Do you avoid medication? Why?

[polythene]

.

[adsf321dsa]

I avoid meds like the plague...why? Partly because I'm stubborn and feel like I can work through things on my own. Not only can I, but it gives me some confidence when I do.

Also, benzo junkies are annoying and difficult to be around. I refuse to be one.

[sanspants08]

I benzo to sleep at night. I don't take them in the daytime mostly because I like the way they feel a little too much lol. I don't take my other meds because I don't like to pay my copays

Seriously though, if the med improves your quality of life, I'd take it. I figure, reduced stress=longer life. So do what you feel is best for your sanity.

[n1kkuh]

Its really tough to say man. Some people literally need medication to get through the day, and it would be harmful for some of these people to fool themselves into thinking they don't need it. Some people its the opposite and they take meds. Me personally, I try to stay away from meds although I do have so some stuff in the liquor cabinet that I take PRN ya know, and I have some pills that compliment it great. I have never gone down the Ssri path, but it just doesn't sound me, but again, some people really need that stuff, but I guess I can't see myself ever needing a pill to cope everyday, unless its just a short period of time.

[yakubu]

Originally Posted by polythene

I'm not sure if this belongs in the medication forum, but I put it up here because I don't intend to ask questions about any specific pill. I'm referring mainly to antidepressants and anxiolytics: do you avoid them, even though you're qualified to use them? I've been suffering from depression since I was pre/teen, and became convinced that my life would change if I went on an AD. I was on different SSRIs, along with some ineffective anxiolytics, for about two years until I went off cold turkey. Since then I've been on and off antidepressants and anxiolytics, and tend to go on them when I'm insanely depressed and so anxious I don't want to leave my room.

I went off Wellbutrin about six months ago, mainly due to insurance issues, and since then have been avoiding renewing my insurance, because I know I'd only be getting it for psychiatric medication. I've been trying to live my life as normally as possible, and while I'm capable of going through the motions, it's quite difficult. I'm fairly sure my brain has become somewhat dependent on antidepressants - if not, I'm just psychologically obsessed with having some sort of crutch to hold myself up.

And therein lies my reluctance to go back on medication. I want to help myself, devise a long-term solution to my anxiety and depression by fighting through it without anybody's help. I want to get through it and come out stronger and better. But I wonder... am I doing myself a disservice? Would I be happier, would things be easier, if I got back on meds?

Part of the problem is that they never seemed to work for me. Back when my anxiety was moderate, I tended to refuse anxiolytics that made me feel drunk or out of control, and requested beta blockers instead. Other than that, basically every single SSRI/SSNI I've been on hasn't helped noticeably. They've made me feel foggy, messed with my memory, and made me feel very disoriented, but they've never lessened my depression or anxiety significantly. Have I just not found the right pill? Is there some tablet out there that WILL work, and how many pills will I have to get through before I find it? I suppose I'm coping, but I am by no means thriving. I've been wondering lately if medication would help, but it's failed me so many times in the past.

What do you think? I'd like to hear your takes on this. When is medication necessary? Is it avoidable? Why do you take yours (if you do), and has it helped? Do you think you could have 'gotten better' without meds?

i avoid them , i just dont beleive in them at all.

i beleive in changing your thougths and behaviour. meds just doesnt enter the equation for me. plus they are bad for you. they are chemicals . its not good putting that into your system all of the time and the side effects just arent worth it

i compare meds to the following metaphor :

to lose wieght succesfully and keep it off for good you need to eat healthy foods , consume less calories and exercise .

to lose weight momentarily only to put it back on , and to go through pain in order to get the weight off int he first place you do the following :

go on a crash diet were you cut calories by an extreme amount, you feel like sh!t whilst doing it. take fat loss pills taht send you skatty etc....

there is a way to lose weight healthily and permanently and there is a way to lose wiehgt momentarily and unhealthily
just as there is a way to overcome SA permanently and healthily and there is a way to overcome SA momentarily and unhealthily

[mypasswordneverworks]

My parents don't want me to start something that I'm going to NEED for the rest of my life. So, I obey.

