Posted by Shell on November 2, 2000, at 22:37:19
In reply to Re: Medicines For Life, posted by R.Anne on November 2, 2000, at 22:09:53
> > > I was told I would probably have to take medicines for the rest of my life for depression for one thing. I also have OCD and PTSD that I take medicines for, too. I can look at it and accept it as necessary for a better quality of life or a life at all. I accept that my brain chemistry went awry and the medicines help bring it closer to "normal." I think of myself as a person who needs medicine just like someone with a heart condition needs medicine. There are people out there, though, who don't understand it though, unfortunately. A lot of people need more education on mental illness to help them understand better. Sometimes I feel very alone and find this board helpful. I have had long term problems and have had therapies and use what I've learned, continue to learn more and feel I really need the medicines and maybe forever. Can anyone relate?
I may have a slightly different perspective on taking medicine for life. My mother and her sister struggled with depression for years before finding medication. That was more than 20 years ago and neither one of them would even consider stopping it and going back to what life was like before. Although I was just a kid, I can well remember how bad it was for them. So when I was diagosed with depression myself (and I can't believe I didn't realize it myself first, having lived with it - we all have seem to have identical symptoms), I just assumed I would be on medicine for life; it never occurred to me it would be otherwise. I have quite a few close relatives with depression and/or OCD (or both!) and can not think of one who doesn't plan to continue his/her medication indefinitely.
poster:Shell
thread:47535
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001102/msgs/48070.html