Interested

[vraic]

I read a number of blogs, including randoms, from different sources -blogger ,lj, whererever. One theme caught my eye from American blogs... the amount of depression medication people take. The UK peoples' blogs I read don't mention any medications much - indeed my real life UK friends seem not to take them either. I wonder whether it is anything

Comments

[viciated_wilkin]

i never wanted to take medication for depression.. but the recent problems with my mom's health have taken a huge toll on me. i know they are the cause of the depression.. and no amount of talking is going to make her illness go away (she is in the end stages of multiple sclerosis). i was finding myself in tears almost constantly and crying to and from my job every day (1 hr each way).. i couldn't function. talking to friends didn't help at all, writing didn't, and counseling didn't.
i was on paxil.. and it did help though it exhausted me badly and after 3 months i stopped on my own... and i was okay because my mom was doing okay.. but then she got real bad again and i went on zoloft. which helped but messed my sleep up. so i am going off those now.

So i guess i just wanted to say that in my case.. i've tried the other options.. and i'm taking pills as a last resort to be able to function.
i have really good health insurance.. but though there is no huge stigma of taking pills.. there is still a stigma of seeking psychiatric/therapeutic help in the US.. and my insurance hardly covers it.

We also have a very big shortage of psychiatrics, therapists, etc. in the US.. especially for kids. That leads to regular doctors taking on the role of prescribers for psychiatric medicines.

And we have the big drug companies advertising everywhere that drugs are the answer.

[vraic]

I know you have been going through an awful lot recently, with your mom's heartbreaking illness and personal stuff too. I'm sure medication would be given in the UK or anywhere to help someone under so much stress. I hope you can find something that will help without messing you up in other ways. *Hug