Every time I considered typing this up in the past, I usually stopped myself, but this time, I'm feeling particularly lower than usual, and who knows, maybe it'll make me feel better to know the answer rather than postpone it.
I, like many, am dealing with depression, and this particular week (or last three days) haven't been all that great. I realize that nobody has perfect days or weeks, but my problems are coming from the weather changing (and as a result, I'm feeling more miserable than usual), on top of some things I'm unsure about in my life (Nothing serious, There are two girls I'm unsure about, can't tell who likes me, that's what is sitting over my head, really).
With the weather changing and girlfriend thoughts being all that are bothering me, I'm seriously considering getting on depression medication. I've thought about it for years, and have dropped the idea for a few months because of my belief that drugs don't cure anything, they just help surpress the thoughts, but that you have to consider doing things with your life to make it better, and with the exception of the girlfriend issue, and maybe moving out of my parents house (Which isn't realistic, really), I don't know what else I can really consider doing to improve my life (I'm already watching what I'm eating, I'm losing weight, I drink water regularly, ETC).
I have many concerns about taking depression medication, and I was wondering if maybe the Escapist could help me (I know that not everybody is the same, and only a doctor can tell me what I need and what I can have and all that), but I have some questions that make me think I don't need meds. My questions are:
- I am worried that if I am on meds, my personality will change dramatically (I really don't want to be super happy), is it a legitimate concern?
- I am worried the things I do might lose interest if I'm on meds (I already don't like doing anything; Watching movies, playing games, performing music, acting in plays, writing this movie about depression and seclusion), will medication make me dislike these things more?
- Will my mood become worse as the weather changes, just as it is now?
- On my father's side, Mental Illness/Chemical Imbalance runs strong. I'm alright for now, thankfully, just neurotic (And perhaps mildly OCD/Filled with anxiety). Will Medication bring out something from my family I won't like/Exacerbate what I have now?
I can't think of anything else right now. These are all questions I have been curious about for some time, and it has taken me a lot of will to even consider putting this up. Whether I consider it or not, however, is up to a doctor and me. They are just concerns that I don't think a WebMD article can do for me. So I ask people that do take medication (and are willing to admit it), is there more you need to know to make a suggestion, or would you consider me a candidate or no?
Thanks for everybody's help. Maybe somebody gives me what I need to hear.
CAPTCHA: Solve Media Can Help
Fat chance.
EDIT: I took a bit of time to read everybody's particular takes on my concern (And the guy who said "Snap Out of It!", can anyone unlock him? That's what I've said to myself all these other times, and it's what has kept me from typing it up, there is some legitimacy to his comment too, at least aimed at me, anyway)
I want to say thanks for everybody that has tried to get back to me through quoting or what have you. I purposely went to the Escapist because I'd like to understand the whole gamut of problems I can have from real people than some checklist on a Website.
My mood changes rather dramatically (I went running for a half an hour after posting this, it helped) as time goes by.
I have problems with Seasonal Depression (Self-Diagnosing), but I'm absolutely sure I have some kind of problem too (It runs in the family, It'll catch up to me sooner or later), and I will probably talk myself seeing a psychologist soon (I've met one, but they live far enough out of my way that to meet takes too much time in my schedule).
I didn't want to post this to make people assume I wanted attention (I've tried writing this forum post about three times over the last year, and I almost didn't post this one), but I wanted to show that I actively was listening to what people have said. I don't know if I'll mess with medication now (But give it some time, see what happens), but I at least feel better that I addressed it. Thank you.