.

So it sounds like you want to take antidepressants but your mum doesn't want you too. You said how your sisters took them and got bad reactions to them - but how come your mum is against therapy though?
I'm on some good medications now and I find them very helpful, but it's been a bit of a hit and miss. I've tried a lot of different meds over the years, some with awful side effects - but I persisted a little until I found the right one. The tough thing about meds is that we'll probably all have some side effects in the beginning but they'll wean off, or it may be that the med just isn't for you.

What is it that makes your mum scared? I get that she's worried because of your sisters, but bad reactions doesn't necessarily have to ring alarm bells - there are lots of ways to work around them.

[geoff]

Hello Tizzie, welcome to the site and thanks for posting your comment.

Natural therapies and herbal medicines may only work if you are only suffering from a mild type of sadness, depression is much too powerful, especially when you are struggling with chronic illnesses.

Whether your mother doesn't want you to continue therapy depends on how you are feeling yourself, that's what's more important.

If someone wants you to run 50 km, but you don't want to, then what will you do, what you decide to do, so if you believe you need to go back to counselling then please do it.

Your siblings had bad reactions to AD's that doesn't mean you will also be affected, a different type of AD maybe given to you.

You need to think about yourself and must look after yourself.

Geoff.