A
male
age
18-21,
GreenTea
writes:I have been taking depression medication for some time now. Every once in a while I forget to take it, and I really can feel emotion on those days. But I feel guilty taking it most days because it feels like I'm cheating life and just popping a pill to be happy.Why do I feel guilty? Reply to this Question |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (4 December 2007): perhaps you should ask yourself if you are trying to use the medication as a way to help you ignore other problems or as an aide to help you work through certain difficulties in your life. I suggest you tell your doctor how you feel. There might be other medicines that would work better.
A
female
reader, baby duck +, writes (4 December 2007):
 Every case is different. There certainly are people that take a pill instead of making the healthy choices that would make them happy. But, there are people with chemical imbalances and suggesting that they stop medication is comparable to telling a diabetic to stop taking insulin.
Many years ago, I finally confronted my mother with her violence. I was on Prozac for two years. I went to group therapy for twelve weeks and surprised everyone when I said that I appreciated their help, but it was time for me to employ what I had learned, solo. When I was weaned off Prozac, against my doctor's wishes, the first six months was hard as hell, but I got through it.
I have NO regrets for having used it. In fact, there may be a time in my life when I need that help again. I am sure that, in my case, the Prozac created a normal state in my mind that allowed the therapy to help me. The two really worked together.
I am having a tough year. This is definitely the toughest year of my life. The reason I know I don't need a pill, is because as much as I hurt, I am growing, changing, healing.
When you are so sad that you can only function at a low level, and you feel like you are in a mental fetal position, medication and therapy are probably needed.
Do not flog yourself for being on med's. I do wonder if your guilty feelings are a sign that you might be ready for some other kind of help, though. Discuss it with your doctor. Maybe you're a candidate for group therapy or talk therapy. In that scenario, you work out your problems...you are not 'told' what to do by the all-knowing doctor.
Be patient with yourself. Best wishes.
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