How do you not feel shame in taking anti-depressants long-term

I didn't have to take them for long but, when my marriage broke up, I took zispin for a while, having tried to not use anything up till then. It was a life changer for me and I wouldn't hesitate to tell anyone to use an antidepressant if they needed to. Even though my GP had wanted me to go on them it was only when a friend said to me that, this is where you need to be, this is where you're at, and the tablets will bring up to the level where you can then function normally. When she explained it like that, it made total sense to take them.

Hi Paddyann,
My old boss had fibromyalgia and was haunted by the amount/effects of medication. His wife told me they sometimes found they had far more knowledge of what worked/didn't than the specialists. I do hope your daughter gets some help to look at the dosage and contents of her drugs. Can she ask for a second opinion? I know that is not liked by doctors, but sometimes it can be the thing that makes them think again.

Yes, you're right, Luckygirl, I do have my life back with the tablets, so I think I should just work on accepting this.

There is another thread on the book, which is not one that I think the OP would find helpful. It is always wise to be wary of books that have an axe to grind, as this one has.

I prefer balanced objective scientific inquiry myself.

Your illness is being treated OP and it is not a sign of weakness to take ADs. It is a sign that you recognise that you have an illness and that you wish to take the opportunities that exist for you to stay well.

I wonder if it might help you to seek the help of a counsellor to look at why you find it so hard to accept your need for treatment. I have to say that this sort of negative and self-deprecatory feeling can be a part of the illness itself.

I too take ADs - I have no problem with this. I was once very ill and now I have my life back. I am very thankful indeed for that.

Caledonail4 its the same with any illness ,my daughter has fibromyalgia and other debilitating illnesses,the first thing her GP did was prescribe AD's .Now she's taking 23 ...thats TWENTY THREE pills every day.I am sure they must affect each other but the GP wont get her a hospital bed and try to get her off some of them .Meantime she gets sicker and sicker and more things are added to the mix.It infuriates me ,she's bedridden most of the time already NOW they've upped the dose of her AD's ??

Hello Cuppa,
I agree with the people here who say there is no shame in taking anti depressants as prescribed, but I think Nonnie makes a valid point about checking with the doc. Following a bad accident 2 years ago, I did an online free course about falls and was amazed to find that the number of pills taken by a person can be a contributing factor (along with things like prescription glasses, bad lighting and clutter of course) to falls in later years. Those of us on the course were encouraged to post anonymously on every sub-topic and it was amazing how many people had been on prescriptions for years for things which they either don't now need or need less of. They'd never thought of querying until the hospital specialists and physios running the falls course urged them to check with the medics. It might be worth a check with your doctor, even just to put your concerns at rest. Good advice here though and a very interesting thread, thanks.

The Sunday Times treated the book with a degree of scepticsm.

Just read the book and check the references for what he says. It's not just about his opinions.

So sorry, I hadn't noticed this second page! Thank you everyone x

I think it should be remembered that Johann Hari isn’t a scientist or medical doctor, he lost his job as a journalist through plagiarism and went on to denigrate on social media anyone who had criticised him.
I think there is evidence that biochemical, genetic and environmental factors can all contribute to depressive illness.

Good point Granny23.

I am not a writer nor a clinical psychologist, but I believe that my own personal experience of depression, with and without SSRIs is as valid as Johann Hari's. Believe me I have done my own research into the pros and cons, but would much prefer to put my trust in the highly qualified medical professionals who have advised me over the years than in an 'amateur' who is trying to sell a book.

We live in the 21st century...If it is available and makes you feel better, just rejoice you do! I resisted Citalopram for years, finally took it and feel so much better...Don't beat yourself up, I certainly won't stop it if I don't have to. Couldn't go back to feeling so worried all the time. We never know how long we have left on this planet, so you may as well enjoy it!!

Sorry. I hadn't noticed that other thread.

Apologies - I meant to respond to the OP. There is no shame in taking anti-depressants.

Yes, that's certainly true Granny23 - it is allowing me to do things with my children now that I couldn't do when they were younger

When I expressed reluctance to start on SSRIs my GP said bluntly 'If you won't take them for yourself, take them for your family, colleagues and friends. You must be making them miserable too.' I realised that this was probably true and agreed to take them on this basis. When depressed you do not think anything is worth the effort, nor that you deserve some happiness. It is however different when you consider the wellbeing and happiness of your family - it is easier to force yourself to do something when it is for THEM rather than yourself.

It's a big hard back book so I'm only a few chapters in but it's not looking good for manufacturers of antidepressants! No evidence for brain biochemistry problems and very dodgy practice re research evidence for efficacy of antidepressants. Lots of solid references. It's not some sort of sensationalist publication. Will read on!

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1244056-The-nature-of-depressive-illness

Jane there was a recent thread about that book ... will find it.

Haha, I didn't even notice the Johannesburg bit!

Oh really? No I haven't heard about it - is there a basic new premise in the approach to anxiety etc in it then?

Stupid predictive text!! Johann Hari.

Have you seen that new book about depression and anxiety? It's been widely reviewed and I was intrigued enough to get it. I think you should all read it if possible. It certainly made me rethink the whole way depression and anxiety are considered and how they are treated. Its called 'Lost Connections' by Johannesburg Hari.

Thank you all. I am 54