Is medication for depression/anxiety 'just a crutch'?!
Question: Or do you think they really help? My boyfriend and I discussed this yesterday. I told him that I have medication for anxiety that I should be taking but I haven't taken it for months. I'm not feeling 'level' and I think I should take them again. He thinks that people should just 'get over it' themselves and not use pills. (I called him Tom Cruise and he didn't like that lol. ) What do you think?
Answers: Or do you think they really help? My boyfriend and I discussed this yesterday. I told him that I have medication for anxiety that I should be taking but I haven't taken it for months. I'm not feeling 'level' and I think I should take them again. He thinks that people should just 'get over it' themselves and not use pills. (I called him Tom Cruise and he didn't like that lol. ) What do you think?
Of course sometimes like with anything, anxiety/depression meds can be mis-used and over prescribed. But there are people who truly need help with the chemical imbalances that they live with everyday.
If an individual, their family, and their doctors have discussed all of the options and have found an option that works the best for them and they are committed to being well then Tom Cruise and his "followers" should just back off. Tom Cruise obviously has never been in need of any help and if we could all be that perfect that would be great. I come from a very long line of women that have horrible homonal anxiety. Because of this I rarely was able to drive out of town, travel without thinking of the worst all of the time and other terrible stresses. Mine was very minimal to my mother's issues. My maternal grandmother has suffered from depression and anxiety for 70 years and only in the last 10 years has been properly treated.
My life has changed for the better since beginning to take medication and my mother has become a new person. It gives my dad, brother and I emense joy to watch my mom enjoy life at this whole new level. When making the decision to go on the medication, I knew that it was a lifestyle change that was forever.
I did not begin this regimin to go on and off and mess myself up even more. I made the decision to feel better and follow my doctor's advice. I have been taking my medication daily for 6 years and have never had one issue since then and my mom has been the "new and improved" mom for 9 years, since beginning her meds.
The thing to remember, if the right medication is perscribed and followed correctly, the ONLY thing that changes in that person's life is the anxiety and depression issues. Nothing else about me changed at all!!!! I did not loose my personality, my attitude, my work ethic, my emotions! It did not make me a different person, it just made me a better version of me!
People with true mental disorders have low levels of certain chemicals in their brains, and truly do need medication to straighten out the levels.
Cut his arm off. When he cries out for pain medication, tell him it's "just a crutch" and laugh.
I agree that people should get over it alone. you should get therapy to discover WHY you are having your anxiety.
I think if you take medication and you think it is helping you, it is not a crutch.
It is easy for people to say these kinds of statements, "just a crutch" and "get over it" if they have not experienced any strong symptoms themselves.
I am wondering how supportive your boyfriend is when you are not feeling so well. It might helpful to keep an eye on this.
I have worked with forensic psychologists and they are pretty clear that meds play a role but are most effective when combined with CBT, psychotherapy or the like.
Not to sound disrespectful but I think your boyfriend hasn't been in the situations some of us have been in. I know without my depression meds I probably would not be here to answer your question. It has truly helped me make it through some of my darkest days.