Depressing Moms

Right, so let’s cut to the chase – I’m an anti-depressant user. Anyone who has known me for a substantial amount of time knows my highs and they know my lows! My lows are hard to forget and they tend to drive those around me a bit crazy. I can be an emotional wreck and a whole bunch of other attributes that I would prefer not to go into right now.

I have never been one to go around announcing that I’m an AD user. Before taking anti-depressants, I would not consider one bit that I was a depressive despite all the tears and upset that I seem to find myself dealing with daily. After starting anti-depressants, I found myself feeling a whole lot better, crying less and being a whole lot more rational about things in general. HOWEVER, I HATED the fact that I needed this little pill every day to survive and started thinking that I was just completely WEAK.

I have, however, come to accept that I need medication now to live a life where I can laugh every day and live without this thunder cloud hanging over my head. I tend to annoy my husband a lot less :), my kids have a Mom who copes much better and overall, I’m a happier individual than when I’m not on my meds.

There is a lot of talk about anti-depressants being over prescribed. This is possibly very true as it has become very easy to get a script from doctors. HOWEVER, we do have to consider the times that we live in. Compared to live 20 – 30 years ago, the pace we live in now-a-days can be considered ridiculous. Technology keeps changing and what seems like just yesterday is actually a year ago because you have just been too busy to keep up with what is happening. Our bodies were not designed for the pace we live in today and for some, it just gets too much. On the other hand, there’s definitely a hereditary side to depression – that’s mine!

My Top 10 Tips on Dealing with Depression

1. Not everyone will understand and you may be judged or criticised by making the choice to take meds for depression. Here’s a little secret: it’s OK – people will say what they want to – don’t worry about it – do what is right for you. Until those people actually live in your body with your mind can they really have something to say about it.
2. Make sure you see a doctor who can identify whether your depression is not more to do with anxiety. You want to be treated correctly and treating depression when you suffer more from anxiety can potentially have a negative effect on your moods.
3. There are other options. I have tried homeopathic medication and therapies. Sometimes they worked, but not always for the long term. I’m very much pro not taking medications, so try the above if you want to, but be realistic.
4. Your first set of anti-depressants may not work for you. Believe it or not, different anti-depressants are better suited for different people. You will know if it’s working for you or not, but often, the people around you who work with you or live with you will be good people to ask on whether there has been improvement.
5. You don’t HAVE to be on them forever. If you do decide to take them, don’t be hard on yourself. Ideally, you should possibly consider giving yourself 6 months and then re-evaluate.
6. Do NOT just stop anti-depressants. It’s not a safe way to do things and depending on which ones you are on, the side effects can be extremely unpleasant. Take this from someone who stopped taking theirs when they found out they were pregnant. I stopped mine the day I found out I was pregnant with both my kids. With Jake, I had been on a stronger pill and the withdrawal I went through was awful – it took me about 4 weeks to recover. I wouldn’t wish that withdrawal on anyone!
7. Before turning to medication, consider trying to evaluate your life and lifestyle. Are there ways you can reduce stress in your life or improve circumstances that are perhaps resulting in your feeling depressed?
8. You are (most likely) not crazy, an idiot, a weakling, a weirdo or anything remotely like that for taking anti-depressants. If you start thinking you are, tell that little voice in your head to buzz off!
9. Consider seeing someone to talk things through. Psychiatrists are the doctors who prescribe medications. Psychologists are the ones you see to talk things through and work through emotional or whatever issues you need to deal with.
10. Communicate with someone who will listen. It’s amazing how just talking to someone can turn your day / week around.

Disclosure

Please note:

• This is my personal account or interpretation of depression and / or anxiety.
• Any advice or suggestion provided below is based on my personal experience and is provided as information.
• ALWAYS consult a doctor before deciding to start an anti-depressant or end your anti-depressant.
• Momtrepreneur.co.za and / or its affiliates / staff take no responsibility for any consequence relating directly or indirectly to any action or inaction you take based on the content available in the above blog post or on the website as a whole.