Should I start taking medication for depression?!


Question: Should I start taking medication for depression!?
My Mom has depression and my Grandmother is an alcoholic!. I spoke to a therapist who told me that depression can run in the family and she thinks I may have it (but I did only see her for 4 visits)!.

My Mom has been telling me for the past couple years that she thinks I'm depressed and it seems to be getting worse!. I really don't want to go on medication for it because I'm only 22 and I don't want to get dependent on it and have to take it for the rest of my life!. I have looked at a lot of ways to fight without meds- ex: exercise, change in diet and natural meds!. (I have yet to try any of these)!.

I'm not sure if I should talk to my doctor about getting on medication!. Anyone have an advice or words of encouragement on what to do!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
First, I'd suggest you talk to a doctor or get a mental health screening to determine if you really are depressed!. Don't just take your mom's word for it, although since she's depressed herself her opinion bears some weight!.

If you are depressed, medication is a good idea, in addition to the methods you mentioned and also therapy!. Bear in mind, though, that "natural" meds have not been shown to be very effective at all!.

Antidepressants are not addictive (although there are withdrawal effects if you stop taking them too quickly)!. Going on antidepressants does NOT mean you have to take them for the rest of your life!. In fact, the sooner you get treated, the less likely you'll be to need antidepressants later in life!.

Finally, it is important to get depression treated as soon as possible!. People who do not get treated are depressed longer and are much more likely to have severe problems with depression throughout their lives!. The earlier you catch it, the better your chances of actually curing it!.

You're a good candidate for treatment because you are so young!. But again, you need a proper diagnosis first!.

Take care!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Science showing that we more inheritance from out environment than genes as thought can change genes!. Most, if not all of the meds aren't addictive, but you have to change your environment also!. I say a new way of thinking on meds and changed by mind!. That changed my body chemistry so I got of meds!. My science teacher told us that we can synthesize any chemical!. Obviously at least those that are best for us and probably some that are not!. luvWww@Answer-Health@Com

I would say do not let a gp put you on antidepressants!. Many are 2 quick to prescribe them even when not needed!. Try seeing a therapist, and if you decide meds might be worth discussing go to psychiatrist!.

There are 2 kinds of depression!. Situational based and biological based!. Situational therapy and adjusting things in your life should be all that is needed!.

Biological you have to understand that it is the brain not functioning correctly!. It is like diabeties where the body doesnt produce insulin!.!.!.!.!.your brain isnt producing/handling those neurotransmitters correctly!. Yes you can do things that will help the levels of the neurotransmiters!.!.!.!.!.!.excersize IS great for that!.!.!.diet changes as well!. Some herbal supllements can too!. Therapy is great!.

However, depending on how off things are for you to begin with, it may not do enough to help much!. Thats when you need meds!. And depressents also are not addictive!.!.!.(with the exeption of a couple!.!.!.!.do your research before you start a med!.!.!.i know a couple are supposed to be h*llish to come off of)!.!.!.they dont "drug you"!.!.!.!.they arnt like you are taking pain killers to not feel!.!.!.!.!.they adjust the brain so it functions the way it should be on its own!. Also, depending on your depression, you may only need to be on them short term!. And anyway if you are someone that would have to take it for the rest of your life, its not because of starting to take the med and becoming addicted!.!.!.!.!.its because of the depression, and you would have the choise to take it the rest of your life or be depressed the rest of your life!.

Deffinitly try the other routes first, but dont be so afraid of the antidepressants if it turns out that they are what you needWww@Answer-Health@Com

Sounds as though you don't really want to use medication so talking therapies may be a better route for you to take, though you probably need to have more than 4 sessions!.

It is true that certain types of depression have a genetic basis (at least partially) but this does not mean that just because your mother is depressed, you will be depressed too!. There are lots of other possible causes for depression!.

It seems that there are some problems within your family and, at your age, you need to minimise any negative influences that come from that source and focus on the positive e!.g!. you may have a good relationship with your mum!. However, maybe it's time to broaden your horizons and get out and about more, having lots of good, positive experiences with friends of your own age!. You are right to think about and try different diets and exercise etc!. both of which can have positive effects on feelings of depression!.

Medication from your doctor, used short-term, can be helpful to get you over a really bad patch, but long-term it's not always a good idea!. Having help from the right kind of psychotherapist or counsellor could give you the help you need to recover from the way you are feeling at the moment!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I think you should go to your doctor and discuss these things with him/her!. Hopefully they will refer you to a mental health nurse and they will take you to the next step!. This may be medication or therapy!. I personally think tablets are the last result as i have been on and off them for years (i am 25) and everytime i came off i went back to the way i was and this is because i didn't sort the problem out emotionally which i am doing now in therapy and without tablets!. So the best thing you can do is talk to a doctor and see what happens from there!. Good luck xWww@Answer-Health@Com





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