There is horrific stigma AND heartbreaking side effects associated with depression medication. I have a sister who requires medication for healthy brain function. It is easy to understand why those who desperately need and benefit from an antidepressant drug or other medications resist taking them. Brain chemistry medications can be a VERY tough thing to deal with.
Chemical imbalance in the brain happens...just like other diseases. Be sure that you address all possible causes of imbalance BEFORE clouding the issue with potent and possibly unnecessary medication.
"If you go to a conventional healthcare provider,
the odds are pretty high that you will be prescribed
antidepressants at some point in your life...(most
antidepressants are prescribed by PCP’s, not
psychiatrists) Why are Primary Care Physicians (PCPs)
handing out prescriptions for an ever-growing list of
symptoms? PCP’s have very little time to spend with
you and they are usually not experts on mental health
or natural methods. Antidepressants may be the best
option they have for you. They may believe that
antidepressants, particularly SSRI’s, provide an
adequate solution with relatively little risk (at
least in the short term). If they can satisfy you
and the HMO with a prescription, they feel they’ve
done their job." Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP
If you are considering seeing a doctor for your depression, I urge you to consider the large body of information and valid controversy regarding antidepressants.
Aside from the dangers inherent in the drugs themselves, there is a disturbing and false "quick-fix magic bullet" mind set that is being promoted and widely accepted.
"Many forms of depression are natural, normal
and temporary — rather like menopause. Indeed,
the philosophically minded might simply attribute
many of these feelings to the human condition.
Likewise, they can be relieved through safe,
gradual methods using your body’s natural
mechanisms.
As with other symptoms of imbalance, depression
is your body’s way of sending you a signal that
something is awry.
Antidepressants don’t address the underlying
problem; they drown it out with a booming Don’t
worry-be happy! But for how long? What happens
when you want or need to come off antidepressant
medications?" Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP
I don't want to imply that an antidepressant drug is bad for everyone. I advocate DUE DILIGENCE and encourage everyone to investigate the full story, which is often omitted in traditional information sources.
It is the inherent nature of this site to encourage readers to do everything possible BEFORE medicating as a last resort. An antidepressant drug will rarely address the underlying CAUSE of depression and my intent with the Beat Depression Naturally site is to assist you in identifying and transforming those causes.
Helpquide.org includes personality in their list of causes of depression:
"Personality traits - Introversion,
low self-esteem, pessimism, and
dependence are personality traits
that can contribute to depression.
Attribution style is another impor-
tant factor. People who attribute
negative events to internal(It’s my
fault), stable (It’s never going to
change), and global (It will always
be like this) causes are prone to
depression. Feelings of helplessness
and hopelessness are particularly damaging. People who
feel that they have no control over negative events
are very likely to become depressed.
The truth is that MOST depression is a call for personal growth and improved self care. Drug companies are exploiting the public with advertising and are misleading doctors. They are committing a gross outrage against truth...at this point our only defense is "buyer beware".
I urge you to give EQUAL TIME to the information that counter-balances drug company advertising. AND...if you do suffer from severe or hereditary chemical imbalances...take your medication! Avoid adding more to your troubles! Please...be careful out there!
I will be adding more information about antidepressants to "Causes of Depression-Antidepressant Drug News" periodically.
Remember...the best antidepressant drug is holistic prevention.
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