Posted by joslynn on February 12, 2006, at 21:53:52
In reply to Re: about that 1965 MRC study, posted by linkadge on February 12, 2006, at 15:16:25
(link wrote) "In addition, because of the addictive potential of the drugs, a lot more people are going to *stay* on the medications. People may have fully recovered, but they will never know it because they have to take their medications much longer than they need them.
Withdrawl symptoms are often identical to original depressive symptoms so people just stay on their medications forver, because they just don't know what is well anymore. " (end quote)
THAT is where I get all confused. I did feel depressed when I tried to taper off a while ago, but how do I know if it was withdrawal or the actual depression coming back? I was so afraid of a relapse that I went back to my usual dose. Before going on meds, I had two very severe depressions with several years of so-so living in between. The second episode required hospitalization. That was when I finally gave in and tried the meds.
Whenever I think of trying to go off again, I get scared by people saying that going off, then getting depressed again, and going back on the same thing to try to get better again doesn't work anymore.
So, it can be very confusing to decide what to do next. Since being on meds, my life and mood are much, much better. But I started therapy the same time that I started meds. So how do I know that wasn't what helped?
And when I think, well, I will know by going off meds, I get scared that then that same med will not work as well if I need it again.
The fact that I am not depressed today is something I am eternally grateful for, but in addition to God, should I thank the meds, or therapy, or just time, or what? And will I get a brain tumor one day and wonder, hmm, was it the meds that did it?
It is very hard to understand your own brain with your own brain! To me, it feels like trying to step on your own shadow while you are walking.
poster:joslynn
thread:608339
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060212/msgs/609062.html