[TheVoid]

Originally Posted by mypasswordneverworks

My parents don't want me to start something that I'm going to NEED for the rest of my life. So, I obey.

Which is exactly what my psychologist told me when I asked for a medicine. "You don't want to be taking this stuff all your life do you?" "No...", "Then try CBT and take it only when you really need it"

So I obey.

But seriously, I think she is right. Medicine only helps you short-term. It is not a "cure" or a "long term remedy" as I was told.

[ohioisforloners]

I try to stay away from all sorts of medication. I only take Vitamins, which do not really effect behavior so I suppose my answer would be yes. Why? Because like many people say, I don't feel very comfortable at all taking something that I will most likely become dependent on my whole life. I personally tend to think many drug's do not help to begin with, just an easy way to run people dry on money. Mostly referring to "the placebo effect" that some people get from taking medication.

[MavenMI6Agent009]

I avoid medication too expensive for me to afford since I have no insurance.

[shyvr6]

The last time I used meds was in middle school and I did notice a difference. I don't even remember why I stopped taking them.

[screwjack]

Mainly it's the price reason. But i've also been on all types of medication and they never worked. It seemed kind of pointless. I wish I had gone for therapy instead. Also i'm a recovering addict and i'm reaquainting myself with buddhism, which is against intoxicants.

[solasum]

Originally Posted by ohioisforloners

I try to stay away from all sorts of medication. I only take Vitamins, which do not really effect behavior so I suppose my answer would be yes. Why? Because like many people say, I don't feel very comfortable at all taking something that I will most likely become dependent on my whole life. I personally tend to think many drug's do not help to begin with, just an easy way to run people dry on money. Mostly referring to "the placebo effect" that some people get from taking medication.

[seanybhoy]

Originally Posted by NoMarriageHole

I avoid meds like the plague...why? Partly because I'm stubborn and feel like I can work through things on my own.

Ditto

And because they make you feel all weirdy n sh*t umm........no thanks.

[PetSMiLE]

Yeah it's kinda weird how I think that I should be able to beat this thing without medication. Lately, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just scared to find out just how much change I would go through. Maybe it could be really positive? Maybe it won't work at all or worse make me more anxious? I've never tried, and I don't think I ever will.

[mypasswordneverworks]

yeah, I'd love to be on the stuff to ease it but the parents pay my insurance so it's a no go

[Grim619]

Originally Posted by yakubu

i beleive in changing your thougths and behaviour. meds just doesnt enter the equation for me. plus they are bad for you. they are chemicals . its not good putting that into your system all of the time and the side effects just arent worth it

Yea I agree with this. I have been told meds can be just like A band-aid never really curing the problem then you're taking them forever. Weird chemicals and side effects freak me out too. I can see benefits to them but if I ever make it to 40 I don't want to have some weird tremors or something hideous from chemical imbalances.

[Knife]

I'm afraid of the side effects, and as people have mentioned, becoming addicted to them and/or having to take stronger and stronger doses.
Mindyou, I'm thinking at the moment I'd like to try some mild antidepressants to get me through some tough things that are going on at the moment.. sigh I don't know what's best really.

[MeganC]

I've had so many bad experiences with antidepressants that I refuse to take them. Come to think of it, I just don't like to medicate myself with anything. From taking Tylenol for a cold to a percocet after a medical procedure. I find that pills either a) don't work, or b) make me feel even worse.

[Hot Chocolate]

I use to avoid them and JUST today, I decided that I would give medicine a try. Why?

I didn't want to take any medication mostly because of the side-effects and the drowsiness. I need them to get through my job and how am I suppose to have such side-effects, it is almost redundant.

But really, for now, I came to a realization. If it could keep my SA under tabs, why not? I could get use to these side effects rather than not knowing when my SA is coming up and taking over my day and ruining it.

[EmilyFay]

I've been taking one for about four years now and im beginning to realize that while it dulls the effects of my anxiety it also dulls my memory and emotions which depending on the situation can be good or bad. I havent decided yet if the gains are worth the loses.